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Ray Charles — Hit The Road Jack
Album: Genius + Soul = Jazz
Avg rating:
8.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3397









Released: 1961
Length: 1:53
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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''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 said so
I'd 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'd 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
''don't you come back no more.''
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
''And 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.''
Oh, don't treat me like that
''don't you come back no more.''
Comments (181)add comment
 flyboy wrote:


I'm missing the Donald more every day.  I can't believe you people voted in this bozo schmuck, Joe.  Actually, I really don't believe that you did.



Please don't bring politics into this great comments board. BTW, surely, "The Donald" is a duck?
Posted 10 months ago by msbolton    [ Reply ]
 flyboy wrote:


I'm missing the Donald more every day.  I can't believe you people voted in this bozo schmuck, Joe.  Actually, I really don't believe that you did.

Whatever you say trumptard 
Posted 1 year ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 flyboy wrote:
I'm missing the Donald more every day.  I can't believe you people voted in this bozo schmuck, Joe.  Actually, I really don't believe that you did.

Joe is a mild case of the sniffles.
Trump is cancer.
Terminal.
Posted 1 year ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 maxvonevil wrote:



Is that trailer full of classified documents ?!?!?!
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
GREAT!! ICONIC!! I was 6yrs old when this song came out. It was played a lot on the NYC  AM radio stations at that time. I loved it then & I still love it!  Thanx RP   
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 jimcummings wrote:

I miss Ray more than any other performer that has passed in my time. As a very young man I got to see and work with many of the greatest performers of the day (I was the PR Director at the Latin Casino, a large nightclub outside Philly). Later I was in the record biz as a promo guy. No one matched Ray. He played the Latin twice in my time there, both times for a month, twice a night. I never missed a show. No show was the same and every show was electric. Thanks, Ray!



Great story! Thanks!
Posted 2 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by Luumu    [ Reply ]
 jelgator wrote:



We didn't.
speak only for yourself

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 flyboy wrote:


I'm missing the Donald more every day.  I can't believe you people voted in this bozo schmuck, Joe.  Actually, I really don't believe that you did.



We didn't.
Posted 2 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
GODLIKE!!!  ICONIC!!!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 flyboy wrote:


I'm missing the Donald more every day.  I can't believe you people voted in this bozo schmuck, Joe.  Actually, I really don't believe that you did.


I can't stop laughing... 
Posted 3 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
This has to be the shortest song that deserves a 10
Posted 3 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:

Hit the road Donald and don't you..



I'm missing the Donald more every day.  I can't believe you people voted in this bozo schmuck, Joe.  Actually, I really don't believe that you did.
Posted 3 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
I like the way Tom Petty does this
It's Alright !!
Posted 3 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:

Hit the road Donald and don't you..



Posted 3 years ago by maxvonevil    [ Reply ]
Hit the road Donald and don't you..
Posted 4 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
once my oldest son saw "Ray" he had an epiphany and started focusing on playing his piano and keyboards more without me bugging him.  He started with classical music and then Ray came in!  thank you Ray.  My son is now an accomplished player.
Posted 4 years ago by drwhy    [ Reply ]
I miss Ray more than any other performer that has passed in my time. As a very young man I got to see and work with many of the greatest performers of the day (I was the PR Director at the Latin Casino, a large nightclub outside Philly). Later I was in the record biz as a promo guy. No one matched Ray. He played the Latin twice in my time there, both times for a month, twice a night. I never missed a show. No show was the same and every show was electric. Thanks, Ray!
Posted 4 years ago by jimcummings    [ Reply ]
10 isn't even close. 11? 12? Maybe. 
Posted 4 years ago by andy.ormsby955    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by pvcnote    [ Reply ]
It's the great Margie Hendrix who "don't care if he do."
Posted 6 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
 smackiepipe wrote:
Too short! Couldn't get in to comment before it was over. Great Tune!

 
In 1961, music was still on short play 45s.
Posted 6 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajam}
Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}
Posted 7 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
Too short! Couldn't get in to comment before it was over. Great Tune!
Posted 7 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]

Wow, great setlist going right now!
Posted 7 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
 Biscobret wrote:
Makes me want to drop everything & watch 'The Fisher King' !!!

 
Exactly!
Posted 9 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
The_Walrus wrote:
IMHO one of the coolest records ever made
  
maruschka wrote:
Yes!
 
And 1961 too. Genius.
Posted 9 years ago by easmann    [ Reply ]
 Antigone wrote:

Wow. Small world. The Grill has the best breakfast anywhere. And it's in my home town!

Back to Ray ... having seen 20 Feet From Stardom recently, I wonder who's singing backup ...

