As a rock and roll, rhythm & blues, soul, blues, jazz, country and pop musician he helped to shape the sound of rhythm & blues.
He brought a soulful sound to everything from country music ("I Can't Stop Loving You") to rock and roll ("Mess Around"), to pop standards to a now-iconic rendition of "America the Beautiful." Frank Sinatra called him "the only genius in the business."
Ray Charles was born in Albany, Georgia on September 23, 1930. He was the son of Aretha Williams, a share cropper, and Bailey Robinson, a railroad repair man, mechanic and handyman. The two were never married. The family moved to Greenville, Florida, when Ray was an infant. Bailey had three more families, leaving Aretha to raise the family on her own.
Ray Charles was not born blind. He started to lose his sight somewhere at the age of five. He was rendered totally blind by the age of seven. Charles never knew exactly why he lost his sight, though there are sources that suggest his blindness was due to glaucoma, and some other sources suggest that Ray began to lose his sight from an infection caused by soapy water to his eyes which was left untreated. He attended school at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, Florida from 1937-1945 where he developed his musical gift that he is known and remembered for today. His father died when he was ten, followed by his mother five years later.
In school, he was taught only classical music, but he wanted to play what he heard on the radio, jazz and blues. After his mother died, Charles did not return to school. He lived in Jacksonville with a couple who were friends of his mother. For over a year, he played the piano for bands at the Ritz Theatre in LaVilla, earning $4 a night. Charles moved to Orlando, then Tampa, where he played "with a hillbilly band called The Florida Playboys." This is where Charles began his reputation of always wearing sunglasses that were made by designer Billy Stickles.
Charles had always played for other people, but he wanted a band that was his own. He decided to leave Florida for a large city, but Chicago and New York City were too big. He moved to Seattle in 1947 and soon started recording, first for the label Swing Time Records, achieving his first hit with the 1949 "Confession Blues". The song soared to #2 on the R&B charts. He followed his first recording with his only other hit with Swingtime, "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand" in 1951. It hit #5 on the R&B charts. He then signed with Ahmet Ertegün at Atlantic Records a year later. When he entered show business, his name was shortened to Ray Charles to avoid confusion with boxer Sugar Ray Robinson.
Breakthrough period with Atlantic Records
Almost immediately after signing with Atlantic, Charles scored his first hit singles with the label with "It Should Have Been Me" and the Ertegün-composed "Mess Around", both making the charts in 1953. But it was Charles' "I Got A Woman" (composed with band mate Renald Richard) that brought the musician to national prominence.
The song reached the top of Billboard's R&B singles chart in 1955 and from there until 1959, Charles would have a series of R&B chart-toppers including "This Little Girl of Mine", "Lonely Avenue", "Mary Ann", "Drown in My Own Tears" and "The Night Time (Is the Right Time)", which were compiled on his Atlantic releases Hallelujah, I Love Her So, Yes Indeed!, and The Genius Sings the Blues. Charles was often cited for using his voice like a saxophone, most notably by the prominent critic Victor Bollo. During this time of transition, he recruited a young girl group from Philadelphia named The Cookies as his background singing group, recording with them in New York and changing their name to the Raelettes in the process.
Crossover success
In 1959, Charles crossed over to top 40 radio with the release of his impromptu blues number, "What'd I Say", which was initially conceived while Charles was in concert. The song would reach number 1 on the R&B list and would become Charles' first top ten single on the pop charts, peaking at number 6. Charles would also record The Genius of Ray Charles, before leaving Atlantic for a more lucrative deal with ABC Records in 1959.
Hit songs such as "Georgia On My Mind" (US #1), "Hit the Road Jack" (US #1) and "Unchain My Heart" (US #9) helped him transition to pop success and his landmark 1962 album, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music and its sequel Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Vol. 2, helped to bring country into the mainstream of music. He also had major pop hits in 1963 with "Busted" (US #4) and "Take These Chains From My Heart" (US #8), and also scoring a Top 20 hit four years later, in 1967, with "Here We Go Again" (US #15) (which would later be duetted with Norah Jones in 2004).
Later years
In 1965, Charles was arrested for possession of heroin, a drug to which he had been addicted for nearly 20 years. It was his third arrest for the offence, but he avoided jail time after kicking the habit in a clinic in Los Angeles. He spent a year on parole in 1966, when his single "Crying Time" reached #6 on the charts.
