I once wrote to Ray Charles when I was a youngster. He wrote back. It amazed me that a famous singer like him would take the time to reply to a letter from a nobody. He was someone you could respect. A great Songwriter.
@dielauwen you did what I had wanted to! For almost as long as I can remember I idolized Ray. I fantasized writing to him, but never did. I was blessed to see him in person on a handful of occasions.
this was my fiancee's favorite song. he cried everytime he heard it. tragically, he was killed in a head on car acccident on 4/30/10. this was to be our wedding song. everytime i hear it, it makes me want to cry. he loved me in a place with no space or time. i can't help but dance whenever i play this video. RIP ted murray. i love you.
Ray Charles had such charisma and he was without a shadow of doubt, such a musician with one of the most beautiful voices in the music business. I was lucky to see him performing live a few years before he passed away. What a voice! and such a beautiful song! Thank you very much for uploading here. Just great!
I watched one of Elvis's last performance . I know what your talking about ! I wish I could have seen this great man sing ! I guess some of us were fortunate to witness some great entertainers in life .
I can listen to it all the time, all over again and again... It's incredible, so touching and deep... It makes my soul fly high... I feel like i'm in heaven when i hear it. RIP Ray. You are the best for ever
I come back to this song often as it is a great example of how Ray Charles could take a song and OWN IT. He truly is a genius and he has some much soul in his voice.
no one and I mean no one can sing this song like Ray Charles!!!! I love that man's voice. So much soul and pain in his voice. I love me some blues and I'm only 33 lol
To possess the ability and talent to touch people so deeply with that powerful and tender voice, he was truly blessed by God. Thank you thank you thank you Brother Ray-
Looking back over Ray' life I see every lyric going out to his wife. Through the years of touring, drugs, other women, she never failed him and they never split up. I have some awesome memories because my brother designed the home here in California and at the bottom of the swimming pool, in tiles was a grand piano.
Sadly, also, i think Ray stopped writing his own songs when he left Atlantic, as he made more money doing covers. I always preferred the music he wrote himself, but do love his cover of this song. I bought the album My World when I saw him perform this on british tv in the mid nineties, it was the first time I heard the song. Also, check out If I Could from the same album.
whoever has been saying they dont like Ray Charles, and putting thumbs down on his vids, are fool.. they dont know real music when they hear it.. Ray Charles. I love you!!!! You are AMAZING..SPECTACULAR!! You will ALWAYS ALWAYS live in our hearts forever.
This was my dad's song and when he passed, this song was playing on the radio. It played over and over for weeks, I couldn't help listen to the words and I realized that he wasn't a man that expressed himself. I really understand how he felt because this was his song...singing his song for me.
His boigraphy was on tv tonight, how enlightening it was! A window into his life drugs and women. No man could have ever lived and been loved as Ray! His mother died at 30 and he was orphaned at 14 years old. Thank god his mother taught him how to live. He went blind at the age of 5! I didnt know anything until tonight! What a great man he was!
The Greatest Musician on Earth, hope you can entertain the angels in heaven just like the way you entertained us on earth. Thank you for your beautiful music and we all miss you.
I loveeeee Ray Charles. I have seen him live soo many times. My mother loved him & in the 1950's she played his albums CONSTANTLY. It is no wonder that I do the same & my son grew-up listening to him becasue I played his albums constantly. I took my son to see him in the 1980's & even though my son was in his teens at the time & loving the heavy metal music he was blown away by Ray & loves him as much as I do.
Ray made this song his own. Yes, it was very much Leon Russell's greatest composition, but it was Ray who really gave life to it, made it the supreme love song that it became.
No one can sing it quite like Ray Charles; it doesn't matter what the song is. He always adds depth & soul to any song, making you hear it in a new way. He could sing the phone book & I'd still listen. His was the first album I ever bought as a kid, singing Hank Williams as no one else ever could.
Woah! I just realized that i have the same birthday as Ray, and he performed this wonderful song on my birth year! Ray + this song is just simply stunning!
This video is easily my favorite RUclips video of all time. We are all so lucky it was recorded. It is an instructional video for eagles aspiring to soar.