 
Seek and ye shall find.

"Hit the Road Jack" is a song written by rhythm and bluesman Percy Mayfield and first recorded in 1960 as an a cappella demo sent to Art Rupe. It became famous after it was recorded by singer-songwriter-pianist Ray Charles with The Raelettes vocalist Margie Hendricks.

Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 The_Walrus wrote:
IMHO one of the coolest records ever made

 
Yes!
Posted 10 years ago by maruschka    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
Walked into The Little Grill in Harrisonburg VA for breakfast on Sunday, and this was blasting away on the house system. If you have a chance  to visit Harrisonburg, seek out The Little Grill. Tiny, funky, and the best restaurant breakfast I've had since Mama's Royal Cafe in Oakland many years ago.

 
Wow. Small world. The Grill has the best breakfast anywhere. And it's in my home town!

Back to Ray ... having seen 20 Feet From Stardom recently, I wonder who's singing backup ...
Posted 10 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
IMHO one of the coolest records ever made
Posted 10 years ago by The_Walrus    [ Reply ]
I never realized the true genius of Ray Charles until I saw the film "RAY". Jamie Foxx nailed it. I now see RC as one the greatest artists ever, especially considering the time period and personal challenges he had. Just saying....
Posted 11 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]
{#Cheers}  As good as it gets - a B I G  fat 10
Posted 11 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Makes me want to drop everything & watch 'The Fisher King' !!!
Posted 11 years ago by Biscobret    [ Reply ]
10 all the way. When my dad listened to Ray Charles I didn't realize how cool either one of them were.
Posted 11 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

This is a classic song. You join 4 others out of 823 who've rated this song "1".....think about that. That's a minority of  0.0061%, one of the smallest minorities I've ever seen.


 
Clearly, you have never been to the Conference for Little People in Las Vegas.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:

Wow...  way to inject politics into something that is completely without a political message.  Typical.


 
Wow...  looks like you inject politics into everything.  You're Ideology is clear 'byronAPE' living in 'post-capitalist wreckage'.   You're a jerk! LOL 
Posted 11 years ago by WannabeBanned    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:

Wow...  way to inject politics into something that is completely without a political message.  Typical.


 

Mea culpa.  I suppose I can expect the IRS to come knocking on my door in the dead of night for that little transgression.


Posted 11 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 joelbb wrote:

Wonderlizard, you actually had breakfast at MRC?  The BEST omelets in the world.  OMG, I didn't know there was anyone else out there old enough to know of the place.  Also a Godlike 10.

 
I went to college in H-burg back in the late 80s - early 90s when the Little Grill got its start.  Always make sure to fit in a visit when I am back home.  Your comment just made me very nostalgic...
Posted 11 years ago by Nuaka    [ Reply ]
Listening to RP during a four hour train ride (another advantage of rail!), and although there has been lots of great music, this is the first one that has me bopping in my seat in public. Just can't stop...

If this isn't godlike, no music is...
Posted 11 years ago by NewFee    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
Walked into The Little Grill in Harrisonburg VA for breakfast on Sunday, and this was blasting away on the house system. If you have a chance  to visit Harrisonburg, seek out The Little Grill. Tiny, funky, and the best restaurant breakfast I've had since Mama's Royal Cafe in Oakland many years ago.
 
Wonderlizard, you actually had breakfast at MRC?  The BEST omelets in the world.  OMG, I didn't know there was anyone else out there old enough to know of the place.  Also a Godlike 10.
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
Godlike.  Just no question.
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
Walked into The Little Grill in Harrisonburg VA for breakfast on Sunday, and this was blasting away on the house system. If you have a chance  to visit Harrisonburg, seek out The Little Grill. Tiny, funky, and the best restaurant breakfast I've had since Mama's Royal Cafe in Oakland many years ago.
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Play it as often as you want, Bill.  It's one of THE all-time great soul-rock cuts.  Utterly nonpareil.
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
I always think of the movie The Fisher King when I hear this song.
Posted 12 years ago by GalileoCoffeeCo    [ Reply ]
This is the first time I hear the same song on RP in a two hour span. It was played for the first time at 10:42 am and for the second time at 11:24 am. Strange. 
Posted 12 years ago by cenesizo    [ Reply ]
Please! We heard this about 10 minutes ago!
Posted 12 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
A song about Dr. Kervorkian!
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Bill is on a ROAD TRIP !!!!!
Posted 12 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:
 
Oh, damn, how i do love a joy ride!

Lighten up, people! 
Posted 12 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:

 
Wow...  way to inject politics into something that is completely without a political message.  Typical.

