From Gregg Allman's sad passing yesterday and a midnight song from a band based in Georgia, to a very different style with common elements. Written by and originally recorded by Jim Weatherly, the title was originally ‘Midnight Plane to Houston’, and was about a telephone conversation between Weatherly’s friend, the actress and model Farah Fawcett, and her new boyfriend at the time, actor Lee Majors, who became famous for playing the Six Million Dollar Man, also known as the bionic man, rebuilt with robotic improvements to fight crime. Somehow, though the train became preferred way to go, and the single was originally recorded by gospel and soul singer Cissy Houston (was the surname a coincidence?). But Weatherly’s publisher contacted Gladys Knight, and her version not only became a no 1 hit in 1973, replacing The Rolling Stones’ Angie, but also won a Grammy for best vocal performance
A truly great gospel and soul song with Knight’s soaring voice, with backing by the Pips' Merald "Bubba" Knight, Eddie Patten, and William Guest, the call-and-response format, echoing phrases (here shown in brackets), superbly captures the sense of hope and yet uncertainty, wanting to go with the man who is leaving, even though she may feel it is right for her, rather than “live without him in mine” and seek a “simpler place and time”. That sense of departure and staying, betwixt and between, is something we all feel at any time in our lives.
He's leaving
(leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia
(leaving on a midnight train)
Oh yeah. Oh y'all
Said he's going back to find
(he's going back to find)
A simpler place and time
(and when he takes that ride)
Yes he is
(guess who's gonna be right by his side)
I'll be with him
(I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia
(leaving on a midnight train to Georgia)
(whoo whoo)
I'd rather live in his world
(live in his world)
Than live without him in mine
(world, world)
(it's his, his and hers alone)
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