A creepy country murder ballad that first hit the charts in 1972 is having a viral moment thanks to TikTok.
"The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," first recorded by Vicki Lawrence (of The Carol Burnett Show fame), has been discovered by TikTok users, and the 53-year-old song is becoming popular all over again. The song first reached number one in 1973 and was written by Bobby Russell, Lawrence's first husband.
The tune reportedly found a new audience, according to Wide Open Country, after Briley King, wife of country singer Marcus King, posted a clip singing the tune. However, it's not only King's version that is having a viral moment.
Reba McEntire is also finding success with her version of the song, recorded in 1991. It appeared on her album For My Broken Heart.
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The song "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" tells the story of betrayal and murder in a small town. "Brother" learned his wife had been unfaithful with both "Andy" and "Seth," and went to confront Andy at his home, only to find him already dead.
@countrysayingsThat’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia… #BrileyKing #Reba #countrymusic
♬ original sound - Briley KingBrother was later tried and executed for the crime, but in a twist, the person who ultimately committed the crime was Andy's sister. She shared her point of view in the last verse of the nail-biting song.
See the lyrics via Genius below:
[Verse 1]He was on his way home from CandletopBeen two weeks gone and he'd thought he'd stop at Webb'sAnd have him a drink before he went home to herAndy Wolloe said, "Hello"And he said, "Hi, what's doing, Wo?"Said, "Sit down, I got some bad news, it's gonna hurt"
[Verse 2]He said, "I'm your best friend and you know that's rightBut your young bride ain't home tonightSince you been gone, she's been seeing that Amos boy, Seth"Well, he got mad and he saw redAnd Andy said, "Boy, don't you lose your head'Cause to tell you the truth, I've been with her myself"
[Chorus]That's the night that the lights went out in GeorgiaThat's the night that they hung an innocent manWell, don't trust your soul to no backwoods southern lawyer'Cause the judge in the town's got bloodstains on his hands
[Verse 3]Well, Andy got scared and left the barWalking on home, 'cause he didn't live farSee, Andy didn't have many friends and he just lost him oneBrother thought his wife musta left townSo he went home and finally foundThe only thing Papa had left him and that was a gun
[Verse 4]Then he went off to Andy's houseSlippin' through the backwoods, quiet as a mouseCame upon some tracks too small for Andy to makeHe looked through the screen at the back porch doorAnd he saw Andy lying on the floorIn a puddle of blood and he started to shake
[Bridge]Well, the Georgia patrol was making their roundsSo he fired a shot just to flag them downAnd a big-bellied sheriff grabbed his gun and said, "Why'd you do it?"Well, the judge said guilty in a make-believe trialSlapped the sheriff on the back with a smileSaid, "Supper's waitin' at home and I gotta get to it"
[Verse 5]Well, they hung my brother before I could say"The tracks he saw while on his wayTo Andy's house and back that night were mine"And his cheating wife had never left townAnd that's one body that'll never be foundSee, little sister don't miss when she aims her gun
How high did Reba McEntire's version of 'The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia' chart?
Reba McEntire's version went to number 12 on the Billboard charts in 1992. It made its debut in April of that year and hit its peak position on the charts in July.
In May 2025, McEntire and Trisha Yearwood performed "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" for Opry 100: A Live Celebration, as reported by NBC. Their version honored the classic song for its endurance in the genre over five decades after it hit number one.
Decades after its original release, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” is proving that a chilling story can captivate new audiences. From TikTok clips to Reba McEntire’s enduring version, the song’s suspenseful tale continues to resonate across generations.
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