"Georgia on My Mind"

Research Paper # 101244

African-American Studies > Historical Figures
African-American Studies > Racism
Music Studies > Blues, Jazz

A comprehensive analysis of the song "Georgia on My Mind" by Ray Charles.

2,500 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper provides a musical, historical and emotive analysis of this famous 20th century musical masterpiece, "Georgia on My Mind" by Ray Charles. The paper shows how the social and cultural context of the song reveals the African-American experience of geography and the theme of "homecoming" for Charles within the Civil Rights era. The paper discusses how this song reveals Ray Charles' background and personality.

From the Paper:

"Ray Charles Robinson was born on September 30, 1930 in Albany, Georgia. The details of his upbringing relates directly to the emotion and intensity of "Georgia on My Mind" reflect the tragedies he lived through as a child. His younger brother, George, died in a washtub when he was very young. After learning that he was going blind, Charles' parents both died within a year of two of each other when was studying at a school for the blind. When he was declared legally blind as a teenager, he continued to work on his piano skills and compose various songs through the musical training he received in his early education. His determination to overcome his disability and learn the piano played a major part in creating an outlet for the troubled young man who had learned music to alleviate his misery and suffering."

Sample of Sources Used:

Charles, Ray. "Georgia on My Mind." 2006. Lyricsdepot.com. 8 December, 2006. <http://www.lyricsdepot.com/ray-charles/georgia-on-my-mind.html>
Ives, Bill. "Sunday With Ray Charles." 2004. Typepad.com. 7 December, 2006. <http://billives.typepad.com/portals_and_km/2004/06/sunday_with_ray.html>
Lydon, Michael. Ray Charles: Man and Music. London: Routledge, 2004.
"Ray Charles Biography." 2006. Sing365.com. 8 December, 2006. <http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Ray-Charles-Biography/222D480E3BA16FD548256C24000B02DA>