Ray Charles Quotes

A collection of quotes by Ray Charles.

Ray Charles was an influential American musician and composer, known for his exceptional talent in blending various musical genres. He was born on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia. From a young age, Charles displayed his musical aptitude by playing piano and singing in the church choir. His world turned dark when he lost his sight at the age of seven due to glaucoma, but this setback did not hinder his passion for music.

With his unique voice and innovative approach, Ray Charles revolutionized the music industry by integrating R&B, blues, gospel, and country music. He gained immense popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, achieving numerous hit recordings such as "What'd I Say" and "Georgia On My Mind." Charles's distinctive piano playing style and emotive vocals stood out, making him one of the most prominent musicians of his time.

Throughout his remarkable career, Ray Charles amassed numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1986. Additionally, he played a significant role in the civil rights movement, using his platform to break racial barriers and promote equality.

Ray Charles's impact on the music world continues to be felt even after his passing on June 10, 2004. His innovative sound and captivating performances remain timeless, making him a true legend in the history of American music.

What makes my approach special is that I do different things

What makes my approach special is that I do different things. I do jazz, blues, country music and so forth. I do them all, like a good utility man.

Love is a special word, and I use it only when I mean it. Yo

Love is a special word, and I use it only when I mean it. You say the word too much and it becomes cheap.

What is a soul? It's like electricity - we don't really know

What is a soul? It's like electricity - we don't really know what it is, but it's a force that can light a room.

Soul Light Like

My music had roots which I'd dug up from my own childhood, m

My music had roots which I'd dug up from my own childhood, musical roots buried in the darkest soil.

I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts.

I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me-like food or water.

I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.

I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.

Greatness & Great Things

Learning to read music in Braille and play by ear helped me

Learning to read music in Braille and play by ear helped me develop a damn good memory.

Music's been around a long time, and there's going to be mus

Music's been around a long time, and there's going to be music long after Ray Charles is dead. I just want to make my mark, leave something musically good behind. If it's a big record, that's the frosting on the cake, but music's the main meal.

I did it to myself. It wasn't society... it wasn't a pusher,

I did it to myself. It wasn't society... it wasn't a pusher, it wasn't being blind or being black or being poor. It was all my doing.

Music is my life, professionally, for nearly 60 years. To be

Music is my life, professionally, for nearly 60 years. To be recognized by the academy is still the highest honor.

I'm not into the money thing. You can only sleep in one bed

I'm not into the money thing. You can only sleep in one bed at a time. You can only eat one meal at a time, or be in one car at a time. So I don't have to have millions of dollars to be happy. All I need are clothes on my back, a decent meal, and a little loving when I feel like it. That's the bottom line.

There's nothing written in the Bible, Old or New testament,

There's nothing written in the Bible, Old or New testament, that says, If you believe in Me, you ain't going to have no troubles.