Ray Charles, Georgia On My Mind | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

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In the 174^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Georgia On My Mind” as record by Ray Charles.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 174^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Georgia On My Mind”, performed by Ray Charles.

“Georgia, Georgia / The whole day through / Just an old, sweet song / Keeps Georgia on my mind.” The late, iconic musician Ray Charles earned 11 top-10 hits throughout his illustrious career. He also earned three no. 1 hits, including “Hit The Road Jack” and the beloved jazz standard, “Georgia On My Mind”, which spent one week atop the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1960. “Georgia On My Mind” wasn’t written by or for Charles – it was penned in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell. So, what is the Charles connection to the song besides covering it in 1960? Charles was born in the Peach State. Charles’ stirring, soulful rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” is the one to beat, PERIOD.

“Other arms, reach out to me / Other eyes smile tenderly / Still in peaceful dreams I see / The road leads back to you.” Sigh . Charles’ voice is the biggest draw of “Georgia On My Mind.” His instrument was, indeed, ‘once-in-a-lifetime.’ That said, so many other musical cues makes this six-decade-plus recording epic. The orchestral arrangement and production ( Sid Feller) are celestial . There’s just something about strings that provide a serious lift . Of course, the rhythm section is on-point, namely Charles’ magical piano playing. Also, those easy listening, choral vocals can’t be left out the mix, providing further enhancement. When Ray Charles sings about his home state on “Georgia On My Mind”, you buy what he is selling. There’s a reason why it’s the official state song.