“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
The haunting strains of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” echo a tale as murky and entangled as the Southern swamps. Sung by Reba McEntire, this song weaves a narrative that transcends its origins, becoming a staple in the repertoire of Southern Gothic music. Its poignant reflection on justice and vengeance in the American South offers a powerful opening to a saga that remains relevant decades after its debut.
About The Composition
- Title: The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
- Composer: Vicki Lawrence, later famously covered by Reba McEntire
- Premiere Date: Originally released in 1972, Reba McEntire’s cover was released in 199
- Album/Opus/Collection: Featured in McEntire’s album of the same name
- Genre: Country
Background:
Originally penned by Bobby Russell and performed by Vicki Lawrence, the song became a surprise hit, reaching the top of the Billboard charts. When Reba McEntire covered the song in 1991, it revived its popularity, bringing a fresh, emotive interpretation that highlighted her Southern roots and musical prowess. The song’s narrative, a dramatic tale of murder and wrongful accusation, captures the imagination and evokes the storytelling tradition of country music.
Musical Style
McEntire’s version features a blend of classic country instrumentation with a touch of pop, making it accessible to a wider audience. Her powerful vocals deliver the narrative with a compelling mix of sorrow and intensity, underscored by gentle guitar strums and emphatic drum beats, which enhance the dramatic climax of the story.
Lyrics/Libretto
The lyrics tell a story of betrayal and injustice, narrated by a character who returns home to find their world irrevocably changed. The interplay between the lyrics and McEntire’s expressive delivery creates a vivid tableau of the emotional landscape of the characters involved, making the listener a witness to the unfolding drama.
Performance History
McEntire’s rendition was widely praised for its emotional depth and vocal performance, securing its place in her concerts and country music stations across the U.S. It underscored her ability to tell a story through music, a hallmark of her enduring career.
Cultural Impact
The song has permeated various aspects of popular culture, covered by numerous artists and featuring in television and film. Its story resonates with themes of injustice and the dark underbelly of rural life, making it a song that speaks to the American experience.
Legacy
“The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” stands as a testament to the power of narrative in music. McEntire’s cover not only revitalized the song but also cemented her status as a storyteller in the canon of country music.
Conclusion
Reba McEntire’s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” is a compelling invitation to explore the darker corners of human nature and justice through the lens of country music. Its enduring popularity encourages new listeners to discover its rich narrative and emotional depth, making it a must-listen for fans of poignant storytelling.
Video
Lyrics
He was on his way home from Candletop
Been two weeks gone and he thought he’d stop
At Web’s and have him a drink ‘fore he went home to her
Andy Wo-Lo said, “Hello”
He said, “Hi, what’s new?”
And Wo said, “Sit down, I got some bad news that’s gonna hurt”
Said, “I’m your best friend and you know that’s right
But your young bride ain’t home tonight
Since you’ve been gone, she’s been seeing that Amos boy, Seth”
Now he got mad and he saw red
Andy said, “Boy, don’t you lose your head
‘Cause to tell you the truth, I’ve been with her myself”
That’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That’s the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don’t trust your soul to no backwoods Southern lawyer
‘Cause the judge in the town’s got bloodstains on his hands
Andy got scared and left the bar
Walking on home ’cause he didn’t live far, you see
Andy didn’t have many friends and he just lost him one
Brother thought his wife must have left town
So he went home and finally found
The only thing Daddy had left him, and that was a gun
He went off to Andy’s house
Slipping through the backwoods quiet as a mouse
Came upon some tracks too small for Andy to make
He looked through the screen at the back porch door
And he saw Andy lying on the floor
In a puddle of blood, and he started to shake
The Georgia patrol was making their rounds
So he fired a shot, just to flag ’em down
A big-bellied sheriff grabbed his gun and said
“Why’d you do it?”
The judge said “guilty” on a make-believe trial
Slapped the sheriff on the back with a smile
Said, “Supper’s waiting at home and I got to get to it”
That’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That’s the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don’t trust your soul to no backwoods Southern lawyer
‘Cause the judge in the town’s got bloodstains on his hands
Well, they hung my brother before I could say
The tracks he saw while on his way
To Andy’s house and back that night were mine
And his cheating wife had never left town
That’s one body that’ll never be found
You see little sister don’t miss when she aims her gun
That’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That’s the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don’t trust your soul to no backwoods Southern lawyer
‘Cause the judge in the town’s got bloodstains on his hands
That’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That’s the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don’t trust your soul to no backwoods Southern lawyer
‘Cause the judge in the town’s got bloodstains on his hands