RAY CHARLES! "The Genius" he was called! After watching this incredible video, I would call him "The Amazing Genius." Wow! What soul! What a voice! Ray set the standard for everyone who followed him! Few if anyone has equaled him! The "Genius" was in a class by himself!
1965 I saw him live in concert with entire stage show at OHIO UNIVERSTY-18,000. He was INCREDIBLE . The RULE was nothing past midnight. He started at 8:30. At midnight NO ONE had left & applause & roaring was huge. WE STOOD & cheered & cheered He stood & the place went dead quiet. "You know I cant see the world. My eyes are my ears. I can see that all 18,000 of you are still here & loving this music with me. Dont care what they say about midnight with this much loving I'm still singing.,
I was THE Leon fan in the 70's. His song writing will never get the credit it deserves, but.....we know how great he is, eh? There is no doubt in my mind I was verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry fortunate to see Leon...hmmmm....4 times in the 70's....Keep rockin' my OK friend...
There was a time in my life I thought there would always be Ray Charles. I simply couldn't imagine a world without Ray. Well, I was right. He'll be here long after I'm gone. And I like it that way; Ray Charles for the rest of my life.
..and when my life is over, I will remember when we were together... thank you so much for posting the BEST version of this song. Ray puts his whole soul into this one. RIP Ray.
Ray sings it very well. AND Leon Russell is NOT one of the most underrated performers. He's never been forgotten to many people I know. Even my son listens to this music.
Ray Charles nails what is to me one of the most beautiful love songs ever written (Leon Russell). There is not now or in the past anyone that can interpret a song like Ray Charles.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this post. I am so sick of reading comments from a bunch of wannabees who dare to critique the brilliance and interpretation of this song by this legend. Things like, "his breathing wasn't correct" and "his voice was weaker at this part" or whatever other crap they need to say to make themselves feel like they are on a higher level than everybody else. 9 times out of 10, these "experts" on music and breathing and notes have no idea how to interpret a song.
No one - not even Martin Luther King - did more for race relations in this country than Ray Charles. He introduced a lot of white people to gospel influenced r'n'b with I Got A Woman and What'd I Say,, and then he turned around and recorded Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (against the advice of almost everyone) and made country - the whitest white music - acceptable to black audiences. And in the process, he put to lie the notion that country music was simplistic drivel fit only for ignorant hicks. Ray was so impossible to pigeonhole, they had to create a whole new genre - soul music, and never was a tag more fitting. RIP, Brother Ray.
This just goes to show that talent will out. All those Southern Racists who wouldn't let him play in the hotels and eat in their restaurants just could not stop this explosive talent.. Thank God he had the energy to pursue his talent and allow those bigots to get in his way. A lesson for all those who experience discrimination.
Nostalgic, indeed. This song takes me down memory lane. It reminds me of the girls I had loved before: the girls who assaulted my heart and those who mended it. Thank you Mr Ray Charles for this elegant love song. Music is the second oxygen.
Well written by Leon Russell, well performed by Ray Charles, both have left us, sadly so many of my favorites are passing on, I must be getting old ;-)
I was just about to post that those are the best versions of this song. Leon. Donny and Ray just sang the song with natural emotion and emphasized the lyrics and melody. They didn't need all the vocal hysterics to get the feeling of the song across. By the way, I was alive during that time and I've taught my kids to appreciate quality music.
ALL HEART! Thanks Ray (and Leon for creating this song). This song is not about external perfection - it's about love from one flawed person to another! ETERNAL!
This is just one of those songs that is good by numerous people. Ray and Leon have a lot of support on here, but Donnie Hathaway, Simply Red, Amy Winehouse, Michael Buble and yes, even the Carpenters versions are all very good. I can't say I have a favorite one.
I feel like I should have been born 50 years ago....Now Music superstars make songs about their fat butt -___- This guy was a geniuis and I would dance all night to his songs ! Fuck me
nanakysmile I'm 67,so I got to hear a great deal of stuff when it was fresh. Considering there was the cable/satellite TV,internet,cell phones,and ,for a time,no color TV,or FM radio. In the 60's,could hear distant AM stations from Chicago,St Louis,Detroit,Nashville,at night,maybe. Always loved Ray Charles sound back then and always.
