Most Killer Songs: No. 14
- Posted by Spinner Staff
- Comments (25)

'The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia'
--Vicki Lawrence (1973)
Weapon: Sibling's shotgun
Gory Details: In the Southern Gothic tale by the 'Carol Burnett Show' star, sisterly love goes too far -– and backfires. Seth's wife has been tramping around town, and Andy, a lover, breaks the news to Seth. D'oh! Seth intends to murder Andy, but he finds Andy already dead. The real culprit is the song's narrator, Seth's sister, but authorities hang Seth anyway.
- Filed under: The Hit List
- Share & Bookmark :











Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Jenat 3-15-2008
The victims: Andy and the narrator's brother's wife.
LilNillaat 3-15-2008
The victims: Andy and the narrator's brother's wife.
Traceyat 3-17-2008
And he saw Andy lyin' on the floor
In a puddle of blood and he started to shake.
That's the quotes. Andy was "brother's" friend and he told brother that his wife was out yaya'in around with someone else and that he had yaya'd her also. Brother's sister killed Andy and brother was hung. Seth and wifeypoo got off scott free and are probably still yaya'in all over Georgia.
drewat 10-29-2008
close, but not quite... "And his cheatin' wife, she never left town, but that's one body that'll never be found... you see, little sister don't miss when she aims a gun."
tiffanyat 3-18-2008
seth is one of the lovers, it doesnt say the guys name who's wife cheated on him.
michael rossillioat 5-05-2008
I remember that the version by Vicki Lawrence debuted on "The Carol Burnett Show." Each year one show was dedicated to the regulars only with no guest stars. I can see Carol standing on stage and saying how very proud she was of Vick's accomplishment when she introduced the song. And I was so enthralled with the recording that I called dozens of record stores the next day before I eventually found a copy.
The funny thing is that Vicki reminds everyone when she tells the story about recording the song that she was not the first choice for vocalist. The song first went to Cher and Sonny turned it down because he said it was a slight against the South. The song, written by Vicki's husband at the time, was finally offered to her after several other singers also turned it down. The version by Vicki went to number one and became an instant classic!
Marloat 5-27-2008
Sucks
cardvldg1986at 5-09-2009
suck you up my pants leg, feed you dried little shit ball and let you wash it down with a mouth full of c$m, BITE ME!!!!!
flickfetisat 7-08-2008
Ilike the song but the sister killing the sister in law never made sense.
imabchbbyat 7-09-2008
I thought reba sang this song she sings it better
wycoffgirlat 8-11-2008
vear good song reba sing it better
Meganat 8-12-2008
rebas better
drewat 10-29-2008
Yeah, it was the unnamed brother's wife who was sleeping with Seth Amos. The brother finds out that his wife also slept with Andy Woloh. The actual Victims are: Andy Woloh and the brother's wife, who are both killed by the sister; and her brother who is hung for the murder of Andy Woloh. It's all a lot easier to follow if you watch Reba McEntire's video. Reba re-recorded the song on her "For My Broken Heart" album.
Danielleat 11-24-2007
I didn't think Seth was a victim in this song. From the lyrics and also other facts I found online, Seth was another man the wife was having an affair with. I don't believe it ever mentions the husband's or the wife's names.
DEBI WILLIAMSat 11-24-2007
THEY HAVE THE INFO WRONG.. THEY NEVER NAME THE SHOOTER'S BROTHER BY NAME. ANDY TELLS BROTHER YOUR WIFE HAS BEEN SEEING THAT AMOS BOY, SETH, AS WELL AS HIMSELF. THE NARRATOR ONLY REFERS TO THE SHOOTER'S BROTHER AS HIM, HE OR BROTHER. THEREFORE, THERE ARE 4 INNOCENT VICTIMS. SETH, ANDY , THE NARRATOR'S BROTHER AND SISTER IN LAW.
stacyat 11-24-2007
Reba does this song so much better...no offence!
eddieat 11-24-2007
its a great song. now you are talking about someone that doesnt sing to someone that does it all the time now too.
Johnat 11-24-2007
This has always been one of my favorite songs and I think that while Reba does it well, the original version by Vicki is the best. The Amos boy's first name is Seth. The victims in the song are the brother's wife (no name) and Andy (both killed by the sister), and finally the brother (no name either). Seth Amos does not die in the song.
leeat 11-24-2007
Reba does a good job with it,, but Vickie Lawence does it better.
cardvldg1986at 5-09-2009
I agree Vicki does it better, Reba's great but the original is almost always the best.