Hit the Road Jack

Ray Charles

About Hit the Road Jack

"Hit the Road Jack" is a song written by the rhythm and blues artist Percy Mayfield and first recorded in 1960 as an a cappella demo sent to Art Rupe. It became famous after it was recorded by the singer-songwriter-pianist Ray Charles with The Raelettes vocalist Margie Hendrix, and eventually became one of Charles' signature songs. Charles's recording hit number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning on Monday, October 9, 1961. "Hit the Road Jack" won a Grammy award for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. The song was number one on the R&B Sides chart for five weeks, thereby becoming Charles's sixth number-one on that chart. The song is ranked number 387 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". The Chantels released an answer song, "Well, I Told You" which charted at #29. 


Year:
1987
67 
#2

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(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)

Woah Woman, oh woman, don't treat me so mean,
You're the meanest old woman that I've ever seen.
I guess if you said so
I'd have to pack my things and go. (That's right)

(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)

Now baby, listen baby, don't ya treat me this-a way
Cause I'll be back on my feet some day.
(Don't care if you do 'cause it's understood)
(you ain't got no money you just ain't no good.)
Well, I guess if you say so
I'd have to pack my things and go. (That's right)

(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)

Well
(Don't you come back no more.)
Uh, what you say?
(Don't you come back no more.)
I didn't understand you
(Don't you come back no more.)
You can't mean that
(Don't you come back no more.)
Oh, now baby, please
(Don't you come back no more.)
What you tryin' to do to me?
(Don't you come back no more.)
Oh, don't treat me like that
(Don't you come back no more.)

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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 »

2 fans

Written by: Percy Mayfield

Lyrics © THE RAY CHARLES FOUNDATION DBA TANGERINE MUSIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Date
"Hit the Road Jack" was released in 1961 with ABC-Paramount Label.
Genre
The song is classified under the Rhythm and blues, Soul Blues, and Traditional pop genre.
Chart Performance
On Billboard Hot 100, the song ruled the chart and bagged the number one position during the year of its release.
Grammy Award
The song bagged the Grammy Award for the best Rhythm & Blues Recording in 1961.
Written by
It was written by a popular songwriter of the time, Percy Mayfield.
Background Vocals
The Raelettes, the female backup singers for Ray Charles, provided the call-and-response portions of the song.
Cover Versions
Numerous bands and solo artists have covered the song since its release, including the Stampeders, who reached number 6 in Canada with their 1976 rendition.
Famous Phrase
The phrase "Hit the Road Jack" became a popular one and is still used today to tell someone to leave.
Popular in Movies and TV
The song has been used in numerous films and TV shows, demonstrating its enduring popularity.
Legacy
Over time, the song has become one of Ray Charles' most recognized songs and a staple of oldies radio stations worldwide.
Induction to Hall of Fame
The song received an induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
Ranking by Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song #387 in their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.

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    Hit the Road Jack

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1961

    Billboard #1


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