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."
Nite Time Is The Right Time
Ray Charles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is the right time (night and day)
To be (night and day)
With the one you love, now (night and day)
Say now, oh baby (night and day)
When I come home baby, now (night and day)
I wanna be with the one I love, now (night and day)
I know the night time (night and day, oh)
Whoa, is the right time (night and day, oh)
To be with the one you love, now (night and day)
I said to be with the one you love (night and day)
You know my mother, now (night and day)
Had to die, now (night and day)
Umm, and my father (night and day)
Well he broke down and cry (night and day)
Whoah, whoa baby (night and day)
When I come home baby now (night and day)
I want you to hold my hand (night and day)
Yeah, tight as you can (night and day)
I know the night time (night and day, oh)
Whoah is the right time (night and day, oh)
To be with the one you love (night and day)
You know what I'm thinking of (night and day)
Whoah, sing your song, Margie
Baby (night and day)
Baby (night and day)
Baby (night and day)
Oh, Baby (night and day)
Do I love you? (night and day)
No one above you (night and day)
Hold me tight (night and day)
And make everything all right (night and day)
Because the night time (night and day)
Oh, is the right time (night and day)
To be with the one you love now (night and day)
Oh yeah (night and day)
Tease me (night and day)
Squeeze me (night and day)
Leave me (night and day)
Ah, don't leave me (night and day)
Lawdy baby (night and day)
Take my hand, now (night and day)
I don't need (night and day)
No other man (night and day)
Because the night time (night and day)
Ow, is the right time (night and day)
To be with the one you love (night and day)
Oh yeah (night and day)
I said baby (night and day)
Baby (night and day)
Baby (night and day)
Baby (night and day)
Whoah, baby now (night and day)
Oh come on baby (night and day)
You know I want you by my side (night and day)
I want you to keep (night and day)
Oh keep me satisfied (night and day)
I know the night time (night and day)
Everyday is the right time (night and day)
Yeah to be with the one you love now (night and day)
Well, you know it's all right
The lyrics of Ray Charles’s “Night Time Is” use a simple and repetitive structure, emphasizing the importance of being with the one you love during the night time. Lines such as “Is the right time to be with the one you love” reinforce the theme of love and the intimacy of nighttime. Charles also includes personal anecdotes in the lyrics, such as the loss of his parents, giving the song a deeper emotional resonance.
The repetition in the lyrics creates a strong rhythm and emphasizes the theme of being with the ones you love. The chorus, “I know the night time, whoa, is the right time, to be with the one you love now” repeats multiple times, creating a sort of hypnotic effect on the listener. Charles’s soulful voice adds to this feeling of emotion and intimacy, further driving home the message of the song.
Overall, Ray Charles's "Night Time Is" is a simple but passionate song about the importance of being with the ones you love during the nighttime. The repetition of the chorus and the personal anecdotes in the lyrics make the song both emotionally powerful and easy to sing along to.
Line by Line Meaning
You know the night time, darling (night and day)
The singer acknowledges the special ambiance the night time brings that sets it apart from the day.
Is the right time (night and day)
The night is the most ideal time for being in love.
To be (night and day)
Being with one's lover is the best thing to experience in the night time.
With the one you love, now (night and day)
The ideal person to spend one's nights with is one's beloved partner.
Say now, oh baby (night and day)
The artist addresses his lover as he talks about his emotions towards her.
When I come home baby, now (night and day)
After being away from his lover for some time, the singer says he wants to reunite with her in the night time.
I wanna be with the one I love, now (night and day)
The singer wants to be with his partner whom he loves the most during the night time.
You know what I'm thinking of (night and day)
The artist's intentions and emotions towards his lover are evident, and she knows what he wants.
I know the night time (night and day, oh)
The artist reiterates he recognises and cherishes the nighttime vibe.
Whoa, is the right time (night and day, oh)
The artist calls out again that the night time is his favourite time for romantic experiences.
To be with the one you love, now (night and day)
Being with the person one loves in the night time is the best experience the singer wants.
