I'd like to think that when I sing a song, I can let you know all about the heartbreak, struggle, lies and kicks in the ass I've gotten over the years for being black and everything else, without actually saying a word about it. Ray Charles More Quotes by Ray Charles More Quotes From Ray Charles Before I begin, let me say right here and now that I'm a country boy. And, man, I mean the real backwoods! That's at the start of the start of the thing, and that's at the heart of the thing. Ray Charles real heart country When I was going blind, I didn't turn to God. It didn't seem to me then - and it doesn't seem to me now - that those items were His concern. Early on, I figured I better begin to learn how to count on myself, instead of counting on supernatural forces. Ray Charles supernatural-forces blind prayer I was born with music inside me. That's the only explanation I know of Ray Charles explanation born knows You got to set your mind right and the rest will come to you naturally. No restrictions, no hang-ups, no stupid rules, no formalities, no forbidden fruit - just everyone getting and giving as much as he and she can. Ray Charles generosity stupid giving Art Tatum -- he was a genius. And Einstein, not me. Ray Charles genius art Sighted people, you gotta deal with them. Ray Charles deals people Nowadays they say you need a special chip to put in the TV so kids can't watch this and that. In my day, we didn't need a chip. My mom was the chip. End of story. Ray Charles mom inspirational kids I never said I was a genius. I never said I was a cornerstone. I've never said I'm a legend in my own time. You never heard me say nothing like that. Ray Charles legends genius said I don't sing a song unless I feel it. The song don't tug at my heart, I pass on it. I have to believe in what I'm doing. Ray Charles learning song believe The role of the designer is basically that of a good host, anticipating the needs of the guest. Ray Charles roles guests needs I used to sing like Nat King Cole. I mean he was the guy when I was comin' up, and you know, man, people used to say of me, "Damn, he sure do sound like Nat King Cole." But there was a day, and luckily for me it was early, when I woke up and asked myself, "Well, when are the ask me to sing because I sound like me?" So my advice is, never do anything that you don't like. Ray Charles kings men mean I think that most great artists who are extremely known, as I am, would intimidate a lot of people. I don't want to do that to people, but I know I do. Ray Charles artist people thinking I know it sounds strange - a blind teenager buzzin' round on a motorcycle - but I liked that; that was me. I had always been nervy, and I always had a lot of faith in my ability not to break my neck. Ray Charles motorcycle teenager faith When I'm having a rehearsal and there are new guys who come in to try out for the job, I always let my conductor rehearse them. Because I don't want the guy to get bent out of shape, because I walk in. Ray Charles guy trying jobs I sing what I sing true. Each night I sing it the way I feel that night. Ray Charles feels night way Many times during auditions, I was told that I couldn't carry a note with a bucket, and that I sure couldn't play the piano. Ray Charles buckets piano play I set my own rhythm, and I do believe it was usually a little faster than most other people's. Ray Charles faster littles people All my life I've always been so blue, born to lose, and now I'm losing you. Ray Charles low-self-esteem losing blue I had to pawn my clothes just to pay my rent. Ray Charles pawns clothes pay 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. Ray Charles special men country