During the late 1960s and into the 1970s, Charles' releases were hit-or-miss, with some big hits and critically acclaimed work. His version of "Georgia On My Mind" was proclaimed the state song of Georgia on April 24, 1979, with Charles performing it on the floor of the state legislature. He also had success with his unique version of "America the Beautiful."
In November 1977 Charles appeared as the host of NBC's Saturday Night Live. In the 1980s a number of other events increased Charles' recognition among young audiences. He made a cameo appearance in the popular 1980 film The Blues Brothers. In 1985, "The Right Time" was featured in the episode "Happy Anniversary" of The Cosby Show on NBC. The next year in 1986, he sang America The Beautiful at Wrestlemania 2. In a Pepsi Cola commercial of the early 1990s, Charles popularized the catchphrase "You Got the Right One, Baby!" plus he helped in the song "We Are the World" a touching song for USA for Africa.
Despite his support of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s and his support for the American Civil Rights Movement, Charles courted controversy when he toured South Africa in 1981, during an international boycott of the country because of its apartheid policy.
Charles recorded a cover version of the Japanese band Southern All Stars' song "Itoshi no Ellie" as "Ellie My Love" for a Suntory TV advertisement, reaching #3 on Japan's Oricon chart. Eventually, it sold more than 400,000 copies, and became that year's best-selling single performed by a Western artist for the Japanese music market.
Besides winning 17 Grammy Awards in his career (include five posthumous ones), Charles was also honored in many other ways. In 1979, he was one of the first honorees of the Georgia State Music Hall of Fame being recognized for being a musician born in the state. Ray's version of "Georgia On My Mind" was made into the official state song for Georgia. In 1981, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was one of the first inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural ceremony in 1986. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986. In 1987, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, he was inducted to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. In 1998 he was awarded the Polar Music Prize together with Ravi Shankar in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2004 he was inducted to the Jazz Hall of Fame, and inducted to the National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame. Also in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #10 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
The Grammy Awards of 2005 were dedicated to Charles.
On December 7, 2007, Ray Charles Plaza was opened in Albany, Georgia, with a revolving, lighted bronze sculpture of Charles seated at a piano.
On December 26, 2007, Ray Charles was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
Ray Charles Post Office Building
In 2005, the U.S. postal facility located at 4960 W. Washington Blvd., in Los Angeles, California, was designated the Ray Charles Post Office Building.
On August 24, 2005, the United States Congress honored Charles by dedicating and renaming the former West Adams Station post office in Los Angeles the "Ray Charles Station".
Charles has also appeared at two Presidential inaugurations in his lifetime. In 1985, he performed for Ronald Reagan's second inauguration, and in 1993 performed for Bill Clinton's first inauguration.
In the late '80s and early '90s, Charles made appearances on The Super Dave Osbourne Show, where he performed and appeared in a few vignettes where he was somehow driving a car, often as Super Dave's chauffeur. At the height of his newfound fame in the early nineties, Charles did guest vocals for quite a few projects. He also appeared (with Chaka Khan) on long time friend Quincy Jones' hit "I'll Be Good to You" in 1990, from Jones' album Back on the Block.
Following Jim Henson's death in 1990, Ray Charles appeared in the one-hour CBS tribute, The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson. He gave a short speech about the deceased, stating that Henson "took a simple song and a piece of felt and turned it into a moment of great power". Charles was referring to the song "It's Not Easy Being Green", which Charles later performed with the rest of the Muppet cast in a tribute to Henson's legacy.
During the sixth season of Designing Women, Ray Charles vocally performed "Georgia On My Mind", rather than the song being rendered by other musicians without lyrics as in the previous five seasons
During his life he received eight honorary doctorates, the last from Dillard University in New Orleans in 2003. Later that same year, he performed his 10,000th career concert at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.
Charles finalized "Genius Loves Company" a duets album in 2004, which posthumously became the best selling album of his career. Norah Jones, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald, Bonnie Raitt, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis and James Taylor are just a few of the notable artists involved with the project.
Charles was awarded the prestigious "President's Merit Award" from the Grammy(r) organization and was named a City of Los Angeles "Cultural Treasure" by LA Mayor James Hahn during "African American Heritage Month" in a ceremony that he attended. He also received the NAACP Image Awards' "Hall of Fame Award."
Charles died in July 2004 in California. Three months later, his biopic "Ray" opened in theaters. The performance of Jamie Foxx as Ray gave him an Oscar for best lead performance in a feature film.
Recently, a series of slot machines were designed in Charles' name for the visually handicapped and the legendary performer was also named a "living legend" by the Library of Congress.
