Here are some songs about Georgia. These include Otis Redding’s “Georgia” and John Mayer’s “Georgia” as well as Reba McEntire’s “Georgia’s Song” and Wyatt Durette’s “Highway 20 Ride.”
Otis Redding’s “Georgia”
Redding was a prolific soul singer and songwriter who dominated the music industry for decades. He received three nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, performed at the New York Philharmonic Hall, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “He was an extraordinary soul singer,” Taj Mahal, Redding’s daughter, said in a Goldmine article published in 2010. He also stayed true to his Georgia roots.
On September 9, the state of Georgia will recognize the legacy of Otis Redding with a proclamation. The Otis Redding Museum will open a new collection of memorabilia, including rare photographs and handwritten notes. The museum also plans to open a Redding-themed art exhibit to commemorate his life and legacy.
The exhibit also features Otis Redding’s philanthropy. The Otis Redding Foundation is responsible for establishing music education programs for the public. The Otis Redding Music Camp, which is now in its 12th year, is another example.
John Mayer’s “Georgia”
“Georgia” is one of the most popular songs in recent memory. With its soaring chorus and sassy rhythm, the song has stayed on the radio as a fan favorite. The song has been covered by many artists, including John Mayer and Ariana Grande.
While the song may have had an earlier release, the video is based on a live version of the song from Any Given Thursday, Mayer’s second album. In its original version, the song was the third single from Mayer’s first album. In an international version of the song, the band included an audio clip from that album.
Reba McEntire’s “Georgia’s Song”
In 1991, Reba McEntire recorded “Georgia’s Song,” cementing its place in country music history. The song’s story is one of murder, betrayal, and lust. Bobby Russell wrote the song, and the original version was recorded by Vicki Lawrence.
The album has been successful for McEntire and her record label, Starstruck Entertainment. The label handles booking, management, music publishing, and transportation services. The singer also stars in films. In 2001, she starred in Reba and again in the Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun.
The “Radio” video features Reba in a hooded black cloak. The video was filmed over two days in Nashville, Tennessee, during a lightning storm. However, the filming was pushed back because of a tornado warning. In the clip, Reba enters a warehouse in a black cloak. She walks down the dimly-lit hall, where lights swing. Next, she picks up boxes containing radios and places them on a rack.
The original pitch for the song was pitched to producer Barbara Mandrell, but she wanted to record with Linda Davis, a member of Reba’s road band. Her manager, however, suggested Wynonna Judd, who agreed to record the song. The two recorded the song together, but later re-recorded it with Dolly Parton.
Wyatt Durette’s “Highway 20 Ride”
The song “Highway 20 Ride” is a country song recorded by the Zac Brown Band. It was released in November 2009 as the fourth single from the band’s 2009 album, The Foundation. It is the band’s third number one country single. A music video for the song was released on December 22, 2009.
The song is about a road trip between Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia. Zac Brown, Wyatt Durette’s bandmate, has a similar story. He lost his wife and wanted to remain close to his son. He decided to drive from Atlanta to Augusta, Georgia, in order to see his son. The trip inspired him to write a song about his journey and how he was affected by it.
King Demetre’s “Shemokmedura”
The Georgian polyphonic song Shemokmedura is a classic example of medieval Georgian polyphonic singing. It is traditionally sung at the end of a hard day’s work in the fields. Traditionally, neighboring men and women would help each other till the fields and harvest crops, and in return, be rewarded with supra (traditional Georgian songs). Shemokmedura is one of the first songs sung at the dinner table, and its enchanting sound can help put tiredness and frustration into a distant memory.
Bobby Russell’s “Georgia’s Song”
Bobby Russell was born in Nashville, Tennessee on April 19, 1941. His songs span a variety of genres, from country to pop to gospel. His Grammy-winning hit “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” became one of the most popular songs of the 1960s, winning the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year Award. In addition to writing popular songs for country singers, Russell also wrote several movie scores. He died from a heart attack at age forty-three.
This song tells the story of a man who cheated on his wife. The man is dead, but Andy’s sister tells us that she shot him to kill his wife. The ensuing scandal has a tragic ending for the Lawrence family, and their lives. Vicki Lawrence, Andy’s sister, briefly had her own talk show.
Bobby Russell’s song has been covered by several artists, including Reba McEntire. Vicki Lawrence was the first to record it. Despite being a Southern Gothic murder ballad, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” achieved #1 status on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
