Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

“The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia:” A 1990s Country Classic by Reba McEntire

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Who Sang The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia?

It is a country ballad song written by American songwriter Bobby Russell. It was first performed by American pop music artist Vicki Lawrence in the year 1972. His version of the song was released in November 1972 as a single from his album, The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.  After the song’s release, it gained positive comments from music critics and the song entered the country charts.

Although Bobby Russell wrote and composed the song, he did not bother to record it because he did not like it. According to Lawrence, Russell’s wife, she believed that the song was destined to be successful and recorded the song herself. However, publishers and record labels do not know how to pitch the song. So, Lawrence went to the studio and recorded it with the back instrument of L.A. session musicians from the Wrecking Crew. Her record was published by the label and released as a single.

Speaking of the song’s popularity, it has been recorded by various music artists, one of those is our very own Reba McEntire.

Reba McEntire’s The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia Version

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, Reba McEntire
Via Reba McEntire’s Official Facebook Page

Reba McEntire‘s version of the song “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” was released in April 1992. Her version was included in her album, For My Broken Heart. The song was again a hit in 1991, and entered the country charts. It reached number 12 on the Hot Country songs.

About the Song

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, Reba McEntire
Via Youtube.com by Screengrab

This song is about the narrator’s brother who loves drinking alcohol. One day, before going home to his wife, he stopped by a bar to drink. He talked to a stranger named Andy Wolloe who told him that while he was out, his wife was having an affair with someone. Thus, Andy admitted that he himself had been with her. So, he rushed home.

His wife had left town. The man took his father’s gun and quickly drove to Andy’s house. When he arrived, he noticed a set of footprints leading to the house and when he entered, he was shocked. He saw Andy  dead on the floor from a gunshot. To get attention from their neighbors so he could ask for help, he fired a shot in the air.

Unfortunately, he was arrested for Andy’s murder. In the court, he was declared guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.

The story wraps up as the narrator reveals herself as the little sister. The footprints seen was from her, but she is not the only one who killed Andy. She was then with her brother’s wife as well. In the chorus of the song, it shows that the little sister blamed the local criminal justice system about her brother’s death.

To read more articles about your favorite country stars and country songs, feel free to visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Latest Stories

Travis Tritt smiles in a black cowboy hat and shirt while performing "Good Ol' Boys" with a microphone in front of an American flag backdrop.

Travis Tritt Honors Waylon Jennings With Cover of “Good Ol’ Boys” Theme From The Dukes of Hazzard

Sometimes a song is so tied to a legend that when someone else picks it up, you’re half ready to wince, but then Travis Tritt walks up, tugs his hat ...

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together in a bar setting for their duet “A Song to Sing.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” Duet Feels Like an Instant Classic

Sometimes country music gives you a line so pure it feels like it’s been here forever, and that’s exactly what Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton just pulled off with “A ...

Blake Shelton and Noah Cyrus standing side by side with microphones, performing their new country duet together.

Noah Cyrus Teams Up With Blake Shelton for New Country Duet and Fans Are Loving It

Sometimes country music needs a little shot of something wild, and Noah Cyrus just poured it straight into Blake Shelton’s glass. It’s not every day you see the Voice coach ...

George Strait performing on stage with his guitar and cowboy hat, pictured at a previous event not related to the upcoming Strait From the Heart benefit concert.

George Strait Will Play “Strait to the Heart” Benefit Concert to Raise Money for Flood Victims

Some kings wear crowns, some kings wear boots, and show up when the water’s rising. George Strait, the King of Country himself, is stepping up once again for the people ...

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Sometimes you don’t mess with a George Strait classic, unless you’re Blake Shelton standing under the Vegas lights with a grin that says you’re about to pay tribute and stir ...

Dolly Parton smiles during Khloé podcast interview, sitting by mic and lamp as she shares why she won't stop sharing faith.

Dolly Parton Says People Tell Her To Stop Talking About Her Faith But She Won’t Listen

If there’s one thing you can count on Dolly Parton for, it’s that she’ll say exactly what’s on her heart and not give a single rhinestone what anyone thinks. In ...

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

If there’s ever been a preschool graduation that screams “God bless the South,” this is it. Somewhere in Mississippi, a four-year-old kid just made the entire congregation beam with pride ...

Young George Strait smiling on stage playing guitar in 1987 when “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” hit No. 1 and proved he ran country.

On This Day in 1987, George Strait Hit No. 1 with ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ and Proved He Ran Country

Sometimes a song just cements your throne forever, and for George Strait, it was a little tongue-in-cheek love letter that made every Texan proud to claim him as their king. ...

Scotty McCreery with his wife and both grandmothers, who he revealed passed away hours apart in a heartbreaking double loss.

Scotty McCreery Reveals Both His Grandmothers Died Hours Apart in Heartbreaking Double Loss

You just don’t see some country heartbreaks coming, and this one hit Scotty McCreery straight in the soul. This week, the North Carolina native and Opry favorite shared the gut-wrenching ...

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.