Ray Charles "Georgia On My Mind" - Lyrics, Sheet Music, and Renditions
Ranked #83 in Music, #2,615 overall
Georgia On My Mind - A Beautiful Song With a Rich History
However, "Georgia On My Mind" has been recorded by many other artists running the gamut from country singer Wllie Nelson to R&B group Brownstone. The lyrics are ambiguous enough to refer to either a person or a place named Georgia, which gives the song different meaning to different people. The song also has a timeless melody, giving it life generation after generation. Although it was written in the 1930s, this tune continues to be a jewel of American music.
Georgia On My Mind Lyrics
The whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
I'm say Georgia
Georgia
A song of you
Comes as sweet and clear
As moonlight through the pines
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
I said Georgia,
Ooh Georgia, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
Georgia,
Georgia,
No peace, no peace I find
Just this old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
I said just an old sweet song,
Keeps Georgia on my mind
Georgia On My Mind - History
"Georgia on My Mind" is a song written in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael (music) and Stuart Gorrell (lyrics). It is the official state song of the U.S. state of Georgia. Gorrell wrote the lyrics for Hoagy's sister, Georgia Carmichael http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/metsnav/hoagy/navigate.do?pn=1&size=large&oid=http%3A%2F%2Ffedora.dlib.indiana.edu%3A9090%2Ffedora%2Fget%2Fiudl%3A26519%2FMETADATA. However, the lyrics of the song are ambiguous enough to refer either to the state or to a woman named "Georgia". Carmichael's 1965 autobiography, Sometimes I Wonder, records the origin: a friend, saxophonist and bandleader Frankie Trumbauer, suggested: "Why don't you write a song called 'Georgia?' Nobody lost much writing about the South." Thus, the song is universally believed to have been written about the state.
The song was first recorded on September 15, 1930 in New York by Hoagy Carmichael and His Orchestra with Bix Beiderbecke on muted cornet and Hoagy Carmichael on vocals. The recording was part of Bix Beiderbecke's last recording session. The recording was released as Victor 23013 with "One Night in Havana".
Frankie Trumbauer had the first major hit recording in 1931 when his recording made the top ten on the charts. Trumbauer had suggested that Carmichael compose the song.
The song is perhaps best known as sung by Ray Charles, who recorded it in 1960 on the album The Genius Hits the Road. It became Georgia's state song in 1979. Inspired by this blues version, Willie Nelson formally introduced the song to country audiences in 1978 as a #1 Country/Western hit.
Download the Sheet Music for Georgia On My Mind (Piano)
Georgia On My Mind - The Ray! Movie Soundtrack Version
The sound is so rich, full, and true to the era in which it was first recorded that it makes me close my eyes and envision Georgia in the 1960s (as much as you can when you're 29 years old). My father, who was roughly the same age as Ray Charles, sings and plays piano in a very similar style, so I really feel like this song is a part of who I am.
The song has been named #44 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All Time, and rightfully so, I believe. The lyrics, composition, and performance of this version come together to create a musical experience unlike any other.
Download "Georgia On My Mind" by Ray Charles - MP3
Buy the Ray! Movie Soundtrack for the Best Price
Ray!: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/15/2009)![]()
This collection of songs is so beautiful and colorful that they make a great addition to any sound library. Although I love this song by Ray Charles in all it's versions, I enjoy the Ray! Soundtrack version the most.
Find Renditions of Georgia On My Mind - CD and MP3
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Reader Feedback: What Are Your Memories Of This Song?
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Reply
- icjackson icjackson Feb 18, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
- Thank you, Ken :-)
My father is 78 years old, and when I was growing up, he used to play What'd I Say and America the Beautiful on our piano and sing like Ray Charles. We used to watch Ray on television when we were children, especially those Pepsi commercials :-P
It sparked a life-long love for his music, and I am more than happy to share that with you and the rest of the world.
And happy early birthday, too ;-)
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Reply
- Ken R Taylor Ken R Taylor Feb 18, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
- Thank you for the nice presentation on Ray Charles. I am a soon to be ( Sat 21st Feb ) a 71 year old who has been asked to sing some songs from the 1930's for our annual "Art Deco" weekend celebrations here in Napier, New Zealand. I just love the music from this period and on up to 1950, especially songs written by Hoagy Carmichael.
Keep up your high standard, it is a real pleasure for those of my generation to see this.
I have passed it on to all my muso friends.
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