Georgia On My Mind
Gene Krupa And His Orchestra with Anita O'Day Lyrics


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Back down memory lane, I began as my mother's bright idea
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
Don't worry mama this city's gonna help ya

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Georgia On My Mind" by Gene Krupa and His Orchestra with Anita O'Day pay tribute to the state of Georgia as the artist's birthplace and childhood home. The song describes the artist's origins, including their mother's vision that they would be special, their fear of the dark rooted in their beliefs, and their love for the city of Atlanta. The artist reflects on their past and how it has shaped who they are today, acknowledging their deceased father and thankful for the state of Georgia, which has been both their mother nature and godfather. Throughout the song, the artist expresses their pride in being from Georgia and their deep connection to their home state.


One interesting fact about "Georgia On My Mind" is that it is not actually a song about the state of Georgia, but rather a love song. It was written by Hoagy Carmichael in 1930 and originally recorded by Ray Charles in 1960, becoming the official state song of Georgia in 1979. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Anita O'Day with Gene Krupa and His Orchestra, and is considered a classic.


Line by Line Meaning

Back down memory lane, I began as my mother's bright idea
Looking back at my past, it all started with my mother's ambition and foresight


A short time later they all watched in awe and all of a sudden I'm here
Soon after, everyone was captivated by my talent and presence, and I made a name for myself


She was also my father so I hardly got to see her
Being raised by a single parent, I didn't get to spend much time with my mother


I was afraid of the dark, but it was only 'cause I was a believer
As a child, I was scared of the dark, but it was because of my imagination and belief in supernatural beings


I was told when I was two years old
Even at a young age of two, I was informed about my future success


She swore that I would be special
My mother had faith in me and believed that I was destined for greatness


I took a good look around and thought
After observing my surroundings, I had a realization


Don't worry mama this city's gonna help ya
I assured my mother that the city's resources would assist in my journey to success


Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Despite my travels and successes, Georgia will always hold a special place in my heart as my birthplace and where I was raised


Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
I feel a deep connection to Georgia and consider it a part of my identity, just as much as it is a part of me


When they ask me where I'm from
In social situations, people are curious about my background and place of origin


I'm proud to say that I'm your son
I take pride in being from Georgia and view it as an important aspect of my identity


I'm movin' on using mostly dirt roads until I find my way
In my pursuit of success, I had to start from humble beginnings and take unconventional paths to reach my goals


Campbellton Road, can't forget Cascade or remember both MLK
These streets and neighborhoods hold special memories and significance to me


There's somethin' about Atlanta, doesn't cease to amaze me
Atlanta, Georgia continues to fascinate and inspire me with its culture, history, and beauty


Oh, after all you even raised the people that raised me
Georgia, as a state, has played a significant role in shaping and influencing the people who have had an impact on my life and success


And my old man is very dead, can't be mad now why bother?
My father, who has passed away, is no longer a source of conflict or anger for me


And you have been my mother nature also my godfather
My mother has been both a nurturing presence and a guiding force in my life, like a combination of a mother and a godfather




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
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Comments from YouTube:

@Trombonology

Anita O'Day in her first session with the Krupa band: Few big band vocalists of the period would have had the chutzpah to open their chorus, the function of which was to acquaint the public with the song as written, with a couple of non-melody notes. Anita was an iconoclast, ahead of her time and eternally hip. Soon after this session, the great Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge would join the band, and the combination of these two artists would catapult the Krupa orch., from its inception in '38 a fine band, into the stratosphere.

@swingman5635

Anita,in those first few notes,was giving us a taste of things to come!

@coraggio93

I was surprised upon hearring this on the radio. Had no idea the song went back that far.

@scotnick59

Goes back to the early thirties!

@markhall411

lost this record over two years when my records feel over on the being able to replace one of two of the records that broke. But never this one the flipside was my favorite Alreet have it wrote down in my library on a arch walk under all day long to remind me to never give up trying to replace this great record is why here now looking for it again. you never relieze just how rare a record is till you try to replace it. got 56 of his records will never be happy until hopefully can replace this record. thanks for sharing it am recording it into adobe audition for me to hear again later. okay to find the flipside.

@notanotherjamesmurphy5574

play @ 0.5x speed for Ray Charles’ version

@markhall411

found it Alreet is more spiffy than this side was really bummed when this record broke was almost prefect David Henry shares it on 78 records Youtube

@jourwalis-8875

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