Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson, Albany, Georgia, September 23, 1930 - B… Read Full Bio ↴Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson, Albany, Georgia, September 23, 1930 - Beverly Hills, California, June 10, 2004), was an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, and band leader.
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."
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."
Strike Up the Band
Ray Charles Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Strike Up the Band' by these artists:
Andr%C3%A9 Kostelanetz And His Orchestra Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
André Kostelanetz & His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Armstrong/Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people…
Arne Domnérus and His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Arthur Fiedler; Boston Pops Orchestra Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Balamory Strike up the band strike up the band There is no…
Bert Lown And His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Bing Crosby Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Bob Haggart & His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Chic Strike up, up the band Makin' music is our plan Got to…
Chris Connor Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Clive Lythgoe Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Count Basie & His Orchestra Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Darden Strike up the band 'Cause the notes are all I understand…
David Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
David "Fathead" Newman Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Dead Snares You never will believe it Until the day you grieve…
Dick Collins & His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Ella & Louis Armstrong Fitzgerald Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people…
Ella Fitzgerald Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people…
Ella Fitzgerald / George and Ira Gershwin Song Book Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Ella Fitzgerald / Louis Armstrong Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people…
Erroll Garner Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Francis Bay And His Orchestra Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Fred Knapp Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
G. Gershwin & I. Gershwin Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
George & Ira Gershwin Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
George Gershwin Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Ira Gershwin Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
John Williams; Boston Pops Orchestra Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Judy Garland Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people…
Judy Garland Mickey Rooney Six Hits & A Miss MGM Studio Chorus & Orchestra / George & Ira Gershwin Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Judy Garland Mickey Rooney Six Hits and a Miss & The MGM Studio Chorus & Orchestra Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people…
Legacy Five STRIKE UP THE BAND Strike up the band, that angel band,…
Louis Levy and His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
M-G-M Studio Orchestra Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Matt Monro Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Matt Monro And Nelson Riddle Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Matt Munroe & Nelson Riddle Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Maureen McGovern Let the drums roll out Let the trumpets call While the peopl…
Michael Dulin Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Mickey Rooney Our love affair was meant to be It's me for you…
N/A In the back I was countin these bands up And your…
Nathan Bell Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
P.J. Perry Now I got my bands up They playing my songs Everything gon…
Poison Living off the friends we made Never ever getting paid Kicki…
Quincy Jones And His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Ralph Burns Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Ralph Burns & His Orchestra Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Ralph Burns Orchestra Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the…
Red Nichols Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Red Nichols (The Tao Of Groove Remix) Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Red Nichols And His Five Pennies Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Red Nichols and His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Rosemary Clooney Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Ross Mitchell His Band & Singers Thou shalt be well paid for thy labour. Strike it up,…
Sid Ramin & His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Sidney Bechet Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Sidney Bechet & Claude Luter And His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Sidney Bechet feat. Claude Luter Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
SIDNEY BOWMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Six Hits and a Miss Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Sonny Stitt Bud Powell J.J. Jo (Ohh Woah Woah Woah) Hold up, wait a minute I had to…
Sonny Stitt/Bud Powel/J.J. Johnson Now I got my bands up They playing my songs Everything gon…
Stan Getz Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Stan Getz & His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Stuff Smith Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
SUPER DRAGON Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oh, oh,…
Talk Talk Driving in the back seat around the town Listen to the…
Ted Heath Well you wish you were back in the good old…
