My mom taught me a lot. A lot about minding your own business and leaving other people's business alone. And let them think what they want. 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
