Best Ray Charles Songs - RESULTS

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Sun Feb 17, 2019 3:12 pm

Song #20 was "Don't You Know," a masterpiece that recorded on Dec 4, 1953, during the time when Ray was living in New Orleans. It made the Billboard R&B Best Sellers chart for one week at #10.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Song #19 is next, and it's a remake of a monster hit from one of Ray's Atlantic labelmates:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFL0x2ur71E

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Sun Feb 17, 2019 9:05 pm

Song #19 was Ray's instrumental version of "One Mint Julep" from 1961. The song was originally a monster R&B hit for the Clovers in 1952. Ray's record was #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and got to #8 on their Pop chart too. It was released on the ABC subsidiary Impulse Records, which was mainly used for jazz releases. It was the second song on the countdown from the album "Genius + Soul = Jazz."

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Next up is song #18 on the countdown, and it's a familiar story. Once again Ray takes a country song and turns it into his own classic record, this time in 1965:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJcwqyhUtH0

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:38 am

Song #18 was Ray classic reading of the Buck Owens song "Crying Time," from 1965. It was the title track of an album too.

Buck Owens' original version of the song came out in 1964 on the flip side of his big hit record "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail."

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Song #17 is next, an R&B chart hit from 1954:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGCtf89otlk

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 2:18 pm

Song #17 was "It Should've Been Me" from 1954. The song reached #5 on the Billboard R&B Disc Jockey chart and got to #7 on the sales chart. This was Ray's first national chart hit on the Atlantic label. The song was written by Memphis Curtis. Freddie Mitchell and Mickey "Guitar" Baker both played on this one.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
17. It Shouldv'e Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Next up is song #16 as Ray does a version of a big hit from the 1940s:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=736H9jnfADg

Post by **Honorio** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 4:19 pm

Sorry Hymie but the Youtube link of the #24 song goes to a different song

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 5:59 pm

Honorio wrote:Sorry Hymie but the Youtube link of the #24 song goes to a different song

Thanks, I fixed it.

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:07 pm

Song #16 was "Let The Good Times Roll" from 1959. It was on the album "The Genius of Ray Charles." The original version of the song was by Louis Jordan in 1946. The song was written by Sam Theard, a New Orleans-born blues singer and songwriter, and was co-credited to Fleecie Moore, Jordan's wife, who never wrote a lyric in her life (however, her name was sometimes substituted for Jordan's to get around an inconvenient publishing contract; this strategy backfired when Louis and Fleecie divorced acrimoniously and she kept ownership of the songs he'd put her name on -- thus denying him any income from them). In 2009, the song was acknowledged with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 2013 in the "Classic of Blues Recording — Singles or Album Tracks" category.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Song #15 is another track from the "Crying Time" album in 1966:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFwhCLYO_-M

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 4:30 am

Song #15 was "Let's Go Get Stoned" from 1966. It was a number one hit on the Billboard R&B chart. The song was written by Ashford and Simpson and Jo Armstead. Dick Rosemont, who tracks down the original versions of famous songs, has not been able to determine which artist did the original version of this song, but for sure it's not Ray Charles. He has narrowed it down to either the Coasters, Chuck Jackson and Maxine Brown, or Ronnie Milsap.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Song #14 surprises me. It's the flip side of a hit record. I did not realize that this side was this highly respected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAo8JNNW5cw

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 1:47 pm

Song #14 was "I Believe To My Soul" from 1959. It was the flip side of "I'm Movin' On" and was also included on the album "The Genius Sings The Blues." I never paid much attention to this song until it was spotlighted in the movie "Ray." They showed how after some sort of problem in the studio that made the Raeletts walk out of the session, Ray overdubbed their parts himself. He really did this. Listen to the background singing on the record. I'm surprised, but not unhappy that it finished so high on the countdown.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Song #13 is up now. ANOTHER country song done up in the Ray Charles style!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-AhIDPMtWY

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 9:14 pm

Song #13 was "Busted" from 1963. It was on the "Ingredients In A Recipe For Soul" album. The song was written by Harlan Howard. The hit country version came from Johnny Cash, but he was not the first act to record the song. This one below was first:

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Time for song #12 on the countdown. This 1956 hit was written by Doc Pomus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFEOzbI8mA8

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 4:36 am

Song #12 was "Lonely Avenue," a #6 R&B chart hit from the latter part of 1956. As mentioned, the song was written by Doc Pomus. Doc's real name was Jerome Solon Felder, and he was the Brooklyn born son of Jewish immigrants. "Lonely Avenue" was his first hit song, and it helped him to get known as a songwriter in the music business.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Tomorrow morning we will get to the top 10 songs on our countdown, but right now it's #11. A big hit from 1961, this one was listed on 22 ballots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF6oPteOg48

