Legends are said to come and go in the music industry and for the most part that’s true. Where the statement goes off the track however is that some legends just never go away. Ray Charles was the type of musician that defied normal convention and did things his own way. Some might have called this revolutionary or even deviant in their time, but whatever it was labeled Ray was by far one of the most talented individuals of his time or any other. The mere fact that his music has been immortalized in movies as well as in the music industry is testament to how great he really was. There might have been a slew of personal issues away from the music, but when he was at the helm there was no one better.
Ray’s music has appeared in many different movies in many different versions. These are just a few.
5. Georgia on My Mind – Ray
This selection is put at number 5 for one reason only: it’s too easy. Ray was a blockbuster film in which Ray Charles was given a chance to tell his story and present it to the world. While Hollywood did as it always does and skewed some of the fact, the gist of it is that Ray Charles did not have an easy life growing up and came up through hardship and turmoil. Once he got to rolling however his life changed in ways he likely didn’t expect. Still, Georgia’s favorite son eventually found his way back.
4. Hit The Road Jack – The Dream Team
Many people don’t likely remember this movie or this scene but it was a very funny film that features a classic song by Ray Charles. The film itself is about a bunch of mental patients that are being taken to the city to see a baseball game. They get forced off course when their chaperone, a doctor that works at the ward where they live, is sent to the hospital after a traumatic injury that occurs right after he witnesses a murder. Left on their own, the patients must find a way to regroup and save their doctor’s life before the murderers find them all.
3. Mess Around – Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Just go with the flow. That seems to be all Dell Griffith really knows how to do other than hustle and con his way through life. But Dell’s a good guy, so long as he’s not rocking out to Mess Around while he’s supposed to be driving. Funny enough, Family Guy did a spoof of this while filming the parody of Return of the Jedi.
2. You Are My Sunshine – Trouble With The Curve
Inspired by Ray Charles’ rendition of the song, Clint Eastwood sings this track to his deceased wife as he speaks to her in spirit about their daughter and her life choices. He smiles with pride while he talks at least, making this a very tender moment that is only made more so by his decision to speak the words of the song.
1. Shake A Tail Feather – The Blue Brothers
The list just had to end this way. What better way to cap off a list like this other than to show a clip of Ray and the Blues Brothers Band jamming together on screen? Even if you’re not into this type of music this should make you get up and want to dance without hesitating.
It’s not likely that there will ever be another musician like Ray Charles, and that’s a good thing. Each musician needs to do their own thing, and let the greats be their guide, not their opposition.
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