Gladys Knight & the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia

“Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight & the Pips is a soulful ballad released in 1973 that tells a heartfelt story of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a simpler life. Written by Jim Weatherly and featured on the group’s album Imagination, the song follows a man who gives up his dreams of stardom in Los Angeles and returns to Georgia, with his devoted partner choosing to follow him. Gladys Knight’s powerful vocals, paired with the smooth harmonies of the Pips, bring emotional depth to the narrative. The song became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award, solidifying its place as a classic in American soul and R&B music history.

Gladys Knight & the Pips Midnight Train to Georgia Lyrics

L.A proved too much for the man
(Too much for the man)
(He couldn't make it)
So, he's leaving the life he's come to know, oh

He said he's going back to find
(Going back to find)
What's left of his world
The world he left behind
Not so long ago

He's leaving (leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia (leaving on a midnight train)
Hmm, yeah
Said he's going back (going back to find)
To a simpler place and time (and when he takes that ride)
Oh yes, he is (guess who's gonna sit right by his side)

And I'll be with him (I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia
(Leaving on a midnight train to Georgia)
I'd rather live in his world (live in his world)
Than live without him in mine (world, world)
(It's his, his and hers alone)

He kept dreaming
(Dreaming)
Oh, that someday he'd be a star
(A superstar, but he didn't get far)
But he sure found out the hard way
That dreams don't always come true (dreams don't always come true)
Oh no (uh-uh, no, uh-uh)

So he hung all his hopes
And he even sold his own car, hmm
Bought a one way ticket back
To the life that he once knew
Oh yes he did
He said he would

I know he's leaving (leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia (leaving on a midnight train)
Hmm, yeah
Said he's going back to find, oh (going back to find)
A simpler place and time (and when he takes that ride)
(Guess who's gonna sit right by his side)

And, I'm gonna be with him (I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia
(Leaving on the midnight train to Georgia)
I'd rather live in his world (live in his world)
Than live without him in mine (world, world)
(It's his, his and hers alone)

Oh, he's leaving
(Leaving)
On a midnight train to Georgia
(Leaving on a midnight train)
Yeah, oh yo
Said he's going back to find
(Going back to find)
Oh, a simpler place and time (whenever he takes that ride)
(Guess who's gonna be right by his side)

I've got to be with him
(I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia
(Leaving on a midnight train to Georgia)
I'd rather live in his world (live in his world)
Than live without him in mine (world, world)
(Is his, his and hers alone)

one love
(All aboard) all aboard
A midnight train to ride
(One love) one love
(All aboard) all aboard

Gotta go on the midnight train to go (midnight train to go)
(One love) one love
(All aboard) all aboard
Aha, the midnight train to go (midnight train to go)

My world (one love)
His world (all aboard)
Our world, mine and his alone (midnight train to go)
My world (one love)
His world (all aboard)
Our world, mine and his alone (midnight train to go)

I've got to go (one love)
I've got to go (all abroad)
I've got to go (midnight train to go)
Hey
I've got to go (one love)
I've got to go (all abroad)
(Midnight train to go)

My world (one love)
His world (all aboard)
My man, his girl
I've got to go, I've got go
I've got to go