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 1:57 pm

Song #11 on our countdown was "Unchain My Heart" from 1961. It was not on an album until "Greatest Hits." It was number one on Billboard's R&B chart and it reached #9 on their Pop chart. The song was written by Bobby Sharp. Sharp, a drug addict at the time, sold the song to Teddy Powell for $50. Powell demanded half the songwriting credit. Sharp later successfully fought for the rights to his song. In 1987, he was also able to renew the copyright for his publishing company, B. Sharp Music.

In recent years it was discovered that Ray was not the first artist to record the song. It was recorded earlier by Otis Williams, former lead singer of the Charms. That version was not released until 1964, but it was the first recording of the song, from 1960:

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

We have arrived at the top 10 songs in our countdown. Song #10 is another old country song that Ray revived in his own style:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duYhExhWgls

Post by **Henrik** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 3:30 pm

I am very confused that ”Unchain My Heart” is only bubbling under at AM. And even knowing that it’s not one of his most acclaimed songs, I’m surprised that it doesn’t make the top 10 here. Top 3 for me (though I have not listened enough to Ray to send in a ballot).

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 5:00 pm

Henrik wrote:I am very confused that ”Unchain My Heart” is only bubbling under at AM. And even knowing that it’s not one of his most acclaimed songs, I’m surprised that it doesn’t make the top 10 here. Top 3 for me (though I have not listened enough to Ray to send in a ballot).

A), it's pre-Beatles-Dylan-Beach Boys, where critics are very inconsistent, and B), it was not on any album until a Greatest Hits package, so that probably hurts it. For a critic to know the record well from when it was current he/she must be at least 70 years old. It was not one of the big spotlighted items in the movie "Ray" either, where younger folks would have noticed it a lot.

Still, I would have thought it would do better than just BU here on the site.

andyd1010 · Post by **andyd1010** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 5:10 pm

Hymie wrote:
Henrik wrote:I am very confused that ”Unchain My Heart” is only bubbling under at AM. And even knowing that it’s not one of his most acclaimed songs, I’m surprised that it doesn’t make the top 10 here. Top 3 for me (though I have not listened enough to Ray to send in a ballot).
A), it's pre-Beatles-Dylan-Beach Boys, where critics are very inconsistent, and B), it was not on any album until a Greatest Hits package, so that probably hurts it. For a critic to know the record well from when it was current he/she must be at least 70 years old. It was not one of the big spotlighted items in the movie "Ray" either, where younger folks would have noticed it a lot.

Still, I would have thought it would do better than just BU here on the site.

I had never heard of it. Just listened for the first time and definitely would have voted for it had I known it.

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 7:04 pm

andyd1010 wrote:
Hymie wrote:
Henrik wrote:I am very confused that ”Unchain My Heart” is only bubbling under at AM. And even knowing that it’s not one of his most acclaimed songs, I’m surprised that it doesn’t make the top 10 here. Top 3 for me (though I have not listened enough to Ray to send in a ballot).
A), it's pre-Beatles-Dylan-Beach Boys, where critics are very inconsistent, and B), it was not on any album until a Greatest Hits package, so that probably hurts it. For a critic to know the record well from when it was current he/she must be at least 70 years old. It was not one of the big spotlighted items in the movie "Ray" either, where younger folks would have noticed it a lot.

Still, I would have thought it would do better than just BU here on the site.
I had never heard of it. Just listened for the first time and definitely would have voted for it had I known it.

Hard for me to accept that not everyone knows the record, but I guess it's a 58 year old record that most 40 and under people would not know.

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 9:11 pm

Song #10 was "You Don't Know Me" from the "Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music" album in 1962. It got to #5 on the Billboard R&B chart, but did even better on their Pop chart where it peaked at #2. The song was written in 1955 by Cindy Walker who was given the story for the song by Eddy Arnold. Eddy recorded the original version in late 1955 and it was released in the spring of 1956. It became a top 10 Country Chart hit, and a cover version by Jerry Vale was big on the Pop charts that same year. Here's the Eddy Arnold original:

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

And now, moving along in the countdown to song #9:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-YqaTDDCDM

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 9:25 pm

Henrik wrote:I am very confused that ”Unchain My Heart” is only bubbling under at AM. And even knowing that it’s not one of his most acclaimed songs, I’m surprised that it doesn’t make the top 10 here. Top 3 for me (though I have not listened enough to Ray to send in a ballot).

