166 Quotes by Ray Charles

Music is about the only thing left that people don't fight over.

When I started to sing like myself - as opposed to imitating Nat Cole, which I had done for a while - when I started singing like Ray Charles, it had this spiritual and churchy, this religious or gospel sound. It had this holiness and preachy tone to it. It was very controversial. I got a lot of criticism for it.

Don't go backwards - you've already been there.

Goodbye don’t mean gone.

My music had roots which I’d dug up from my own childhood, musical roots buried in the darkest soil.

Live each day like it’s your last, ’cause one day you gonna be right.

I never said I was a genius. I never said I was a cornerstone. I’ve never said I’m a legend in my own time. You never heard me say nothing like that.

Don’t go backwards – you’ve already been there.

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.