Encouraged by his father to play the guitar, Gracie's musical career started at the very early age of 14 when he appeared on the Paul Whiteman television show. Gracie performed at weddings, local restaurants, and parties, and on local radio and television. He also won many regional talent contests. The little money and prizes he received were turned over to his mother to help support the family.
The owner of Cadillac Records heard one of Gracie's early radio performances, contacted the young musician and signed him to a contract. This association yielded the single, Boogie Woogie Blues backed with I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter. The record led to Gracie's first appearance on Bob Horn's "American Bandstand" television program. (This was four years before Dick Clark became the host)
After cutting two more singles for Cadillac, Gracie moved on to 20th Century Records, a subsidiary of Gotham, where he put out another four sides, including Wildwood Boogie. The discs he made embraced a wide variety of styles: jump blues, gospel, and country boogie with the influences of Big Joe Turner, B.B. King, Louis Jordan, Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams.
Between 1951-53, Gracie was experimenting with many types of music, years before many rock heroes had ever set foot inside a recording studio.
By 1956, Philadelphia had given birth to the new Cameo record label. Its founders, in search of a strong talent signed Gracie later that year. With a $600 budget, this new union went into the studio to record a single that would forever change their lives. The record, Butterfly backed with Ninety Nine Ways became a monster hit, reaching the number one position all across America. Charlie received a gold disc for the two million plus sales and became the first native Philadelphia rock star to achieve international success. Other substantial sellers followed: Fabulous, Wandering Eyes, and Cool Baby. The financial success of these hits bankrolled the Cameo label, which became a dominant force in the recording industry for several years.
Gracie's personal appearances grew until he performed and headlined some of the biggest venues of that time: Alan Freed's rock and roll shows at the Brooklyn Paramount, The Ed Sullivan Show, Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" and the 500 Club in Atlantic City. He appeared in the 1957 film Jamboree, and toured with the likes of Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Bo Diddley and his close friend, Eddie Cochran.
Gracie became only the second American, guitar-toting rock and roller to bring this new art form to the British concert stage. His two extensive tours in 1957 and 58 were a whirlwind, topped off by headlining the Palladium and the Hippodrome in London. He played to packed houses and drew rave reviews. In the audiences, among Charlie's fans and admirers, were future rock greats: Graham Nash, members of the Beatles and Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker and Van Morrison. These performers and many other well-known acts have credited Charlie as an influence. George Harrison referred to Charlie's guitar technique as "brilliant" in a March 1996 interview with Billboard Magazine; Paul McCartney invited Charlie to the premiere party of his 1999 release which paid tribute to the early pioneers of rock music.
Gracie found himself somewhat miscast at Cameo. He moved on to other labels such as Coral, Roulette, Felsted, and Diamond, performing more of the R&B he preferred. Even if success slowed, Gracie' continued to perform in clubs, theaters, and resorts through the 1990s.
Gracie's pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Gracie was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame on November 16, 2012, at the Hilton City Avenue, Philadelphia.
In 2019, Gracie toured the UK with Marty Wilde along with Mike Berry, Nancy Ann Lee and the Wildcats.
Ninety Nine Ways
Charlie Gracie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
of losin' the blues
That I got from lovin' you
Oh ninety-nine ways
but none of them do
There must be ninety-nine ways
to do without you
but I cant find one tonight
and nothin' is right
Oh baby I'm missin'
your huggin' and your kissin'
I'm lonely as can be
Well I've tried all the others
but none of the others
can do what you're doin' to me
There must be ninety-nine ways
of losin' the blues
That I got from lovin' you
Mmm ninety-nine ways
but I still love you
Instrumental
There must be ninety-nine ways
of losin' the blues
That I got from lovin' you
Mmm ninety-nine ways
but I still love you
Yes I do
Yes ninety-nine ways
but I still love you
These lyrics are about heartbreak and the different ways one can try to get over the pain of losing a lover. The singer acknowledges that there are countless ways to try and forget their former love, but none of them seems to work. The pain is too strong, and the singer cannot find any solace.
The line, "I'm feeling so bad, and nothing is right," is a clear example of the singer's state of mind. They are locked in a cycle of misery and cannot find a way out. However, despite the pain, the singer cannot stop loving their ex-partner. They still love them, and no matter how many different ways they try to distract themselves, their former love stays on their mind.
The instrumental break in the song adds to the melancholic mood, emphasizing the sense of loss and longing. Overall, these lyrics represent the struggle of coming to terms with heartbreak and the inability to escape the pain.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be ninety-nine ways
There are countless potential methods
of losin' the blues
to alleviate this sadness
That I got from lovin' you
caused by the heartache you caused
Oh ninety-nine ways
So many possibilities
but none of them do
yet none of them work
There must be ninety-nine ways
Repeated emphasis on numerous possible solutions
to do without you
to no longer need you
but I cant find one tonight
but tonight none seem to work
I'm feelin' so bad
expressing current emotional state
and nothin' is right
everything feels wrong
Oh baby I'm missin'
expressing deep longing
your huggin' and your kissin'
physical affection you provided
I'm lonely as can be
feeling solitary
Well I've tried all the others
referencing past unsuccessful attempts
but none of the others
acknowledging all have failed
can do what you're doin' to me
expressing unique impact you have had
Mmm ninety-nine ways
Reiteration of numerous possible solutions
but I still love you
despite all this, I still love you
Instrumental
Interlude with no lyrics
There must be ninety-nine ways
Continued emphasis on numerous possible solutions
of losin' the blues
alleviating sadness
That I got from lovin' you
resulting from love for you
Mmm ninety-nine ways
Endless possible methods
but I still love you
Regardless, my love for you remains strong
Yes I do
Affirmation of previous statement
Yes ninety-nine ways
Confident in the vast number of solutions
but I still love you
Reiteration of lasting love for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Bernie Lowe, Kal Mann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marlowefrank
Saw Charlie Gracie at the Grand Theatre Blackpool 19th may 2019 ----- at 83 he was looked immaculate, his guitar playing & singing was spot on , he was awesome
@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes
What a dude!
@colinmennie6447
Interesting that this was the b-side of Butterly and Tab Hunter released this as an a-side and had a top 5 hit in England .
@raywiefling4886
Philadelphia own
@jeffgreen7499
Charlie Gracie backed by Dave Appell and the Applejacks, with Cameo records owner Bernie Lowe on the piano.
@bicyclecrunch
great piano,,
@georgephinn822
I was in Junior High School - and I remember hearing - Charlie Gracie - 99 Ways - on the car radio - in 1957 - it was such a catchy song - that I was singing along as I listened - the memories are there - Thanks Charlie Gracie