In 1954, David joined Charles in his band as the baritone saxophone player (although he is more famous as a tenor saxophone and flute player) and began a twelve year gig with Charles.
In November of 1958, Newman released his first album, Ray Charles-Presenting David "Fathead" Newman (1959). The album features many collaborations between Newman and Charles. Many of these recordings appeared again in the mid-1990s as part of a Ray Charles release, Blues + Jazz.
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Hard Time
David Newman & Ray Charles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said son when I'm gone don't forget to pray
'Cause there'll be hard times, hard times, oh yeah
Who knows better than I?
Well, I soon found out, just what she meant
When I had to pawn my clothes, just to pay my rent
Talkin' 'bout hard times, hard times, oh yeah
I had a woman, Lord, who was always around
But when I lost my money, then she put me down
Talkin' 'bout hard times, you know those hard
Yeah Lord, who knows better than I?
Yeah Lord, yeah, one of these days
There'll be no more sorrow, when I pass away
And no more hard times, I said no more hard
Yeah Lord, who knows, yeah Lord, better than I?
In the song Hard Times by David Newman and Ray Charles, the singer reflects on the advice his mother gave him before she passed away. She urged him not to forget to pray in times of hardship, as there will inevitably be difficult times. The refrain of the song repeats “hard times” over and over again, emphasizing the theme of the lyrics. The singer describes experiencing these hard times firsthand, when he had to pawn his clothes to pay his rent. He also laments the loss of a woman who abandoned him when he lost his money. Despite these struggles, the singer maintains hope for a future without sorrow and hard times, and acknowledges that only God knows better than him.
Line by Line Meaning
My mother told me, before she passed away
My mother warned me before her death
Said son when I'm gone don't forget to pray
She asked me to pray after she died
'Cause there'll be hard times, hard times, oh yeah
She cautioned me about tough times ahead
Who knows better than I?
She knew from experience
Well, I soon found out, just what she meant
I realized she was right
When I had to pawn my clothes, just to pay my rent
I was so broke that I had to pawn my clothes
Talkin' 'bout hard times, hard times, oh yeah
It was rough going for sure
Who knows [Incomprehensible] better than I?
I had firsthand experience with hardship
I had a woman, Lord, who was always around
I had a loyal woman by my side
But when I lost my money, then she put me down
However, when I was broke, she left me
Talkin' 'bout hard times, you know those hard
Those were some difficult times
Yeah Lord, who knows better than I?
I had been through tough times before
Yeah Lord, yeah, one of these days
Someday in the future
There'll be no more sorrow, when I pass away
There will be no more pain when I die
And no more hard times, I said no more hard
There will be no more difficult times
Yeah Lord, who knows, yeah Lord, better than I?
I know firsthand how hard life can be
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Charles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@royJazzzz
I love this album. It's got that great Ray Charles feeling going on
@Bd-vl2ft
Got married to this song. More good times than hard times, but the song always brings us back to that day. Magical.
@Iknowknow112
Ray’s solo is so elegant with such articulate phrasing.
@mfreeman313
Great tune that deserves to be better known.
@pondersoa8223
DAMN.... i wish there was something like this today
@davedoyle9623
I do too Pond,,,I do too ,,I really do,,,
@mikelauerman7684
...and me too...an Alto player, favorite piece here. Have it by the Crusaders, but always dug the 'Fathead'...
@squarephantom661
DAMN... is a good album
@multimartinmusic10
Philly boy here too. Remember Mr. Swing and Mr. Soul on Friday nights, with alternating cuts by Sinatra and Ray Charles? This is a great example of Fathead on alto, and he is the reason I play tenor.
@bruceyettra2451
One of the greatest Alto Saxophone songs!