We have Gen Z to thank Revival of the classic Reba ballad“The night the lights went out in Georgia,” after it was linked to Alex Murdaugh’s viral trial.
But there is more to this story reba Hit song than you think…
In fact, it’s a miracle that this song was even recorded and released, and no, Reba isn’t the original singer of this chilling murder ballad.
The song was originally written by singer-songwriter Bobby Russell, but he actually found the song flat and definitely wasn’t inspired by its potential.
As fate would have it, Bobby was then married to Golden Globe-nominated comedian and actress Vicki Lawrence, better known as “Mama” (or Thelma Harper) from the sitcom Mama’s Family or The Carol Burnett Show, where she got her start took .
Vicki found the song compelling and thought Bobby was completely wrong about the song’s potential, so she recorded it herself in 1973 – and it was the only song she ever recorded!
Undoubtedly, this effort was one to prove her husband wrong, and ironically, the song eventually climbed and topped the charts when Vicki and Bobby divorced a year later. The marriage between the two might have been short-lived, but the impact of the song wasn’t!
Vicki jokingly called “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” the one good thing that came out of her and Bobby’s marriage.
In another odd twist in the song’s history, and prior to the popular 1991 Reba cover, it was also offered to Cher. But her husband Sonny Bono ruled out the possibility of recording for her, concerned that the song’s connotations would anger their Southern fanbase. Cher reportedly didn’t even know about the offer for many years later.
A year before songwriter Bobby Russell’s death, Reba McEntire recorded the song and got permission to cover it. It’s no secret that Reba is a lover of long, ballad-style songs, and her cover was easily the most monumental moment in the song’s life.
Reba’s version skyrocketed and continues to be a hit with country listeners with its slowly building climax and plot conclusion, and of course, compared to the Murdaugh trial, it reminds everyone not to trust “backwoods Southern lawyers.”
But, let’s not forget, the song was first recorded by “Mama,” a top-notch actress and comedian who believed in its staying power as a hit, and damn it if she wasn’t right.
Reba announces new book Not That Fancy along with album
Reba has a new book coming soon.
The lifestyle book is called Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots and will go on sale Tuesday October 10th.
The legend herself, Miss Reba McEntire, shares stories from her life, sharing photos from her iconic country music career, never-before-seen photos from all of her adventures, as well as some of her favorite family recipes, and fans will benefit from an intimate look at Reba as a person and musicians.
And along with the new book, Reba will be releasing a companion album entitled NOT THAT FANCY.
She has teamed up with one of Nashville’s top producers, Dave Cobb, to record stripped down versions of some of her most famous songs, as well as a brand new single, ‘Seven Minutes In Heaven’.
The album will be available everywhere on Friday October 6th and you can check out the book cover below.
The foreword is penned by her friend and country legend Garth Brooks:
Let’s get straight to the point…
NOT SO FANTASTIC Track Listing:
1. The fear of being alone
2. Consider me gone
3. Someone should go
4. Like blue
5. When you see him when you see her with Brooks & Dunn
6. Until you love me
7. Seven Minutes in Heaven
8. The night the lights went out in Georgia
9. Does he love you with Dolly Parton?
10. A promise too late
11. The last to know
12. New fool at an old game
13. I am a survivor
14. Lust
“The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” Goes Viral During Alex Murdaugh’s Trial
Thank you Gen Z for giving Reba time in the spotlight during your daily routine.
This TikTok trend had me giggling throughout the Alex Murdaugh trial.
If you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks, everyone has been talking about the trial of Alex Murdaugh, who was accused of killing his wife and son.
If you haven’t been actively following the trial, you’ve probably watched the three-part Netflix documentary about the events leading up to the trial. There’s also another docuseries on HBO…
The prominent South Carolina family ran their small town because their father, Alex, ran the local law firm. Through many twists and turns, covering up family misdeeds, murders leading back to the Murdaugh family, and the dissolution of her family’s law firm, Alex Murdaugh’s wife and son were found dead.
The prime suspect was the head of the household, Alex.
He was found guilty of the murders of his wife and son, leading to some funny internet comment (including OJ Simpson), but the story is wildly tragic indeed.
Outside of Twitter, however, Gen Z humor has shone on TikTok with a little help from our friend Reba.
Kids who followed the process post clips of their thoughts in the line of Reba’s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” where she says:
“Well, don’t entrust your soul to some hillbilly Southern lawyer.”
Funny ironic.
@sommerlucas3 #murdaugh #murdaughtrial #southcarolina #alexmurdaugh #fyp #foryou ♬ The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia – Revived – Reba McEntire
And another:
@mendyperdew2022 Seriously 🤦♀️ #spillthetea #tea #thetea #murdaughfamily #fyp ♬ The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia – Revived – Reba McEntire
Ok… one more thing.
@kamavu08 I’m ready for my jury briefing, Judge. #AlexMurdaugh #AlexMurdaughTrial #MurdaughTrial #Guilty #LawAndCrime ♬ The night the lights went out in Georgia – revived – Reba McEntire
In this case, Reba’s words rang true…old Alex Murdaugh, who for some reason pronounces his name “Alec Murdock,” was found guilty and will walk away for the rest of his natural life…and then some.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjFtwMKd7-0
Reba opens Reba’s Place, a new restaurant and music venue near her hometown in Oklahoma
Go ahead and add restaurateur to Reba’s resume folks.
Last Thursday, just a few miles outside of her hometown in Chockie, Oklahoma, Reba held the grand opening of her new three-story dining and entertainment venue.
Creatively and casually named Reba’s Place, the restaurant serves a long list of dishes personally selected by none other than Reba. The dishes are inspired by famous dishes in her hometown and places she frequents. The menu features Choctaw’s famous brisket, a fancy steak and a southern-style charcuterie board.
No corn dogs?
The location will also contain many of Reba’s personalized memorabilia, and according to the website, the pieces will rotate and change regularly.
But for Reba, this isn’t just another challenge in a new arena. She calls Reba’s Place “an excuse to come home,” adding that the venue will help create needed jobs in the small community she grew up in.
The grand opening included a pop-up concert by the woman herself and also a few kind words from the local Choctaw Nation leader about Reba’s dedication and trying to give back to her community in a new, fun way:
“Your hands are all over this property tonight. She picked every dish you have on your table tonight. She chose every color. Curtains, color schemes, color palettes. Everything.
She was so dedicated. She’s there for every call. We can’t talk on the phone without her being there.”
Both the opening night and Reba’s live performance were captured on video by Reba’s team, including some great shots of the restaurant and its western atmosphere:
