Midnight Train To Georgia – Gladys Knight & The Pips | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#1 for 2 weeks) & R&B (#1 for 4 weeks); 1973

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

Gladys Knight & The Pips were well acquainted with the songs of Jim Weatherly before they signed with Buddah Records. His Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) had given the group a #1 R&B/#2 pop smash just as they were leaving Motown.

Now they were in the studio for a new label and a new album; one that would include five Weatherly songs. Weatherly’s Where Peaceful Waters Flow was the A-side of the Pips first Buddah 45.

It peaked at #6 R&B, and a disappointing #28 pop. Next up was a song Weatherly had waxed himself for RCA: Midnight Plane To Houston. Cissy Houston also recorded the tune – retitled Midnight Train To Georgia – in 1972, again with no success.

However, the Gladys Knight & The Pips version was a whole ‘nother story. Midnight Train roared to #1 and snagged the family group a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Group. Interestingly, they won the comparable Pop Grammy that year for Neither One Of Us.

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

• Tony Camillo
• Gladys Knight & the Pips
• Ed Stasium

Lyrics Written by:

• Jim Weatherly

Awards:

• Won the 1974 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus
• Nominated for 1974 Grammy Award for Record of the Year
• Nominated for 1974 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus