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."
Rock And Roll Shoes
Ray Charles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard the people say
Son you were born to stray
Someday you'll settle down
I guess there'll come a time
Maybe I'll tow the line
Right now I'm doing fine
Rolling from town to town
I don't care where I ride
I'll let my feet decide
Do anything but don't ask that I
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Guitars and ringing tones
In my blood and in my bones
Show me a bus
And I'll call it home
'Cause I don't wanna change
On a lonely day
When they put me in my grave
Ain't a worry you need to save
Just hang up my rock and roll shoes
I don't care where I ride
I'll let my feet decide
Do anything but don't ask that I
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
So let that motor run
Headed out towards the sun
I'm in the mood for moving on
But I'll be back someday
I don't care where I ride
I'll let my feet decide
Do anything but don't ask that I
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
I don't care where I ride
I'll let my feet decide
Do anything but don't ask that I
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Ray
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Yeah
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
I'm gonna
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Let me
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
B.J.
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Why don't you
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Ray
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
In Rock and Roll Shoes, Ray Charles tells the story of a man who is committed to living a life of music, regardless of what others might think or say. The lyrics open with the memory of being told that he was born to do something more conventional. While the man admits that there may come a time when he settles down and does things differently, right now he's happy touring and playing his music. He is entirely dedicated to his art, even willing to live out of a bus and be on the move all the time. And when he dies, he doesn't want anyone to mourn him, just to hang up his rock-and-roll shoes.
From the lyrics, it is clear that a message, in this song, that Charles wanted to communicate is the value and significance of individuality. The song speaks to the need for artistic freedom, which demands that artists have a voice in the kind of music they produce or sing, and how they go about doing it. The importance of remaining true to oneself and following your heart in the entertainment industry is another lesson from this song. Finally, the song also suggests that it is okay to enjoy life and not take things so seriously, emboldening the listener to let their feet decide and choose what makes them happy.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like yesterday
Ray reminisces about his past where people warned him that he'd be troubled.
I heard the people say
Ray recalls the words of the people who cautioned him about not getting into trouble.
Son you were born to stray
The people told Ray that he would not easily change his wandering ways.
Someday you'll settle down
Despite the people's warning, they implied Ray would eventually change his ways and become more settled in his life.
I guess there'll come a time
Ray admits that although he's happy with his life for now, there may come a point when he'll be ready to settle down and become more consistent.
Maybe I'll tow the line
Ray explains that it's possible that he may give up his wanderlust and become more conformist in the future.
Right now I'm doing fine
Ray asserts that he's fine with his life and has nothing to worry about at the moment.
Rolling from town to town
Ray indicates that he's regularly on the move and enjoys the feeling of wandering around from place to place.
I don't care where I ride
Ray asserts that he's not particular about where he goes – as long as he's on the move.
I'll let my feet decide
Ray personifies his feet, which seem to have a mind of their own and make decisions for him as to where he should go.
Do anything but don't ask that I
Ray will do anything except for one thing that he will not do.
Hang up my rock and roll shoes
Ray's only demand is that he won't give up his rock and roll shoes, which represent his wanderlust and carefree spirit.
Guitars and ringing tones
Ray formed a bond with music that has carried through his entire life, and he still loves guitars and ringing tones.
In my blood and in my bones
Ray feels so connected to music that he believes it's a natural part of him, existing even inside his body.
Show me a bus
Ray wishes to travel on a bus to different places.
And I'll call it home
Ray feels like he's at home whenever he's traveling on a bus and seeing new, exciting things.
'Cause I don't wanna change
Ray doesn't want to change his ways – he's comfortable with his life the way it is.
On a lonely day
Ray mentions a scenario, a bleak moment when he is lonely and contemplative.
When they put me in my grave
Ray references his death, which is unavoidable and approaching, but he's not afraid.
Ain't a worry you need to save
Ray will have no worries on his deathbed, so no need to save your concerns for that inevitable day.
Just hang up my rock and roll shoes
Ray repeats his earlier demand, asking that when he passes, his rock and roll shoes (and his free-spiritedness) are not forgotten.
So let that motor run
Ray beckons to keep his motor running, keep him mobile, and keep him feeling free.
Headed out towards the sun
Ray suggests he will be driving forward, onto the open road, chasing the sun's rays.
I'm in the mood for moving on
Ray is ready to move on, in terms of both his physical location and his lifestyle, embracing the freedom and wandering that his rock and roll shoes represent.
But I'll be back someday
Ray doesn't plan to stay away for good and knows he'll return home eventually to resume his life until his next adventure.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GRAHAM LYLE, PAUL KENNERLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind