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."
Talkin' 'Bout You
Ray Charles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell you 'bout one thing
Who is my friend (talkin' 'bout)
When all friends are gone? (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
I do mean you now (talkin' 'bout)
When all friends are gone? (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
Whoa baby
Who is my friend now (talkin' 'bout)
When all friends are gone? (talkin' 'bout)
Who always defend me, (talkin' 'bout)
If I'm right or wrong now (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
Oh baby now (talkin' 'bout)
I do mean you yeah(talkin' 'bout)
Who is the salt now (talkin' 'bout)
In my bread (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
I do mean you yeah(talkin' 'bout)
Who is the salt now (talkin' 'bout)
In my bread (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
Oh yeah yeah (talkin' 'bout)
Who is the salt now (talkin' 'bout)
In my bread (talkin' 'bout)
Who is the doctor (talkin' 'bout)
On my sick bed (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
Whoa baby nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
I do mean you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
Who knows how to love me (talkin' 'bout)
In my way (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
I do mean you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
Who knows how to love me now (talkin' 'bout)
In my way (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
Oh oh (talkin' 'bout)
Who knows how to love me now (talkin' 'bout)
In my way (talkin' 'bout)
Who's always there (talkin' 'bout)
Every night and day (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
Yeah baby (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
I do mean you (talkin' 'bout)
Who is the sugar(talkin' 'bout)
In my tea (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
I do mean you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
Who is the sugar now (talkin' 'bout)
In my tea (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
Whoa (talkin' 'bout)
You know the sugar (talkin' 'bout)
In my tea (talkin' 'bout)
When I'm in trouble (talkin' 'bout)
Who sees about me (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
I do mean you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
I'm gonna talk (talkin' 'bout)
I'm gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
I'm gonna talk (talkin' 'bout)
I'm gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
Tell my sister (talkin' 'bout)
Oh tell my brother (talkin' 'bout)
Oh tell my father (talkin' 'bout)
Oh tell my mother (talkin' 'bout)
All about you (talkin' 'bout)
You know on Monday (talkin' 'bout)
I am gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
And you know Wednesday (talkin' 'bout)
I am gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
And I know Thursday (talkin' 'bout)
I am gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
And all day Friday (talkin' 'bout)
I am gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
And every (talkin' 'bout)
And every (talkin' 'bout)
And every (talkin' 'bout)
Whoa (talkin' 'bout)
Every day now (talkin' 'bout)
I am gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
I know (talkin' 'bout)
And I know (talkin' 'bout)
I am gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
All about you (talkin' 'bout)
I, I, I, I, I, I, I (talkin' 'bout)
I know now (talkin' 'bout)
I'm gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
All about you (talkin' 'bout)
I said I know, know (talkin' 'bout)
About you (talkin' 'bout)
About you (talkin' 'bout)
The lyrics of Ray Charles’ song “Talkin’ ‘Bout You” are about a person who is trying to express their love and gratitude towards someone who has been a steadfast friend and supporter through every phase of their life. The song refers to this person as “nobody but you” and talks about how they are the only one who has always been there, defending the singer even when they were wrong. The song goes on to describe this person as the “salt in my bread” and the “sugar in my tea”- someone who adds flavor and sweetness to the singer’s life. The chorus repeats the phrase “I’m talking about you” to emphasize the importance of this person’s role in the singer’s life.
The song has a slow, bluesy melody that conveys the deep emotion behind the lyrics. Ray Charles’ soulful voice adds a layer of intensity to the song, making it a heartfelt ode to an important person in the singer's life.