You might be even more confused when we get to #6 on this countdown and it's nowhere to be found on AM, not even a bubbler.

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:57 am

Song #9 was "I Can't Stop Loving You" from 1962. It was the biggest selling single of Ray's career, and it came from the biggest selling album of his career, "Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music." The single (which was a shorter edit of the LP version) was number one on the Billboard R&B chart for 10 weeks and on their Pop chart for 5 weeks. Most sources had it as the number one single of 1962.

The song was written and originally recorded by Don Gibson in 1957. It was the B side of his biggest ever hit, "Oh, Lonesome Me," but was a hit in its own right. Gibson wrote both "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "Oh, Lonesome Me" on June 7, 1957, in Knoxville, Tennessee. "I sat down to write a lost love ballad," Gibson said in Dorothy Horstman's 1975 book Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy. "After writing several lines to the song, I looked back and saw the line 'I can't stop loving you.' I said, 'That would be a good title,' so I went ahead and rewrote it in its present form."

I read somewhere that Gibson did not like what Ray had done with the song, but I am sure that he had no problem cashing the deluge of royalty checks he was getting from Ray's record. Here is Gibson's take on his song, along with vocal backing from the Jordanaires:

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
09. I Can't Stop Loving You --------------22-------1125
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Song #8 is up now. It was released late in 1958:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTruv-lVoLk

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:17 pm

Song #8 was "(Night Time Is) The Right Time" from 1958. I have a lot to say about this classic. It was one of those records that was HUGE in the black community, but virtually unknown among mainstream listeners in 1959. The record reached #5 on the Billboard R&B chart in early 1959 during an 18 week run on a chart that was a top 30 at that time. However, it barely made the Hot 100 Pop chart, hitting #95 in its only week on that chart. Margie Hendrix sings the bridge in an awesome performance. The song was written and done originally in 1957 by Nappy Brown, on the Savoy label. Notice the writing credit on the label that shows Brown as the lone writer of the song.

At some point between 1957 and late 1958 when the Ray Charles version was released, some deal was made between Nappy and Herman Lubinsky, the owner of the Savoy label, and also, my grandfather. The writing credits would now include Lubinsky (under his phony songwriting name, Lew Herman) and Ozzie Cadena, who worked for the label as a producer and A&R man, and probably produced the session. They probably got word that Ray Charles wanted to record the song and conned Nappy into selling them part of the song for a few hundred dollars or something. From that point on the writing credits on the song looked as they do on the Ray Charles record below:

Notice also the change in Publishing credits from the Nappy release to Ray's release. It went from Planemar Music to Crossroads Music. The song turned out to be a standard, and there were versions on big albums by the Animals, CCR, and others over the years, generating a ton of money for Lubinsky through Publishing and partial writer's credit. Lubinsky's heirs (my mother and her 4 siblings) received very big checks in the 1980s and 1990s when the entire Ray Charles record was used on an episode of the Cosby Show. Below is the clip from the show:

When Lubinsky died in 1975, the family had sold the label, but had held on to the Publishing Company, so they still get occasional small checks now from Publishing and from songs that Herman grabbed credit for writing. Check out the Nappy Brown version of the song:

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
08. (Night Time Is) The Right Time ----20-------1179
09. I Can't Stop Loving You --------------22-------1125
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Song #7 is next. It's from 1956:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCCL1w17GRk

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:28 pm

Song #7 is "Drown In My Own Tears" from 1956. It was a number one R&B chart hit for Ray, but did not make the pop chart. This is a classic song, done up in later years by Aretha Franklin and others. The song was written by Henry Glover, and done originally in 1952 as "I'll Drown In My Tears" by Sonny Thompson with the vocal by Lula Reed. It was a top 5 hit on the R&B chart that year. Listen to the original version below:

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
07. Drown In My Own Tears -------------22-------1225
08. (Night Time Is) The Right Time ----20-------1179
09. I Can't Stop Loving You --------------22-------1125
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Next up is song #6. Incredibly it was not a national hit, and is not a critically acclaimed record according to acclaimedmusic.net, which lists 24 different acclaimed Ray Charles songs on their site. Yet it finished higher on this survey than huge hits like "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Busted" and "You Don't Know Me." Here we go with song #6:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwDyywRreP8

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Fri Feb 22, 2019 4:58 am

Song #6 was "Mess Around" from 1953. Atlantic label owner Ahmet Ertegun wrote the song. The record did not make the national R&B charts and was not even listed anywhere as a regional R&B hit. If you went back to the mid-1980s people would not know what this song was. It never would have done this well if we had done this survey back then. Here's my theory as to why it did so well here.

