About The Song
“Midnight Train to Georgia” eventually found its way to Gladys Knight when the song was passed on to the legendary R&B group by Weatherly’s publisher. At that time, the band had recently departed from Motown Records and inked a deal with Buddah Records. Their first album with the new label, “Imaginations,” was released in 1973, and “Georgia” became their second single under this arrangement. It was evident that the song had fallen into capable hands, and Knight infused the narrative with a more refined, soulful atmosphere.
In a 2013 interview with the Wall Street Journal, Knight revealed her vision for the song: “I wanted an Al Green thing going, you know? Something moody, with a little ride to it. I’ve always liked my tracks full: horns, keyboards, and other instruments to create texture and spark something in me.” She shared that during the recording of the single, she reflected on her own life, particularly her marriage to a talented saxophonist. Despite his gifts, he was discontent with their unconventional marriage due to her frequent travels and recording commitments. As the song suggested, these challenges proved overwhelming, leading to their divorce in 1973.
In her 1998 biography, “Between Each Line of Pain and Glory,” Knight emphasized that “Midnight Train to Georgia” was a song that felt like it truly belonged to her and the Pips after a long time. “Our fans must have agreed; it is still selling.”
The poignant lyrics of the song include the lines “He kept dreamin’ / Oh that someday he’d be a star,” where Knight delves deep for an emotional impact. The hard-hitting reality that “dreams don’t always come true” is powerfully conveyed.
Gladys Knight & the Pips’ rendition of the song soared to No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Soul Singles chart. Additionally, it earned them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus.
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Lyrics
L.A. proved too much for the man
(Too much for the man, he couldn’t make it)
So he’s leaving a life he’s come to know, ooh
(He said he’s going)
He said he’s going back to find
(Going back to find)
Ooh, what’s left of his world
The world he left behind not so long agoHe’s leaving
(Leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia, yeah
(Leaving on the midnight train)
Said he’s going back
(Going back to find)
To a simpler place and time, oh yes he is
(Whenever he takes that ride, guess who’s gonna be right by his side)
I’ll be with him
(I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia
(Leaving on a midnight train to Georgia, woo woo)
I’d rather live in his world
(Live in his world)
Than live without him in mine
(Her world is his, his and hers alone)He kept dreaming
(Dreaming)
Ooh, that some day he’d be a star
(A superstar, but he didn’t get far)
But he sure found out the hard way
That dreams don’t always come true, oh no, uh uh
(Dreams don’t always come true, uh uh, no, uh uh)
So he pawned down his hopes
(Woo, woo, woo-woo)
And even sold his old car
(Woo, woo, woo-woo)
Bought a one way ticket back to the life he once knew
Oh yes he did, he said he wouldOh-oh, he’s leaving
(Leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia, yeah
(Leaving on a midnight train)
Said he’s going back to find, ooh
(Going back to find)
A simpler place and time, ooh, yeah
(Whenever he takes that ride, guess who’s gonna be right by his side)
I’m gonna be with him
(I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia
(Leaving on a midnight train to Georgia, woo woo)
I’d rather live in his world
(Live in his world)
Than live without him in mine
(Her world is his, his and hers alone)Ooh, he’s leaving
(Leaving)
On the midnight train to Georgia, yeah, ooh y’all
(Leaving on the midnight train)
Said he’s going back to find
(Going back to find)
Ooh, a simpler place and time, ooh y’all, uh-huh
(Whenever he takes that ride, guess who’s gonna be right by his side)
I’ve got to be with him
(I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia
(Leaving on a midnight train to Georgia, woo woo)
I’d rather live in his world
(Live in his world)
Than live without him in mine
(Her world is his, his and hers alone)For love, gonna board the midnight train to ride
For love, gonna board, gotta board the midnight train to go
For love, gonna board, uh huh, the midnight train to go
My world, his world, our world, mine and his alone
My world, his world, our world, mine and his alone
I got to go
I got to go
I got to go, hey
I got to go
I got to go
My world, his world, my man, his girl
I got to go
I got to go, oh
I got to go
My world, his world, our world, his girl