Friday, February 08, 2008

Drippin' with Cheeze

TGIF Everyone!

This little gem of a song was a one hit wonder for the singer. But ooooooooh, what a hit it was!

Bobby Russell wrote the song and didn't think too much of it, his wife - Vicki Lawrence however...did like it and decided to make it her own.

This song is synonymous with Vicki Lawrence and although others like Reba and Tanya Tucker have covered it...the only version I will truly love is Vicki's!

Yes...you know it! The Night that the Lights Went out in Georgia!

It's the story of a cheatin' wife...a jealous husband, a southern judicial system and a little sister who is good with a gun!

What is NOT to love about this song?

It was even made into a movie starring no other than: Kristy McNichol

Whenever I think of this song though, it reminds me of one of my favorite Julia Sugarbaker rants from Designing Women (and boy could she go off on someone). She is defending the honor of her sister at the Miss Georgia World competition.

Definitely a classic, definitely cheezy and one of my favorite tunes to belt out in the car while I'm driving!!!

Now - without further interuption:

The Night that the Lights Went Out in Georgia
Written by: Bobby Russell
Sung by: Vicki Lawrence

He was on his way home from Candletop,
Been two weeks gone and he thought he'd stop
At Webb's and have him a drink 'fore he went home to her

Andy Wollo said hello,
And he said, "Hi, what's doin', Wo?"
Said, "Sit down. I got some bad news;
it's gonna hurt.

"Said, "I'm your best friend and you know that's right.
But your young bride ain't home tonight.
Since you been gone, she's been seein' that Amos boy Seth.

"Well, he got mad 'n he saw red,
And Andy said, "Boy, don'tcha lose your head
'Cause to tell ya the truth, I been with her myself."

That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That's the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don't trust your soul to no backwoods Southern lawyer
'Cause the judge in the town's got bloodstains on his hands

Well, Andy got scared and left the bar,
Walkin' on home 'cause he didn't live far
See, Andy didn't have many friends and he'd just lost him one

Brother thought his wife musta left town
So, he went home and finally found
The only thing Papa had left him 'n that was a gun

And he went off to Andy's house,
A-skippin' through the backwoods quiet as a mouse,
Came upon some tracks too small for Andy to make

He looked through the screen at the back-porch door
And he saw Andy lyin' on the floor
In a puddle of blood and he started to shake

Well, the Georgia Patrol was a-makin' their rounds
So, he fired a shot just to flag 'em down,
And a big-bellied sheriff grabbed his gun and said, "Why'd ya do it?"

And the judge said, "Guilty!" in a make-believe trial,
Slapped the sheriff on the back with a smile,
Said, "Supper's waitin' at home and I gotta get to it."

That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That's the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don't trust your soul to no backwoods Southern lawyer
'Cause the judge in the town's got bloodstains on his hands

Well, they hung my brother before I could say
The tracks he saw while on his way
To Andy's house and back that night were mine

And his cheatin' wife had never left town
And that's one body that'll never be found
See, little sister don't miss when she aims her gun

That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That's the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don't trust your soul to no backwoods Southern lawyer
'Cause the judge in the town's got bloodstains on his hands

10 comments:

LG said...

Oh, I totally love that song. I used to get in trouble for singing that with my friend Molly in the back row at Sunday School. Good church song, eh?

Kari Hultman said...

I never knew the words to that song nor what it was about, just that it was a cool tune. Thanks!

Shazza said...

Hey LG...good to see you. You had quite the journey didn't you? Nah...I don't think it's a good church song. All the wrong elements!

VC - glad I coud provide such a valualbe service! Now you are "in the know" as it were!

Maria said...

So..THAT is who Julia Sugarbaker is...

I had someone mention her to me the other day and I had no idea who it was and intended to look her up, but forgot...

And...Kristy Macnichol...I used to watch this show called FAMILY and LOVED her. That was so many, many years ago.

Shazza said...

Maria - if you didn't watch too much TV back in the 80's you may have missed Designing Women. The re-runs are on Lifetime now I think...catch an episode if you can. The writing for that show was excellent in the beginning years...not so much towards the end of the run.

I remember "Family". Kristy played the character Buddy. One of my first crushes!

Middle Girl said...

This is the 2nd Kristy McNichol mention this week. WoW! I was a major tee vee addict back in the day and was all over Family.

The song, oh yeah. I was all over that too. That is..when I could be. Didn't play too well in my neck of the urban jungle.

Shark Butt said...

When I have to throw a big chunk of attitude at someone whilst refraining from all of my favorite profanities, I channel Julia Sugarbaker. I LOVE HER!!!!!

jl said...

the night the lights went out in georgia, julia sugarbaker, and kristy mcnichol all in one post - i'm having flashbacks to my youth....
that song is a classic. i love it.
j.

Shazza said...

Hey jlb - thanks for dropping by!

It does spur some memories doesn't it?

Unknown said...

wacky.