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Ray Charles - I Got A Woman

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Ray Charles - I Got A Woman Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: The Collection
Released: 1954

I Got A Woman Lyrics

I Got A Woman

This is a re-worked, secular version of a Gospel song called "My Jesus Is All the World to Me." It was the first hit song to use secular lyrics in a Gospel style. Some people consider this fusion of R&B, Gospel and Jazz was the first ever Soul record.

Ray Charles wrote this with his bandleader Renald Richard after hearing a spiritual on the radio while his band was on the road.

The mix of Gospel in Blues on this track was shocking in some circles, but also made the song accessible to a wider audience. The decision to mix styles happened organically. "I was just being myself," Charles said. "Of course it created a lot of static from a lot of people. But then, on the other hand, it was a hit. It was a hit in the black community and the white community."

In this song, Charles sings about a very supportive woman who helps him out in many ways. In 2005, Kanye West based sampled this for his #1 hit "Gold Digger." West's song, however, is about a girl who is after a guy for his money. There's a bit of a disconnect, as West used Charles' line "She gives me money, when I'm in need."

In 1962, the Philadelphia Jazz organist Jimmy McGriff recorded an instrumental version of this song that charted at #20 in the US. Known for his unique organ sound and Gospel influence, McGriff was a popular performer on the R&B club circuit until his retirement in 2007. He died at age 72 on May 25, 2008 of complications from multiple sclerosis. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Ray Charles - One Mint Julep

Ray Charles - One Mint Julep Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Genius + Soul = Jazz
Released: 1961

One Mint Julep Lyrics

One Mint Julep

A Mint Julep is a drink made with bourbon, sugar, and cracked ice. Served with a sprig of mint, it is a traditional drink at horse races.

The Clovers did the original version in 1952 (with a cover by Louis Prima the same year), but Charles made it uniquely his own. Other artists to record the song include Sarah Vaughan, Duane Eddy, Count Basie, King Curtis and The Ventures.

Released on ABC's Impulse! Jazz label, Charles' recording was a surprise hit. The producer was Creed Taylor, who started the Impulse! label. Charles' one and only album with Impulse! was due to their association with ABC Records, whom he was signed to.

This song is mainly an instrumental, with room for some improvised vocals. Taylor takes credit for the one vocal line in Ray's version of the song, stating he told Charles that during the break in the instrumental, he wanted Charles to say, "Just a little bit of soda." Charles seemed hesitant for a bit, but complied... sort of. Instead, he said, "Just a little bit of SOUL, yeah!" Interestingly, this "incidental" line helped further fuel the Soul Music Movement of the 60s. In addition, several other acts began using the phrase in their own way, most noticeably Little Stevie Wonder in his first hit, "Fingertips (Part 2)." (thanks, Faundell - Brooklyn, NJ, for above 2)

Ray Charles - Busted

Ray Charles - Busted Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Ingredients In A Recipe For Soul
Released: 1963

Busted Lyrics

My bills are all due and the baby needs shoes and I'm Busted
Cotton is down to a quarter a pound, but I'm busted
I got a cow that went dry and a hen that won't lay
A big stack of bills that gets bigger each day
The county's gonna haul my belongings away cause I'm busted.

I went to my brother to ask for a loan cause I was busted
I hate to beg like a dog without his bone, but I'm busted
My brother said there ain't a thing I can do,
My wife and my kids are all down with the flu,
And I was just thinking about calling on you 'cause I'm busted.

Well, I am no thief, but a man can go wrong when he's busted
The food that we canned last summer is gone and I'm busted
The fields are all bare and the cotton won't grow,
Me and my family got to pack up and go,
But I'll make a living, just where I don't know cause I'm busted.

I'm broke, no bread, I mean like nothing,




Writer/s: THOMAS, ROB /
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Busted

The Nashville songwriter Harlan Howard wrote this in 1962. It was originally recorded by Johnny Cash that year, but it became a hit in 1963 Charles did a Soul version. Both Johnny Cash and Ray Charles could have a lot of fun with their music, and that's the case here as they sing from the perspective of a farmer who could really use a government bailout. He can't even borrow some cash, since everyone else is busted too. (thanks, Brett - Edmonton, Canada)

This was the 1963 Grammy winner for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording.

This song's writer Harlan Howard was a prolific, legendary songwriter. Country Universe quotes him explaining some of the songwriting technique that went into "Busted": "The only thing I know to do with songs like "Why Not Me" and "Busted" – which I never thought was a good title – is to put the title in there often so that people remember it. The weaker the title, the more you gotta hear it."

Ray Charles - You Are My Sunshine

Ray Charles - You Are My Sunshine Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Released: 1962

You Are My Sunshine Lyrics

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head and I cried.

