Song by Song: "Midnight Train to Georgia" Quiz

Answer: Jim Weatherly

Born in 1943, James (Jim) Weatherly played quarterback at the University of Mississippi before going onto a career in songwriting. In 2014, he was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. His songs have been recorded by Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers, Bob Luman, and Ray Price, among others.

Answer: 1973

The group released the song as a single from their 1973 album "Imagination." It hit number one on the U.S. Cashbox Hot 100 and on the US Billboard R&B. In Canada, it peaked at number five on the Canada RPM Top Singles.

Answer: Midnight Plane to Houston

The songwriter Jim Weatherly was the first to record the song, on Amos Records, and he did so under his original title of "Midnight Plane to Houston." The title of the song (and corresponding lyrics) was later changed to "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Sonny Limbo, who wanted to record the song with American Soul & Gospel singer Cissy Houston.

It was spelled "Midnite" in the U.S. on her single, which was released in 1973.

Answer: Los Angeles

"L.A. proved too much for the man
(Too much for the man, he couldn't make it)
So he's leavin' the life he's come to know, ooh..."

The song is representative of those who go out to L.A. hoping to break through in show business but become disillusioned:

"He said he's goin' back to find
(Goin' back to find)
Ooh ooh ooh, what's left of his world
The world he left behind
Not so long ago..."

Answer: simpler

"He's leavin' (leavin')
On that midnight train to Georgia
(Leavin' on the midnight train)
Yeah, said he's goin' back
(Goin' back to find)
To a simpler place in time
(Whenever he takes that ride) oh yes he is
(Guess who's gonna be right by his side)."

"Midnight Train to Georgia" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of fame in 1999. American actress and singer Sandra Bernhard covered this song on her 1998 album "I'm Still Here Damn It!"

Answer: Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus

At the 16th Annual Grammy Awards held March 2, 1974 the song won for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus. Aretha Franklin won Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for "Master of Eyes" and Ramsey Lewis won Best R&B Instrumental Performance for "Hang on Sloopy." The song of the year was "Killing Me Softly With His Song" performed by Roberta Flack and written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel.

Answer: far

"Ooh, that someday he'd be a star
(A superstar, but he didn't get far)

But he sure found out the hard way
That dreams don't always come true."

"Midnight Train to Georgia" was ranked number 432 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The magazine called the song an "ode to long-distance romance."

Answer: All his hopes

"So he pawned all his hopes (ooh ooh ooh)
And he even sold his old car (woo woo woo)
Bought a one way ticket back
To the life he once knew
Oh, yes, he did
He said he would."

The song was also a hit in the U.K., where it peaked at number ten on the singles chart in June of 1976. An easy listening version of this song was covered by the American piano playing duo Ferrante & Teicher on their 1974 album "In a Soulful Mood."

Answer: For love

"I'd rather live in his world (live in his world)
Than live without him in mine
(Her world is his, his and hers alone)
gonna board
The midnight train to ride
For love (for love) gonna board (gonna board)
Gotta board the midnight train to go
For love (for love) gonna board (gonna board)
The midnight train to go..."

"Midnight Train to Georgia" was used in an episode of the TV show "House" and also on an episode of "Mysterious Ways." Gladys Knight performed the song on the season 2 finale of the comedy-drama TV series "Las Vegas."

Answer: American Idol

"The Voice" premiered in 2011 and "The X Factor" in 2004. "Star Search" ran from 1983 to 1995. "Midnight Train to Georgia" has been covered by soul/funk/disco group Human Nature on the 2006 album "Dancing in the Streets" and live by rock/pop singer Pixie Lott in London in 2010.