Posted 12 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear this great tune I see little Shane Heal wiping away a tear as he fouls out of the NBL semi finals at an ecstatic Croc-pit and it makes me smile. 
Posted 13 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
I Like!

Posted 13 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
Awwwwwwright!
Posted 13 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]

Posted 13 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Love you Luke. Remember - you do the girl part, I'll do the boy. Well...............
Posted 13 years ago by katiediddler    [ Reply ]
Perfect for working in the garage on a project.
Posted 13 years ago by Where_and_When    [ Reply ]
Another great one from Ray.
Posted 13 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
From what I remember this was in a shampoo commercial.
Posted 13 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
From what I remember, this tune won a Grammy.  Bill plays only the classiest music!
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]

My 5 year old son and I do a great version of this.


Posted 14 years ago by katiediddler    [ Reply ]
This is part of what the US has legated to the world in terms of musical excellence! Here is to the great Mr. Ray Charles! forever alive through his ageless music! {#Cheers}
Posted 14 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
yeah girls make em cry, poor old ray!  Love these girls! Yeah, what you say! Sweet tunes!
Posted 14 years ago by buzmaggie    [ Reply ]
What you SAY??!!!!


Posted 14 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:

Ray Charles by ~photoart1
William Harris   ©2005-2010 ~photoart1

Ray Charles in concert at a California Central Valley County Fair


 
Now there was a man who could rock a bowtie.

Posted 14 years ago by osbyec    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

This is a classic song. You join 4 others out of 823 who've rated this song "1".....think about that. That's a minority of  0.0061%, one of the smallest minorities I've ever seen.

 

Your math may be off, but your point is right on.
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Great
Posted 14 years ago by Tiik    [ Reply ]

Ray Charles by ~photoart1
William Harris   ©2005-2010 ~photoart1

Ray Charles in concert at a California Central Valley County Fair





Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Just had Bob Brozman, Down the Road.
Now Ray Charles, Hit the Road.

If you play Beatles Abby Road next, Bill, you have to forfeit at least three of your (admittedly large number) of accumulated coolness points. Too straightforward. {#Mrgreen}
_________________

Update: Pixes: Here Comes Your Man. Bill's all-time coolness point high score holds. {#Wink}
Posted 14 years ago by danmc    [ Reply ]
There is a 70's Cambodian; Laotian; Vietnamese style cover of this that is just outstanding; good song.{#Clap}Great song to sing with your kids too.{#Bananapiano}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Don' t care if you do cause it's understood, you ain't got no money and you just ain't no good . . . 
Posted 14 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
What you say!
 
that's right!

Posted 14 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
 stevematic wrote:
{#Bananapiano}
 

Yeah - I'd like to do this right now
Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
What you say!
Posted 15 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}
Posted 15 years ago by stevematic    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
Trust me 007, it is a silent minority.  No puns intended.
 
My comment had an unfortunate accusatory tone, but, in truth, I was really just amazed by the numbers. There is, normally, nothing wrong with being in a minority, unless it's some violent extremist group. I love that Sci-Fi classic movie "Minority Report", it's an action movie for adults. The central idea of the movie, a 'Pre-Crime' squad - stopping crime before it happens, certainly resonates with the today's (much debated) notion of the preemptive strike to prevent terrorist attacks.

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Netto wrote:

OST of The Fisher King by Terry Gilliam, who is remember..

 



I is remember


Posted 15 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]

OST of The Fisher King by Terry Gilliam, who is remember..

 



Posted 15 years ago by Netto    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

This is a classic song. You join 4 others out of 823 who've rated this song "1".....think about that. That's a minority of  0.0061%(rounded), one of the smallest minorities I've ever seen.
 

Trust me 007, it is a silent minority.  No puns intended.
Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
Hate it.  Yes.  That's right.  I hate it.  Sue me.  I give it a 1.  I would give it a lower rating if I could.
 
This is a classic song. You join 4 others out of 823 who've rated this song "1".....think about that. That's a minority of  0.0061%, one of the smallest minorities I've ever seen.

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


Love it...
 

Hate it.  Yes.  That's right.  I hate it.  Sue me.  I give it a 1.  I would give it a lower rating if I could.
Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Very nice !
Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 jonahboo wrote:


NOT A WOODY - BUT HERE IS OUR CRUIZER

  Outstanding! That is a gorgeous car. I have two 90's wagons, a '91 Olds and a '94 Caprice, I hope to turn them into one showstopper like yours. Wow.


Posted 15 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]


NOT A WOODY - BUT HERE IS OUR CRUIZER

Posted 15 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
Fouled out!
 
