Lyrics

The Best Of Ray Charles: The Atlantic Years

1. It Should've Been Me
2. Don't You Know
3. I've Got A Woman
4. Greenbacks
5. A Fool For You
6. This Little Girl Of Mine
7. Hallelujah I Love Her So
8. Lonely Avenue
9. That's Enough
10. What'd I Say (Part I) (#6)
11. (Night Time Is) The Right Time
12. Drown In My Own Tears
13. Blackjack (bonus)
14. What Would I Do Without You (bonus)
15. Come Back (bonus)
16. It's Alright (bonus)
17. Ain't That Love (bonus)
18. Swanee River Rock (#34) (bonus)
19. Tell The Truth (live) (bonus)
20. Just For A Thrill (bonus)

1. It Should've Been Me

As I passed by
A real fine hotel
A chick walked out
She sure looked swell
I gave her the eye
And started to carry on
When a Cadillac cruised up
And 'swish' she was gone
It should've been me
With that real fine chick
It should've been me
With that real fine chick
Hey hey hey, hey, driving that, Cadillac
A little later on
A theater I passed
I spotted another chick
And did she have class
I was all set
To write her name in my book
When her husband came up and gave me a
Real dirty look
It should've been me
With that real fine chick
It should've been me
With that real fine chick
It should've been me
To have been her chaperone
When I got to the corner
I saw a sharp cat
With a 300 dollar suit on
And a 100 dollar hat
He was standing on the sidewalk
By a DynaFlow
When a voice within said,
"C'mon daddy, let's go."
It should've been me
With that real fine chick
It should've been me
With that real fine chick
It should've been me
Hey hey hey, hey, driving that, DynaFlow
I ate a bowl of chili
And I felt OK
At least until I passed
This fine Cafe
I saw a guy eatin'
A great big steak
While a waitress stood by feedin' him
Ice cream and cake
It should've been me
With that real fine chick
It should've been me
With that real fine chick
You know, it should've been me
Eatin' ice, cream and cake
It should've been me
Gettin' my natural kicks
It should've been me
Gettin' my natural kicks
Hey hey hey, hey, lovin' those, crazy chicks

2. Don't You Know

Woooh, well, don't you know, baby
Child, don't you know baby
Oww, don't you know baby
Little girl, little girl, don't you know
Please listen to me baby
Girl, I'm in love with you so
Turn your lamp down low
I said turn your lamp down low
Wooo, turn it down
Please turn your lamp down low
Come on baby
Girl I'm in love with you so
Now I know I've been away
For such a long time
But now baby
I can't get you off of my mind
So come on, please baby come on
Come on, come on
Love your daddy all night long
Now if you love me
Like I love you
We can do all the things that we
Used to do
So come on, Oww, baby come on
Please baby come on
Love your daddy all night long

[Solo - Piano]

Say, have you heard baby
Ray Charles is in town
Let's mess around till the midnight hour
See what he's puttin down
Come on
Please baby, come on, child
Oh lord, baby
Come on, all night long
Turn your lamp down low
Cause I love you so
Baby please come on
Love your daddy all night long
You hear me talkin, baby
Baby please come on

3. I've Got A Woman

I GOT A WOMAN (Sweetie) way over town,
She's (He's) good to me, Oh yeah!
Well, I GOT A WOMAN (Sweetie) way over town,
She's (He's) good to me, Oh yeah!
Now she's (he's) my dreamboat, oh, yes indeed,
She's (He's) just the kind of girl (man) I need,
I found a woman (sweetie) way over town, She's (He's) good to me Oh
Yeah!

I save my kisses and all my huggin' Just for her, Oh, yeah!
I save my kisses and all my huggin' Just for her, Oh yeah!
When I say baby please take my hand
She holds me tight She's my lover girl
I found a woman (sweetie) way over town,
She's good to meOh yeah!

She (He) always answers my beck and call,
Ever lovin' mama (daddy)Mama (papa) tree top tall.
I feel so proud walkin' by her (his) side,
Couldn't get a better girl (man),
No matter how hard I tried.

I GOT A WOMAN way over town,
She's good to me, Oh yeah!
Someday we'll marry, way over town,
She's good to me, Oh year!
Someday we'll marry, don't you understand
'Cause she's my only lover girl
I found a woman (swettie) way over town,
She's (he's) good to me Ohyeah!

4. Greenbacks

As I was walking down the street last night
A pretty little girl came into sight
I bowed and smiled and asked her name
She said, "Hold it bud, I don't play that game"
I reached in my pocket, and to her big surprise
There was Lincoln staring her dead in the eyes.
On a greenback, greenback dollar bill
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll
She looked at me with that familiar desire
Her eyes lit up like they were on fire
She said, "My name's Flo, and you're on the right track,
But look here, daddy, I wear furs on my back,
So if you want to have fun in this man's land,
Let Lincoln and Jackson start shaking hands."
On a greenback, greenback dollar bill
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll
I didn't know what I was getting into
But I popped Lincoln and Jackson, too
I didn't mind seeing them fade out of sight,
I just knew I'd have some fun last night
Whenever you in town and looking for a thrill
If Lincoln can't get it, Jackson sure will
On a greenback, greenback dollar bill
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll

We went to a nightspot where the lights were low
Dined and danced, and I was ready to go
I got out of my seat, and when Flo arose,
She said, "Hold on daddy, while I powder my nose"
I sat back down with a smiling face,
While she went down to the powder place
With my greenback, greenback dollar bill
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll
The music stopped and the lights came on,
I looked around and saw I was all alone
I didn't know how long Flo had been gone
But a nose powder sure didn't take that long
I left the place with tears in my eyes
As I waved Lincoln and Jackson a last goodbye
On a greenback, greenback dollar bill
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll

5. A Fool For You

I know you told me
Such a long time ago
That you didn't want me
You didn't love me no more
I want to know
Oh, what makes me be
Do you believe me child
A fool for you
Ohoh, no, I'm a fool for you
I know you told me
You didn't want me 'round
And I know
You got a man way 'cross town
So I know it's something
Oh, what makes me be
Do you believe me child
I'm a fool for you
Ohoh, no, I'm a fool for you
Did ya ever wake up in the morning
Just about the break of day
Reach over and feel the pillow
Where your baby used to lay
Then you put on your crying
Like you never cried before
Oh lord
Yeah you even cry so loud,
You give the blues to your neighbor next door
Ever since you were five years old
I been a fool for you, little girl
Way down in my soul
I'm a little fool for ya
So I know it's something
Oh, oh, Lord
I'm a fool for you

6. This Little Girl Of Mine

Wella, oh yeah
Wella, oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Do you know that this little girl of mine
I want you people to know
This little girl of mine
I take her everywhere I go
One day I looked at my suit
My suit was new
I looked at my shoes
And they were too
And that's why I, I, I, I,
Oh, I love that little girl of mine
Oh do you know that this little girl of mine
Makes me happy when I'm sad
This little girl of mine
Loves me, even when I'm bad
She knows how to love me right down to her teeth
If she does any wrong, you know she keeps it from me
And that's why I, I, I, I,
Oh, I love that little girl of mine

Do you know that this little girl of mine
Called me last night about eight
This little girl of mine
Told me that we had a date
She said that she'd meet me at a quarter to nine
Believe it or not, but she was right on time
And that's why I, I, I, I,
Oh, I love that little girl of mine
Do you know that this little girl of mine
Knows how to dress so neat
This little girl of mine
Stops the traffic on the street
When the fellas start whistling, well I don't mind
I can't blame them, 'cause she is fine
And that's why I, I, I, I,
Oh, I love that little girl of mine
And that's why I, I, I, I,
Oh, I love that little girl of mine

7. Hallelujah I Love Her So

Let me tell you 'bout a boy (girl) I know.
He(She) is my baby and he (she) lives next door.
Ev'ry morning 'fore the sun come up,
He (she) brings my coffee in my fav'rite cup.
That's why I know, yes, I know,
Hallelujah, I just love him (her) so.
When I'm in trouble and I have no friends,
I know hel'll (she'll) go with me until the end.
Ev'rybody asks me how I know.
I smile at them and say he (she) told me so.
That's why I know, yes, I know,
Hallelujah, I just love him (her) so.
Now if I call him (her) on the telephone,
And tell him (her) that I'm all alone,

By the time I count from one to four,I hear him (her) on my door.
In the evening when the sun does down,
When there is nobody else around,
He (she) kisses me and he (she) holds me tight.
He (And) tells me "Baby, (Daddy) ev'ry thing's all right."
That's why I know, yes, I know,
Hallelujah, I just love him (her) so.
[Repeat]

8. Lonely Avenue

Now my room has got two windows but the sunshine never comes thru,
You know it's always dark and dreary since I broke off, baby, with
You!

[Chorus:]
I live on a lonely avenue,
My little girl wouldn't say, "I do".
Well, I feel so sad and blue
And it's all because of you.
I could cry, I could cry, i could cry,
I could die, I could die, I could die,
Because I live on a lonely avenue, lonely avenue.

(Now my) covers they feel like lead and my pillow it feels like
Stone,
Well, I've tossed and turned so ev'ry night,
I'm not used to being alone!

[Chorus]

Now I've been so sad and lonesome since you've left this town,
If I could beg or borrow the money, child, I would be a highway
Bound!

[Chorus]

9. That's Enough

10. What'd I Say (Part I) (#6)

Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong
Come and love your daddy all night long
All right now, hey hey, all right
See the girl with the diamond ring
She knows how to shake that thing
All right now now now, hey hey, hey hey
Tell your mama, tell your pa
I'm gonna send you back to Arkansas
Oh yes, ma'm, you don't do right, don't do right
Aw, play it boy
When you see me in misery
Come on baby, see about me
Now yeah, all right, all right, aw play it, boy
When you see me in misery
Come on baby, see about me
Now yeah, hey hey, all right
See the girl with the red dress on
She can do the Birdland all night long

Yeah yeah, what'd I say, all right
Well, tell me what'd I say, yeah
Tell me what'd I say right now
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say right now
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say yeah

And I wanna know
Baby I wanna know right now
And-a I wanna know
And I wanna know right now yeah
And-a I wanna know
Said I wanna know yeah

[Spoken:] Hey, don't quit now! (c'mon honey)
Naw, I got, I uh-uh-uh, I'm changing (stop! stop! we'll do it again)
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh hold it! Hold it! Hold it!
Hey (hey) ho (ho) hey (hey) ho (ho) hey (hey) ho (ho) hey
Oh one more time (just one more time)
Say it one more time right now (just one more time)
Say it one more time now (just one more time)
Say it one more time yeah (just one more time)
Say it one more time (just one more time)
Say it one more time yeah (just one more time)

Hey (hey) ho (ho) hey (hey) ho (ho) hey (hey) ho (ho) hey
Ah! Make me feel so good (make me feel so good)
Make me feel so good now yeah (make me feel so good)
Woah! Baby (make me feel so good)
Make me feel so good yeah (make me feel so good)
Make me feel so good (make me feel so good)
Make me feel so good yeah (make me feel so good)
Huh (huh) ho (ho) huh (huh) ho (ho) huh (huh) ho (ho) huh
Awh it's all right (baby it's all right)
Said that it's all right right now (baby it's all right)
Said that it's all right (baby it's all right)
Said that it's all right yeah (baby it's all right)
Said that it's all right (baby it's all right)
Said that it's all right (baby it's all right)

Woah! Shake that thing now (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing now now (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing right now (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing (baby shake that thing)
Baby shake that thing (baby shake that thing)
Woah! I feel all right now yeah (make me feel all right)
Said I feel all right now (make me feel all right)
Woooah! (make me feel all right)
Tell you I feel all right (make me feel all right)
Said I feel all right (make me feel all right)
Baby I feel all right (make me feel all right)

11. (Night Time Is) The Right Time

You know the night time, darling
(night and day)
Is the right time
(night and day)
To be
(night and day)
With the one you love, now
(night and day)
Say now oh baby
(night and day)
When I come home baby, now
(night and day)
I wanna be with the one I love, now
(night and day)
You know what I'm thinking of
(night and day)
I know the night time
(night and day, oh)
Whoa, is the right time
(night and day, oh)
To be with the one you love, now
(night and day)
I said to be with the one you love
(night and day)
You know my mother, now
(night and day)
Had to die, now
(night and day)
Umm, and my father
(night and day)
Well he broke down and cry
(night and day)
Whoah! whoa baby
(night and day)
When I come home baby now
(night and day)
I want you to hold my hand
(night and day)
Yeah, tight as you can
(night and day)
I know the night time
(night and day, oh)
Whoah is the right time
(night and day, oh)
To be with the one you love
(night and day)
You know what I'm thinking of
(night and day)
Whoah! sing your song, Margie
Baby
(night and day)
Baby
(night and day)
Baby
(night and day)
Oh, Baby
(night and day)
Do I love you?
(night and day)
No one above you
(night and day)
Hold me tight
(night and day)
And make everything all right
(night and day)
Because the night time
(night and day)
Oh, is the right time
(night and day)
To be with the one you love now
(night and day)
Oh yeah
(night and day)
Tease me
(night and day)
Squeeze me
(night and day)
Leave me
(night and day)
Ah, don't leave me
(night and day)
Lawdy baby
(night and day)
Take my hand, now
(night and day)
I don't need
(night and day)
No other man
(night and day)
Because the night time
(night and day)
Ow, is the right time
(night and day)
To be with the one you love
(night and day)
Oh yeah
(night and day)
I said baby
(night and day)
Baby
(night and day)
Baby
(night and day)
Baby
(night and day)
Whoah! baby now
(night and day)
Oh come on baby
(night and day)
You know I want you by my side
(night and day)
I want you to keep
(night and day)
Oh keep me satisfied
(night and day)
I know the night time
(night and day)
Everyday is the right time
(night and day)
Yeah to be with the one you love now
(night and day)
Well you know it's all right

12. Drown In My Own Tears

It brings a tear,
Into my eyes,
When I begin,
To realize,
I've cried so much,
Since you've been gone,
I guess I'm drowning in my own tears,
I sit and cry,
Just like a child
My pouring tears
Are runnin' wild
If you don't think
You'll be home soon
I guess I'll drown in my own tears
I know it's true
Into each life
Some rain, rain must pour
I'm so blue
Here without you
It keeps raining
More and more
Why don't you
Come on home
Oh yes so I won't
Be all alone
If you don't think
You'll be home soon
I guess I'll
(drown in my own tears)
Ooh, don't let me
(drown in my own tears)
When I'm in trouble, baby
(drown in my own tears)
Oh, yeah, baby don't let me
(drown in my own tears)
I guess I'll drown in my own tears
Oh, mmmmm.

13. Blackjack

Ah let me tell you people
About this blackjack game
It's caused me nothing but trouble
And I've only myself to blame
Hey hey hey yeah
How unlucky can one man be
Well every quarter I get
Lord, blackjack takes it away from me
My friends don't come around me
Because I've been so blind
I can't even borrow a nickle
Now I've almost lost my mind
Hey hey hey yeah
How unlucky can one man be
Well every quarter I get
Lord, blackjack takes it away from me
I sat there with two tens
I thought I'd have some fun
The dealer hit sixteen with a five
Just enough to make twenty one
Hey hey hey yeah yeah
How unlucky can one man be
Well every quarter I get
Yeah, blackjack takes it away from me

14. What Would I Do Without You

15. Come Back

Oh come back, baby
Oh mama please dont go, yeah
Cause the way I love you
Child you'll never know
Oh come back baby, yeah yeah
Let's talk it over one more time
Oh now now
Well I admit, baby
That I was wrong
Don't you know, baby
Child you been gone too long
Oh come back baby, yeah yeah
Let's talk it over one more time
Oh now now
Say If I could holler
Like a mountain jack
Yeah yeah oh people
I'd call my baby back
Oh come back baby, Woo yeah
Let's talk it over one more time
Oh now now
Now one of these days, baby
And It won't be long, yeah
You gonna look for me child you know
And I'll be gone
So come back baby, yeah yeah
Let's talk it over one more time
Oh now now