In 1987 it was featured prominently in a popular movie, "Plains, Trains and Automobiles," with Steve Martin and John Candy. That got it started as millions of people saw this scene:

And then almost 20 years later it was also featured prominently in "Ray" with Jamie Foxx, in this scene:

There have been many records that got renewed life after being featured in a popular movie, and I think this is one of them.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
06. Mess Around ---------------------------24-------1278
07. Drown In My Own Tears -------------22-------1225
08. (Night Time Is) The Right Time ----20-------1179
09. I Can't Stop Loving You --------------22-------1125
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

And now we enter the top 5 Ray Charles songs as we voted them. Here is #5:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMwKIqsfV8k

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Fri Feb 22, 2019 2:15 pm

Song #5 was "Hallelujah, I Love Her So" from 1956. Ray wrote this himself, and it's one of the most prolific "songs" that he wrote. It reached #5 on the Billboard R&B chart, but did not make the pop chart. Lots of other acts recorded the song in subsequent years, including Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra. Also Eddie Cochran, whose undubbed (without violins) version I prefer a bit over Ray's version.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
05. Hallelujah, I Love Her So -----------26-------1352
06. Mess Around ---------------------------24-------1278
07. Drown In My Own Tears -------------22-------1225
08. (Night Time Is) The Right Time ----20-------1179
09. I Can't Stop Loving You --------------22-------1125
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Song # 4 is next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc24itDDCvM

Live in Phoenix · Post by **Live in Phoenix** » Fri Feb 22, 2019 4:05 pm

I don't remember "Mess Around" from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but I recently watched Ray for the first time and definitely remember it from that. Except for a bit of "What'd I Say" at the very beginning, there isn't what I think of as a full band sound for an hour or so of the movie. They even bring up how it's difficult and expensive to take a band on tour, which I hadn't really thought about. I don’t know if it's my "modern ears" or whatever, but I was itching for that band sound, which ended up being the recording of "Mess Around." It struck me as a dramatic turning point in the movie, like he was really taking off now. (Didn't that also signify when he started to find his own musical style?)

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Fri Feb 22, 2019 5:26 pm

Live in Phoenix wrote:I don't remember "Mess Around" from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but I recently watched Ray for the first time and definitely remember it from that. Except for a bit of "What'd I Say" at the very beginning, there isn't what I think of as a full band sound for an hour or so of the movie. They even bring up how it's difficult and expensive to take a band on tour, which I hadn't really thought about. I don’t know if it's my "modern ears" or whatever, but I was itching for that band sound, which ended up being the recording of "Mess Around." It struck me as a dramatic turning point in the movie, like he'd really made it in the business. (Didn't that also signify when he started to find his own musical style?)

They portrayed it that way in the movie, but as I wrote, it was not even a regional hit. Really his start as a major star came with "I've Got A Woman" which was released very late in 1954 and was huge in the winter and spring of 1955.

Yes, many R&B records sounded very primitive in the late 40s and 1950-51. Many were not much different from Robert Johnson records in the late 1930s. In like 1952-1953 more and more records started to have more instruments added to the mix.

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Sat Feb 23, 2019 1:49 am

Song #4 was "I've Got A Woman" from late 1954. It was a huge R&B chart hit in the winter and spring of 1955, but did not make the pop chart. As shown in the movie, Ray appropriated a gospel record and changed the lyrics in "writing" this song. The first version of this was "I've Got A Savior (Across Town)" by the Bailey Gospel Singers. That is not on Youtube, but the record that Ray modeled his version after is this one below, which was on the Duke label. Ray is lucky that Duke label owner/gangster Don Robey did not come after him:

As you can clearly hear it has the same melody and arrangement as Ray's record, but with different words. "I've Got A Woman" was the record that turned Ray into a big star, and his next several releases were all very big R&B charts.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
04. I've Got A Woman --------------------28-------1671
05. Hallelujah, I Love Her So -----------26-------1352
06. Mess Around ---------------------------24-------1278
07. Drown In My Own Tears -------------22-------1225
08. (Night Time Is) The Right Time ----20-------1179
09. I Can't Stop Loving You --------------22-------1125
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Song #3 is next. I expected this to be in the top two, but it just missed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL3EZwSJAh0

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Sat Feb 23, 2019 1:50 pm

Song #3 is "Georgia On My Mind." This was Ray's first number one pop chart record and only his second top 10 Pop chart hit. A masterpiece from 1960, it was included on "The Genius Hits The Road" album. It's the only song from that album to make the list:

"Georgia on My Mind" is a 1930 song written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell and first recorded that year.

On April 24, 1979 the Georgia State Assembly named Ray's record as the official state song. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named the Ray Charles version of "Georgia on My Mind" the 44th greatest song of all time.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
03. Georgia On My Mind -----------------28-------1707
04. I've Got A Woman --------------------28-------1671
05. Hallelujah, I Love Her So -----------26-------1352
06. Mess Around ---------------------------24-------1278
07. Drown In My Own Tears -------------22-------1225
08. (Night Time Is) The Right Time ----20-------1179
09. I Can't Stop Loving You --------------22-------1125
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

Just two songs left now. THIS is #2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8DRen60X10

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Sun Feb 24, 2019 2:11 am

Song #2 was "Hit The Road Jack," from 1961. It was a number one song on both the R&B chart and the pop chart in Billboard. The song was written by Percy Mayfield. Below is the demo that Percy sent to Ray:

Ray won a Grammy for this record, as "Best Rhythm And Blues Recording."

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
02. Hit The Road Jack -------------------30-------1789
03. Georgia On My Mind -----------------28-------1707
04. I've Got A Woman --------------------28-------1671
05. Hallelujah, I Love Her So -----------26-------1352
06. Mess Around ---------------------------24-------1278
07. Drown In My Own Tears -------------22-------1225
08. (Night Time Is) The Right Time ----20-------1179
09. I Can't Stop Loving You --------------22-------1125
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

We have arrived at the number one song in our countdown:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U3DT2nypv8

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Sun Feb 24, 2019 2:16 pm

Our number one song was "What'd I Say," a masterpiece from 1959. It was number on Billboard's R&B chart and was Ray's first top 10 record on the pop chart. As the story goes, the composition was improvised one evening late in 1958 when Charles, his orchestra, and backup singers had played their entire set list at a show and still had time left. Charles himself does not recall where the concert took place, but Mike Evans in Ray Charles: The Birth of Soul places the show in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Shows were played at "meal dances" which typically ran four hours with a half-hour break, and would end around 1 or 2 in the morning. Charles and his orchestra had exhausted their set list after midnight, but had 12 minutes left to fill. He told the Raelettes, "Listen, I'm going to fool around and y'all just follow me".

Starting on the electric piano, Charles played what felt right: a series of riffs, switching then to a regular piano for four choruses backed up by a unique Latin conga tumbao rhythm on drums. The song changed when Charles began singing simple, improvised unconnected verses ("Hey Mama don't you treat me wrong / Come and love your daddy all night long / All right now / Hey hey / All right"). Charles used gospel elements in a twelve-bar blues structure. Some of the first lines ("See the gal with the red dress on / She can do the Birdland all night long") are influenced by a boogie-woogie style that Ahmet Ertegun attributes to Clarence "Pinetop" Smith who used to call out to dancers on the dance floor instructing what to do through his lyrics. In the middle of the song, however, Charles indicated that the Raelettes should repeat what he was doing, and the song transformed into a call and response between Charles, the Raelettes, and the horn section in the orchestra as they called out to each other in ecstatic shouts and moans and blasts from the horns.[

The audience reacted immediately; Charles could feel the room shaking and bouncing as the crowd was dancing. Many audience members approached Charles at the end of the show to ask where they could purchase the record. Charles and the orchestra performed it again several nights in a row with the same reaction at each show. He called Jerry Wexler to say he had something new to record, later writing, "I don't believe in giving myself advance notices, but I figured this song merited it."

The gospel and rhumba influences combined with the sexual innuendo in the song made it not only widely popular but very controversial to both white and black audiences. It earned Ray Charles his first gold record and has been one of the most influential songs in R&B and rock and roll history. "What'd I Say" was banned by many black and white radio stations because of, as one critic noted, "the dialogue between himself and his backing singers that started in church and ended up in the bedroom." For the rest of his career, Charles closed every concert with the song. It was added to the National Recording Registry in 2002 and ranked at number 10 in Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

The song's impact was not immediately seen in the U.S.; it was particularly popular in Europe. Paul McCartney was immediately struck by the song and knew when he heard it that he wanted to be involved in making music. George Harrison remembered an all-night party he attended in 1959 where the song was played for eight hours non-stop: "It was one of the best records I ever heard." While the Beatles were developing their sound in Hamburg, they played "What'd I Say" at every show, trying to see how long they could make the song last and using the audience in the call and response, with which they found immense popularity. The opening electric piano in the song was the first John Lennon had ever heard, and he tried to replicate it with his guitar. Lennon later credited Charles' opening of "What'd I Say" to the birth of songs dominated by guitar riffs.

When Mick Jagger sang for the first time with the band that would become the Rolling Stones, he performed a duet of "What'd I Say". Eric Burdon from the Animals, Steve Winwood of the Spencer Davis Group, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and Van Morrison counted the song as a major influence on why they were interested in music and incorporated it into their shows.

RANK - SONG TITLE -------- TOTAL BALLOTS - POINTS
01. What'd I Say ---------------------------29-------1916
02. Hit The Road Jack -------------------30-------1789
03. Georgia On My Mind -----------------28-------1707
04. I've Got A Woman --------------------28-------1671
05. Hallelujah, I Love Her So -----------26-------1352
06. Mess Around ---------------------------24-------1278
07. Drown In My Own Tears -------------22-------1225
08. (Night Time Is) The Right Time ----20-------1179
09. I Can't Stop Loving You --------------22-------1125
10. You Don't Know Me -------------------24-------1101
11. Unchain My Heart --------------------22-------1094
12. Lonely Avenue ------------------------18---------975
13. Busted ----------------------------------18---------866
14. I Believe To My Soul -----------------14---------695
15. Let's Go Get Stoned ------------------15---------651
16. Let The Good Times Roll ------------13---------632
17. It Should've Been Me -----------------13---------607
18. Crying Time ----------------------------15---------592
19. One Mint Julep ------------------------14---------565
20. Don't You Know -------------------------9---------530
21. America The Beautiful --------------11---------510
22. A Fool For You -------------------------12---------465
23. Come Rain Or Come Shine -----------9---------454
24. You Are My Sunshine -----------------10---------388
25. This Little Girl of Mine --------------11---------378
26. Leave My Woman Alone -------------10---------370
27. Born To Lose -----------------------------9---------336
28. Swanee River Rock ---------------------9---------331
29. Mary Ann ---------------------------------8---------331
30. Sticks And Stones -----------------------9---------326
31. Ruby ---------------------------------------8---------320
32. I'm Movin' On ----------------------------7---------311
33. Yes Indeed --------------------------------7---------282
34. Ain't That Love --------------------------8---------280
35. Hard Times -------------------------------7---------280
36. Sinner's Prayer ---------------------------6---------280
37. Greenbacks -------------------------------7---------278
38. But On The Other Hand Baby ---------7---------276
39. Losing Hand -------------------------------8---------271
40. In The Heat of the Night ---------------7---------270
41. Baby It's Cold Outside -------------------7---------267
42. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying --5---------264
43. Heartbreaker ------------------------------8---------263
44. I Don't Need No Doctor ------------------7---------248
45. That Lucky Old Sun -----------------------5---------244
46. Roll With My Baby ------------------------7---------240
47. Rockhouse ----------------------------------7---------223
48. Hide 'Nor Hair -----------------------------6---------209
49. Them That Got ---------------------------5---------205
50. Come Back ---------------------------------8---------200
51. At The Club --------------------------------6---------195
52. Blackjack -----------------------------------7---------190
53. You Be My Baby ---------------------------6---------190
54. The Sun's Gonna Shine Again ----------6---------189
55. Tell The Truth -----------------------------6---------186
56. Seven Spanish Angels --------------------3---------161
57. What Kind of Man Are You --------------5---------160
58. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts.-.-..5---------152
59. Talkin' 'Bout You ---------------------------4---------150
60. I Want A Little Girl -----------------------3---------142
61. My Baby! (I Love Her Yes I Do) ---------4---------141
62. Don't Set Me Free -------------------------3---------140
63. What Would I Do Without You ----------4---------139
64. Take These Chains From My Heart ----4---------138
65. I Want To Know ----------------------------4---------136
66. Feelin' Sad ----------------------------------5---------130
67. Here We Go Again ------------------------3---------129
68. Eleanor Rigby ------------------------------3---------128
69. It's All Right --------------------------------2---------114
70. The Danger Zone --------------------------3---------112
71. Get On The Right Track Baby ----------5---------103
72. I Had A Dream -----------------------------2---------101
73. Hardhearted Hannah ---------------------2----------95
74. Just For A Thrill ---------------------------2----------93
75. Tell All The World About You -----------2----------92
76. See See Rider ------------------------------2----------92
77. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand -----------4----------85
78. Smack Dab In The Middle ---------------2----------85
79. Some Enchanted Evening ---------------2----------85
80. Early In The Mornin' ----------------------2----------83
81. If You Were Mine --------------------------2----------82
82. That's Enough ------------------------------2----------80
83. A Song For You -----------------------------2----------79
84. The Midnight Hour ------------------------3----------78
85. Bye Bye Love -------------------------------2----------69
86. Don't Change On Me -----------------------2----------63
87. No One ---------------------------------------2----------61
88. Funny (But I Still Love You) -------------3----------54
89. Confession Blues ---------------------------2----------52
90. Kissa Me Baby ------------------------------3----------47
91. Tell Me How Do You Feel ----------------2----------46
92. Teardrops From My Eyes -----------------2----------31
=================================================

RESULTS BY YEAR

1949
76 - See See Rider -2- 92
89 - Confession Blues -2- 52

1951
77 - Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand -4- 85

1952
46 - Roll With My Baby -7- 240
84 - The Midnight Hour -3- 78
90 - Kissa Me Baby -3- 47

1953
06 - Mess Around -24- 1278
43 - Heartbreaker -8- 263
54 - The Sun's Gonna Shine Again -6- 189
66 - Feelin' Sad -5- 130
88 - Funny (But I Still Love You) -3- 54

1954
04 - I've Got A Woman -28- 1671
17 - It Should've Been Me -13- 607
20 - Don't You Know -9- 530
36 - Sinner's Prayer -6- 280
39 - Losing Hand -8- 271
50 - Come Back -8- 200

1955
22 - A Fool For You -12- 465
25 - This Little Girl of Mine -11- 378
37 - Greenbacks -7- 278
52 - Blackjack -7- 190

1956
05 - Hallelujah, I Love Her So -26- 1352
07 - Drown In My Own Tears -22- 1225
12 - Lonely Avenue -18- 975
26 - Leave My Woman Alone -10- 370
29 - Mary Ann -8- 331
63 - What Would I Do Without You -4- 139

1957
28 - Swanee River Rock -9- 331
34 - Ain't That Love -8- 280
57 - What Kind of Man Are You -5- 160
59 - Talkin' 'Bout You -4- 150
60 - I Want A Little Girl -3- 142
65 - I Want To Know -4- 136
69 - It's Alright -2- 114
71 - Get On The Right Track Baby -5- 103

1958
08 - (Night Time Is) The Right Time -20- 1179
33 - Yes Indeed -7- 282
47 - Rockhouse -7- 223
53 - You Be My Baby -6- 190
72 - I Had A Dream -2- 101
75 - Tell All the World About You -2- 92

1959
01 - What'd I Say -29- 1916
14 - I Believe To My Soul -14- 695
16 - Let The Good Times Roll -13- 632
23 - Come Rain Or Come Shine -9- 454
32 - I'm Movin' On -7- 311
42 - Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying -5- 264
74 - Just For A Thrill -2- 93
82 - That's Enough -2- 80
91 - Tell Me How Do You Feel -2- 46

1960
03 - Georgia On My Mind -28- 1707
30 - Sticks And Stones -9- 326
31 - Ruby -8- 320
49 - Them That Got -5- 205
55 - Tell The Truth -6- 186
61 - My Baby -4- 141
73 - Hardhearted Hannah -2- 95

1961
02 - Hit The Road Jack -30- 1789
11 - Unchain My Heart -22- 1094
19 - One Mint Julep -14- 565
35 - Hard Times (No One Knows Better Than I) -7- 280
38 - But On The Other Hand Baby -7- 276
41 - Baby It's Cold Outside -7- 267
58 - I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts of Town -5- 152
70 - The Danger Zone -3- 112
80 - Early In The Morning -2- 83

1962
09 - I Can't Stop Loving You -22- 1125
10 - You Don't Know Me -24- 1101
24 - You Are My Sunshine -10- 388
27 - Born To Lose -9- 336
48 - Hide 'Nor Hair -6- 209
51 - At The Club -6- 195
64 - Take These Chains From My Heart -4- 138
85 - Bye Bye Love -2- 69

1963
13 - Busted -18- 866
45 - That Lucky Old Sun -5- 244
62 - Don't Set Me Free -3- 140
87 - No One -2- 61

