Ray Charles

When I was going blind, I didn’t turn to God. It didn’t seem to me then – and it doesn’t seem to me now – that those items were His concern. Early on, I figured I better begin to learn how to count on myself, instead of counting on supernatural forces.

Ray Charles

You got to set your mind right and the rest will come to you naturally. No restrictions, no hang-ups, no stupid rules, no formalities, no forbidden fruit – just everyone getting and giving as much as he and she can.

Ray Charles

You never can overwhelm an instrument. You will never get out all that’s in an instrument. An instrument will bring you to your limits.

Ray Charles

Any artist, when he goes in to record, should have the feeling that any song he records can be a hit. This may sound egotistical, but it makes sense.

Ray Charles

Before I begin, let me say right here and now that I’m a country boy. And, man, I mean the real backwoods! That’s at the start of the start of the thing, and that’s at the heart of the thing.

Ray Charles

Drunken talk isn’t meant to be printed in the paper.

Ray Charles

Goodbye don’t mean gone.

Ray Charles

I always stay out of the rehearsal room you know when they first come in. Then once they had chance to play a little bit, then I walk in. Because I’ve seen guys fall apart.

Ray Charles

I am very into lyrics. I start with what the words are saying, what the storyline is saying, like a good script. It should really capture me, do something for me. If I don’t get it, it’s not going to move people, and if it’s not going to move people, it’s not going to happen.

Ray Charles

I can’t retire from music any more than I can retire from my liver. Youd have to remove the music from me surgically-like you were taking out my appendix.

Ray Charles