Midnight Train to Georgia

Gladys Knight

About Midnight Train to Georgia

"Midnight Train to Georgia" is a 1973 number-one hit single by Gladys Knight & the Pips, their second release after departing Motown Records for Buddah Records. Written by Jim Weatherly, and included on the Pips' 1973 LP Imagination, "Midnight Train to Georgia" won the 1974 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus and has become Knight's signature song.


Year:
1998
4:42
116 
#1

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L.A. Proved too much for the man
Too much for the man, he couldn't make it
So he's leavin' the life he's come to know uhoo
He said he's goin'
He said he's goin' back to find
Goin' back to find
Ooh, what's left of his world
The world he left behind
Not so long ago

He's leavin' (leavin')
On that midnight train to Georgia
Leavin' on the midnight train
Said he's goin' back
Goin' back to find
To a simpler place in time
Oh yes he is

And I'll be with him (I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia (leavin' on the midnight train to Georgia)
I'd rather live in his world
Than live without him in mine
That world is his, his and 'ers alone

He kept dreamin' (dreamin')
That someday he'd be a star
A super star, but he didn't get far
But he sure found out the hard way
That dreams don't always come true
So he pawned all his hopes
And he even sold his old car
Bought a one way ticket back
To the life he once knew
Oh yes he did
He said he would

Oh oh he's leavin'
On that midnight train to Georgia (leavin' on the midnight train)
Said he's goin' back to find
Oh a simpler place in time

And I'm gonna be with him (I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia
I'd rather live in his world
Than be without him in mine

The world is his, his and 'ers alone
Oh he's leavin'
On that midnight train to Georgia (leavin' on the midnight train)
Said he's goin' back to find (goin' back to find)
Oh a simpler place in time

And I've gotta be with him (I know you will)
On the midnight train to Georgia
I'd rather live in his world
Than be without him in mine

The world is his, his and 'ers alone
For love gonna board
The midnight train to Georgia
For love gonna board
The midnight train to Georgia

For love gonna board
The midnight train to Georgia
For love gonna board
The midnight train to Georgia
For love gonna board
The midnight train to Georgia

For love gonna board
The midnight train to Georgia
For love gonna board
The midnight train to Georgia
For love gonna board
The midnight train to Georgia
For love gonna board
The midnight train to Georgia

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Gladys Knight

Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944), known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author. She is best known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s and 1970s, for both the Motown and Buddah Records labels, with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips, the most famous incarnation of which also included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and her cousins Edward Patten and William Guest. Knight has won a total of seven Grammy awards (four as a solo artist, and three with The Pips). more »

3 fans

Written by: James D. Weatherly

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Midnight Train to Georgia" was originally titled "Midnight Plane to Houston" and written by Jim Weatherly, who was a former quarterback for the University of Mississippi. It was inspired by a phone call Weatherly made to Farrah Fawcett; he heard she was leaving on a “midnight plane to Houston” and he turned that into a song.
Song Repositioning
Weatherly's publisher pitched the song to Cissy Houston (Whitney Houston's mother), who reworked it into a song called "Midnight Train to Georgia" for her 1972 self-titled album. Gladys Knight heard Houston’s version and decided to record it.
Release and Reception
"Midnight Train to Georgia" was released as a single by Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1973 from their album "Imagination". It went on to become a huge success.
Chart Rankings
The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Singles chart, and was also a big hit in the UK, where it reached number 10.
Grammy Wins
"Midnight Train to Georgia" won Gladys Knight & the Pips a Grammy in 1974 for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.
Cultural Impact
The song has had a lasting cultural impact and has been covered by various artists. It's referenced in shows, movies and even other songs. It is seen as representative of the urban-to-rural migration by African Americans in the 20th century.
Song Induction
"Midnight Train To Georgia" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. It was also selected as one of Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Dance Performance
During live performances, the Pips would act out parts of the song, with one of them pretending to be the man who goes back to Georgia. This added a theatrical element to their shows.
Music Video
Though the song was released before the MTV era, a music video was made featuring Gladys Knight on a train station platform with the Pips providing backup vocals, complete with patented Motown dance moves.
Song Interpretation
The narrative of the song reflects themes of loyalty and devotion, with the main character willing to leave her successful life in Los Angeles to follow her boyfriend who decided to return to Georgia+ after failing to make it in the city.

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    Midnight Train to Georgia

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