Midnight Train to Georgia Quotes

Context

The song was performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips on their album, Imagination (1973). Written by James Weatherly, it was a number one hit when it was released, won the 1974 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

You've heard the rousing shot in the arm, "Never, never, never give up." Well, the dude in this song did just that. He left Georgia to find his fame and a whole lot of money in Los Angeles, and he didn't find either. The only thing he left his mark on was a bite in the bagel he found at a bus stop—no home, no money, no food, no prospects and, worst of all, no hope.

But he did have a girlfriend. (Gee, with cred like that, who wouldn't?) He gave up and bought a one-way ticket home to Georgia where he could enjoy a simpler life of grits and regrets. But it's a love story after all. The girl's gotta follow her man because heaven is wherever he is.

Gladys Knight and her Peeps—er, the Pips—made this song a hit in 1973. Now it's in the Grammy Hall of Fame. When the dude in the song was asked how he felt about being the subject of fame and fortune for other people, he shrugged, put his arm around his girlfriend's shoulder, and said, "I'm rich in love." Then she felt kinda sick and asked if the Pips were married.

Hop on the train and check out this 1973 performance.

Where you've heard it

You'll hear this said a lot during winter in the northeast, when brave residents are peaking over snowbanks and crashing off highways.

Additional Notable References:

• Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, and Ben Stiller
• Funny or Die
• Wall Street Journal

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Giving up on your dream isn't pretentious; it's sad. But wrapping it in an R&B groove sure turned it into a party for the rest of us.