Fats began his recording career in 1922 and made a living playing rent parties, as an organist at movie theatres and as an accompanist for various vaudeville acts. In 1927 he co-wrote a couple of tunes with his old piano teacher James P. Johnson for his show "Keep Shufflin'". Two years later Waller wrote the score for the Broadway hit "Hot Chocolates" with lyrics supplied by his friend Andy Razaf. Fats' most famous song, "Ain't Misbehavin'" was introduced in this show which featured Louis Armstrong.
Fats Waller's big break occurred at a party given by George Gershwin in 1934, where he delighted the crowd with his piano playing and singing. An executive of Victor Records, who was at the party was so impressed that he arranged for Fats to record with the company. This arrangement would continue until Waller's death in 1943.
Most of the records he made were released under the name of Fats Waller and his Rhythm. The group consisted of around half a dozen musicians who worked with him regularly, including Zutty Singleton. Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s Fats was a star of radio and nightclubs, and toured Europe. He unexpectedtly died on board a train near Kansas City, Missouri of pneumonia in 1943.
Georgia On My Mind
Fats Waller and His Rhythm Lyrics
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The whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
I'm say Georgia
Georgia
A song of you
As moonlight through the pines
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
I said Georgia,
Ooh Georgia, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
Georgia,
Georgia,
No peace, no peace I find
Just this old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
I said just an old sweet song,
Keeps Georgia on my mind
The song Georgia On My Mind, written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, is a heartfelt tribute to the state of Georgia in the United States. The lyrics describe the singer's unrelenting attachment to the state, no matter where he goes or what he does. The line "Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind" is repeated throughout the song and serves as a metaphor for the power of memories and the recollection of places of significance.
The opening lines, "Georgia, Georgia, the whole day through, just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind," set the tone for the song's theme of nostalgia and yearning. The singer reminisces about Georgia and all it represents to him, whether it be the people or the place itself. The next lines, "I'm say Georgia, Georgia, a song of you, comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines," add to this idea of Georgia being a source of comfort and solace for the singer, no matter where life takes him.
The chorus repeats the line "Other arms reach out to me, other eyes smile tenderly, still in peaceful dreams I see, the road leads back to you" to emphasize the singer's attachment to Georgia despite the passing of time and the distance that separates them. The chorus then ends with the plaintive "No peace I find, just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind."
Overall, Georgia On My Mind explores the concept of longing for a place and the memories associated with it, as well as the power of music to evoke those memories and feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Georgia, Georgia, The whole day through
The thoughts of Georgia are on my mind constantly throughout the day, as if it's an old sweet song that's playing on repeat.
Just an old sweet song, Keeps Georgia on my mind
Even though it's just a simple, familiar song, it has a powerful effect on me and reminds me of Georgia.
Other arms reach out to me, Other eyes smile tenderly, Still in peaceful dreams I see, The road leads back to you
Although others may try to comfort me or capture my attention, the tranquility of my dreams always brings me back to thoughts of you and the path that leads me back to Georgia.
I'm say Georgia, Georgia, A song of you, Comes as sweet and clear, As moonlight through the pines
The very thought of you is a melody that is beautiful and crisp, like the light of the moon shining through the trees on a clear night.
Georgia, Georgia, No peace, no peace I find, Just this old, sweet song Keeps Georgia on my mind
Despite the absence of peace in my mind and heart, the nostalgic, pleasant memories that the song of Georgia recalls prevents her from leaving my thoughts.
I said just an old sweet song, Keeps Georgia on my mind
Once again, I reiterate that it's the simplicity and sweetness of the song itself that has such a profound effect on me and keeps Georgia at the forefront of my thoughts.
Lyrics © CAMPBELL CONNELLY FRANCE
Written by: Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind