About the song
“Georgia on My Mind,” originally penned by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Stuart Gorrell in 1930, has transcended its origins to become an enduring anthem associated with the state of Georgia and a cornerstone of American music history. Hoagy Carmichael, inspired by a suggestion from saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer, crafted the melody around the words “Georgia, Georgia,” eventually collaborating with Gorrell to complete the lyrics. The song’s genesis is intertwined with Carmichael’s personal connections, including a popular notion that it was inspired by his sister, Georgia.
Carmichael first recorded “Georgia on My Mind” in 1930 with Bix Beiderbecke on cornet, capturing its soulful essence in the early jazz era. The song quickly resonated with listeners, but it was Ray Charles who cemented its place in the cultural zeitgeist. Charles, a Georgia native himself, imbued the song with his distinctive blend of soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues for his 1960 album “The Genius Hits the Road.” His rendition not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 but also became synonymous with his musical legacy.
In a symbolic gesture of appreciation, Georgia designated Ray Charles’s version of “Georgia on My Mind” as its official state song in 1979, honoring both the song’s enduring popularity and Charles’s profound influence on American music. This recognition underscored the song’s deep cultural significance and its ability to evoke nostalgia and pride for the state.
Over the years, “Georgia on My Mind” has garnered multiple accolades, including induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame twice — first in 1993 for Ray Charles’s rendition and later in 2014 for Carmichael’s original recording. Its timeless appeal has also been celebrated in popular media, from being featured prominently in the TV series “Designing Women” to its homage in various musical tributes.
Ray Charles’s rendition remains the definitive version, celebrated for its evocative lyrics and Charles’s soul-stirring delivery. Its inclusion in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time further solidifies its place in the pantheon of American classics, ensuring that “Georgia on My Mind” continues to resonate across generations as a musical masterpiece and a heartfelt tribute to the state of Georgia.
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Lyrics
Georgia, Georgia
The whole day through (the whole day through)
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind)
I said Georgia
Georgia
A song of you (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
Oh Georgia, no peace I find (no peace I find)
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind (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
Whoa-whoa, Georgia
Georgia
No peace, no peace I find
Just an old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind)
I said just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind