A crazy friend of mine was singing along to Ray Charles this morning, and sure enough- I knew I couldn't get through the day without writing a tribute to Ray.
Ray
There is a kind of spirit
That you really can’t explain
But know it when you hear it
From the joy to all the pain.
It plays your helpless heartstrings
‘Till you don’t know what to say-
But I am here to tell you-
Call it Ray.
You may think you have answers
When you sing a happy tune.
But over cautious dancers
Never get to grab the moon.
I’m telling you a secret
You can count on every day-
It’s right there in the music-
Call it Ray.
Just once or twice a lifetime
There’s a soul that’s got your game.
And if you are real lucky
You will recognize the name.
The best of invitations tells you
“Come on out and play.”
And I am here to tell you-
Call it Ray.
Legends walk the earth sometimes,
It’s terrible when they go.
But if they leave their music
It’s a never-ending show.
So if you want to reach the stars-
I’m telling you the way-
Just listen to the magic-
Call it Ray.
None of us that live in NJ can claim to have any crazy friends though those same friends may claim that we are the crazy ones...and I for one would not disagree...good to see you writing...-e-
Ray was all of that. When I saw his movie biography I was shocked to learn that he was a lifelong heroin user. But I guess that's what it took for him to live that life, mostly on the road away from his wife and children, going into parts of town that never understood blindness and worse, blackness. He was even gracious enough to finally return to Georgia and forgive them by singing that refrain before the Georgia assembly, making it the state song.
Coincidentally, I've been turning on singer/songwriters on the computer every evening to play their greatest hits for my partner when she comes home, working in the kitchen. Last night, I played the greatest hits of Ray Charles on YouTube.
I really regret that year I didn't go to the Houston Rodeo when Ray closed the show on the last Sunday. It would've been wonderful to see the man at work in the flesh.
For the life of me I cannot remember a song that Ray had sung, but I remember many songs from Nat Kong Cole because I often heard my dad played his songs.
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Love ya!
Jane
Coincidentally, I've been turning on singer/songwriters on the computer every evening to play their greatest hits for my partner when she comes home, working in the kitchen. Last night, I played the greatest hits of Ray Charles on YouTube.
I really regret that year I didn't go to the Houston Rodeo when Ray closed the show on the last Sunday. It would've been wonderful to see the man at work in the flesh.
Ron
Sandie