Project Page–Ray Charles “I Got A Woman”
Good afternoon everyone!!
For my second listening description, I would like to feature “I Got A Woman” by Ray Charles. Stevie Wonder described Ray Charles’s influence: ”I had no idea in the beginning that Ray Charles was blind, I just wanted to go see this person perform. After finding out that he was blind…it gave me a sense of hope. He really does all this, he’s blind and I now know that I can do the same thing”.
I am posting an astounding video of Ray Charles covering Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”. Ray Charles was a guest on “The Johnny Cash Show” in 1970. Wow! It’s so cool to see these two musical legends perform together!
Dr. John once said “they didn’t call him the high priest of soul for nothing”. Willie Nelson says “I don’t know anybody that doesn’t think Ray Charles was the guy and will be forever. End of story”. Mr. Charles once said “I’ve loved music all my life. It’s like my breathing”.
In my opinion, “I Got A Woman” is Ray Charles’s signature song. Along with “Hit the Road Jack”, “Georgia on My Mind” and “Unchain My Heart”, Mr. Charles musical mastery is always present. Elvis Presley covered this song and transformed it into a rockabilly classic. Elvis Presley was one of Sam Phillip’s “Sun Records” artists….along with Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis”The Killer”. It is very interesting to note the similarities between Elvis’s and Ray Charles’s version. They are both “bluesy” and “soulful”. They represent so much musically and culturally. This song is part of the fabric of Rock and Roll!
Official listening description:
Even though this song is only 2.56, it is brimming with soulful magic. Ray’s vocals are very natural. At the beginning of the recording he elaborates the notes on “Well…I got a woman”. His vocal phrasing is perfect. There is just his voice, backed up with the piano, saxophone and jazz–big band style drums. Around 1.21, there is a masterful saxophone solo. This gives the listener something else to listen to besides the vocals. The saxophone/piano notes repeat themselves and they mesh together with his vocals. Ray’s vocals constantly change from a low to high pitch as he sings the verses. I would not say that there is much tension in the song. It has a very sweet consonant harmony . The function of this song is to make people dance. This is a “feel-good” blues song. Every time that I hear this song, I think of the great movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus” featuring Richard Dreyfuss. “I Got A Woman” is one of the tracks featured in the film. (I really recommend this film to anyone who loves 1950′s-1960′s music).
The lyrics are:
Well, I’ve got a woman
Way over town
That’s good to me oh, yeah
Say. I’ve got a woman
Way over town
That’s good to me oh, yeah
She give me money
When I’m in need
Yeah, she’s a kind of friend indeed
I’ve got a woman
Way over town
That’s good to me oh, yeah
She saves her lovin’ early in the morning
Just for me
She saves her lovin’ early in the morning
Just for me
She saves her lovin’ just for me
She loves me so tenderly
Well, I’ve got a woman
Way over town
That’s good to me oh, yeah
She’s there to love me both day and night
Never grumbles or fusses, always treats me right
Never runnin’ in the streats, and leavin’ me alone
She knows a woman’s place is right there now in her home
Well, I’ve got a woman
Way over town
That’s good to me oh, yeah
Say. I’ve got a woman
Way over town
That’s good to me oh, yeah
Well, she’s my baby
Don’t you understand
And I’m her loving man
I’ve got a woman
Way over town
That’s good to me oh, yeah
Don’t you know she’s alright
Don’t you know she’s alright
She’s alright, she’s alright.
This song is such is a classic! I would say it is performed in a major key. The dynamics are very clear and precise. Ahmet Ertegun was a key figure in Ray Charles early career. The recording sounds very balanced and the saxophones, piano and drums sounds so neat! It’s very “jazzy”! The pulse/beat is very fast and predictable. All the instruments seem to be played in a high note fashion. I believe that it is performed in duple meter. There is a lot of syncopation throughout the recording. The saxophone, percussion and piano acts like a call and response structure. After each lyrical phrase is said, the instruments respond by playing certain upbeat notes. “I Got A Woman” will always be one of those songs that represent the musical fabric of the 20th century! Ray Charles is always a musical legend. Sadly, he passed away on June 10th 2004. His spirit and musical legacy will live on forever.
Leave a Reply
Trackback this post | Subscribe to comments via RSS Feed
jerryorbachfan
