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."
Making Whoopee
Ray Charles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another sunny honeymoon
Another season, Another reason
To make whoopee
A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
The groom is nervous, uhh, he answers twice
Its really killin', the boy's so willin'
Picture a little love nest, yeah
Down where the roses cling
Picture that same sweet love nest
See what a year can bring
I tell you the boy's washin' dishes 'n, baby clothes
He's so ambitious, ooh, I tell you he sews
Its really killin', the boy's so willin'
To make whoopee, whoopee
You see, I don't make much money
Only five, uh-uh, thousand per
And some judge who thinks he's funny
Tells me I got to pay six to her
I said now judge, suppose I fail?
The judge says, "Ray, son, son, right on into jail.
Ah, you better keep her. I think it's cheaper."
[spoken] You know what I've been doin', don't you?
[crowd goes wild]
"Makin' Whoopee" is a song that humorously takes on the idea of marriage being a happy and joyous affair. The title itself is a euphemism for sex, which sets the stage for the central message of the lyrics. The first verse sets the scene of a wedding and honeymoon, which are usually idyllic and pleasant experiences. However, the repetition of "Another bride, another June/Another sunny honeymoon" implies that these events are just routine and commonplace. The second verse describes the aftermath of marriage, where the man is doing domestic chores like washing dishes and washing baby clothes. This is in contrast to the traditional idea that the woman is solely responsible for the home and family.
The third verse then takes on the darker aspect of marriage - the monetary issues that come with divorce. Ray Charles sings about how he only makes a modest amount of money, and yet the judge still demands that he pay his ex-wife more than he can afford. The judge's response to his plea of failing to make the payments is "You better keep her, I think it's cheaper," which illustrates the societal expectation that marriage is, in a way, a financial transaction. Although there is an element of humor in the song, it isn't hard to glean that it speaks to a deeper societal issue that is still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Another bride, Another June
Another wedding with a new bride and in the month of June
Another sunny honeymoon
They're headed off on a sunny honeymoon, as it's expected
Another season, Another reason
Another time of the year, another chance to get married
To make whoopee
To consummate the marriage
A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
A lot of guests and traditions to follow in the wedding
The groom is nervous, uhh, he answers twice
The groom is extremely nervous and keeps saying 'I do'
Its really killin', the boy's so willin'
He's eager and willing to do what's expected of him
To make whoopee, whoopee
To consummate the marriage
Picture a little love nest, yeah
The couple is starting their life together in a small, cozy home
Down where the roses cling
The house is adorned with beautiful roses
Picture that same sweet love nest
Visualize that house after a year of marriage
See what a year can bring
Look at what can change in a year of marriage
I tell you the boy's washin' dishes 'n, baby clothes
The husband is doing the household chores
He's so ambitious, ooh, I tell you he sews
He's very eager to please his wife, even sewing
You see, I don't make much money
The man doesn't have a high paying job
Only five, uh-uh, thousand per
He earns only five thousand dollars a year
And some judge who thinks he's funny
A judge who thinks he's funny is in charge of the divorce settlement
Tells me I got to pay six to her
The judge orders him to pay six thousand dollars to his ex-wife
I said now judge, suppose I fail?
He's questioning the judge about the possibility of not being able to pay the settlement
The judge says, "Ray, son, son, right on into jail.
The judge warns him of being put in jail if he doesn't pay
Ah, you better keep her.
The judge suggests he keep his wife, as divorce would be more expensive
I think it's cheaper."
The judge thinks it's cheaper to stay married than to get a divorce
[spoken] You know what I've been doin', don't you?
Ray is teasing the audience and implying that they know he's been making whoopee.
[crowd goes wild]
The crowd cheers and applauds Ray Charles.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., MEMORY LANE MUSIC GROUP
Written by: WALTER DONALDSON, GUS KAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
José de Ribamar Araújo Peres
Tradução: Making whoopee
Fazendo amor
Another bride, Another June
Uma outra noiva Um outro junho
Another sunny honeymoon
Uma outra ensolarada lua de mel
Another season, Another reason
Mais uma temporada Uma outra razão
To make whoopee
Para fazer amor
A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
Muitos sapatos Muito arroz
The groom is nervous, uhh, he answers twice
O noivo está nervoso, uhh, responde duas vezes
Its really killin', the boy's so willin'
É realmente de matar O jovem está tão ansioso
To make whoopee, whoopee
Para fazer amor, amor
Picture a little love nest, yeah
A Imagem de um pequeno ninho de amor, pois é
Down where the roses cling
Embaixo, onde as rosas se agarram
Picture that same sweet love nest
A imagem do mesmo doce ninho de amor
See what a year can bring
Veja o que um ano pode trazer
I tell you the boy's washin' dishes 'n, baby clothes
Eu lhe conto: o jovem está lavando louças, roubas de bebê
He's so ambitious, ooh, I tell you he sews
É tão ambicioso, ooh, eu lhe conto: ele costura
Its really killin', the boy's so willin'
É realmente de matar, o jovem está tão ansioso
To make whoopee, whoopee
Para fazer amor, amor
You see, I don't make much money
Veja, eu não ganho muito dinheiro
Only five, uh-uh, thousand per
Somente cinco, uh-uh, mil por ano
And some judge who thinks he's funny
E algum juiz ainda pensa que é brincadeira
Tells me I got to pay six to her
Diga-me, eu tenho que pagar seis pra ela
I said now judge, suppose I fail?
Eu digo agora juiz, o senhor acha que falhei?
The judge says, "Ray, son, son, right on into jail.
O juiz diz, Ray, filho, filho, você vai direto pras grades.
Ah, you better keep her. I think it's cheaper."
Ah, é melhor você ficar com ela. Eu penso que é mais barato.
[spoken] You know what I've been doin', don't you?
(falando) Você sabe o que eu tenho estado fazendo, não sabe?
TommieCadi
This is awesome. genius, smoothly intricate and effortless perfection freely flowing through Ray. We thank God for you, Ray, and we miss you, but you are always with us.
Felicia Williams
TommieCadi true....
Colorado Bloom
The ultimate version of this song! I discovered it 50 years ago on this album. Still love it to this day!
kyle garshott
I've listend to this more then anything in life. Thank you Ray, a true genius
Ted Harralston
smooth is the word. He didnt have to sing at all, he had it with the piano lick. great job
Aaron Gamaliel Ramos
Wow! The unforgettable Ray. We will not experience an artist like him in centuries to come.
Garry Holt
Doesn't get any better. A true genius.
Randy Taylor
Something about hearing this song at night......when everything is quiet. Don't know why but it's something about the blues when you're all by yourself. It's almost like you hear it in a different kind of way. Probably just me. Ray was phenomenal!!!
Robert King
Randy Taylor hb
Felicia Williams
Randy Taylor no it’s not just you.....🤷🏾♀️😌