+nanakysmile Well, ray charles have songs that say "Shake that thing" many times lol, so every generation got to be more open with their messages instead of just sending indirectional message don't you think?
you realize that 60 years from now people will be staring at their moms old one direction posters, wearing "vintage ugg boots" complaining that they were born in the wrong era
Damn!!!! I searched A Song For You looking for whitney and this came up. I never heard Rays version, now I am sitting here at work with tears in my eyes. I love this man so much and miss his amazing talent so much!!!!
![YoungBoy Never Broke Again - Sneaking [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ILUps2zDFU/mqdefault.jpg)
I once wrote to Ray Charles when I was a youngster. He wrote back. It amazed me that a famous singer like him would take the time to reply to a letter from a nobody.
He was someone you could respect. A great Songwriter.
A great person never sees anyone as no one.
@dielauwen you did what I had wanted to! For almost as long as I can remember I idolized Ray. I fantasized writing to him, but never did. I was blessed to see him in person on a handful of occasions.
esp amazing since he couldn't read or write by himself! what a gesture from him and whoever helped
@@gheewhizhe wrote and read in Brail
Ray Charles did it all - Top 40, Gospel, Country, Standards and most everything else. There's no one else like him.
if this guy got a hold of a song ...it was most likely the best version you ever heard of it ,,the feeling pours out incredibly
Just incredible. Brings tears to your eyes. Mr. Russell could sure write great songs. (Ray too!)
Incomparable
+Thomas Branch, amen!
A song for you was written by Donny Hathaway
@@gregnewby2856 it was written by Leon Russell.
this was my fiancee's favorite song. he cried everytime he heard it. tragically, he was killed in a head on car acccident on 4/30/10. this was to be our wedding song. everytime i hear it, it makes me want to cry. he loved me in a place with no space or time. i can't help but dance whenever i play this video. RIP ted murray. i love you.
So sorry for your loss. Great memory of this song with him though. To be cherished
So very sorry for your loss.
Jesus
Ray Charles had such charisma and he was without a shadow of doubt, such a musician with one of the most beautiful voices in the music business. I was lucky to see him performing live a few years before he passed away. What a voice! and such a beautiful song!
Thank you very much for uploading here. Just great!
I watched one of Elvis's last performance . I know what your talking about ! I wish I could have seen this great man sing !
I guess some of us were fortunate to witness some great entertainers in life .
The best version! He's so good live.
If they ever had so send a song into space for other worlds to hear, it would be this one and this version.
I agree
Agreed.
I can listen to it all the time, all over again and again... It's incredible, so touching and deep... It makes my soul fly high... I feel like i'm in heaven when i hear it. RIP Ray. You are the best for ever
I come back to this song often as it is a great example of how Ray Charles could take a song and OWN IT. He truly is a genius and he has some much soul in his voice.
no one and I mean no one can sing this song like Ray Charles!!!! I love that man's voice. So much soul and pain in his voice. I love me some blues and I'm only 33 lol
I like this but Donny Hathaway's rendition is the most soulful.
Diane Cottrell I've been into Ray since I found him when I was 24. I found another artist I like too (randy newman).
To possess the ability and talent to touch people so deeply with that powerful and tender voice, he was truly blessed by God.
Thank you thank you thank you Brother Ray-
Looking back over Ray' life I see every lyric going out to his wife. Through the years of touring, drugs, other women, she never failed him and they never split up. I have some awesome memories because my brother designed the home here in California and at the bottom of the swimming pool, in tiles was a grand piano.
Not to take anything away from him and perhaps you are correct, but this song was written by Leon Russell.
His family also had a house near Tampa Florida as I recall.
Sadly, also, i think Ray stopped writing his own songs when he left Atlantic, as he made more money doing covers. I always preferred the music he wrote himself, but do love his cover of this song. I bought the album My World when I saw him perform this on british tv in the mid nineties, it was the first time I heard the song. Also, check out If I Could from the same album.
Until they did split up
whoever has been saying they dont like Ray Charles, and putting thumbs down on his vids, are fool.. they dont know real music when they hear it.. Ray Charles. I love you!!!! You are AMAZING..SPECTACULAR!! You will ALWAYS ALWAYS live in our hearts forever.
This was my dad's song and when he passed, this song was playing on the radio. It played over and over for weeks, I couldn't help listen to the words and I realized that he wasn't a man that expressed himself. I really understand how he felt because this was his song...singing his song for me.
His boigraphy was on tv tonight, how enlightening it was! A window into his life drugs and women. No man could have ever lived and been loved as Ray! His mother died at 30 and he was orphaned at 14 years old. Thank god his mother taught him how to live. He went blind at the age of 5! I didnt know anything until tonight! What a great man he was!
all we can say is just fantastic and we all miss Ray he was truly gifted
es interesante que alguiencomo ray charly
You make believe in my decisions!! I must be happy without reservations
Man, to have a time machine and be able to go back to hear this in person...
One song I'd like to be able to give multiple thumbs up to.
TheFloridaPappy so true
Ray's rendition is quintessentially the best version in my opinion.
Leon Russell, R.I.P, God bless your soul!
Thank you Mr. Leon Russel for this beautiful undying song... R.I.P. Leon. R.I.P. Ray. God Bless your Souls!
@cbrl9 I'm 53 years old and my mom and dad played Ray all our life growing up......and I miss him like I knew him.
Every once and awhile you get lost for words. This is one of those times
Thankyou Tony Delroy on the ABC Australia for playing this late one night. I have now discovered Ray Charles and a perfect song.
If you dislike this probably, you've never been in love or you have no soul.. For me he's the greatest artist of our time.
no one could ever compare to the greatness that is Ray Charles.
God blassed us giving us Ray Charles
The Greatest Musician on Earth, hope you can entertain the angels in heaven just like the way you entertained us on earth. Thank you for your beautiful music and we all miss you.
Ray Charles and Lou Rawles! Takes me back to my childhood when celebrities had integrity and raw talent that made u feel something deep inside!
I loveeeee Ray Charles. I have seen him live soo many times. My mother loved him & in the 1950's she played his albums CONSTANTLY. It is no wonder that I do the same & my son grew-up listening to him becasue I played his albums constantly. I took my son to see him in the 1980's & even though my son was in his teens at the time & loving the heavy metal music he was blown away by Ray & loves him as much as I do.
tears rolling down my cheeks... so beautiful !
Ray performs this masterpiece with respect for its writer Leon Russell's original delivery. Praise from Caesar.
Legendary stuff right here
Ray made this song his own. Yes, it was very much Leon Russell's greatest composition, but it was Ray who really gave life to it, made it the supreme love song that it became.
i love this song especially this version of Ray Charles
Brilliant!! This is what the definition of Soul is... Not many around like this anymore...
R.I.P. Leon Russell and Ray Charles. We will forever miss them both.
YESSSSS! I am missing them both right now! Damn, what a song!
Merci a vous qui que vous soyez pour cette interprétation de grand chanteur est inoubliable Ray Charles magnifique voix merci RUclips France
will not lost then remembering so great. my idol Ray Charles
No one can sing it quite like Ray Charles; it doesn't matter what the song is. He always adds depth & soul to any song, making you hear it in a new way. He could sing the phone book & I'd still listen. His was the first album I ever bought as a kid, singing Hank Williams as no one else ever could.
Brilliant brilliant song ! Doesn't get much better than this !
Woah! I just realized that i have the same birthday as Ray, and he performed this wonderful song on my birth year! Ray + this song is just simply stunning!
He sings this song from the soul. Karen Carpenter signs it from the heart. Thank you Leon Russell.
This video is easily my favorite RUclips video of all time. We are all so lucky it was recorded. It is an instructional video for eagles aspiring to soar.
a legend before my time ..a great the great Ray Charles R.I. im loveing this song
RAY CHARLES! "The Genius" he was called!
After watching this incredible video, I would call him "The Amazing Genius."
Wow! What soul! What a voice!
