Georgia on My Mind

Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell wrote the song in 1930, and Carmichael first recorded it that September in New York with Bix Beiderbecke on cornet. Charles recorded it in 1960 for The Genius Hits the Road. It was his first hit single for ABC-Paramount and his first work with Sid Feller, who produced, arranged and conducted the session. It went to number one on the Hot 100, and the recording won Grammy Awards for Best Vocal Performance Single Record or Track, Male, and for Best Performance by a Pop Single Artist.

In April 1979 his version was proclaimed the state song of Georgia, and Charles performed it on the floor of the state legislature. It entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1993, and Rolling Stone ranked it number 44 on its 2003 list of the greatest songs. Roger Waters of Pink Floyd said he heard it as a teenager and decided that making people feel even a fraction of that would be enough.

Covers

Willie Nelson recorded it on Stardust in 1978 and won a Grammy for it. The Band recorded it in 1976 for Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign, and it appeared on their 1977 album Islands.