In 1960, Ray Charles released one of his biggest hits: “Georgia on My Mind”. The song, originally written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell in 1930, became Charles’ first number-1 hit in the United States and is considered one of the most iconic songs ever. In this article, we’ll explore the story behind the original song, as well as Ray Charles’ rendition of “Georgia on My Mind”.
The Story Behind the Song
“Georgia on My Mind” was musically written by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrically written by one-time lyricist Stuart Gorrell. The two met in 1920 at Indiana University and quickly became friends.
When Carmichael moved to New York in 1929 – where he would become one of the most successful Tin Pan Alley songwriters – he found out his old friend Gorell lived there too. The two reunited and decided to become roommates.
According to Hoagy Carmichael, the song originated when jazz saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer suggested Carmichael to write a song about the state of Georgia. “One day he said, “Why don’t you write a song called Georgia? Nobody lost much writing about the South,” Carmichael reflected in his biography. “Later I sat down at the Shackelfords’ piano, gave it some thought, and wrote it out, note by slow note.”
After hearing the song’s melody, roommate Stuart Gorrell decided to help Carmichael and wrote the lyrics of the song. “Georgia on My Mind” was eventually recorded and released at the end of 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael and his Orchestra. In 1931, Frankie Trumbauer – who suggested the song’s idea to Carmichael – had the first hit recording of the song.
The Meaning of the Song
It’s easy to assume “Georgia on My Mind” is a song about the state of Georgia, and according to the song’s writer Hoagy Carmichael, this is indeed the origin behind the song. A newspaper article in 1942, however, claims Carmichael wrote the song for his sister, Georgia Carmichael. Given the fact Hoagy Carmichael wrote in his own biography the song was written about the state of Georgia, it’s sensible to consider his account as more reliable.
It’s also important to note that most of the lyrics were written by Stuart Gorrell. Sadly enough, Gorrell never shared an insight into the song’s meaning. Oddly enough, “Georgia on My Mind” is the only lyric he ever wrote. Gorrell wasn’t a writer or musician, but instead a banker, and never wrote another lyric ever again.
Ray Charles’ Version
In 1960, Ray Charles decided to record his album The Genius Hits the Road. The album is an early example of a concept album and features 12 songs with geographical locations. Having always liked Carmichael’s “Georgia on My Mind”, the song was a logical inclusion.
“I’ve never known a lady named Georgia and I wasn’t dreaming of the state when I recorded the song, even though I was born there,” Ray Charles wrote in his biography. “It was just a beautiful, romantic melody.”
With Ray Charles’ approval, ABC Records released “Georgia on My Mind” as a single. Charles’ version of the song became a huge success and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 1960.
On April 24, 1979, Ray Charles’ version of “Georgia on My Mind” was chosen as the official State Song of Georgia. On March 7, 1979, Georgia native Ray Charles performed the song at the state capitol.
The Legacy of Georgia on My Mind
Over the years, Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell’s “Georgia on My Mind” became a ‘standard’ and is part of the Great American Songbook. The song is one of the most covered songs of the 1930s, with around 1000 versions. But none are as iconic as Ray Charles’ version, who released the definitive version of “Georgia on My Mind”.
Read more stories behind iconic songs