Ray Charles: 10 iconic compositions by the legend

Ray Charles is a recognised genius of the music industry. His work was idolised by his contemporaries, the most prestigious labels dreamed of working with him, and Frank Sinatra even called him a "the only true talent in show business.". His unique and distinctive take on the sound of blues and R'n'B, country and pop, brought him worldwide fame and notoriety, allowed him to become one with Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

Ray Charles' musical abilities first became apparent at the age of seven, when he lost his sight due to prolonged glaucoma. He later attended a specialised school for deaf-blind children, where he honed and refined his natural skills.

The future blues legend's youth was not easy. Passionate about travelling, he decided to travel all over the country, to visit all its corners. However, youthful dreams and desires encountered many racial barriers. Only inexhaustible enthusiasm and enviable persistence allowed him to stay the course and realise everything he had planned.

The invaluable experience gained during his creative wanderings around the United States helped Charles to realise his creative potential. His remarkable resilience and hardiness allowed him to achieve unprecedented success and win his own place on the musical Olympus.

Below is a selection of Ray Charles' top 10 compositions....

1. "Georgia on My Mind"

It was written by Howard Carmichael. Despite the fact that the song was recorded back in 1930, nobody knew of its existence until it was performed by Ray Charles. The composition gained rabid popularity in the mid-1960s, even becoming the official anthem of the state of Georgia.

"I was born with music inside me. That's the only explanation I know."

Ray Charles

2. "I Got A Woman"

This is a delicate and poignant love ballad sung by Ray Charles for the one and only. It was a real breakthrough in 1955, played on every corner.

3. "Hit The Road Jack."

https://youtu.be/0rEsVp5tiDQ

The plot of this song is very simple - a girl breaks up with her boyfriend, having failed to get rid of disagreements, to establish a spoilt relationship. It was she who gave Charles his first Grammy Award.

4. "A Song For You" and "You Don't Know Me"

These compositions share the fourth line of the selection. These songs share the fourth line of the selection.

While the former is a melodic reflection on life on the road, wandering and travelling, the latter is a true revelation about unrequited love and unrequited feelings.

5. "What'd I Say Parts 1 & 2."

It's a composition that was born completely by accident. It was invented in 1959 during one of Charles' rehearsals with his backup singers. They were not trying to create a cool track, but just improvising, offering ironic musical inserts about a woman "doing wrong" to a young man.

Later Charles decided to share these sketches with his fans by performing them at one of his concerts. The audience liked the proposed composition so much that it was decided to record it in the studio.

"What'd I Say Parts 1&2" is a new turn in the artist's musical career. It was this song that allowed him to break into mainstream American culture.

6. "My World."

This composition is a real cry of the soul, urging people to stop and look around. With the help of it, the musician tried to enlighten his generation, to form in them a more careful attitude to the environment and nature.

7. "Busted."

https://youtu.be/D_Ew-768xmk

The musician's childhood years were quite difficult, soaked in all the hardships of poverty. "Busted" is a true revelation about how naive dreams and illusions crumble and the time comes to pay the bills.

8. "America the Beautiful"

The year of creation of this classic American composition is considered to be 1895. Charles gave it a new, deeper and fuller reading when he performed it at one of his 1972 performances. According to eyewitnesses, there was not a single person in the concert hall that night who was not moved to tears.

9. "I Can't Stop Loving You."

The song was written in 1957, by the famous country singer Don Gibson. At the time, it was not very successful and was rather coldly received by the public.

Charles sang it five years later, in 1962, literally giving it a second life. After a rousing and poignant performance, the track soared to the top of the most prestigious American and British charts, staying there for several weeks.

10. "Mess Around."

https://youtu.be/tk_xapZSO6g

The song was recorded in 1953 at the legendary Atlantic Records. It became the first hit in Charles's career and allowed him to climb to the top of the charts. Combining cheerful and rhythmic motifs, it instantly got through to listeners, energising them with positive emotions.