Ray Charles quotes - page 2

I don't think any of us really knows why we're here. But I think we're supposed to believe we're here for a purpose. (Ray Charles)
If you can play the blues, you can do anything.
Ray Charles
I got a woman way over town, That's good to me, Oh yeah!
Ray Charles
Yeah yeah, what'd I say, all right Well, tell me what'd I say, yeah Tell me what'd I say right now Tell me what'd I say.
Ray Charles
Every music has its own soul, Quincy.
Ray Charles
Then there were motorcycles. I learned to ride one in Tallahassee when I was about 14 or 15. ... I got to know the town pretty well, and soon I felt confident about riding round. Tallahassee was full of hills, and I loved racing up and down 'em, sometimes trailing my friend or riding next to him, so I could hear the sound of the exhaust and make sure to follow closely and yet not too closely. I know it sounds strange - a blind teenager buzzin' round on a motorcycle - but I liked that; that was me. I had always been nervy, and I always had a lot of faith in my ability not to break my neck.
Ray Charles
I just want to make my mark, leave something musically good behind. If it's a big record, that's the frosting on the cake, but music's the main meal.
Ray Charles
Do it right or don't do it at all.
Ray Charles
Other arms reach out to me Other eyes smile tenderly Still in peaceful dreams I see The road leads back to you. Georgia, oh Georgia, no peace I find... Just an old sweet song Keeps Georgia on my mind.
Ray Charles
Affluence separates people. Poverty knits 'em together.
Ray Charles
There are many spokes on the wheel of life. First, we're here to explore new possibilities. (Ray Charles)
Any artist, when he goes in to record, should have the feeling that any song he records can be a hit. This may sound egotistical, but it makes sense.
Ray Charles
What makes my approach special is that I do different things. I do jazz, blues, country music and so forth. I do them all, like a good utility man.
Ray Charles
To me, music is entertainment - what else can it be? In fact, it's the only language I know of that's universal.
Ray Charles
Don't go backwards - you've already been there.
Ray Charles
Just because you can't see anything, doesn't mean you should shut your eyes.
Ray Charles
Music to me is like breathing. I don't get tired of breathing, I don't get tired of music.
Ray Charles
Dreams, if they're any good, are always a little bit crazy.
Ray Charles
What I've got to live up to, is being myself. If I do that, the rest will take care of itself.
Ray Charles
The important thing is to feel your music, really feel it and believe it.
Ray Charles
Affluence separates people. Poverty knits 'em together. You got some sugar and I don't; I borrow some of yours. Next month you might not have any flour; well, I'll give you some of mine. (Ray Charles)
Do it right or don't do it at all. That comes from my mom. If there's something I want to do, I'm one of those people that won't be satisfied until I get it done. If I'm trying to sing something and I can't get it, I'm going to keep at it until I get where I want it.
Ray Charles
My version of 'Georgia' became the state song of Georgia. That was a big thing for me, man. It really touched me. Here is a state that used to lynch people like me suddenly declaring my version of a song as its state song. That is touching.
Ray Charles
Music to me is just like breathing. I have to have it. It's part of me.
Ray Charles
[On his heroin addiction:] I did it to myself. It wasn't society...it wasn't a pusher, it wasn't being blind or being black or being poor. It was all my doing.
Ray Charles