His first move was for a name change to the Four Knights. He took them to New York and they started appearing on Arthur Godfrey’s radio show in 1945. Lang-Worth was a company that made what were called transcriptions, actually early albums containing four to six songs on each side of an eight inch disc that played at 33-1/3 rpm. These discs were not sold to the public; most all were sent to radio stations, allowing a local disc jockey to give the impression the group was right in the studio. The Knights did a number of these recordings. Between this type of exposure and the Godfrey show the group became fairly well-known. In 1946 they signed with Decca Records and in April of that year they released their first single, “Just in Case You Change Your Mind.” After four singles featuring Gene’s mellow lead, Oscar’s broad bass, and usually incorporating Gene’s whistling over the instrumental section, the group was moved to Decca’s Coral affiliate for three more 78s through 1949. They toured with dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and got a shot s regulars on the Red Skelton radio show in 1948. They spent two years doing Skelton in Los Angeles and performing in clubs across the country. The Knights lost the Skelton job in 1950 when their manager wanted more than the show could pay, and so he pulled the group. They then discharged him for losing what they considered to be a prime exposure medium.
In 1951 they brought their soft harmony to Capitol Records and began with “I Love the Sunshine of Your Smile” (#23). They also began covering R&B and pop artists on songs like “The Glory of Love” (THE 5 KEYS), “Sin” (THE FOUR ACES), which they took to number 14, and their biggest pop cover record at number eight in 1953, “Oh Happy Day” (Don Howard). The group’s biggest hit came in 1954 when “I Get So Lonely When I Think About You (Oh Baby Mine)” reached number two and ran for 24 weeks, even becoming a smash in England at number five, a tough thing for a black American group to do in 1954. The Pat Ballard-penned original was so popular in England that when it fell off the charts it resurfaced the following month (July), reaching number 10.
Toward the end of 1953 George Vereen began subbing on studio work and singing lead at live shows for Gene Alford, whose epilepsy was affecting his ongoing involvement with the group. Vereen was replaced in 1955 by ex-DELTA RHYTHM BOYS member Cliff Holland as Alford retired. Prior to their 1952 recordings the group sang with only a guitar backup, but Capitol soon had them working with full orchestras. By 1953, tours for the four were in full swing, and they played clubs from Las Vegas to Rio de Janeiro while appearing on the TV shows of Perry Como, Ed Sullivan, and of course Red Skelton. On August 27, 1954, they headlined at the famed Apollo in New York.
During the mid-‘50s the reigning king op Capitol’s roster, Nat King Cole, ran into the group and liked their style; he asked Capitol to have the Knights back him on some recordings. Their first collaboration, in early 1955, was titled “A Blossom Fell.” Though it didn’t chart, Nat and the Knights tried agin in January 1956, and by September their ”That’s All There Is to That” was number 16 on the pop char and number 14 R&B, the first time the Knights had ever appeared on the black charts. The next time out with Nat was the last: a ballad, “My Personal Possession,” released in May 1957 and reaching number 21 (#3 R&B). The only pop charter of the mid-and late ‘50s for the group by themselves was “O Falling Star” (#83, 1959) after they’d re-signed with Coral in late 1957. Capitol stayed with them for 39 45s throughout the ‘50s. In 1960 Gene Alford died. Clarence left the act in 1963 and the Knights disbanded three years after his departure. John Wallace died in 1978. Dixon and Broadway moved to the suburbs of Los Angeles in retirement.
Georgia On My Mind
The Four Knights Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 Four Knights's "Georgia On My Mind" is a timeless classic that has resonated with audiences for decades. The song speaks about the beauty and allure of Georgia, the state that the singer is missing and dreaming of. The lyrics are simple yet beautifully crafted to convey the yearning and nostalgia that the singer feels for Georgia throughout the song.
The use of the words "old sweet song" is interesting as it suggests that the song has been around for a while and holds a special place in the singer's heart. The repetition of the phrase "Other arms reach out to me, other eyes smile tenderly," further emphasizes the feelings of loss and the yearning to return to Georgia. The use of "moonlight through the pines" is a metaphor that conjures up vivid images of Georgia's natural beauty, and this is further reinforced by repeating "Georgia on my mind" throughout the song.
Overall, the song's lyrics are full of longing and nostalgia, and coupled with the slow, soothing melody, it creates a sense of romanticism that still resonates with listeners today. It is no surprise that "Georgia On My Mind" has become a universal classic, and that other artists continue to cover the song in their own unique style.
Line by Line Meaning
Georgia, Georgia
The state of Georgia, always on the artist's mind
The whole day through
Consistently thinking about Georgia throughout the day
Just an old sweet song
The song itself is a reminder of Georgia and holds sentimental value
Keeps Georgia on my mind
The song helps the artist keep memories of Georgia fresh in their mind
I'm say Georgia
The artist is addressing the state of Georgia
A song of you
The song is representative of the state itself
Comes as sweet and clear
The song brings back clear, vivid memories of Georgia
As moonlight through the pines
The song contains a serene, peaceful quality like moonlight shining through the trees
Other arms reach out to me
Despite being away from Georgia, other people try to comfort the artist
Other eyes smile tenderly
Others show kindness and understanding during the artist's longing for Georgia
Still in peaceful dreams I see
Even in dreams, the artist is transported back to Georgia
The road leads back to you
The artist's path in life always brings them back to Georgia
Ooh Georgia, no peace I find
The artist is unable to find contentment or peace in their current location without Georgia
Georgia
Repetition of the state's name, emphasizing its importance to the artist
No peace, no peace I find
Without Georgia, the artist is unable to find inner peace or contentment
Just this old, sweet song
The song is the only constant reminder of Georgia for the artist
Keeps Georgia on my mind
The song is the key element that keeps the artist's memories of Georgia alive
I said just an old sweet song
The artist reiterates that the song is the only thing keeping their memories of Georgia alive
Keeps Georgia on my mind
The song's impact is the main factor in the artist's constant thoughts of Georgia
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danilo Mora
Wonderful song and great style of these guys. I just can imagine them in a small cafe, a rainy day and that great performance on the stage!!!
Marie Christine Micky Pelissier
Trop magnifique, j'entendais ce morceau inoubliable dans le ventre de ma mère...
VintageMusicFm
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