Tony Bennett Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Tony Bennett & Count Basie Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people…
Tony Bennett / Count Basie Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the peop…
Tony Bennett with Count Basie & His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Tony Bennett; Count Basie Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people…
Van Alexander & His Orchestra Let the drums roll out. Let the trumpet call. While the…
Yahzarah Hey, what's to hear without a theme music? Come on, y'all (S…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Ray Charles:
''It Had To Be You'' & Dialog It had to be you. It had to be you. I've…
''It Should've Been Me'' & Dialog As I passed by A real fine hotel A chick walked out She…
'Deed I Do I was oh, so blue till you came along Just to…
(Night Time Is) The Right Time You know the night time, darling (night and day) Is the righ…
(Somewhere) Over the Rainbow Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high, There's a land that …
02.Georgia On My Mind Georgia, Georgia The whole day through Just an old sweet s…
06.Them That Got I've gotten down to my last pair of shoes Can't even…
07.One Mint Julep One early morning, as I was walking I met a woman,…
10 Well, I had a woman, She was nice, kind and loving…
1962 Born to lose, I've lived my life in vain Every dream…
20-Your love is so doggone good Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks…
20. Seven Spanish Angels He looked down into her brown eyes And said "say a…
3/4 Time I like enchiladas and old El Dorados that shine My…
6-11 Drown In My Own Tears It brings a tear Into my eyes When I begin To realize I've c…
A Bit of Soul Now when you're feelin' low And the fish won't bite You need…
A Fool for You I know you told me Such a long time ago That you…
A Girl I Used To Know Here we go again He's back in town again I'll take him…
A Sentimental Blues A sentimental blues Will worry you And make you do Things th…
A Song for You I've been so many places in my life and time…
A Stranger in Town There's A New Kid In Town We're looking for the king,…
A Sweet Young Thing Like You Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where…
A Tear Fell A fool am I, a fool am I, in love…
A6 Oh Lonesome Me Everybody's going out and having fun I'm just a fool for…
Abraham Martin And John Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham? Can you tell…
After My Laughter Came Tears I laughed the day I saw you leave I laughed and…
Ain I'm so glad I'm livin' Everything is all right I got lovin',…
Ain't Misbehavin' No one to talk with All by myself No one to walk…
Ain't That Fine I'm so glad I'm livin' Everything is all right I got lovin',…
Ain't That Love Now, baby when you sigh (when you sigh) I want to…
Ain't Your Memory Got No Pride at All I woke up with her in my arms this morning And…
Ain’t That Fine I'm so glad I'm livin' Everything is all right I got lovin',…
Ain’t That Love Now, baby when you sigh (when you sigh) I want to…
Alabamy Bound I'm Alabamy bound They'll be no heebie-jeebies hangin' 'roun…
Alexander's Ragtime Band Come on and hear Come on and hear Alexander's Ragtime…
All I Ever Need Is You Sometimes when I'm down and all alone Just like a child…
All I Want For Christmas This time of year, I'd like to remember The gifts of…
All Night All Day Dear Lord above, don't you see I'm pinin' I got tears…
All Night Long I've been dancin' all night yeah I've been dancin' all night…
All She Wants To Do is Love Me Ohhh yeah! She can cross the ocean in her private jet. She…
Alone In This City I'm alone in the city Want somebody, please, ... And tell me…
Alone Together Alone together, beyond the crowd, Above the world, we're no…
Am I Blue Am I blue? Am I blue? Ain't these tears In my eyes…
America The Beautiful Oh beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife Who more…
America the Beautiful (feat. Alicia Keys) Oh beautiful, for heroes proved, In liberating strife, Who m…
Angel City Ooh baby love me right , So let me love you…
Angelina Angelina, why did you have to go It's hard enough alone,…
Anybody With The Blues There were times I left your heart in pain Time again…
Anyway You Want To I don't want you to be no slave I don't want…
Are You My Sunshine The other night dear, as I lay sleeping Oh I dreamed…
At the Club Well, I just stopped in this evening To get myself a…
B1 Take these Chains From My Heart Take these chains from my heart and set me free Take…
B2 Your Cheating Heart Your cheatin' heart will make you weep You'll cry and cry…
B3 I'll Never Stand In Your Way I'll never stand in your way I'll never stand in your…
B4 Making Believe Making believe that you still love me It's leaving me alone…
Baby Don't You Cry I say, baby, don't you cry You know I'll soon discover One…
Baby Grand Late at night When it's dark and cold I reach out For someon…
Baby How Long How long, baby, how long Has that evening train been…
Baby It's Cold Outside (I really can't stay) Betty, it's cold outside (I've got to …
Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand Baby let me hold your hand Until I make you understand Ohh,…
Baby Won I got the blues I feel so lonely I'd give the world…
Baby Won't You Please Come Home I got the blues I feel so lonely I'd give the world…
Baby Won't You Please Come Home? I got the blues I feel so lonely I'd give the world…
Baby Wont You Please Come Home? I got the blues I feel so lonely I'd give the world…
Baby Won’t You Please Come Home I got the blues I feel so lonely I'd give the world…
Baby, It's Cold Outside I really can't stay - Betty, it's cold outside I've got…
Basin Street Blues Won't you come along with me To the Mississippi We'll take a…
Be My Love Be my love, for no one else can end this…
Before Sunrise I've got the blues before sunrise Tears standing in my eyes …