Damn straight!  I will never forget seeing Shane Heal cry as he fouled out of the NBL finals up in Townsville and like the kind fans we were we danced on our seats to this one and did a lot of pointing and laughing.
Posted 15 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of riding in the back seat of our woodie station wagon with the rusted out floorboard going to the beach singing along like crazy to Ray coming at us from the AM radio. The radio was a miracle of technology. It had a knob type tuner but you could actually push a little lever and it would find a channel. Holy cow. This was in 1961, mind you, when the song came out. (So car must have been about a 1956 or so to have had time to have the floorboard rust out—even an old Ford occasionally driven along the ocean's edge would have taken a while to achieve that trick.)
Posted 15 years ago by FrankMc    [ Reply ]
Fouled out!
Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
This song is so good.
Posted 15 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
None Better, end of story
Posted 15 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
It just doesn't get much better than this. Mr. Charles is a genius.

Posted 15 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
my first 45, I think it was 1963,  the very beginning of my music collection, stands the test of time, still sounds great!!!
Posted 15 years ago by musicdan    [ Reply ]
I want to hit the road now. Can hardly wait 'til five...{#Motor}
Posted 15 years ago by gobits    [ Reply ]
Ray Charles gonna ring my chimes, classic one of the songs ya think of when ya think about Ray, a man of many 10's, saw Ray and the Raylettes in a very small joint when he wasn't a big draw, in his inbetween years and one of the best preformances I have seen
Posted 15 years ago by stkman    [ Reply ]
Just say the word baby {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 16 years ago by monoatomic    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}
Posted 16 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
 TanteJensen wrote:
Geeez, not one single complaining comment! Watchu thinkin? Okay, so let's get it over with:

"The guy can't keep a note, hate it hate it hate, was better when he didn't have a major company contract, overplayed, ain't the real stuff, repeating lyrics."

That should cover it. Oh, wait: "Texas sucks!"

No, just kidding. Instant 10.
 
You forgot "meh" and "dated". Ten here too.
Posted 16 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
What he said.    {#Arrowd}
Posted 16 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
A freakin' CLASSIC, if ever there was one!
Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
Compact, crisp, clear and not a note wasted.  Perfect.
 
The precision of the back beat is astounding. Indeed, a perfect example of songwriting and performing.

Posted 16 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Compact, crisp, clear and not a note wasted.  Perfect.
Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}

breakin out the banana piano!
Posted 16 years ago by vonwienerhousen    [ Reply ]
Geeez, not one single complaining comment! Watchu thinkin? Okay, so let's get it over with:

"The guy can't keep a note, hate it hate it hate, was better when he didn't have a major company contract, overplayed, ain't the real stuff, repeating lyrics."

That should cover it. Oh, wait: "Texas sucks!"

No, just kidding. Instant 10.
Posted 16 years ago by TanteJensen    [ Reply ]
Wonderful!  Does anyone know who the woman singing is?  As good as Ray was, she makes this song.  And I must commend Musikala for the dancing picture perfectly in sync!!{#Dance}

Posted 16 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in years -  Still puts a smile on my face and makes me want to dance around like a kid!! THANKS!{#Sunny}

Posted 16 years ago by PinkFlamingo69    [ Reply ]
Godlike; like you would not believe.
Posted 16 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
it's been a while sice i rated anything, but this clearly deserves a 10!!
Posted 16 years ago by whiskey    [ Reply ]
Damn! I missed it!
Posted 16 years ago by 93vx800    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by jonnybolo    [ Reply ]
Of course, Godlike!
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
My name is Jack, and I specifically remember crying when I first heard this song (I was about 5); it was in the kitchen of that old house we lived in on Mt. Pleasant. I remember my mom laughing and then comforting me.
Posted 17 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
one of my favorite childhood memories...playing this on a reel-to-reel tape on my mom's "hi-fi" stereo and dancing around the living room.
Posted 17 years ago by greg6494    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by Inflatablewoman    [ Reply ]
keller1 wrote:
I can't hear this without thinking of Peter Boyle in The Dream Team. Classic.
I always think of the opening sequence of The Fisher King. "Jack Lucas, the face behind the voice."
Posted 17 years ago by tinybubbles    [ Reply ]
ThePoose wrote:
What's a ''Road Jack''? Maybe he meant Hit the Road, Jack.
My kids used to think the song was about a cat. . . hit the road cat. . .
Posted 17 years ago by wferrier    [ Reply ]
Oh HELL YES! Ray mid afternoon is awesome. Thanks Bill. Next: Jumpin' Jack Flash?
Posted 17 years ago by mikexican    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by suitep    [ Reply ]
What's a Road Jack and why would anyone want to hit it? Methinks he meant Hit the Road, Jack.

Commas are essential, everyone.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]