The next four bars of A simply traverse a I-VI-ii-V7 in, first the tonic major, then the relative minor key center. From vi, the bass motion descends chromatically until it utilizes a colorful, non-diatonic ii-V7 progression (measure 4) that resolves upward by step to the original tonic. Already the happy/sad, major/minor, joyful/melancholic dichotomies of the song begin to unfold, like moonlight through the pines. Harmony The piece begins with only a measure to establish the major tonal center before descending a half step to vii half-diminished 7-V7/vi-vi, landing for a moment in the relative minor key. Harmony that leads to the dominant (strongly pointing toward tonic) underlays the text "the road leads back to you," creating an ideal textual/harmonic segue as the perfect authentic cadence (V7-I) connecting B to the last A completes the singer's journey home. When talking about "other arms" and "other eyes," the harmonic context of the relative minor prevails, but when ruminating about Georgia in each of the A sections, the harmony, though traveling through the chord changes like a troubadour leaving home to wander for a time, ultimately resolves in the original tonic key. Carmichael's pairing of this text with music reveals that vi (the relative minor key) refers to the places or people drawing him away, and I (the major tonic key) refers to home, or the arms of his beloved. However, his heart always guides him back to Georgia. The singer confesses that he receives invitations from other love interests and friendships vying for his allegiance. Text SettingĪt the bridge, the lyrics darkly reflect the relative minor harmonic atmosphere. Locking into that wistful human frailty in a simple, universally relatable way was Carmichael's great achievement here. Either way, whether about a beloved place or a beloved personwho cannot relate to melancholic fixation? Indeed, human characteristics we all share include missing someone far away, and longing to be someplace else. To some, "Georgia" represents a person (Carmichael's sister's name was, in fact, Georgia, although he denies that the song was about her), while to others, especially the entire population of the southeastern United States, the subject of the song may be interpreted to refer to the Peach State. The song's vague lyrics mean different things to different people.
The secret of this text is in the feeling it evokes in the listener. Lyrics The timeless lyric of this song demonstrates how eloquence and/or cleverness are not always necessary to create a musical work of art. It rises to a melodic high point on "see" before releasing built-up tension in a descending phrase to end the section. At the bridge in this AABA form, the melody takes on a more haunting quality built upon the relative minor, using vi as the new temporary tonic. The melodic outline of the third phrase ("just an old sweet song") delineates the tonic (major-major 7th) chord quality in a straightforward manner. Phrases are organized in two-measure units. Two-note motives (ascending, then descending) followed by long rests distinctly set apart the name "Georgia," literally painting the premise that this name alone encompasses the whole of the singer's thoughts. Melody Melodically, "Georgia On My Mind" drips simplicity. It was originally recorded in its birth year by Carmichael (vocals), Bix Beiderbecke (cornet) and Eddie Lang (guitar), and even reached hit status, but the song will forever be associated with Ray Charles, for whom it became a major international hit again in 1960. "Georgia On My Mind," penned in 1930, became the official state song of Georgia in 1979. The enduring quality of his songs hinges on stunningly beautiful melodies and the ability to equal an exquisite text in his musical contribution. Carmichael starred in a couple of films as a pianist-actor, making his permanent mark in that medium as well as in recorded music and in the writing of American standards. Great American Songbook composer, Hoagy Carmichael, (1899-1981) penned many more standards besides the timeless "Stardust" and "Georgia On My Mind." He also is credited with writing "The Nearness of You," "Heart and Soul," "Skylark," and "I Get Along Without You Very Well," to mention a few more classics.
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