I said to be with the one you love (night and day)
The artist repeats the importance of being with one's lover in the night time and emphasises his love for her.
You know my mother, now (night and day)
The singer switches from discoursing about his feelings for his lover to his family situation, as he transitions to talking about his deceased mother.
Had to die, now (night and day)
The singer expresses his sorrow over the loss of his mother; she has passed on and, regardless of the time or day, he cannot help his emotions.
Umm, and my father (night and day)
The singer speaks of his father, and although the lyrics do not provide detailed information, his father is mentioned in passing as being important to him.
Well, he broke down and cry (night and day)
The artist highlights the emotional state of his father and how moved he was to tears over the death of his wife - the artist's mother.
Whoah, whoa baby (night and day)
The artist turns his attention back to his partner and addresses her endearingly.
I want you to hold my hand (night and day)
The singer wants his lover to express herself physically by holding his hand in the night time.
Yeah, tight as you can (night and day)
The singer asks his lover to hold his hand as tightly as possible to signify their connection and love for each other.
You know what I'm thinking of (night and day)
The artist communicates that his lover is always on his mind, whether it is daytime or nighttime.
Whoah, sing your song, Margie
A reference to a singer that might be present during a party, and the artist wants them to get on stage and do their thing.
Baby (night and day)
The artist affectionately refers to his lover as 'baby' as he focuses on wooing her in the night time.
Do I love you? (night and day)
The singer reaffirms his love directly to his lover.
No one above you (night and day)
The artist suggests the intensity and depth of his love for his partner has no rival.
Hold me tight (night and day)
The singer implores his lover to embrace him tightly as they spend their nights together.
And make everything all right (night and day)
The singer is looking towards his partner's affection to solve any worries during their nights together.
Tease me (night and day)
The singer expresses his desire for his lover to playfully provoke him at night as they spend time together.
Squeeze me (night and day)
The artist desires his lover's affection to be shown physically (e.g., hugging or holding tightly).
Leave me (night and day)
A double entendre whereby the artist plays with the word 'leave' to suggest provoking him, as he previously hinted at.
Ah, don't leave me (night and day)
The singer wants his lover to stay close to him and never let him go - the opposite of his earlier suggestion.
Lawdy baby (night and day)
A southern colloquialism or slang that expresses an emotional outburst, here used to express endearment towards the singer's lover.
Take my hand, now (night and day)
The artist extends an invitation to his lover to join him in experiencing the night time's romantic moments.
I don't need (night and day)
A lyrical repetition of a previous line to further emphasise the importance of being content with one's current partner and having no other needs.
No other man (night and day)
The artist only desires his partner, with a possible suggestion that no other man has her love.
Everyday is the right time (night and day)
The singer suggests that though the night time is special, every day is the right time to be in love.
Oh, come on baby (night and day)
The artist encourages his lover to come closer to him during the nighttime and join him in their romantic activity.
You know I want you by my side (night and day)
The singer communicates his desire to have his partner beside him every day and night.
I want you to keep (night and day)
The singer desires his lover to continuously fulfill him with her affection and love at any given moment of the day.
Oh keep me satisfied (night and day)
The singer wants his lover to satisfy him emotionally throughout the day and night.
Well, you know it's all right
A lyrical non sequitur, possibly meant as a musical bridge, and adds no further meaning to the song lyrics.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEW HERMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@christopherwalker4256
Not sure what everyone else heard, I didn’t hear Margie sing one note, I heard her Soul speak from the deepest place a human can draw from. Pure emotion.
@pafree4402
I absolutely agree, well said!
@e37a
HOOOOOO!!!
@blackkjuice
Yeah she sang from the soul because she was fucking Ray LOL
@pamelaoliver8442
Blakkjuice.. We know. He was her child's father, no?
@chosensevenosev7013
agreed. cant find a singer with that much soul nowadays
@e37a
The Blackest record in musical history. Ray Charles KILLED IT!!!
@AAwildeone
Especially because of what "night" meant to him, it was perpetual
@garyAjames
absolutely
@EricCole69
Whites also made similar music but yeah the soul genre mostly belongs to black folk