Mess Around
Ray Charles Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ah, you can talk about the pit, barbecue
The band was jumpin', the people too
Ah, mess around
They doin' the mess around
They doin' the mess around
Everybody doin' the mess around

Ah, everybody was juiced, you can, bet your soul
They did the boogie-woogie, with a steady roll
They mess around
They doin' the mess around
They doin' the mess around
Everybody doin' the mess around

Now, ah, when I say stop don't you move a peg
When I say go, just ah, shake your leg
And do the mess around
I declare, doin' the mess around
Yeah, do the mess around
Everybody's doin' the mess around

Now let me have it there, boy

Now you got it, boy

(Yeah, ah, mess around, go on mess around)
(Mess around, boy)

Now this band's goin' to play from, nine to one
Everybody here's gonna have some fun
Doin' the mess around
Ah, doin' the mess around
They doin' the mess around
Everybody doin' the mess around

Now you see that girl, with that, diamond ring
She knows how to, shake that thing
Mess around
I declare, she can mess around




Ah, mess around
Everybody do the mess around

Overall Meaning

In "Mess Around," Ray Charles sings about a lively party where everyone is dancing and having fun. The music is swinging, and the people are doing the mess around, a popular dance of the time. Charles encourages the dancers to keep moving, and he directs the band to keep playing all night long. He even points out a girl in the crowd who is particularly skilled at shaking her hips and doing the mess around.


The lyrics of "Mess Around" capture the excitement and energy of a night out on the town. Charles emphasizes the importance of letting loose and having a good time, regardless of your worries or troubles. The song is a celebration of joy and rhythm, and it encourages everyone to join in and be part of the fun.


Ray Charles released "Mess Around" in 1953, during the peak of the rhythm and blues era. The song became a major hit and solidified Charles's reputation as a talented and influential musician. It's been covered by many artists over the years and remains a beloved classic of the genre.


Line by Line Meaning

Ah, you can talk about the pit, barbecue
You can talk about anything you want, but let me tell you about this great party.


The band was jumpin', the people too
The band was playing great music and everyone was dancing.


Ah, mess around
Let's have some fun and dance!


They doin' the mess around
Everyone is dancing and having a good time.


Everybody doin' the mess around
Everyone at the party is enjoying themselves and dancing to the music.


Ah, everybody was juiced, you can, bet your soul
Everyone was excited and having a good time.


They did the boogie-woogie, with a steady roll
They were dancing to the music with a smooth and steady rhythm.


Now, ah, when I say stop don't you move a peg
I want everyone to listen to me and stop their dancing.


When I say go, just ah, shake your leg
When I give the signal, start dancing again and have fun.


And do the mess around
Let's keep dancing and having a good time.


I declare, doin' the mess around
I announce that we are all dancing the mess around.


Yeah, do the mess around
Come on, everyone, let's keep dancing and enjoying ourselves.


Now let me have it there, boy
Now give me some great music to dance to, band.


Now you got it, boy
The band is playing great music and everyone is dancing.


(Yeah, ah, mess around, go on mess around)
Keep dancing and having fun!


(Mess around, boy)
Let's keep dancing, boy.


Now this band's goin' to play from, nine to one
The band is going to play music all night, from nine o'clock until one o'clock in the morning.


Everybody here's gonna have some fun
Everyone at the party is going to have a great time.


Doin' the mess around
Let's keep dancing and having fun!


Ah, doin' the mess around
Everyone is dancing the mess around and enjoying themselves.


They doin' the mess around
Everyone is still dancing and having fun.


Everybody doin' the mess around
Everyone is dancing the mess around and enjoying themselves.


Now you see that girl, with that, diamond ring
Look at that girl over there with the diamond ring.


She knows how to, shake that thing
She is a great dancer and knows how to move her body to the music.


Mess around
Let's all keep dancing and having fun!


I declare, she can mess around
I want to announce that the girl with the diamond ring is a great dancer.


Ah, mess around
Everyone keep dancing and enjoying themselves!


Everybody do the mess around
Everyone is dancing the mess around and having a great time!




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ahmet Ertegun

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@carlosrodriguez-tm3ft

Ah, you can talk about the pit, barbecue
The band was jumpin', the people too
Ah, mess around
They doin' the mess around
They doin' the mess around,
Everybody doin' the mess around

Ah, everybody was juiced, you can, bet your soul
They did the boogie-woogie, with a steady roll *
They mess around
They doin' the mess around
They doin' the mess around,
Everybody doin' the mess around

Now, ah, when I say stop don't you move a peg
When I say go, just ah, shake your leg
And do the mess around
I declare, do the mess around
Yeah do the mess around,
Everybody's doin' the mess around

Now let me have it there boy

Now you got it boy

Now this band's goin' to play from, 9 to 1
Everybody here's gonna have some fun
Doin' the mess around
Ah, doin' the mess around
They doin' the mess around,
Everybody doin' the mess around

Now you see that girl, with that, diamond ring
She knows how to, shake that thing
Mess around
I declare, she can mess around
Ah, mess around,
Everybody do the mess around



All comments from YouTube:

@williamgregory1848

Ray Charles started 50 feet behind the starting line and he still won the race.

Rest In Peace Brother Ray 🙏🏾

@nappyk96

More like a 100ft given in addition to being blind he was also a negro during a time period in America where racism was still very open and accepted in mainstream American society.

@G8GT364CI

What a great post!

@edhoughton2609

Tremendous talent and an amazing voice - what a treat this track is

@TrinaGallo

I can’t hear this without seeing John Candy in the car in Planes, Trains, & Automobiles 😂 CLASSIC scene

@TheLovepools

Why I'm here ❤

@mikeyates7931

"Oh , we almost hit a deer"

@retro80s40

Same haha I love it..Classic movie,great song

@keggy9669

The best scene

@joeleger6488

I'm with ya' there! Plus, that movie was hilarious!!!!

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