One word that sums up this song: atmospheric. You close your eyes and you are transported to the South. You can hear the rain outside. Smell it. It’s dark outside. But you are inside from the storm and Brook’s voice and the music melts your troubles away. This is music comfort food.
His voice is like a piece of butter melting on a pancake! Unforgettable sound! “It’s raining all over the world!” When it’s not raining where you are you sure feel like it!
My dad always tells the story of when he, my future mother, my future godfather and his future wife were in Georgia for the Peach Bowl in 1979. Their bus broke down. Drunk, my dad picked up the bus mic, and broke into this song. Black, white, didn't matter. Everybody sang along as he acapella'd the whole song. RIP to my godfather Tom.
If you've ever lived in the south you'll know it rains so hard with big fat drops, you really can believe that it's raining all over the world. Beautiful song.
Classic I hope you guys caught the sophistication of Mr Benton’s delivery. It is a down home southern type of bluesy ballad, but his mastery of the vocal must be appreciated. It’s rare that a recorded vocal is this rich and flawless!
He grew up in South Carolina and like other singers, began with gospel music. Sadly, he developed spinal meningitis and died from pneumonia in 1988 at the age of 58. This song was recorded in 1970.
That is so sad. I had spinal meningitis when I was 6 and almost died. I was in a coma for a week and spent a month in hospital. I’m so grateful to be alive and here with all of you.
@@Sweetish_Jeff_ I had viral meningitis when I was about 12 years old. Started with me unconscious but awake if that makes sense. I don't remember anything that I did. The last thing I do remember is my vision was kind of like tunnel vision. I woke up a week later in the hospital and spent another couple of weeks in the hospital and missed most of the year of school. All said I fully recovered and 1 guy from school would come over every day and bring homework and stay with me and we would talk and hang out together. 55 years later he is still a very, very good friend. That is a good friend for sure.
My brother had spinal meningitis when he was 2 , he lost 80 percent of his hearing and 95 percent of his vocals . He passed away last year due to blood clots. He was 65 . He was a fun person
Every time I hear this song, and I hear it often. Especially on those rainy days here in Southern California. I just can't help it. I'll put it on like 10 times. And I'm right there. In that boxcar. With her picture on my chest. The violins and the harmonica literally just touch your soul. This cut is truly up there with my favorites. Timeless. Thank you Mr. Benton. May you continue to rest in peace. 🙏🏽❤️
When I was a radio DJ in the Pittsburgh area, and would get the graveyard shift, this is a song I'd play a lot. "Rainy Night In Georgia" is the kind of antique song made to be played in the early hours and heard by an eclectic few. Good stuff...
I was born in 1952 and grew up with this wonderful music. First time I heard this song I just cried. To me it was a very sad song. Mr Benton's masterful voice was just so amazing.
This song gets me emotional too. I've wondered when he is holding her picture to his chest if he is heartbroken over a lost love or if he is travelling home to her. He has a good number of earlier 60s songs that I also love.
Me too. Born in 1950 , and when the song came out in 1970 I was in San Diego and my father was driving us to a restaurant for dinner. Rainy Night In Georgia was on the radio , pouring rain that March night, hearing it for the very first time, and it shook me to the core. The sad lyrics resonate the terrible sadness and loneliness that he was feeling. Especially missing his girl. I still cry when its on.
One word describes this: CLASSY. His singing style is very comfortable within himself, he didn't feel the need to try too hard, knew exactly how to let the mood of the music carry his voicetone with it. It's almost as though he's doing this on a phone call. No singers today have the self-awareness to pull this off.
Such a wonderful song. Brook's vocals are so pure and addictive. This was from his 1969 album Brook Benton Today. The song was written by Tony Joe White who had a hit with " Polk Salad Annie". Tony Joe had this song on his album released just before Brooks, but Brooks Benson's version was a big hit. Number 1 on the R&B charts and Number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100's chart.Tony Joe said it reminded of lonely days without love, where he played his guitar and listened to all the rainfall. Beautiful instruments help to make this song so memorable. Great trip back. Great reaction. Buckets of Maple Syrup love from Canada ❤️❤️ 🇨🇦 🇨🇦
Brook Benton - Boll Weevil Song / Eddie Holman - Hey There Lonely Girl / Marvin Gaye - Distant Lover / Enchantment - Gloria / Jackson 5 - All I Do Is Think Of You / DeBarge - Queen Of My Heart / The O'Jays - Brandy / Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Be For Real / Pure Soul - We Must Be In Love
It would be difficult to gauge how understated the influence of the Hammond B3 organ track throughout so much great music of the era. It’s impossible to overstate the silky soulfulness in this man’s vocals.
