Released in 1970, it became a defining moment in Twitty’s career, solidifying his status as a country music legend. But the story behind “Rainy Night in Georgia” goes deeper than just chart success.
Background
The song’s roots lie in the songwriting talents of Tony Joe White. White, known for his gritty, blues-tinged Southern rock, penned the tune in 1962. Originally titled “Rainy Night in Oklahoma,” the song sat dormant for several years, waiting for the right voice to bring it to life. Enter Brook Benton, a smooth baritone crooner who had enjoyed considerable success in the 1950s.
In 1970, Benton, seeking a comeback, released his version of “Rainy Night in Georgia,” transforming White’s raw composition into a soulful ballad. The song became Benton’s biggest hit in years, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
However, the story doesn’t end there. Conway Twitty, a rising star in country music with a baritone as rich as Benton’s, heard the song and felt an instant connection. Recognizing its potential, Twitty recorded his own version, injecting it with a distinctly country flavor. The arrangement, featuring a melancholic pedal steel guitar and a steady backbeat, perfectly complemented Twitty’s powerful vocals. The lyrics, filled with imagery of a lonesome traveler on a rainy night, resonated deeply with country audiences.
Twitty’s version of “Rainy Night in Georgia” became a runaway success, topping the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for a staggering eight weeks. It wasn’t just the melody or the relatable lyrics that propelled the song to such heights. There was a certain magic in Twitty’s delivery. He sang with a weary resignation, a sense of acceptance for the melancholic mood the song evokes. Yet, there’s also a hint of defiance, a quiet strength that suggests the rain, like the heartache, will eventually pass.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
[Verse 1: Conway Twitty]
Hovering by my suitcase, tryin’ to find
A warm place to spend the night
Heavy raindrops falling
Seems I hear your voice callin’ It’s all right[Chorus: Conway Twitty]
It’s a rainy night in Georgia, a rainy night in Georgia
Lord, I believe it’s raining all over the world
I feel like it’s raining all over the world[Verse 2: Sam Moore]
Neon signs a flashing, taxicabs and buses
Passing through the night
A distant moan of a train, seems to play a sad refrain
To the night[Chorus: Sam Moore]
A rainy night in Georgia, a rainy night in Georgia
Lord, I believe it’s raining all over the world
I feel like it’s raining all over the world[Bridge: Conway Twitty and Sam Moore]
How many times I’ve wonder
And it still comes out the same
No matter how you look at it or think of it
You see it’s life and we just got to play the game
Harley