Why I Reacted To This Song
It’s a classic that topped the charts, won a Grammy and still holds up more than sixty years later.
Original by Artist
About This Song
Ray Charles released “Hit The Road Jack” in August 1961. It spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and five weeks at the top of the R&B Sides chart. Making it Ray’s sixth number one there. Also, won the Grammy for Best R&B Recording and has a place on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
First Impressions
The call-and-response hooks you right away, with Ray pleading his case while the backing singers keep telling him to go.
My Reaction
“Hit The Road Jack” is short, punchy and easy to sing along to. The back-and-forth between Ray and the backing singers gives it a playful edge and it’s easy to hear why it became one of his biggest hits.
Rating
87/100