This song is a perfect example of the deep emotional connection that Ray Charles’ music is known for. The lyrics are a testimony to the enduring power of friendship and love, and the melody and tune perfectly complement the emotions expressed in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa early in the morning I want to
Right now, at this moment, I feel compelled to speak to you
Tell you 'bout one thing
I need to talk to you about something important
Who is my friend (talkin' 'bout)
I need to identify someone who I consider a true friend
When all friends are gone? (talkin' 'bout)
In times of trouble, when my other friends abandon me
Nobody but you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
It is only you who stands by me during such tough periods
I do mean you now (talkin' 'bout)
I am specifying that it is you and no one else
Who is my friend now (talkin' 'bout)
Once again, I am emphasizing that you are the only friend who sticks with me through thick and thin
Nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
There is no one other than you who fulfills the role of a true friend
Whoa baby
Expressing amazement and wonder at the situation
Who always defend me, (talkin' 'bout)
You are the one who always argues my side regardless of whether I am right or not
If I'm right or wrong now (talkin' 'bout)
You support me in every situation, whether my actions are legitimate or not
Oh baby now (talkin' 'bout)
Expressing affection and admiration for the person
Who is the salt now (talkin' 'bout)
As salt is an essential ingredient in bread, you perform the role of an essential element in my life
In my bread (talkin' 'bout)
Referring to bread as a metaphor for the sustenance necessary to live
Oh yeah yeah (talkin' 'bout)
Expressing agreement and excitement
Who is the doctor (talkin' 'bout)
In times of sickness and illness, you play the role of a doctor who takes care of me
On my sick bed (talkin' 'bout)
Referring to a bed as a metaphor for sickness and despair
Whoa baby nobody but you (talkin' 'bout)
Reiterating that during times of dire need, only you help and support me
I do mean you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
Once again, emphasizing that you are the only one who helps and supports me
Who knows how to love me (talkin' 'bout)
You have the knowledge and capability to love me in all aspects of life
In my way (talkin' 'bout)
You show love in the way that is best suited for me
Who knows how to love me now (talkin' 'bout)
Emphasizing that you have the ability to currently love me in this manner
Oh oh (talkin' 'bout)
Expressing excitement, wonder, and enthusiasm
Who's always there (talkin' 'bout)
The person who is always present and helps me shoulder the burdens of life
Every night and day (talkin' 'bout)
Referring to all times of day and night
Yeah baby (talkin' 'bout)
Expressing passion and excitement
I do mean you (talkin' 'bout)
Reiterating that you are the person always there for me
Who is the sugar(talkin' 'bout)
Similar to salt, you fulfill the essential role of giving sweetness and pleasure to my life
In my tea (talkin' 'bout)
Referring to tea as a metaphor for life
Who is the sugar now (talkin' 'bout)
Emphasizing the current situation where you bring joy and pleasure to my life
Whoa (talkin' 'bout)
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
You know the sugar (talkin' 'bout)
Acknowledging and recognizing the person's role as the bringer of joy and happiness in your life
When I'm in trouble (talkin' 'bout)
Referring to difficulties and problems in life
Who sees about me (talkin' 'bout)
You take care of me and help me with my problems and difficulties when I am in trouble
I do mean you yeah (talkin' 'bout)
Once again, emphasizing that you are the one taking care of me in times of trouble
I'm gonna talk (talkin' 'bout)
I feel the need to speak about something important
I'm gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
Emphasizing things that are important and need to be spoken about
Tell my sister (talkin' 'bout)
Using close relations to emphasize that this important person must be known and talked about
Oh tell my brother (talkin' 'bout)
Same as the 'tell my sister' line, bringing in more family relations for further emphasis
Oh tell my father (talkin' 'bout)
Same as previous lines, bringing a father into the equation for further emphasis
Oh tell my mother (talkin' 'bout)
Bringing a mother into the equation so as to emphasize the significance of the person in one's life
All about you (talkin' 'bout)
Emphasizing that the conversation is all about this significant person
You know on Monday (talkin' 'bout)
On Monday, this person will be talked about and emphasized again
I am gonna talk about (talkin' 'bout)
Reiterating the importance of speaking about this person
And you know Wednesday (talkin' 'bout)
On Wednesday, the conversation about this person will continue
And I know Thursday (talkin' 'bout)
Thursday will also involve discussions about this person
And all day Friday (talkin' 'bout)
On Friday, countless conversations will drive home the importance of this person
And every (talkin' 'bout)
Referring to every single day, no matter the circumstances
Every day now (talkin' 'bout)
Emphasizing the frequency of conversations and the importance of this person in daily life
I know (talkin' 'bout)
Expressing confidence that this person will always be there for me
And I know (talkin' 'bout)
Reiterating my confidence in this person's unwavering support
I, I, I, I, I, I, I (talkin' 'bout)
Emphasizing the artist's personal stake in the conversation
I know now (talkin' 'bout)
Expressing confidence in this person's support both in the present and the future
I said I know, know (talkin' 'bout)
Reiterating the idea that the singer knows this person will always be there for them
About you (talkin' 'bout)
Emphasizing that everything that has been said up to this point is about this significant person
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Charles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind