About the artist
Ray Charles, born Raymond Charles Robinson in 1930 in Georgia, was one of the most influential American musicians of the twentieth century. Blind from childhood, he built a career that fused gospel, blues, jazz and country into what became known as soul music, effectively creating the genre by bringing the fervor of church music into secular songs about love and heartbreak. Nicknamed «The Genius» and «The High Priest of Soul», he became a defining voice of American popular music.
His breakthrough recordings, including «I've Got a Woman» and «What'd I Say», fused sacred and secular sounds in a way that was considered radical at the time and laid the groundwork for soul music as a genre. He went on to record enduring hits such as «Georgia On My Mind», «Hit the Road Jack», «Unchain My Heart» and «I Can't Stop Loving You», the latter part of his landmark venture into country music, a genre-crossing move that was unusual for a Black R&B artist in that era.
Charles's ability to move fluidly between R&B, gospel, jazz, blues and country made him one of the great genre-blurring artists in American music history. He was ranked highly among the greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone, and was praised by peers including Frank Sinatra and Billy Joel for his singular influence. Ray Charles died in 2004.
Popular tracks
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Hit The Road Jack
en - 2
Georgia On My Mind
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I’ve Got a Woman
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You Don’t Know Me
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I Can’t Stop Loving You
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I Believe To My Soul
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What’d I Say
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Hallelujah, I Love Her So
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Come Rain or Come Shine
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A Song For You
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Seven Spanish Angels
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Unchain My Heart
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Am I Blue
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America the Beautiful
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(Night Time Is) The Right Time
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Crying Time
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Mess Around
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What’d I Say (Parts 1 & 2)
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That Spirit of Christmas
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Lift Every Voice and Sing
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In the Heat of the Night
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Mother
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Ellie My Love
en - 24
Born To Lose
en
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Discography
True Genius
2021
Forever
2013
Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters
2010
Ray Sings, Basie Swings
2006
Genius & Friends
2005
Genius Loves Company
2004
Visionary Soul
2002
Thanks for Bringing Love Around Again
2002
The Definitive Ray Charles
2001
Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection
1997
Strong Love Affair
1996
My World
1993
The Genius
1992
The Birth Of Soul: The Complete Atlantic Rhythm And Blues Recordings
1991
Would You Believe?
1990
His Greatest Hits Vol. 2
1987
His Greatest Hits Vol. 1
1987
The Spirit of Christmas
1985
Friendship
1984
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind
1984
Wish You Were Here Tonight
1983
Brother Ray Is at It Again!
1980
Ain’t It So
1979
Love & Peace
1978
True to Life
1977
Porgy & Bess
1976
My Kind of Jazz Part 3
1975
Renaissance
1975
Come Live With Me
1974
Jazz Number II
1973
Through the Eyes of Love
1972
A Message From the People
1972
A 25th Anniversary in Show Business Salute to Ray Charles
1971
Volcanic Action of My Soul
1971
My Kind of Jazz
1970
Love Country Style
1970
Ray Charles (1970)
1970
Love Country Style (2025 Remaster)
Doing His Thing
1969
I’m All Yours Baby!
1969
A Portrait of Ray
1968
Invites You to Listen
1967
Ray’s Moods
1966
Crying Time
1966
Live in Concert
1965
The Sensational Ray Charles
1965
Country and Western Meets Rhythm and Blues
1965
Sweet & Sour Tears
1964
Have A Smile With Me
1964
Ingredients In A Recipe For Soul
1963
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Volume Two
1962
Greatest Hits
1962
Modern Sounds In Country and Western Music
1962
The Genius Sings The Blues
1961
Ray Charles and Betty Carter
1961
Genius + Soul = Jazz
1961
Do the Twist! With Ray Charles
1961
Dedicated To You
1961
The Genius After Hours
1961
Soul Meeting
1961
The Genius Hits The Road
1960
The Genius of Ray Charles
1959
What’d I Say
1959
Yes Indeed!
1958
Ray Charles At Newport
1958
Soul Brothers
1958
The Great Ray Charles
1957
Ray Charles
1957