Ray set the standard for everyone who followed him! Few if anyone has equaled him! The "Genius" was in a class by himself!
I love Donny cover of this song I play it over 20 times and I said to myself ray will kill this and he did omg it gets me emotional
+datoneman26 And he did. But I think Donny's got more emotion in it, don't you?
Sharon your comment suks
I know what you mean this is better, stronger and more soulful that Leon. Ray could deliver any song!
the only acceptable cover of Leon's song...the great Ray Charles.
+kandy langford , Have you heard Donny Hathaway cover this song? Also a beautiful rendition
+kandy langford wrong--Only Karen Carpenter sang it the correct way, the only way it should have been sung
+Randy Chaffee no, Donny sang it wrong, only Karen Carpenter sang this great song correctly
That there is even this argument is a testament to a great song writer.
+Randy Chaffee yup - donny nailed it
1965 I saw him live in concert with entire stage show at OHIO UNIVERSTY-18,000. He was INCREDIBLE . The RULE was nothing past midnight. He started at 8:30. At midnight NO ONE had left & applause & roaring was huge. WE STOOD & cheered & cheered He stood & the place went dead quiet. "You know I cant see the world. My eyes are my ears. I can see that all 18,000 of you are still here & loving this music with me. Dont care what they say about midnight with this much loving I'm still singing.,
I Love you RAY. Thank You So Much!
This is my favorite version Ray does of this incredible song written by the wonderful Leon Russell
Beautiful song, with beautiful chords that make the birth of a nice melody possible. I love it!!
Luis Cabrera ?
I was THE Leon fan in the 70's. His song writing will never get the credit it deserves, but.....we know how great he is, eh? There is no doubt in my mind I was verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry fortunate to see Leon...hmmmm....4 times in the 70's....Keep rockin' my OK friend...
Como no disfrutar a un cantante como lo fué Ray Charles.......esta canción es apenas una pequeña muestra de lo que el nos daba.
thank you ray for reminding me why i always loved leon russel, beautiful cover
RIP, Leon, Sail on, Maestro
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤sinks deep in my heart, teaches me how to give and recieve love
There was a time in my life I thought there would always be Ray Charles. I simply couldn't imagine a world without Ray. Well, I was right. He'll be here long after I'm gone. And I like it that way; Ray Charles for the rest of my life.
This song was composed in the heaven.....
MIssing you so much tonight, Dad.
Thank you for this song.
Absolutely wonderful....
I wish it were, I'd call him right away and beg him to come back to us. The man was a genius who gave the world a lifetime of musical love and joy.
Classic! Thanks for sharing.
What a performance !!! Sad. I can not think of nothing but a funeral when I hear this. Any body feel the same way? But I love this song !!!
It brings me to tears each time I hear it. Just so moving...
I NEVER FORGET HIM!!!!!!
its for me still a wonder how good a blind guy can play the piano and sing
ray u were one of the best!!
Какой же он невероятный!!!! Как же я его люблю!!!
..and when my life is over, I will remember when we were together... thank you so much for posting the BEST version of this song. Ray puts his whole soul into this one. RIP Ray.
MR. #RayCharles I Miss you!!! #BetoSaroldi
wow.this man could really sing.leon should be proud to have a performer such as this sing his song.ray Charles.the best!!!!
It is WOW!
Ray sings it very well. AND Leon Russell is NOT one of the most underrated performers. He's never been forgotten to many people I know. Even my son listens to this music.
RIP Leon Russell
Ray Charles nails what is to me one of the most beautiful love songs ever written (Leon Russell). There is not now or in the past anyone that can interpret a song like Ray Charles.
Thinking of you tonight, Dad.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this post. I am so sick of reading comments from a bunch of wannabees who dare to critique the brilliance and interpretation of this song by this legend. Things like, "his breathing wasn't correct" and "his voice was weaker at this part" or whatever other crap they need to say to make themselves feel like they are on a higher level than everybody else. 9 times out of 10, these "experts" on music and breathing and notes have no idea how to interpret a song.
