Rhythm and Blues

It’s pretty clear: “Don’t you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.”  The song was written by  R&B blues singer Percy Mayfield. Ray Charles with The Raelettes ,featuring vocalist Margie Hendrix, and his Orchestra released it in 1961 as a single backed with “The Danger Zone.” Charles also released it on his 1962 album Ray Charles Greatest Hits.  In 1961, the song went to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Hot R&B Sides. It charted well internationally, going to #6 in the U.K., #3 in Australia, and #13 in Belgium.  “Hit the Road Jack” won a Grammy award for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. It alsois  on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The  500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Ray Charles  was born on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia. His pioneering in music as a musician, singer, songwriter, composer and arranger helped to develop the genre of soul music. It earned him the title of The High Priest of Soul. He contributed to the country, jazz, pop, gospel, and rock and roll genres as well. Rolling Stone magazine has Ray Charles on the list of “The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.” Charles died at the age of 73 on June 10, 2004.

Here are the lyrics to “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles:

(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more
no more, no more, no more)
(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more)
What you say?

(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more
no more, no more, no more)
(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more)

Woah, Woman, oh woman, don’t treat me so mean
You’re the meanest old woman that I’ve ever seen
I guess if you say so
I’ll have to pack my things and go (That’s right)

(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more
no more, no more, no more)
(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more)
What you say?

(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more
no more, no more, no more)
(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more)

Now baby, listen, baby, don’t ya treat me this-a way
Cause I’ll be back on my feet some day
(Don’t care if you do ’cause it’s understood)
(You ain’t got no money you just ain’t no good)
Well, I guess if you say so
I’ll have to pack my things and go (That’s right)

(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more
no more, no more, no more)
(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more)

What you say
(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more
no more, no more, no more)
(Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more)

Well, uh, what you say?
(Don’t you come back no more)
I didn’t understand you!
(Don’t you come back no more)
You can’t mean that!
(Don’t you come back no more)
Oh, now baby, please!
(Don’t you come back no more)
What you tryin’ to do to me?
(Don’t you come back no more)

For another song by Ray Charles: “What’d I Say.”

For More Golden Oldies Music

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop music, rock and roll hits, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

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