ILCR Pick: 5 Lyrics From Ray Charles

ILCR Pick: 5 Lyrics From Ray Charles | Society Of Rock Videos

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The Genius

Ray Charles was blinded at seven years old because of glaucoma. But even at a young age, he already found his passion – music. At school, he learned how to play classical tunes but his interests leaned towards blues, jazz, and country. He became a legend in the 1950s after helping pioneer soul music. He had several hit singles and he became a huge influence on the next generation of musicians.

As a tribute to “The Genius,” here are the best lyrics from his songs.

5. “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”

Penned by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, Ray Charles’ rendition became the definitive version of the song. He was a native of the State of Georgia which made this their official state song.

4. “A Song for You”

“And I love you in a place where there’s no space or time
I’ve loved you for my life, you are a friend of mine”

Originally recorded by Leon Russell, Charles’s cover was featured on his 1993 album My World. It earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

3. “You Don’t Know Me”

“No you don’t know the one
Who dreams of you at night
And longs to kiss your lips
Longs to hold you tight
Oh I am just a friend
That’s all I’ve ever been
Cause you don’t know me”

Although it was originally recorded by country singer Eddy Arnold, it was Charles’ version that became a hit – it peaked at #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

2. “My World”

“We all got to get it together
There’s just no other place to go
If we can’t find some peace with each other
Then we’ll be dead before you know”

It’s a powerful song about our planet – and how we need to take care of it because there’s nowhere else we can go.

1. “America the Beautiful”

“America, OH America, may God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain devined”

Written by Katharine Lee Bates, several artists have recorded this but it was Charles’ rendition that became the most popular.

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