Georgia (Elton John song)
Encyclopedia
"Georgia" is a song by Elton John
with lyrics by Gary Osborne
. It is the seventh track off his 1978 album, A Single Man.
, evidenced by Elton's run-laden piano playing, and a heavy gospel-esque choir, which gives the song a certain "Southern" feel to it. John plays both harmonium and church organ on the song. There is also a pedal steel guitar
featured, creating a country-esque feel. It also plays the solo. Unlike John's previous effort, "Blue Moves," which contained several tracks backed by the Rev. James Cleveland's choir, the heavy choir featured in the song's chorus features a 'motley crew' of cronies, including members of John's then-owned football team, Watford F.C.
.
The pedal steel guitar was provided by B.J. Cole, who had previously worked with John on his Tumbleweed Connection
and Madman Across the Water
albums.
". It basically just praises the state of Georgia, its weather, its people and the atmosphere. However, there seem to be a doubt from the writer:
"Times are changing down in Georgia, though not always for the best. Give me 35 good acres, Lord, and let the progress take the rest".
The song also appeared as the b-side to Elton's 1979 single, "Johnny B. Goode
" from his disco
album Victim of Love
when released in the United States. It did not appear on any other album and was rarely, if ever, played in concert.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
with lyrics by Gary Osborne
Gary Osborne
Gary Osborne is an English singer and songwriter from the United Kingdom.-Career:Osborne was born in London, educated in Switzerland, and followed his father into the music industry at the age of fifteen....
. It is the seventh track off his 1978 album, A Single Man.
Musical structure
As many of his other songs, John's main inspiration here is gospelGospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
, evidenced by Elton's run-laden piano playing, and a heavy gospel-esque choir, which gives the song a certain "Southern" feel to it. John plays both harmonium and church organ on the song. There is also a pedal steel guitar
Pedal steel guitar
The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
featured, creating a country-esque feel. It also plays the solo. Unlike John's previous effort, "Blue Moves," which contained several tracks backed by the Rev. James Cleveland's choir, the heavy choir featured in the song's chorus features a 'motley crew' of cronies, including members of John's then-owned football team, Watford F.C.
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
.
The pedal steel guitar was provided by B.J. Cole, who had previously worked with John on his Tumbleweed Connection
Tumbleweed Connection
Tumbleweed Connection is the third album by English international recording artist Elton John. It is a concept album based on the Country and Western/Americana themes. All songs are written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John with the exception of "Love Song" by Lesley Duncan. It was recorded at...
and Madman Across the Water
Madman Across the Water
Madman Across the Water is the fourth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1971 through DJM/Uni Records. The title song, "Madman Across the Water", was set to be released on Elton John's previous album Tumbleweed Connection. However, it was set aside and would...
albums.
Lyrical meaning
This song could easily be an homage to Ray Charles' "Georgia on My MindGeorgia on My Mind
"Georgia on My Mind" is a song written in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell . It is the official state song of the U.S. state of Georgia. Gorrell wrote the lyrics for Hoagy's sister, Georgia Carmichael. However, the lyrics of the song are ambiguous enough to refer either to the state or...
". It basically just praises the state of Georgia, its weather, its people and the atmosphere. However, there seem to be a doubt from the writer:
"Times are changing down in Georgia, though not always for the best. Give me 35 good acres, Lord, and let the progress take the rest".
The song also appeared as the b-side to Elton's 1979 single, "Johnny B. Goode
Johnny B. Goode
"Johnny B. Goode" is a 1958 rock and roll song written and originally performed by American musician Chuck Berry. The song was a major hit among both black and white audiences peaking at #2 on Billboard magazine's Hot R&B Sides chart and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.The song is one of Chuck Berry's...
" from his disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
album Victim of Love
Victim of Love (album)
Victim of Love is the thirteenth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1979. Recorded at Musicland, Munich and Rusk Sound Studios, Hollywood, it was not critically or commercially well-received, and is his second lowest charting album to date. This is also the shortest...
when released in the United States. It did not appear on any other album and was rarely, if ever, played in concert.
Personnel
- Elton John - pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, harmoniumHarmoniumA harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
, church organ, vocals - Tim Renwick - Lesley guitar, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
- B.J. Cole - pedal steel guitarPedal steel guitarThe pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
- Clive Franks - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Steve Holly - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Ray CooperRay CooperRay Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
- tambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all.... - Watford Football Team - backing vocals
- The South Audley Street Girl's Choir - backing vocals