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."
Early in the Mornin'
Ray Charles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooo now baby, tell me how do you do?
Well I wanna say baby
I really got news for you
Well now baby, tell me what is your name?
Ooo now baby, tell me what is you name?
Well I'm in love with you baby
Well now baby, I really want you by my side
Ooo, now baby, swear I want you by my side
Well you in love, in the money
Keep your daddy satisfied
Well you finally mine, you really on the ball
Ooo, Lord by your by you're really on the ball
Well you know I start runnin'
Every time you call
Oh, Lord , babe
Rock, everybody rock, rock, rock
Everybody, jump, jump, jump
Everybody, wail, wail, wail
Everybody jump, jump, jump
Everybody, well are ya anybody
I said wail, wail
Oh, babe, oh, babe
Oh, babe, oh, babe
I believe in you when you say I do
Babe, talk about your baby you ought to be mine
Well, you can talk about your baby but you ought to be mine
Well she feels like an angel
And it ought to be an angel o' mine
Well, in the mornin' early in the morning
Oh, Lord in the evenin', do it in the mornin'
Well, early in the mornin'
The lyrics of Ray Charles's song "Early in the Morning" tell the story of a man who is hopelessly in love with a woman and is trying to win her over. He begins by asking how she is doing and then asks for her name. He confesses his love for her and hopes that she feels the same. The man then tells her that he wants her by his side and that he will do anything to keep her happy. He even mentions that he is willing to provide for her so that she can "keep your daddy satisfied." The song ends with the man celebrating the fact that the woman is finally his and he is always ready to run to her when she calls.
The lyrics of this song are a celebration of love and the desire to be with someone who is the object of one's affection. The singer's plea for love is both desperate and passionate, as he tries to win over the woman of his dreams. He is willing to do anything for her and is not afraid to proclaim his love for her. The song is a classic example of the soulful bluesy style of Ray Charles, with its catchy tune and memorable lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now baby, tell me how do you do?
The singer is asking the recipient how they are doing.
Ooo now baby, tell me how do you do?
The singer is expressing their interest in the recipient and asking again how they are doing.
Well I wanna say baby
I really got news for you
The singer is telling the recipient that they have news for them.
Well now baby, tell me what is your name?
Ooo now baby, tell me what is your name?
The artist is asking the name of the recipient.
Well I'm in love with you baby
Supposin' you feel the same?
The artist is expressing their love for the recipient and wondering if they feel the same.
Well now baby, I really want you by my side
Ooo, now baby, swear I want you by my side
The singer is expressing their desire for the recipient to be by their side.
Well you in love, in the money
Keep your daddy satisfied
The singer is suggesting that the recipient being in love and having money will make their father happy and satisfied.
Well you finally mine, you really on the ball
Ooo, Lord by your by you're really on the ball
The artist is expressing their happiness that the recipient is now theirs and doing well.
Well you know I start runnin'
Every time you call
The artist is saying that they are always eager to go to the recipient when they call.
Oh, Lord , babe
Rock, everybody rock, rock, rock
Everybody, jump, jump, jump
Everybody, wail, wail, wail
Everybody jump, jump, jump
Everybody, well are ya anybody
I said wail, wail
The artist is encouraging everyone to dance, jump, and express their excitement with wails.
Oh, babe, oh, babe
Oh, babe, oh, babe
I believe in you when you say I do
The singer believes in the recipient and their commitment when they say 'I do'.
Babe, talk about your baby you ought to be mine
Well, you can talk about your baby but you ought to be mine
Well she feels like an angel
And it ought to be an angel o' mine
The artist is saying that the recipient can talk about their baby, but ultimately the artist wants to be with them because they make them feel like an angel.
Well, in the mornin' early in the morning
Oh, Lord in the evenin', do it in the mornin'
Well, early in the mornin'
The singer is saying that they want to be with the recipient early in the morning and at night, but especially early in the morning.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHARLES MILLER, HAROLD RAY I. BROWN, HOWARD E. SCOTT, JERRY GOLDSTEIN, LE ROY L. JORDAN, LEE OSKAR, MORRIS DEWAYNE DICKERSON, SYLVESTER ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cathylockhart2296
I'm here because of the MAPEH module haha.
@dearrybead9005
hahaha same pakopya
@cathylockhart2296
@@dearrybead9005 mema langs
@christianjamesbesin4632
Same bhe
@hyunj1n480
Same.
@sharmainemillendez4973
Saang school ka? Haha
@vickiemc3285
1962 maybe 1963, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles Ca. A night to remember. Ray and the Raylettes on stage. They performed this song and many others for us. Early in the morn'n my fave. Best show I've ever attended. My older brother around 21 at the time and me a whopping 13 all dressed up in our 3 piece corduroy suits and all, look'n good. His wife standing out catching all the looks you know.
I'm now 71, my brother 79. Suits long gone but, both wishing we could go and do it again. Truly...... A night to remember.. RIP Ray and thanks for being part of my life. Johnny Mac, AZ.
@lnapjr76
R.I.P. to New Orleans legend, Leah Chase (1:44). 6/19 ✊🏽🙏🏽
@cayogator
Best Fried Chicken and Gumbo in da city...........
@janisreed4137
I went to Dooky Chase
To get something to eat
RIP Mrs.Leah Chase
Such a great Lady.