Midnight Train To Georgia

by

Gladys Knight & The Pips

Album: Imagination      Released: 1973

US Chart: 1     UK Chart: 10

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This was written and originally recorded by Jim Weatherly, who had a solo hit in 1974 with "The Need To Be." Weatherly explained the origin of this song in an interview with Gary James: "the song actually came about after a phone call I had with Farrah Fawcett. Lee Majors was a friend of mine. We'd played in the Flag Football League together in L.A. He had just started dating Farrah. One day I called Lee and Farrah answered the phone. We were just talking and she said she was packing. She was gonna take the midnight plane to Houston to visit her folks. So, it just stayed with me. After I got off the phone, I sat down and wrote the song probably in about 30 to 45 minutes. Something like that. Didn't take me long at all, 'cause I actually used Farrah and Lee as kind of like characters I guess. A girl that comes to L.A. to make it and doesn't make it and leaves to go back home. The guy goes back with her. Pretty simple little story, but it felt real to me. It felt honest to me. I played it for them and they loved it. I cut it on my first album as 'Midnight Plane To Houston.' And then later on, maybe a year or six months later, a guy in Atlanta wanted to cut the song on Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother. They called and said they would like a more R&B sounding title and asked if we would mind if they changed the title to 'Midnight Train To Georgia.' We said 'change anything but the writer and publisher.' So, he cut the song on Cissy Houston and it was a nice little cross between an R&B and Country record. It got on the R&B charts. That's the version that Gladys heard. Some of the background vocals you hear on Glady's records were first on Cissy Houston's record. It wasn't as much, but just some of the feel of the background vocals. And of course Gladys' record was more of a groove-oriented thing. It wasn't as slow. It just became a monster record." Hear Weatherly's version below:

Gladys Knight & The Pips recorded Weatherly's "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" in 1973 and released it as a kiss-off record as their contract to Motown Recording Company (Soul Record) was expiring. "Neither One of Us" was their biggest Motown/Soul hit, reaching #2 as the group signed with Buddha Records. When they decided to record an album consisting of only Jim Weatherly songs (Imagination), his publisher sent a copy of the song to Knight. This was the second single from the album, after "Where Peaceful Waters Flow." It became the group's biggest hit. The third and fourth singles off the album didn't do too badly either - "I've Got to Use My Imagination" peaked at #4 in the US, "Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" #3.

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Comments:

Woohoo. I too only noticed it recently. It made me revisit what I now think is one of the best songs ever written. The Pips turn this from being a good song into a great song. They're a cynical alter ego who say the things that Gladys can't bring herself to: "A superstar but he didn't get far". And of course, they're so upset when he has to sell his car. Not.
- David, Bristol, United Kingdom

HA! I never picked up that the woohoo sound The Pips make was supposed to be the train. That makes me like this song even more.
- Crystal, Lawrence, KS

There's no midnight train leaving L.A. to Georgia. The closest one leaves at 2:30 in the afternoon. Sorry Gladys, but he must have been going somewhere else and just lied to you.
- Paul, Los Angeles, CA

i can remember as a little girl listening to this song with my older sisters, and have always loved it. and still do, it is and always will be one of the greastesT songs ever written and sang by one of the most beautiful and most talented people onthe face of GODS mother earth. God bless all who love gladys knightand the pips.and God bless and always walk with you gladys!
- virginia, elk city, OK

This will always be a classic song and it brings back memories for so many of us. If you can't say something nice, why do you have to make nasty comments, Carolina in London? Are you jealous because this song is American? I love music from different countries, and I have no need to comment on music that I don't like. It's just like art; some people like it, some people don't. I just wish you would go to other songs rather than make ugly comments. Thank you.
- Tammy, Denver, CO

I know of at least one child named Georgia because of this song.
- Ann, Baltimore, MD

yeah definitly one of those songs on everyone's "when i'm driving alone" CDs haha a classic song even though the pips have less words than Ron Maclean on Coach's Corner they truly create the song's soul
- nathan, from the country of, Canada

The pips were her brother Merlad her cousins William Guest and Langston George.
- Jay, Atlanta, GA

In an interview Gladys said when she heard the title was "Midnight Plane To Houston" she said "I'm from Georgia, I don't know anything about airplanes or Houston, TX", so they changed the title to something she said she was more comfortable with - trains and Georgia.
- Jay, Atlanta, GA

I've gone as far as doing "Midnight Train To Georgia" with a few friends in a Karaoke bar. It is always listed in my top five. But, what are the Pips' lyrics. I never find them printed.
- Mike, Eldersburg, MD

If you ever want a good laugh while enjoying this song in the car, sing only the Pips backup vocals. Try not to crack up, especially when the Pips get to the part where they sing "whoo whoo" to simulate the train. Classic stuff.
- Patrick, Philadelphia, PA

Gladys Knight is the second greatest singer of all time next to Mahilia Jackson. She blew her heart out in Midnight train to Georgia. She has a velvet voice. When I first heard this song, I cried. Her voice is really divine. Nobody can do it like Gladys.
- harold, columbus, OH

Why does she wanna take a midnight train to my state???
- AJ, Cleveland, GA

she still tours apparently but ,not many pips left its just Gladys Knight and a Pip
- pete, nowra, Australia

I think this is a beaultiful, precious song. Everything...the lyrics the mood, the vocals, the musicianship (the bass-whew!. You can see the influence that this bass playing had on Paul McCartney.
- Brian, Sydney, Canada

Ew. American Idol? Gross.
- Carolina, London, England

My mom was one of the first people to hear this. As she met the guy that mixed it the day after it was recorded...
- Conrad, Los Angeles, CA

Really a beautiful song. It was great to see Gladys Knight getting her props when she was a guest on American Idol.
- Stoddard, Burlington, VT

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