Absolutely love this song! Brook Benton's voice is, as others have said, smooth as butta. Another song you'll like is It's Just a Matter of Time. Also his duet with Dinah Washington...You've Got What it Takes. He has a deep catalog of music.
I have always adored this song. Not long ago while concentrating on 1950s music for a month I discovered much more great stuff from Mr Benton in THAT decade. 😊
I live in Georgia……..just imagine a cool rainy night (off and on rain), train tracks, a little wind, train tracks, many trees and street lights. Being alone after your lover left you and kicked you out…….now you are on your on with a suitcase, and wondering where life will take you next. You stowaway on a train and no one cares or sees you. But you have to keep warm, as the train heads who knows where in the middle of a mostly cloudy cold night.
There's a great song that came out about the same time by Clarence Carter called "Patches" . It's a song about growing up and taking care of the family. You won't be disappointed reacting to this one.
There are so many things going on in this song... that tremolo guitar is awesome, the twinkling piano, the cinematic strings and the lonely harmonica... everything puts you right there, on your back porch, in your rockin' chair... listenin' to the rain hit the tin roof on a rainy night in Georgia
Discovered Brook back in the 80s when Randy Crawford covered this song beautifully. Randy Crawford material would be great for you to react to. She is awesome. We named our daughter aftrr one of her hits "Almaz", hauntingly beautiful.
Brook had a deep but soft voice. Very comforting. Even though the song was about the world being a sad place if felt like everything would be okay in time.
Love you guys...I haven't heard this song for many years. Kinda forgot how great it is. Thanks for reminding me. Jay...you aren't kidding about your show being "like a box of chocolates" You react to some pretty eclectic selections...I love it
Oh yes Brook Benton my mama’s musical crush. 90 years young and still feeling the smooth groove. Need to react to it’s just a matter of time next. Big smiles and love robsquad family ❤😊
Brook Benton was from the south (SC) and he was a songwriter before being signed by a friend turn A&R Mgr as a singer. He wrote the song "A Lover's Question" for Clyde McPhatter. Benton's first hit as a singer was in the late 50s called "It's Just a Matter of Time". He also had a great duet with Dinah Washington called "Baby, You've Got What It Takes". His biggest hit was a novelty song called the "Boll Weevil Song" that was an adaptation of a traditional blues song from the 1920s. You're right, his voice is like honey, with a little smoke added.
Thank you for choosing this iconic song. It’s the kind of song that you imagine driving on a rainy night and it’s drawing deep inner emotions to most just listening as the the wipers gently squeak across the windshield.
This is a wonderful song, and I don't hear it often enough, so thank you for doing this. I think you would enjoy listening to the Chi-Lites. One of their great songs is "Oh, girl" I believe you will thoroughly enjoy the harmony and the message.
Thank you! Brook is often overlooked when people talk about the great singers of that generation. However, he had some great songs that my family members have enjoyed listening to for the last 50+ years. So glad younger people get a chance to experience them.
Another great song that will also put you in dream land is Whispering Pines, by The Band (1969). Written by the late Richard Manual, and sung by Richard and the late Levon Helm.
Ah man, Brook Benton doing a duet with Dinah Washington is the absolute best. Rocking good way and Baby you got what it takes. One of my favorite duets.You gotta give it a listen.
Oddly enough, this Georgian 's favorite memory of this song is me, riding in the backseat of my parent's car with them in the front seat. We're heading home on a late Saturday afternoon. The sun is out but I think it's been raining. I feel so safe. I think it was about 50 years ago. I never thought I'd be able to look back 50 years about ANYTHING.....with my ole azz. What a blessing! What a Beautiful song!! ❤️
Hi guys. This song was written by Tony Joe White. He also wrote Polk Salad Annie which Elvis performed. He also wrote songs that were recorded by Tina Turner and others. Charlie had a lot of big hits. Try "Is anybody goin to San Antone", "All I have to offer you is me", and "Mississippi cotton pickin delta town" for a starter.
His duets with Dinah Washington are great, and well worth a listen. I’m surprised you haven’t hit Miss Washington yet. She’s an amazing vocalist and her recording of Easy Living is one of the prettiest things I’ve ever heard.
Not sure why, but Brook Benton makes me think of another great soul singer from that era, Tyrone Davis. He had two amazing hits: "Can I Change My Mind" & "If I Could Turn Back The Hands of Time" -- you'd love 'em both!
Here we go again! I was just playing that song a couple of nights ago and it comes up within a day or two here! I love it. That is one of my All Time Favorite songs. I instantly can feel the somber mood and visualize what he is singing when I play this song. It is absolutely beautiful. Glad you liked it!
