Formed in 1963 in Birmingham after the Welsh guitarist Spencer Davis encountered vocalist and organist Steve Winwood (then aged 14 and still at school), and his bass playing brother Muff Winwood performing at a pub, the Golden Eagle, as the Muff Woody Jazz Band. He recruited them and Pete York on drums to form the Rhythm and Blues Quartette, which performed regularly in the city. In 1964, they signed their first recording contract after Chris Blackwell of Island Records saw them at an appearance in a local club; Blackwell also became their producer.
The group's first professional recording was a cover version of Dimples, but they came to success at the end of 1965 with Keep on Running, the group's first number one single. In 1966 they followed this with Somebody Help Me and When I Come Home. For the German market the group released "Det war in Schöneberg, im Monat Mai" and "Mädel ruck ruck ruck an meine grüne Seite" (the first is from a 1913 Berlin operetta, the second is a Swabian traditional) as a tribute single for that audience, Spencer Davis having studied in West Berlin in the early 1960s.
By the end of 1966 and the beginning of 1967, the group released two more hits, Gimme Some Lovin' (which was re-released in a live, nine-minute version by Steve Winwood's Traffic in 1971) and I'm A Man. These tracks proved to be their two best-known successes, especially in the U.S.
In 1967, Winwood left to form Traffic; his brother Muff moved into the music industry as A&R man at Island Records. In a so-called joint venture, the soundtrack to the film Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush featured both the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic.
Despite the Winwoods' departure, the Spencer Davis Group continued performing and released more singles, though not repeating earlier successes. These included Time Seller in July 1967; the b-side, Don't Want You No More, also received radio airplay.
This was followed by "Mr. Second-Class" in late 1967, which was heavily played on Radio Caroline (at that time one of the two remaining pirate radio ships off the British coast) and the group's last minor hit, "After Tea", in 1968. The latter song was released at the same time by the German band The Rattles, providing competition that led finally to a temporary stop to all activities of the band. Davis continued working, however, producing some jazz-oriented albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Although short-lived, The Spencer Davis Group - particularly its incarnation with Steve Winwood - was influential, with many of the band's songs covered by other artists over the years. Notable among these are Chicago's 1969 version of "I'm a Man," The Allman Brothers Band's 1969 take of "Don't Want You No More," Three Dog Night's 1970 recording of "Can't Get Enough of It," and The Blues Brothers' 1980 recording of "Gimme Some Lovin'."
Georgia On My Mind
The Spencer Davis Group Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's just an old sweet song, keeps georgia on my mind
Georgia yeah, oh georgia, a song of love
Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines
Other arms reach out to me, yeah
Other eyes smile tenderly
The road leads back to you
Oh I said georgia, georgia yeah, a song of love
Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines
Other arms reach out to me, child (? )
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
Oh I said georgia, oh oh georgia yeah yeah, a song of love
Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines, oh my my
I said it's just an old sweet song, keeps georgia on my mind, yeah yeah
The song "Georgia On My Mind" by The Spencer Davis Group is a beautiful, nostalgic homage to the state of Georgia. The lyrics speak of the singer's inability to find peace, but also of the solace he takes in the memory of Georgia. The refrain "It's just an old sweet song, keeps Georgia on my mind" seems to be both a reference to the song itself, which has become something of an anthem for Georgia, and also a representation of how our memories of places and people we love can be like a sweet song that we keep playing in our heads.
The song goes on to describe how other people and places may beckon to the singer, but he remains steadfast in his love and loyalty to Georgia. The imagery of moonlight through the pines is evocative of the beautiful landscapes of Georgia, and the sense of peaceful dreaming suggests a deep emotional connection to the state.
Line by Line Meaning
Georgia, oh georgia, no peace I find
I am constantly thinking about Georgia and cannot find inner peace
It's just an old sweet song, keeps georgia on my mind
The memory of Georgia is kept alive by this sweet song
Georgia yeah, oh georgia, a song of love
This song is a love letter to Georgia
Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines
The song's melody is as sweet as moonlight shining through the trees
Other arms reach out to me, yeah
Other people try to show me affection
Other eyes smile tenderly
Others try to make me feel loved
Still in peaceful dreams I see
Even in my dreams, I think of Georgia
The road leads back to you
No matter where I go or what I do, my heart always comes back to Georgia
Oh I said georgia, georgia yeah, a song of love
Once again, I want to emphasize that this song is a love letter to Georgia
It's just an old sweet song, keeps georgia on my mind, yeah yeah
This sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind and in my heart
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@idessaoutlaw
Steve is the cream of the crop. 🥃😎👌
@dannytyler3052
Jetzt bin ich (75) wieder 18 mit allen Gefühlen von damals, DANKE!
@kurtzwar7328
Thank God that some few humans are touched with the kind of talent that makes history and helps the rest of us, listen in amazement. Absolutely tremendous voice, phrasing and timing. And Steve's organ playing is pure bliss. A rare and beautiful person. We are so lucky to have him here now. Steve played with Spencer Davis when he was 14-17 years old.
@lemmingbcn
Yes, thanks God these kind of people came from outter space to make this place we live in better indeed.
@1toshi32
OH MY GOD. He fkg fantastic. This is the first time I've heard him sing this. What an amazing voice. Thank you for sharing this how ever belatedly. Wow.
@Shari.N
I can't count how many times I've watched this. I'm so lucky to live at the same time as Steve Winwood!!
@davidkirkham6941
steve winwood quite rightly should be the one of the best talents ever, very very gifted musician and quality performance.
@mariogrechi1840
One of a kind
@trespatines8698
This is a jewel of a video. Steve’s talent pa are of the charts.
@sararichmond8476
A special one among the pride of our city.