1964
78 - Smack Dab In The Middle -2- 85
92 - Teardrops From My Eyes -2- 31

1965
18 - Crying Time -15- 592

1966
15 - Let's Go Get Stoned -15- 651
44 - I Don't Need No Doctor -7- 248

1967
40 - In The Heat of the Night -7- 270
67 - Here We Go Again -3- 129

1968
68 - Eleanor Rigby -3- 128

1970
81 - If You Were Mine -2- 82
86 - Don't Change On Me -2- 63

1972
21 - America The Beautiful -11- 510

1979
79 - Some Enchanted Evening -2- 85

1984
56 - Seven Spanish Angels -3- 161

1993
83 - A Song For You -2- 79

===========================================================================

ALBUMS WITH 2 OR MORE SONGS ON THE LIST

RAY CHARLES - ATLANTIC 8006
04 - I've Got A Woman -28- 1671
05 - Hallelujah, I Love Her So -26- 1352
06 - Mess Around -24- 1278
07 - Drown In My Own Tears -22- 1225
20 - Don't You Know -9- 530
22 - A Fool For You -12- 465
25 - This Little Girl of Mine -11- 378
29 - Mary Ann -8- 331
34 - Ain't That Love -8- 280
36 - Sinner's Prayer -6- 280
37 - Greenbacks -7- 278
39 - Losing Hand -8- 271
50 - Come Back -8- 200
88 - Funny (But I Still Love You) -3- 54

YES INDEED!
12 - Lonely Avenue -18- 975
26 - Leave My Woman Alone -10- 370
28 - Swanee River Rock -9- 331
33 - Yes Indeed -7- 282
43 - Heartbreaker -8- 263
52 - Blackjack -7- 190
54 - The Sun's Gonna Shine Again -6- 189
59 - Talkin' 'Bout You -4- 150
60 - I Want A Little Girl -3- 142
63 - What Would I Do Without You -4- 139
65 - I Want To Know -4- 139
69 - It's All Right -2- 114
71 - Get On The Right Track Baby -5- 103
72 - I Had A Dream -2- 101

WHAT'D I SAY
01 - What'd I Say -29- 1916
46 - Roll With My Baby -7- 240
47 - Rockhouse -7- 223
53 - You Be My Baby -6- 190
57 - What Kind of Man Are You -5- 160
75 - Tell All the World About You -2- 92
82 - That's Enough -2- 80
91 - Tell Me How Do You Feel -2- 46

THE GENIUS OF RAY CHARLES
16 - Let The Good Times Roll -13- 632
23 - Come Rain Or Come Shine -9- 454
42 - Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying -5- 264
74 - Just For A Thrill -2- 93

DEDICATED TO YOU
31 - Ruby -8- 320
73 - Hardhearted Hannah -2- 95

THE GENIUS SINGS THE BLUES
14 - I Believe To My Soul -14- 695
32 - I'm Movin' On -7- 311
35 - Hard Times (No One Knows Better Than I) -7- 280
66 - Feelin' Sad -5- 130
80 - Early In The Morning -2- 83

GENIUS + SOUL = JAZZ
19 - One Mint Julep -14- 565
58 - I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts of Town -5- 152

MODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY AND WESTERN MUSIC
09 - I Can't Stop Loving You -22- 1125
10 - You Don't Know Me -24- 1101
27 - Born To Lose -9- 336
85 - Bye Bye Love -2- 69

MODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY AND WESTERN MUSIC VOL 2
24 - You Are My Sunshine -10- 388
64 - Take These Chains From My Heart -4- 138

GREATEST HITS
02 - Hit The Road Jack -30- 1789
11 - Unchain My Heart -22- 1094
30 - Sticks And Stones -9- 326
38 - But On The Other Hand Baby -7- 276
70 - The Danger Zone -3- 112

INGREDIANTS IN A RECIPE FOR SOUL
13 - Busted -18- 866
45 - That Lucky Old Sun -5- 244

CRYING TIME
15 - Let's Go Get Stoned -15- 651
18 - Crying Time -15- 592

LOVE COUNTRY STYLE
81 - If You Were Mine -2- 82
86 - Don't Change On Me -2- 63

Post by **Honorio** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 6:54 pm

Excellent thread, Hymie! I've enjoyed the countdown a lot and I listened for the first time many songs, especially the songs before 1954 and after 1962. Thank you!

Hymie · Post by **Hymie** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 7:43 pm

Honorio wrote:Excellent thread, Hymie! I've enjoyed the countdown a lot and I listened for the first time many songs, especially the songs before 1954 and after 1962. Thank you!

Glad you enjoyed it.

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