Charles once told an interviewer from USA Today, "Music to me is just like breathing. I have to have it. It's part of me."
Baby Grand
Ray Charles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When it's dark and cold
I reach out
For someone to hold
When I'm blue
When I'm lonely
She comes through
She's the only one who can
Is all I need
In my time
I've wandered everywhere
Around this world
She would always be there
Any day
Any hour
All it takes
Is the power in my hands
This baby grand's
Been good to me
I've had friends
But they have slipped away
I've had fame
But it doesn't stay
I've made fortunes
Spent them fast enough
As for woman
They don't last with just one man
But baby grand
Will stand by me
They say that no one's gonna play this on the radio
They said the melancholy blues were dead and gone
But only songs like these
Played in minor keys
Keep those memories holding on
I've come far
From the life I've strayed in
I've got scars
From those dives I've played in
Now I'm home
And I'm weary
In my bones
Every dreary one night stand
But baby grand
Came home with me
Ever since this gig began
My baby grand's
Been good to me
The lyrics to Ray Charles's song Baby Grand are a tribute to a beloved musical instrument, the piano. The song speaks of the comfort the piano has brought to Ray in times of loneliness and of the constant companionship and unyielding support it has offered throughout the years. The first verse speaks to the feeling of emptiness and the need for companionship during dark and cold nights, and the second verse talks about the constant companionship and support the piano has offered him throughout his life.
Ray Charles notes that the piano has been his constant companion wherever he may travel, and that while he has had friends and fame come and go in life, the piano remains a steadfast anchor. The third verse speaks to the common belief that minor key songs, such as this one, are not favored by radio stations, but Charles notes that these songs hold on to memories by striking an emotional chord with the listener. The final verse speaks about the difficulties of a musician's life, and how the baby grand piano has come to be a source of comfort and solace, no matter what challenges he might face.
Overall, the lyrics in Baby Grand pay homage to the power and beauty of music, and how it can bring comfort and constancy to those who seek it.
Line by Line Meaning
Late at night
During the lonely, dark night hours
When it's dark and cold
When the weather is bitter and chilly
I reach out
I search for comfort and care
For someone to hold
To hold someone dear to my heart
When I'm blue
When I'm in sadness, feeling down
When I'm lonely
When I'm alone without companionship
She comes through
She appears to help and support
She's the only one who can
She's the sole person who can offer such solace
My baby grand
Refers to the piano
Is all I need
It's the only thing I require for comfort
In my time
Throughout my experiences
I've wandered everywhere
I've travelled around the world
Around this world
Throughout the entire planet
She would always be there
The piano was always present for comfort
Any day
At any time
Any hour
At any moment
All it takes
All I need
Is the power in my hands
I am capable of transcending with the piano
This baby grand's
The piano's
Been good to me
Has always been present and supportive of my needs
I've had friends
I've known people who are dear to me
But they have slipped away
But they're no longer with me
I've had fame
I've experienced popularity and recognition
But it doesn't stay
It doesn't last
I've made fortunes
I've accumulated wealth
Spent them fast enough
But I've exhausted them rapidly
As for woman
Speaking of women
They don't last with just one man
They don't remain long-term with a single partner
But baby grand
Refers to the piano
Will stand by me
Will always support, unlike women
They say that no one's gonna play this on the radio
It's claimed that this tune won't be broadcasted
They said the melancholy blues were dead and gone
It's been alleged that sad music is no longer popular
But only songs like these
But tracks like this one
Played in minor keys
Could be played in a gloomier pitch
Keep those memories holding on
Keep those memories and periods of time intact
I've come far
I've journeyed a long distance
From the life I've strayed in
From the life I've gone astray from
I've got scars
I possess wounds
From those dives I've played in
From those sites where I've played music
Now I'm home
Currently, I returned home
And I'm weary
And I'm exhausted or drained
In my bones
I sense it deeply within my being
Every dreary one night stand
Each sad one night event
But baby grand
But the piano
Came home with me
Accompanied me home
Ever since this gig began
Since this musical occupation started
My baby grand's
The piano's
Been good to me
Has always been supportive and made me feel better throughout hard times
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY JOEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marieblue
Billy Joel recorded “Baby Grand” (1986) as a duet with Ray Charles, who’s his favorite pianist/singer. They had never met before. When Charles showed up at the session, Joel was in awe and quite nervous. To break the ice and get to know one another, they each played piano for a while.
