Classic Pop Icons

Ray Charles’ signature hit “What’d I Say” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons.

“What’d I Say” was released on single in July 1959, divided into Parts 1 and 2 on the A and B-sides of the single. It was also the title track of the “What’d I Say” album released three months later

“What’d I Say” began life as an improvised song at the end of a 1958 concert. In his 1978 autobiography, “Brother Ray: Ray Charles’ Own Story,” Charles recalled:

“We happened to be playing one of my last dances, somewhere in the Midwest, and I had another 12 minutes to kill before the set closed. A typical gig of that kind lasted four hours, including a 30-minute intermission. It was nearly 1 a.m., I remember, and we had played our whole book. There was nothing left that I could think of, so I finally said to the band and The Raeletts, ‘Listen, I’m going to fool around, so y’all just follow me.

“So I began noodling – just a little riff that floated into my head. It felt good and I kept going. One thing led to another and I found myself singing and wanting the girls to repeat after me… Then I could feel the whole room bouncing and shaking and carrying on something fierce.”

The same song was repeated and worked on over subsequent gigs, each time receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience. This concinced Charles that he should record it at his next session.

The original recording was seven-and-a-half-minutes, reflecting its origins as a live jam, but this was naturally much too long for a single release. The solution was to edit the recording and split it into two parts, with part two included on the B-side of the single.

Ray Charles had been recording for 10 years when he laid down “What’d I Say,” during which time he had experimented with blending R&B and gospel elements on classic recordings such as “I Got a Woman” and “Night Time Is the Right Time”. He was one of several performers crafting a style that would soon become known as soul, but the merging of secular themes with gospel-derived music was often controversial. This was particularly true of “What’d I Say” due to the suggestive lyrics and sexually charged nature of the call-and-response interplay between Charles and his female backing singers. The song was banned by many black and white radio stations.

Charles really sells the song with his powerful vocal delivery and exciting piano work. The classic piano riffs that drive the song along are made all the more distinctive by the decision to play it on a Wurlitzer electric piano.

“What’d I Say” has been cited as an influential recording by some of the biggest stars of the 1960s, including John Lennon, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Eric Burdon, Steve Winwood, and Van Morrison.

The song was ranked at number 10 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. It has also been preserved by the United States National Recording Registry on its list of recordings that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important”.

“What’d I Say (Parts 1&2)” – Ray Charles”

The song was so popular that Ray Charles chose it as his closing number for the rest of his career. Here’s an excellent live version from 1961.

“What’d I Say (Live)” – Ray Charles”

Authorship

“What’d I Say” was written by Ray Charles.

Recording date/location

“What’d I Say” was recorded on February 18, 1959 at Atlantic’s 56th Street studios in New York City.

Musicians

The following musicians appeared on “What’d I Say”:

• Ray Charles – piano, vocals
• David Newman – tenor saxophone, alto saxophone
• Bennie Crawford – baritone saxophone
• Edgar Willis – bass
• Milt Turner – drums
• The Raeletts – backing vocals.

Chart performance

“What’d I Say” topped Billboard’s R&B chart and peaked at number six on the Hot 100 on August 17, 1959.

“What’d I Say, Pts. 1 & 2″ can be found on the a number of compilations, including the 3-CD “Ray Charles – The Absolutely Essential Collection” and the 8-CD “Pure Genius – Complete Atlantic Recordings 52-59”.

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Ray Charles – The Absolutely Essential Collection (3 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	N/A
Pure Genius – Complete Atlantic Recordings 52-59 (8 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now