16. It's Alright

17. Ain't That Love

Now, baby when you sigh
(when you sigh)
I wanna sigh with you
When you cry
(when you cry)
I wanna cry some, too

Now, ain't that love
(ain't that love)
Oh, ain't that love that I feel
(that I feel)
In my heart for you

When your friends
(when your friends)
Turn their back on you
I'll be here
(I'll be here)
Just to see you through

Now, ain't that love
(ain't that love)
Ain't that love
(ain't that love)
Ain't that love, ooohhh now
Ain't that love
That I feel in my heart for you

Now when you walk
(when you walk)
I wanna walk with you
When you talk
(when you talk)
Wanna talk some, too

Now, ain't that love
(ain't that love)
Oh, ain't that love that I feel
(that I feel)
In my heart for you

If you ever
(if you ever)
Ever need a friend
I'll be with you
(be with you)
Yes, until the end

Now, ain't that love
(ain't that love)
Ain't that love
(ain't that love)
Don't you know, baby don't you know, I
(oh, oh, oh, oh)
Ain't that love, baby that I feel
In my heart for you

[Instrumental Break]

Baby, won't you let me hold your hand
I want to squeeze you as tight as I can
Baby, don't you need my by your side
To protect you and be your guide
Baby, I'm so in love with you
I'd do anything you tell me to

Now, ain't that love
(ain't that love)
Ain't that love
(ain't that love)
C'mon now, ain't that love, now
(oh, oh, oh, oh)
Ain't that love, baby that I feel
In my heart for you
Oh, that I feel in my heart for you
Oh, that I feel in my heart for you
Oh, that I feel in my heart for you
Oh!

18. Swanee River Rock (#34)

'way down upon the Swanee River
Far, far away
There's where my heart is turning ever
There's where the old folks stay
All the world is sad and dreary everywhere I roam
Oh, darling, how my heart grows weary
Far from the old folks at home

19. Tell The Truth (live)

Tell the truth
Tell the truth
Well, you know what you done to me,
You made me fall for you
Tell the truth
Tell the truth
Well you know you can make me do what you want me to
Loving you, feelings started
But, I'm goin' to stop it
If I could, I surely would
I would roll up around you
If I thought it would do any good
Why don't you tell the truth
Tell the truth
Well you know you can make me do what you want me to

Loving you, feelings started
But, I'm goin' to stop it
If I could, I surely would
I would roll up around you
If I thought it would do any good
Why don't you tell the truth
Tell the truth
Well you know you can make me do what you want me to
Whooah, come on, tell the truth, now
(tell the truth)
And I know, I know, baby
(tell the truth)
Every day, every night
(tell the truth)
Whooah, hold me tight
(tell the truth)
And I know, and I know
(tell the truth)
You 'oughta, you 'oughta
(tell the truth)
Stop Lying
(tell the truth)
Stop Lying, whooh
(tell the truth)
Whoooh
(tell the truth)
Whoooh
(tell the truth)
Oh baby
(tell the truth)
Now tell the truth
(tell the truth)
Every day of your life, tell the truth little girl
(tell the truth)
What about that man you were with last night
(tell the truth)
I want to know
(tell the truth)
Come on baby
(tell the truth)
Hey hey
(tell the truth)
Every day of your life, you 'oughta
(tell the truth)

20. Just For A Thrill

Just for a thrill
You changed the sunshine to rain
Just for a thrill
You filled my heart with pain
To me you were my pride and joy
But to you, I was merely a toy
A plaything, that you could toss around at will
Just for a thrill
You made my life one sad song
Just for a thrill
You just led me along
Although you're free and havin' your fun
To me you're still the only one
Cause you made my heart stand still
Just for a thrill

[Piano Solo]

Although you're free and havin' your fun
To me you're still the only one
Cause you made my heart stand still
Well, it was just for a thrill
And baby you, you, made my heart stand still
Just for a thrill