In an interview, Joel said that he was sitting at home, trying to find inspiration for a song for the upcoming duet. Suddenly, his baby grand sparked his imagination. He recalled : “I began looking around at things that have been consistent in my life, and in this age of synthesizers and electronic keyboards, the piano has almost become an old-fashioned instrument. I glanced at the baby grand piano and realized that I had a lot of love for that thing. The piano has provided me with a nice living, a career, and happiness. It’s gotten me women, and it’s gotten me through some strange times. Sometimes at night I’d sit down and give myself a concert, and it’s almost like the piano did it - I didn’t even have anything to do with it. When I was thinking about a theme for Ray and me, it seemed apropos : you know, Ray Charles, piano player. Billy Joel, piano player. Let’s talk about a real love in our lives - the baby grand. ‘BABY GRAND’ IS REALLY A LOVE SONG TO AN INSTRUMENT.”
At first, Joel thought he didn’t have enough in common with Charles to compose a piece for him to sing. But then he remembered two things : They both had their fair share of trouble with the ladies, and they both played the piano.
“[If] you’re a piano player, women may come and go, but that piano will stay there,” Joel said. “That piano ain’t movin’. That’ll always be there. And I thought, ‘This is good subject matter for two singers.’”
Recording session time…
After the first take, Joel realized there was a misprint in Charles’ braille lyrics and fretted over having to bring it up to him. His producer, Phil Ramone, encouraged him to simply apologize and explain the situation. Ramone remembered : “Billy explained, and Ray seized the opportunity to kibitz with us. ‘Yes - the mistake is right there,’ he said, as his fingers scanned the page. ‘You wanna read it yourself?’ Once the problem was fixed, they did another set of vocals - this time in front of two stationary mikes. You could see that Billy and Ray shared a warm bond, and the reason that ‘Baby Grand’ works is because it’s heartfelt and simple. It’s just two giants who admire each other, singing and playing together.”
ONE EPIC RENDEZVOUS ‼️ 💛🎹💜
May you rest in piece, Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (1930 - 2004)… 🌹
@karolinapekalska3033
Late at night
When it's dark and cold
I reach out
For someone to hold
When I'm blue
When I'm lonely
She comes through
She's the only one who can
My baby grand
Is all I need
In my time
I've wandered everywhere
Around this world
She would always be there
Any day
Any hour
All it takes
Is the power in my hands
This baby grand's
Been good to me
I've had frineds
But they have slipped away
I've had fame
But it doesn't stay
I've made fortunes
Spent them fast enough
As for woman
They don't last with just one man
But baby grand
Will stand by me
They say that no one's gonna play this on the radio
They said the melancholy blues were dead and gone
But only songs like these
Played in minor keys
Keep those memories holding on
I've come far
From the life I've strayed in
I've got scars
From those dives I've played in
Now I'm home
And I'm weary
In my bones
Every dreary one night stand
But baby grand
Came home with me
Ever since this gig began
My baby grand's
Been good to me
@rafaelrosende4285
BABY GRAND/
BGB AND RAY
(Baby Grand, Bill & Ray)
Joel nailed it with this piece
composed especially for Ray.
Both piano performing superb;
Ray Charles singing, masterful…
An instant favorite of all times,
could listen it forever…
@faithcurrent658
I love that Billy said he was so nervous he wasn't sure he could do it. Getting to record your song with your idol must be amazing and terrifying at the same time.
@gauravarya5649
Billy is surely lucky as he got inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of fame by Ray Charles .. RIP Ray
@vivianaurzuafaine7526
No
@alvarc3675
The fact that these two are singing about the piano makes the song even more emotional and meaningful.
@jessicagrimaldi4285
Song is beautiful 💙
@orbison
Billy is also slightly singing about his daughter, who had just been born around that time. That's where the "Baby" in Baby Grand comes from.
@patriciaborowy153
Its been Good 2 ME!!♡☆XO
@ArtofFreeSpeech
People had no idea, back in '86 just what they were witnessing... 2 titans of the music world, prodigious giants of the ivory, getting together to put together an amazing, wonderful, albeit underappreciated tune... I love seeing the excitement on Billy's face of getting to record with Ray Charles, and the joy on Ray's face for just performing the way he has. Amazing stuff.
@soniafaye9919
Pure poetry in musical form. I’ve always thought BJ could write musical theater
@timcampbell921
You can hear this joy in a subtle way in Billy's singing, even if it is the 40th time he's sung it that session. He know the privilege he is taking and has probably dreamed about when he was a kid. I always get something new outta watching this over and again, maybe once every couple of months. Love it.