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60 Years of Musical Brilliance: Ray Charles and ‘What’d I Say’!

Introduction

Ray Charles, the genius of soul, left an indelible mark on the world of music with his iconic song, “What’d I Say.” Released in 1959, this timeless track continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its irresistible groove and unforgettable melody. But did you know that this song also holds a special place in music history? Let’s delve into the magic of “What’d I Say” and the legendary singer behind it.Ray Charles | About Ray Charles | American Masters | PBS

Did You Know?

  • Ray Charles, born Ray Charles Robinson, was a pioneering American musician known for blending various genres, including soul, R&B, and gospel. His innovative approach to music made him an influential figure in the industry.
  • “What’d I Say” was not only a chart-topping hit but also a groundbreaking song. It is often credited with helping to bridge the gap between gospel and R&B music, setting the stage for the rise of soul music.
  • The song’s famous call-and-response style, with Ray Charles’s passionate vocals and the Raelettes’ harmonious responses, created an electrifying atmosphere that has made it a staple at parties and dance floors for decades.
  • “What’d I Say” became a cultural phenomenon, and its influence can be seen in the works of countless artists who followed in Ray Charles’s footsteps.The Life, Career, and Accomplishments of Ray Charles — Stage Music Center In Acton and Winchester MA

Now that you’ve got a taste of the song’s history, let’s groove to “Ray Charles – What’d I Say” by watching the video on YouTube and enjoying the lyrics!

Video

Lyrics: What’d I Say

Hey mama, don’t you treat me wrong
Come and love your daddy all night long
All right now, hey hey, all right
See the girl with the diamond ring
She knows how to shake that thing
All right now now now, hey hey, hey hey
Tell your mama, tell your pa
I’m gonna send you back to Arkansas
Oh yes, ma’m, you don’t do right, don’t do right
Aw, play it boy
When you see me in misery
Come on baby, see about me
Now yeah, all right, all right, aw play it, boy
When you see me in misery
Come on baby, see about me
Now yeah, hey hey, all right
See the girl with the red dress on
She can do the Birdland all night long

Yeah yeah, what’d I say, all right
Well, tell me what’d I say, yeah
Tell me what’d I say right now
Tell me what’d I say
Tell me what’d I say right now
Tell me what’d I say
Tell me what’d I say yeah

And I wanna know
Baby I wanna know right now
And-a I wanna know
And I wanna know right now yeah
And-a I wanna know
Said I wanna know yeah

[Spoken:] Hey, don’t quit now! (c’mon honey)
Naw, I got, I uh-uh-uh, I’m changing (stop! stop! we’ll do it again)
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh hold it! Hold it! Hold it!
Hey (hey) ho (ho) hey (hey) ho (ho) hey (hey) ho (ho) hey
Oh one more time (just one more time)
Say it one more time right now (just one more time)
Say it one more time now (just one more time)
Say it one more time yeah (just one more time)
Say it one more time (just one more time)
Say it one more time yeah (just one more time)

Hey (hey) ho (ho) hey (hey) ho (ho) hey (hey) ho (ho) hey
Ah! Make me feel so good (make me feel so good)
Make me feel so good now yeah (make me feel so good)
Woah! Baby (make me feel so good)
Make me feel so good yeah (make me feel so good)
Make me feel so good (make me feel so good)
Make me feel so good yeah (make me feel so good)
Huh (huh) ho (ho) huh (huh) ho (ho) huh (huh) ho (ho) huh
Awh it’s all right (baby it’s all right)
Said that it’s all right right now (baby it’s all right)
Said that it’s all right (baby it’s all right)
Said that it’s all right yeah (baby it’s all right)
Said that it’s all right (baby it’s all right)
Said that it’s all right (baby it’s all right)

Woah! Shake that thing now (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing now now (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing right now (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing (baby shake that thing)
Woah! I feel all right now yeah (make me feel all right)
Said I feel all right now (make me feel all right)
Woooah! (make me feel all right)
Tell you I feel all right (make me feel all right)
Said I feel all right (make me feel all right)
Baby I feel all right (make me feel all right)

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