Bein' Green [Garrotines! Kermit the Frog herré, Anda todas Oíd lijé to t…
Bewitched After one whole quart of brandy Like a daisy, I'm awake Wi…
Birth of the Blues Oh! they say some people long ago Were searching for a…
Black Coffee I'm feelin' mighty lonesome Haven't slept a wink I walk the …
Black Jack Ah, let me tell you people About this blackjack game It's ca…
Blue Hawaii Night and you and blue hawaii The night is heavenly…
Blue Moon Of Kentucky Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Blueberry Hill I found my thrill On Blueberry Hill On Blueberry Hill Whe…
Blues Before Sunrise Blues Before Sunrise by Ray Charles I have the blues before…
Blues In My Middle Name Dark day people I know things will come my way Some day…
Blues In The Night Hoverin' by my suitcase Tryin' to find a warm place to…
Blues Is My Middle Name Dark day people I know things will come my way Some day…
Bluesette Poor little, sad little blue Bluesette Don't you cry, don't …
Boogie Woogie I got a boogie-woogie woman Boogie-woogie all the time I got…
Born to Be Blue When there's a yellow moon above me They say there's moonbe…
Born to Lose Born to lose, I've lived my life in vain Every dream…
Born to Lose-LLF Born to lose, I've lived my life in vain Every dream…
Born to Love Me Not many'd say she's pretty 'cause they don't realize That b…
Brightest Smile Some people cry the blues, I never could I had no…
Brown in My Own Tears It brings a tear Into my eyes When I begin To realize I've c…
Busted Yeah Oh, no, no, no Well, I know Yeah, my bills are all…
But On the Other Hand Baby [1st Verse] You know I'm hooked for you mama That's why you…
Bye Bye Bye bye love Bye bye happiness Hello loneliness I think I'm …
Bye Bye, Love Bye bye love Bye bye happiness, hello loneliness I think I'm…
C C Rider You see see Rider, see what you done done See see…
C. C. Rider You see see Rider, see what you done done see see…
California Here I Come California here I come, Right back where I started from, Whe…
Can't See You Darlin' The tropic moves sides of ships at sea But doesn't matter…
Can't stop loving you (I can't stop loving you) I've made up my mind To live…
Can't You See The tropic moves sides of ships at sea But doesn't matter…
Candy Some say that love is sweet as a rose, Some say…
Can’t You See Darling The tropic moves sides of ships at sea But doesn't matter…
Careless Love Well, I say love, oh, love Careless love I said love, oh,…
Carry Me Back to Old Virginny Carry me back to old Virginny, There's where the cotton and…
Carrying That Load As I passed by A real fine hotel A chick walked out She…
CC Rider You see see Rider, see what you done done see see…
Chattanooga Choo Choo Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Track twe…
Cherry Cherry, Cherry, ain't in a shame That you can't be sweet…
Chicago Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town Chicago, Chicago, I'll …
Chose to Sing the Blues I could have been a gambler 'Cause I'm good with the…
Christmas In My Heart Winter nights, twinkling lights And snowflakes falling to th…
Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at you…
Christmas Time Down through the ages, 'round this time of year People's hea…
Cincinnati Kid He came witht the name Cincinnati A kid with no ace…
Cocktails for Two In some secluded rendezvous That overlooks the avenue With s…
Come Back Oh, come back, baby Oh, mama please dont go, yeah 'Cause t…
Come Back Baby Oh, come back, baby Oh, mama, please, don't go, yeah 'Cause …
Come Live with Me Come live with me And won't you be my love Share my…
Come Rain or Come Shine I'm gonna love you, like no one loves you Come rain…
Come Rain Or Shine I'm gonna love you, like nobody's loved you Come rain or…
Compared To What I love the lie and lie the love c-Hangin' on, with…
Confession Blues I wanna tell you a story Our Ray boy was once…
Crazy Love I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles And…
Crazy Old Soldier I've had fame and fortune Women come knock on my door I've…
Cry If your sweetheart, sends a letter, of goodbye It's no secre…
Cry Baby 1) don't cry , baby don't cry my little baby dry…
Cry Me a River Now you say you're lonely You cried the long night through …
Cryin Time Oh, it's cryin' time again, you're gonna leave me I can…
Crying Oh, it's cryin' time again, you're gonna leave me I can…
Deed I Do I was oh, so blue till you came along Just to…
Deep in the Heart of Texas Words by June Hershey Music : Don Swander Lyrics: X = Clap…
Diane I'm in heaven when I see you smile Smile for me,…
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind Do I ever cross your mind Darlin' do you ever see Some…
Do You Hear What I Hear I hear angels everytime you are near Oh baby baby baby When…
Don Woo, well, don't you know, baby? Child, don't you know, bab…
Don't Change On Me Girl, you're my sunshine Chase away the raindrops Make it al…
Don't Cry Baby 1) don't cry , baby don't cry my little baby dry…
Don't I Ever Cross Your Mind^ Do I ever cross your mind Darlin' do you ever see Some…
Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin Don't let the sun catch you cryin' Cryin' at my front…
Don't Put All Your Dreams Now don't put all your dreams in one basket Don't put…
Don't Put All Your Dreams in One Basket Now don't put all your dreams in one basket. Don't put…
Don't Put All Your Dreams In Your Basket Now don't put all your dreams in one basket. Don't put…
Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket Now don't put all your dreams in one basket. Don't put…
Don't Put Your Dreams In One Basket Now don't put all your dreams in one basket. Don't put…
Don't Set Me Fee Don't set me free And leave me all alone Don't make me…
and many more tracks by Ray Charles.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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