2Pz National Treasure

I was listening to Reba McEntire sing about The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, and i was thinking, this is obviously one of the best songs in the entire world. This song is a National Treasure, and so is Reba McEntire for writing it. Then I did a little digging. Turns out that the Reba version from 1991 is one of those magical covers that has totally explised the original (like what Ike and Tina did to Creedance Clearwater Revival with Proud Mary). The original version of this song, written by Bobby Russell was recorded by his wife, Vicki Lawrence, from The Carol Burnett Show and later Mama's Family. Originally, Bobby Russell did not want to even record a demo for the song because he didn't like it. Vicki Lawrence, his wife at the time, revealed the history of the song on her talk show in the 1990s when Reba McEntire was a guest on her show. According to Lawrence, she believed it was destined to be a hit and recorded the demo herself. The publisher didn't quite know where to pitch the song. The first thought was to pitch the song to Liza Minnelli. However, "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" was first offered to Cher, but her then-husband and manager Sonny Bono reportedly turned it down (he was said to be concerned that the song might offend Cher's southern fans) via

  Tanya Tucker also did a cover of this song in 1981 that changed the plot around to suit the movie of the same name that was released that year. I can't talk about this special song without mentioning the best monologue in sitcom history delivered by Dixie Carter in Designing Women. And that Marjorie, just so you will know, and your children will someday know, is the night the lights went out in Georgia. Applause Applause.