[Chorus]
You Are My Sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I miss you
Please don't take my sunshine away

I'll always love you and make you happy,
If you will only say the same.
But if you leave me to love another,
You'll regret it all some day:

[Chorus]

You told me once, dear, you really loved me
And no one else could come between.
But not you've left me and love another;
You have shattered all my dreams:

[Chorus]

Writer/s: DAVIS, JIMMIE
Publisher: Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

You Are My Sunshine

This was written by Jimmie Davis and his guitar player Charles Mitchell, who first recorded it in 1940, a year after both the Pine Ridge Boys and the The Rice Brothers Gang introduced it (some historians claim Paul Rice actually wrote the tune and sold it to Davis). Davis was a prolific songwriter who became Governor of Louisiana a few years after.

Bing Crosby was the first to have a hit with this song. His version went to #20 in the US in 1941.

This was sung on the "It Was a GOOD Life" episode of The Twilight Zone by a neighbor of a supernatural little boy -- before the boy changes the neighbor into a jack-in-the-box and buries him in a cornfield.

The B-side was Hank Williams' signature song, "Your Cheatin' Heart." (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for above 3)

The acclaimed 2000 O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack includes a version from bluegrass performer Norman Blake.

Ray Charles - Crying Time

Ray Charles - Crying Time Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Crying Time
Released: 1966

Crying Time Lyrics

Oh, it's cryin' time again, you're gonna leave me
I can see that far away look in your eyes
I can tell by the way you hold me darlin' oooh
That it won't be long before it's cryin' time

Now they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder (fonder)
And that tears are only rain to make love grow
Well my love for you could never grow no stronger (stronger)
If I lived to be a hundred years old

Oh, it's cryin' time again, you're gonna leave me
I can see that far away look in your eyes
I can tell by the way you hold me darlin'. Yeah now
That it won't be long before it's cryin' time

Now you say you've found someone that you love better (better)
That's the way it's happened every time before
And as sure as the sun comes up tomorrow ('morrow)
Cryin' time will start when you walk out the door

Oh, it's cryin' time again, you're gonna leave me
I can see that far away look in your eyes
I can tell by the way you hold me darlin'. Alright now
That it won't be long before it's cryin' time
(That it won't be long before it's cryin' time)

Writer/s: OWENS, BUCK
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BEACHAVEN MUSIC CORPORATION
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Crying Time

Buck Owens and His Buckaroos recorded the original version and put it on the B-side of their Top 10 hit, "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail."

This was the 1966 Grammy winner for Best Rhythm-and-Blues Recording and for Best Rhythm-and-Blues Solo Performance.

This was the last Top 40 hit for Ray Charles. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for above 3)

Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind

Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Genius Hits The Road
Released: 1960

Georgia On My Mind Lyrics

Georgia, Georgia,
The whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia On My Mind

I said Georgia
Georgia
A song of you
Comes as sweet and clear
As moonlight through the pines

Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you

I said Georgia,
Ooh Georgia, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind

Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you

Georgia,
Georgia,
No peace, no peace I find
Just this old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind

I said just an old sweet song,
Keeps Georgia on my mind

Writer/s: CARMICHAEL, HOAGY / GORRELL, STUART
Publisher: Peermusic Publishing
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Georgia On My Mind

This was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell in 1930. Carmichael was an actor, performer, and popular songwriter - some of his other compositions include "Stardust" and "Winter Moon." Gorrell was a banker living in New York City, and he wrote the lyrics.

It's possible that this was written about a woman, not the state. Carmichael and Gorrell didn't live in Georgia, but Carmichael did have a sister named Georgia.

This was a #10 hit for a Jazz saxophone player named Frankie Trumbauer in 1931. Many artists have recorded it over the years, including Louis Armstrong, James Brown (a Georgia native), Django Reinhardt, and Willie Nelson. Charles' version is by far the most famous.

Charles decided to record this after his driver suggested it, since Ray kept singing it while riding in the car.

Ray Charles was born in Georgia. His family moved to Florida when he was still a baby.

The orchestra was arranged by Ralph Burns, Woody Herman's pianist.

This was recorded quickly in New York City - it took only four takes to complete (compared to Charles' usual 10-12 takes).

This won Grammy awards for Best Male Vocal Recording and Best Pop Song Performance. The album also won for Best Male Vocal Performance Album, and another song on the album, "Let the Good Times Roll," won for Best R&B Performance, giving Charles a total of 4 Grammys in 1960.

Five different versions of this song have made the US Hot 100. Here the four that came after Charles' recording:

Righteous Brothers (#62, 1966)
Georgia Pines Candymen (#81, 1967)
Wes Montgomery (#91, 1968)
Willie Nelson (#84, 1978)
Michael Bolton (#36, 1990)

This was the first of three #1 records for Ray Charles ("Hit the Road, Jack" and "I Can't Stop Loving You" are his others).

In 1979, this became the official state song of Georgia.

Willie Nelson sang this at Charles' funeral in 2004.

Charles won eight awards at the 2005 Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Album of the Year (for Genius Loves Company). He was honored throughout the show; Alicia Keys and Jamie Foxx performed this as part of the tribute. Foxx had recently portrayed Charles in the movie Ray.