Briley King to Release Star-Studded Cover of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”

Rising country-rock artist Briley King is putting a bold new spin on a Southern Gothic classic. On October 1, King is set to release a cover of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”, originally written by Bobby Russell and made famous by Reba McEntire in her 1991 rendition. This time, King is bringing some serious firepower to the track, teaming up with powerhouse guitarist and singer Marcus King and gritty country newcomer Ella Langley. This collaboration brings together three distinct forces in contemporary Southern music, each contributing their own intensity and style to a gripping story of murder, betrayal, and justice gone awry in the Deep South. King was first seen performing the song in a candid backstage clip, singing alongside the Marcus King Band before a show. The video, later shared on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, quickly gained traction — with fans praising her voice, asking for more, and calling for a full studio version.

After the TikTok was posted, Briley King performed the song live at the Grand Ole Opry with Marcus King on September 22. During the performance, she gave visual hints via her unique outfit resembling a lamp shade that pointed toward the imminent release of a studio version. The studio cover was officially announced the next day.

The excitement around the upcoming cover is impossible to miss, with fans eagerly sharing their excitement across social media. Comments such as “Is it October 1 yet?!” reflect the impatience of listeners counting down to the release. Many have been connecting the dots from Briley’s performances and visuals, joking, “Okkkk the lamp shade makes more sense now,” in reference to the subtle hints she’s dropped along the way. The anticipation is building fast, with fans ready to dive into this powerful new interpretation of the Southern classic.

The single will be available on all major streaming platforms October 1, and a music video is reportedly in the works. With a fresh generation of fans hungry for story-driven music and Southern grit, Briley King's “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” is shaping up to be one of the fall’s most anticipated releases.