No one - not even Martin Luther King - did more for race relations in this country than Ray Charles. He introduced a lot of white people to gospel influenced r'n'b with I Got A Woman and What'd I Say,, and then he turned around and recorded Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (against the advice of almost everyone) and made country - the whitest white music - acceptable to black audiences. And in the process, he put to lie the notion that country music was simplistic drivel fit only for ignorant hicks. Ray was so impossible to pigeonhole, they had to create a whole new genre - soul music, and never was a tag more fitting. RIP, Brother Ray.
Other than John Brown, no man comes close to Dr. Martin Luther King - when it come to doing more (by giving his life) for race relations...
This just goes to show that talent will out. All those Southern Racists who wouldn't let him play in the hotels and eat in their restaurants just could not stop this explosive talent.. Thank God he had the energy to pursue his talent and allow those bigots to get in his way. A lesson for all those who experience discrimination.
Nostalgic, indeed. This song takes me down memory lane. It reminds me of the girls I had loved before: the girls who assaulted my heart and those who mended it. Thank you Mr Ray Charles for this elegant love song. Music is the second oxygen.
Thinking of you, Dad.
Thanks Brother Ray, Leon and even Willie did this song ...thanks.
Ray Charles was the best such a powerful voice.... R.I.P
And R.I.P to my wife's Mum who passed away on my Birthday 17 11 2013.... :(
R.I.P
Well written by Leon Russell, well performed by Ray Charles, both have left us, sadly so many of my favorites are passing on, I must be getting old ;-)
I've heard Donny Hathaways rendition a million times. Never knew Ray Charles sung it.
Sam F
Leon Russell, baby.
Leon Russell wrote this. Many have performed it
I was just about to post that those are the best versions of this song. Leon. Donny and Ray just sang the song with natural emotion and emphasized the lyrics and melody. They didn't need all the vocal hysterics to get the feeling of the song across. By the way, I was alive during that time and I've taught my kids to appreciate quality music.
Absolutely the best :))))
I heard the Simply Red version of this in Cuba and I had no idea it was a Ray Charles cover. Pure genius Ray. Loved it.
VERDADEIRO REI DA MUSICA
ALL HEART! Thanks Ray (and Leon for creating this song). This song is not about external perfection - it's about love from one flawed person to another! ETERNAL!
On Father's Day...for you, Dad.
A great rendition of a Leon. Russel oroginal!
This is just one of those songs that is good by numerous people. Ray and Leon have a lot of support on here, but Donnie Hathaway, Simply Red, Amy Winehouse, Michael Buble and yes, even the Carpenters versions are all very good. I can't say I have a favorite one.
Donny's ain't "very good"....
This is the best version existing. By a mile! 🙂
Different times.....gratefull to have had the oppurnity to be part ....RIP...Charles....and thank you..
Thank you- especially for the line-up. Too few contributors credit the whole band
I can't hear this sublime piece without crying,master piece,Ray Charles,just unique!
I feel like I should have been born 50 years ago....Now Music superstars make songs about their fat butt -___- This guy was a geniuis and I would dance all night to his songs ! Fuck me
Haha, word!
nanakysmile i understand you
nanakysmile I'm 67,so I got to hear a great deal of stuff when it was fresh. Considering there was the cable/satellite TV,internet,cell phones,and ,for a time,no color TV,or FM radio. In the 60's,could hear distant AM stations from Chicago,St Louis,Detroit,Nashville,at night,maybe. Always loved Ray Charles sound back then and always.
+nanakysmile Well, ray charles have songs that say "Shake that thing" many times lol, so every generation got to be more open with their messages instead of just sending indirectional message don't you think?
you realize that 60 years from now people will be staring at their moms old one direction posters, wearing "vintage ugg boots" complaining that they were born in the wrong era
Damn!!!! I searched A Song For You looking for whitney and this came up. I never heard Rays version, now I am sitting here at work with tears in my eyes. I love this man so much and miss his amazing talent so much!!!!
激動の20世紀を
代表する唯一無二のミュージシャン🎶❤
実際のコンサート
拝見したかったですが😅
配信のお陰で
永遠の天才が生き続けられますね～🎉🎶☘️