12 September 2022

"Midnight Train to Georgia" - Gladys Knight and the Pips


It started out as "The Midnight Plane to Houston," inspired by a chance comment by Farrah Fawcett, who was flying home to visit her parents. The song was first recorded by Cissy Houston, who changed the plane to a train and the destination to Georgia. It then went to Gladys Knight and the Pips, who took it to #1 on the charts in 1973. 

The video above is from a performance at Chicago's Regal Theater (I don't know the year). Personally I prefer this 1973 version, but it can't be embedded. Love those Pips. Lyrics here.

Addendum: A big hat tip to Piper, who knew of a version with the Pips singing their parts without Gladys Knight. This from a 1977 Richard Pryor television show. "Midnight Train to Georgia" is in the second half of the video.


Reposted from 2009 and 2017 because I heard the song this weekend and immediately thought of the "pips" version.

9 comments:

  1. PiperJuly 15, 2009 at 6:24 PM

    I like The Pips (without Gladys Knight) on The Richard Pryor Show


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdN27HzoyO4

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  2. MinnesotastanJuly 15, 2009 at 6:34 PM

    Thanks!! Added to the post. :.)

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  3. Mademoiselle TitamJuly 16, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    my favorite song of Gladys Knight and the Pips is "If I were your woman". What an amazing voice, and a beautiful love song!

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  4. Ducky the LoonMay 1, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    When I sing along to this song, I always just sing The Pips' part. It just cracks me up. No one else ever seemed to think it was quite so funny, but heck, Richard Pryor obviously did! My day is so totally made.

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    Replies
    1. BulletholesNovember 16, 2017 at 10:49 AM

      Ha! It always cracks me up too. We aren't alone after all.

      Delete
  5. ML CollinsMay 1, 2012 at 9:37 PM

    Pip Pip HOORAY! Thanks.

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  6. JanMay 1, 2012 at 10:25 PM

    OMG, that old Doonesbury bit finally makes sense! (Re: the second video.)

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  7. HansNovember 16, 2017 at 1:32 AM

    The joyful confidence when you are at the top of your game.

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  8. newzeaNovember 16, 2017 at 2:26 PM

    Much better group than the Supremes, but Berry Gordy had a thing for Diana Ross so he made sure the Supremes got the best songs and the heaviest promotion. Martha and The Vandellas were also very good.

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