Let's Go Get Stoned

Ray Charles

About Let's Go Get Stoned

"Let's Go Get Stoned" is a song originally recorded by The Coasters in May 1965 and by Ronnie Milsap in 1965. It was written by Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, and Josephine Armstead. It was a 1966 #1 R&B hit for American recording artist Ray Charles. The single was released shortly after Charles was released from rehab after a 16-year heroin addiction. Charles heard a 1965 recording of the song by future country music legend Ronnie Milsap who was an unknown Country artist at the time on Scepter Records. According to Milsap, Charles liked his version of the song so much that he decided to record it himself. It is notable for being one of Ashford & Simpson's first successful compositions together; the duo also penned Charles' "I Don't Need No Doctor". An unusual feature of the recording is that it closes with the sound of the "NBC chimes". 


Year:
1963
195 
#1

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Let's go get stoned
Let's go get stoned

When your baby won't let you in
Got a few pennies, a bottle of gin
Just call your buddy on the telephone

Let's go get stoned
Let's go get stoned
Let's go get stoned

When you work so hard all the day long
And everything you do seems to go wrong
Just drop by my place on your way home
Let's go get stoned

It ain't no harm
You're takin just a taste
But don't blow your cool
And start messing up the place

It ain't no harm you're faking just a nip
But make sure you don't fall down bust your lip

Let's go get stoned
Let's go get stoned

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Ray Charles

Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American musician known as Ray Charles (to avoid confusion with champion boxer Sugar Ray Robinson.) He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, most notably with his Modern Sounds albums. While with ABC, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company.Frank Sinatra called Charles “the only true genius in show business.” more »

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Written by: VALERIE SIMPSON, JOSEPHINE ARMSTEAD, NICKOLAS ASHFORD

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Songwriters
"Let's Go Get Stoned" was written by the famous team of Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson in collaboration with Jo Armstead.
Original Performers
The song was originally recorded by The Coasters, an American R&B and rock and roll vocal group.
Belongs to R&B Genre
"Let's Go Get Stoned" is typically classified as a rhythm and blues (R&B) song.
Big Hit for Ray Charles
Notably, Ray Charles' version became a number one hit on the R&B charts in 1966 despite the song's controversial topic of consuming alcohol to forget about his problems.
Ray Charles' Return to Charts
"Let's Go Get Stoned" marked Ray Charles' return to the top of the charts, after a period of decreased popularity due to his heroin addiction and arrest.
Lyrics Interpretation
The song's title and lyrics are often interpreted as an endorsement of drug use, though the artists have explained that it refers to drinking and using alcohol as a coping mechanism in times of trouble.
Influence
The song has been covered by multiple artists over the years, illustrating its lasting influence on the music industry. Some of the notable artists include Manfred Mann, Joe Cocker, and Big Mama Thornton.
Roots in Gospel
Like much of Ray Charles' work, "Let's Go Get Stoned" has its roots in gospel music; it employs call-and-response vocals and has a kind of spirituality to it, albeit one centered around forgetting troubles through intoxication.
Pop Culture Reference
The song made a pop culture appearance in Oliver Stone's film, 'Platoon', signifying its cultural relevance.
Iconic Ashford & Simpson
"Let's Go Get Stoned" was among the first major hits penned by Ashford & Simpson, who later went on to write songs for several legendary artists, including Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross.

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    Let's Go Get Stoned

    1M
    10,138     190

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1966

    Billboard #31


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