Ray Charles’ 1959 hit song, “What’d I Say,” stands as one of the most important and influential tracks in the history of popular music. Combining elements of gospel, blues, jazz, and rhythm and blues, “What’d I Say” broke barriers and helped pioneer the genre of soul music, creating a blueprint for generations of musicians to follow. This high-energy, improvisational song not only brought Ray Charles to mainstream prominence but also challenged cultural boundaries at a time when music was a powerful tool for social change.
The Birth of “What’d I Say”
The story of how “What’d I Say” was created is as iconic as the song itself. In late 1958, during a concert in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, Ray Charles and his band found themselves with extra time on stage after playing through their entire setlist. In a moment of inspiration, Charles began to improvise on the piano, creating the unmistakable riff that would become the foundation of “What’d I Say.” The band quickly picked up the rhythm, and Charles began to ad-lib lyrics, engaging the audience in a call-and-response style rooted in his gospel background. The crowd went wild, and a new classic was born.
Recognizing the energy of the song and its potential, Charles decided to record it soon after the impromptu performance. He brought it to Atlantic Records in early 1959, where it was released in two parts as a single due to its length. What happened next was unprecedented. The song climbed the charts, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the R&B charts, solidifying Charles’ position as a leading force in American music.
Breaking Musical and Cultural Boundaries
“What’d I Say” stands out not just for its infectious rhythm but also for its groundbreaking fusion of musical genres. At the time, the lines between gospel music, blues, and R&B were relatively distinct, but Ray Charles blurred these distinctions, creating something new. The song opens with a distinctive electric piano riff—a relatively novel sound in the late 1950s—and soon builds into a danceable groove featuring call-and-response vocals, jazz-inspired brass sections, and gospel-like vocal harmonies.
The song’s structure is unconventional, with two parts: the first being a lively and rhythmic instrumental groove, and the second featuring the famous back-and-forth dialogue between Charles and his backing vocalists, The Raelettes. This call-and-response section, with its sexual overtones and impassioned delivery, drew heavily on African American gospel traditions, while also pushing the boundaries of mainstream music’s content.
In terms of its lyrical content, “What’d I Say” was playful and flirtatious, but it was also controversial for its sexually suggestive undertones, particularly during the back-and-forth exchanges in the latter half of the song. The moans and groans from both Charles and The Raelettes were unprecedented for a popular record at the time, and many radio stations initially refused to play it due to its perceived impropriety. However, the song’s infectious energy and irresistible groove made it impossible to suppress, and soon enough, it was being played across the country.
The Song’s Impact on Music
“What’d I Say” had a profound influence on the future of popular music. For one, it solidified Ray Charles’ status as the “Genius of Soul,” a title that reflected his ability to blend different genres and infuse emotion and spirit into his music. The song helped to define the burgeoning genre of soul music, a genre that would go on to dominate the 1960s and 1970s, influencing artists from Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding to Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.
Charles’ willingness to incorporate gospel music’s emotional intensity into a secular, danceable R&B tune was revolutionary. It helped pave the way for the development of rock and roll, as it demonstrated that the lines between “sacred” and “secular” music could be crossed, a trend that many artists of the 1960s would continue to explore. In fact, musicians like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones cited Ray Charles as a major influence, and “What’d I Say” became a staple in the repertoires of many British Invasion bands, further cementing its global legacy.
Moreover, the song was one of the first to heavily feature the electric piano, a sound that would become increasingly popular in the following decades, especially in jazz and funk. The innovative use of this instrument on “What’d I Say” gave the song a modern, edgy feel that was ahead of its time.
Social and Cultural Significance
Beyond its musical innovations, “What’d I Say” also carried significant cultural weight. In the racially segregated United States of the 1950s, Ray Charles was one of the few African American musicians to achieve crossover success with both black and white audiences. The song’s success marked a turning point in Charles’ career, making him a household name and one of the first black artists to enjoy mainstream popularity without having to compromise his style or identity.
This crossover success had larger implications as well. In an era when America was beginning to confront its long-standing racial inequalities, “What’d I Say” served as a reminder of music’s power to bring people together across racial lines. While the song itself may not have been overtly political, its success was symbolic of a cultural shift that was taking place in America, one in which African American culture and creativity were being recognized and celebrated by a wider audience.
Conclusion
Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say” is far more than just a hit song—it’s a cultural milestone, a musical revolution, and a testament to the creative power of improvisation. With its fusion of gospel, blues, jazz, and R&B, the song helped create the genre of soul music, while also pushing the boundaries of mainstream music with its daring and suggestive content. Over 60 years after its release, “What’d I Say” remains a timeless classic, continuing to inspire and influence musicians across genres and generations.
In many ways, it represents the genius of Ray Charles—his ability to innovate, his willingness to take risks, and his deep connection to the emotional core of music. “What’d I Say” wasn’t just a song that people listened to; it was a song that made them move, feel, and think, making it a defining moment in the history of American music.