Don't You Know
Ray Charles And Betty Carter Lyrics


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Woo, well, don't you know, baby?
Child, don't you know, baby?
Oww, don't you know, baby?
Little girl, little girl, don't you know?
Please, listen to me, baby
Girl, I'm in love with you so

Turn your lamp down low
I said, turn your lamp down low
Woo, turn it down
Please, turn your lamp down low
Come on, baby
Girl, I'm in love with you so

Now I know I've been away
For such a long time
But now, baby
I can't get you off of my mind

So, come on, please, baby, come on
Come on, come on
Love your daddy all night long

Now if you love me
Like I love you
We can do all the things that we
Used to do

So, come on, oww, baby, come on
Please, baby, come on
Love your daddy all night long

Say, have you heard, baby
Ray Charles is in town
Let's mess around till the midnight hour
See what he's puttin' down

Come on
Please, baby, come on, child
Oh, Lord, baby
Come on, all night long

Turn your lamp down low
'Cause I love you so
Baby, please, come on
Love your daddy all night long




You hear me talkin', baby
Baby, please, come on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ray Charles And Betty Carter's song "Don't You Know" is a plea from the singer to the girl he is in love with. He is asking her to listen to him and turn down her lamp as they get intimate. The song is an expression of the singer's love for this girl; he assures her that he loves her and misses her. The singer confesses that he has been away for a long time but cannot stop thinking about her. He also reminds her of the good times that they used to have together and tells her that they can have them again if she loves him like he loves her.


The chorus is a repetition of "don't you know," which reinforces the urgency of his message. He is pleading with her to reciprocate his love and to come to him because he can't get her off his mind. The line "Love your daddy all night long" could be taken as a reference to the history of the young black men who left their hometowns in the south, went up-north for work, and began to be called daddies while seeking love and companionship.


In conclusion, "Don't You Know" is a heartfelt love song that expresses the yearning of a man for the woman he loves. The lyrics are simple but infused with deep emotion, and Ray Charles and Betty Carter's voices blend together, creating an intimate and sultry atmosphere in the song, which makes it memorable.


Line by Line Meaning

Woo, well, don't you know, baby?
Hey, do you know, my dear?


Child, don't you know, baby?
My dear girl, don't you know?


Oww, don't you know, baby?
Hey, you know it, right?


Little girl, little girl, don't you know?
Hey, sweet girl, don't you know the truth?


Please, listen to me, baby
Please, my dear, hear me out


Girl, I'm in love with you so
I am deeply in love with you, my darling


Turn your lamp down low
Dim the lights, please


I said, turn your lamp down low
Please, can you turn your lamp down low?


Woo, turn it down
Hey, please, dim the lights


Please, turn your lamp down low
Please, adjust the lights to be dimmer


Come on, baby
Come on, my darling


Now I know I've been away
I've been away from you, and I understand that


For such a long time
It's been a while, so know that I understand


But now, baby
But now that I'm here, my love


I can't get you off of my mind
I can't stop thinking about you


So, come on, please, baby, come on
Please dear, come on to me, let's be together


Love your daddy all night long
Let's love and be close all night


Now if you love me
If you love me too


Like I love you
Just like the amount I love you


We can do all the things that we
We can enjoy and do all of the things


Used to do
That we used to do when we were together


Say, have you heard, baby
Hey, did you hear the news, my dear?


Ray Charles is in town
The great Ray Charles is around here.


Let's mess around till the midnight hour
Let's do fun things until midnight


See what he's puttin' down
Let's enjoy and see what he has to play


Come on
Come on now, please


Oh, Lord, baby
Oh, my dear!


Come on, all night long
Let's stay together all night long


Cause I love you so
Because I truly love you so much


You hear me talkin', baby
Do you hear all the things I'm saying, my dear?


Baby, please, come on
Please come to me, my love




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAY CHARLES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@steps222

This is sublime. Both Charles and Carter sing from their hearts, and the result make me want to hear them over and over--which I've done. Carmen McRae said, "There's really only one jazz singer—only one: Betty Carter." It was Miles Davis who suggested her pairing with Charles. The suggestion was inspired.

@charleschapman473

Miles Davis knew great talent

@roxannemoore3045

After all these years, this duet is still wonderful.

@jamesfeldman4234

If I'm hearing the ending of this Ray Charles and Betty Carter version of the song correctly, the key changes from minor to major, which would make this arrangement unique. I think the change to major at the close is a stroke of genius because instead of ending on a sad note with finality to the goodbye, it ends with a touch of hope of meeting again.

@eugenesedita

No, it’s an expression of a vain hope that will never happen like a dream that ends in desperation.

@andreturner2321

It’s also in the lyrics! At the end of Ray’s first verse. I think that’s so cool lol “how strange the change from major to minor, every time we say goodbye”

@ithajean

@@eugeneseditaOMG Beautiful

@murph3001

Timeless beauty. What a great ballad !! Betty is magnificent and Ray well Ray remains the best there ever was. Thanks to both for the greatest ballad ever recorded

@murph5438

The most beautiful duet ever --- two great artists recorded a piece that will live forever

@sheiladubin6559

Amen

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