B.J. Thomas - Rainy Night In Georgia Lyrics
Lyrics
Hoverin' by my suitcase,
Tryin' to find a warm place
To spend the night
Heavy rain fallin',
Seems I hear your voice callin'
That it's all right
Rainy night in Georgia,
Such a rainy night in Georgia
I feel it's rainin' all over the world
Rainin' all over the world
Neon signs a-flashin',
Taxi cabs and buses passin'
Through the night
A distant moanin' of a train
Seems to play a sad refrain
To the night
Rainy night in Georgia,
Ohh it's a rainy night in Georgia
It seems it's rainin' all over the world
Rainin' all over the world
How many times I wondered
But it still comes out the same
No matter how
You look at it or you think of it
Ohh you just got to do your own thing
I find me a place in a box car,
So I take out my guitar
To pass some time
Late at night when it's hard to rest
I hold your picture to my chest
Then I'm alright
A rainy night in Georgia,
Such a rainy night in Georgia
I feel it's rainin' all over the world,
Rainin' all over the world
Rainin' all over the world
Video
Rainy Night In Georgia
Meaning & Inspiration
The song "Rainy Night In Georgia," performed by B.J. Thomas and featured on his 2011 album *Most of All*, offers a profound meditation on loneliness, resilience, and the pervasive feeling of shared human experience, even in isolation. While the song's origins predate B.J. Thomas's later gospel work, its poignant narrative resonates deeply with spiritual themes of comfort and perseverance. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a traveler stranded on a "rainy night in Georgia," grappling with displacement and a yearning for connection. The imagery of "hoverin' by my suitcase, tryin' to find a warm place to spend the night" immediately establishes a sense of vulnerability, mirroring the human condition of seeking solace and security in a world that can often feel indifferent. The persistent rain, described as "fallin'," becomes a powerful metaphor for the overwhelming circumstances or sorrows that can engulf an individual. Yet, amidst this desolation, a glimmer of hope emerges: "Seems I hear your voice callin' that it's all right." This echo of reassurance, whether from a loved one or an inner voice of faith, speaks to the divine whispers that guide us through tribulations.
The chorus, "Rainy night in Georgia, such a rainy night in Georgia, I feel it's rainin' all over the world," is particularly striking. It transcends the literal setting to express a universal sense of melancholy and shared struggle. This sentiment aligns with the biblical understanding that all of creation groans under the weight of sin and hardship (Romans 8:22), and that we, as believers, often experience a profound empathy for the suffering of others. The "neon signs a-flashin', taxi cabs and buses passin' through the night" and the "distant moanin' of a train" further accentuate the feeling of being an outsider, an observer in a bustling world that continues on its course regardless of personal hardship. This isolation can be a fertile ground for introspection, a space where we confront our own thoughts and feelings. The lines, "How many times I wondered, but it still comes out the same. No matter how you look at it or you think of it, ohh you just got to do your own thing," speak to the human struggle with destiny and the importance of inner fortitude. This echoes the biblical injunctions to "be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:9) and to find strength not in external circumstances, but from within, drawing on the spirit that empowers us.
The song's resolution, finding solace in a "box car" with a guitar and holding a picture close, illustrates how even in the most humble and solitary conditions, people find ways to cope and find comfort. This act of finding a measure of peace and "being alright" through personal resources, like music or cherished memories, can be seen as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience, a spirit often nurtured by faith. The picture held to the chest, a tangible reminder of love and connection, serves as a symbol of hope and a bulwark against despair, much like holding onto God's promises in difficult times. The recurring refrain that "it's rainin' all over the world" ultimately encourages a broader perspective, a recognition that our individual struggles are part of a larger human tapestry of experience, and that in this shared journey, we are not truly alone.