Brook Benton A Rainy Night In Georgia

1959 album Brook Benton at His Best

Composed By Tony Joe White

Songwriter Donnie Fritts told Atlantic Records staff producer Jerry Wexler about "Rainy Night in Georgia." Wexler was looking for material for new Atlantic signer Brook Benton, who would be issued on the label's Cotillion imprint. The song had been written by Louisiana swamp rock singer Tony Joe White, who scored a number eight pop hit with "Polk Salad Annie." White came up with the melancholy ballad while working on his first job out of high school, driving a dump truck for the state highway department in Mariatta, GA. After a heavy rainstorm, White wouldn't have to work the following day, leaving him some time to play his guitar. The session for the song was held at Miami's Criteria Studios where another Atlantic artist, Aretha Franklin, had recorded some of her hits, including "Call Me." On hand were guitarist Cornell Dupree, harmonica player Toots Thielmans, organist Billy Carter, bassist Harold Cowart, drummer Tubby Ziegler, and pianist Dave Crawford. Produced by arranger Arif Mardin, "Rainy Night in Georgia" went to number one R&B and number four pop in the spring of 1970. White and Benton performed the song in 1988 for a Nashville television show.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Brook Benton
• A Rainy Night In Georgia

[395muriel]

It is raining here today...all day...everytime it rains I play this song...just makes me feel so good and cozy when it rains! Love this song...a real clasic!

[jazzysclassicjazz]

@395muriel me too :)

[DylanGirl1963]

LOVED this song since the first time I heard it...thanks so much!

[jazzysclassicjazz]

@DylanGirl1963 My pleasure! ♫♫ ʝαʑ ♫♫

[PaulMax1957]

I remember my Mom and I was watching TV's "In The Heat Of The Night" and in one episode they played the beginning of this song and my Mom fell in love with it. Whenever they play this song and her other fav "Evergreen" by Barbra Streisand I think of my Mom who I really miss.

[savantleo]

this voice and song have no equal.

[vestel777]

I love this song. I heard this song on an episode of In The Heat Of Night back in the 90's. It was where Bubba had to go to Atlanta to get his nephew off of drugs. I said one day I hope I find this song and here it is.

[rlblake92345]

SWEETEST PIPES EVER....

[gumptown357]

LIVE ON TROY DAVIS,,,THE GEN PUBLIC WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRUTH....OUR COUNTRY IS IN TROUBLE. IN THE END MY PRODICTION IS THAT THERE WILL A LOT OF PEOPLE HURT AND SHOCKED. THE REAL TRUTH IS THAT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN, MEAN WHILE WE AS A GOV KEEP KILLING PEOPLE FOR WHATEVER REASONS,

[mkl62]

This was the last #1 song of Brook Benton's career. It topped the Rhythm & Blues charts and was the 206th #1 R&B song of the Rock Era. It also hit #4 on the Top 40 charts and #2 on the Adult Contemporary charts.

[mkl62]

A #1 hit for Brook Benton on the Rhythm & Blues charts. It was the 206th #1 R&B song of the Rock Era. It was the last #1 hit of Brook Benton's career. It also hit #4 on the Top 40 charts and #2 on the Adult Contemporary charts. Brook had the distinction of being the first artist to be #1 on the AC charts (The Boll Weevil Song).

[kimmy1984]

Beautiful song!!!

[homer12366]

What a classy song!

[RonyMexico]

@radcam69 same here, until i saw this video