She is noted for her elegant interpretations of standards, ballads, and blues. Her characteristic inflections have sometimes prompted comparisons to stylistic devices employed by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Jones' recordings, particularly her debut record (Don't Go To Strangers, 1960), have earned wide admiration in a new generation of listeners.
She had three Grammy nominations, for the Don't Go to Strangers LP in 1960, Save Your Love for Me in 1981, and My Buddy in 1999.
Jones had a musical partnership of more than thirty years with tenor sax player Houston Person, who received equal billing with her. He also produced her albums and served as her manager.
Jones was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and raised in Harlem. She died at the age of 72 from cancer. She was survived by her husband, John Medlock, and a granddaughter.
Georgia on My Mind
Etta Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A short time later they all watched in awe and all of a sudden I'm here
She was also my father so I hardly got to see her
I was afraid of the dark, but it was only 'cause I was a believer
I was told when I was two years old
She swore that I would be special
I took a good look around and thought
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
I'm movin' on using mostly dirt roads until I find my way
Campbellton Road, can't forget Cascade or remember both MLK
There's somethin' about Atlanta, doesn't cease to amaze me
Oh, after all you even raised the people that raised me
And my old man is very dead, can't be mad now why bother?
And you have been my mother nature also my godfather
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
In Etta Jones's song "Georgia On My Mind," the singer takes a trip down memory lane and reflects on her past. She starts out talking about her birth and how her mother had the idea of having her. Her father was also her mother, so she didn't get to see her mother often. The singer was afraid of the dark, but she realized it was only because she was a believer. When she was two, her mother said she would be special, and the singer looks around and tells her mother that the city will help her.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about moving on using mostly dirt roads until she finds her way. She talks about different parts of Atlanta and how amazing it is. She mentions that her old man is very dead and that she can't be mad now, so why bother? She also says that Georgia has been her mother nature and her godfather.
The chorus brings the song together, with the singer declaring that Georgia will always be home to her and that she belongs to Georgia. When people ask her where she's from, she's proud to say that she's Georgia's son. The song overall is a reflection on the singer's past and how important Georgia is to her.
Line by Line Meaning
Back down memory lane, I began as my mother's bright idea
Reflecting on my past, I realize that my mother was the one who came up with the idea to have me.
A short time later they all watched in awe and all of a sudden I'm here
Soon after, everyone around me was amazed as I was born and entered this world.
She was also my father so I hardly got to see her
Unfortunately, my mother was also my father, so I didn't get to spend as much time with her as I would have liked.
I was afraid of the dark, but it was only 'cause I was a believer
Although I was afraid of the dark, it was simply because I had a strong belief in certain things.
I was told when I was two years old
At a very young age, I was told something important.
She swore that I would be special
My mother made a promise that I would be someone special.
I took a good look around and thought
Looking at my surroundings, I realized something important.
Don't worry mama this city's gonna help ya
I reassured my mother that the city we were in would guide and support us.
There's somethin' about Atlanta, doesn't cease to amaze me
I love Atlanta and there is something about it that always surprises and fascinates me.
Oh, after all you even raised the people that raised me
I realize that not only did you raise me, but you also raised the people who influenced and taught me.
And my old man is very dead, can't be mad now why bother?
My father has passed away and there's no point in being angry about it now.
And you have been my mother nature also my godfather
You have been both a motherly figure and a godfather to me.
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia will always be a special and important place for me.
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
I feel a strong connection and sense of belonging to Georgia, and in return it belongs to me.
When they ask me where I'm from
When people ask me about my origins and where I come from.
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
I am proud to say that I come from Georgia and that it is a part of me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Guy, Homer Steinweiss, Leon Michels, Nick Movshon, Thomas Brenneck, Thomas Callaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind