26 quotes
Questions of Loyalty and Fairness
Gossie McGee
You need watching out for and he ain't got time to look after you the way I been looking after you.
[about Jack Lauderdale]
Ray Charles
Is that what you been doing, Gossie, watching out for me? Is that why you get paid double what I do?
Gossie McGee
Who told you that?
Ray Charles
Well it's true, ain't it? You and Marlene been gaming me since I got here.
Marlene Andres
Ray, baby, listen...
Ray Charles
I ain't got to listen to you!
Gossie McGee
Listen Ray, I been meaning to talk to you about that.
Ray Charles
Then why aren't you talking?
Gossie McGee
Look Ray, let's do nothing stupid.
Ray Charles
I might be blind but I ain't stupid!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Seeking Understanding in Loneliness
Ray Charles
There's some things you're not understandin'...
Della Bea Robinson
Well, make me understand, Ray!
Ray Charles
Baby, when I walk out that door, I walk out alone in the dark! I'm trying to do something that ain't nobody ever done in music and business. But I can't do it if I'm alone everwhere I go. I don't want to be alone here, Bea. Not in my own home. Look, Bea, if you don't understand me, then who will?
Della Bea Robinson
I don't know, Ray.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Timing and Absence in Conversation
Ray Charles
Miss Antoine, it's been two weeks.
Della Bea Robinson
It's been three.
Ray Charles
Well, where's the preacher at and the wife?
Della Bea Robinson
They're in Dallas till Monday.
Ray Charles
Well, hallelujah!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Humorous Exchange About Closing a Bag
Ray Charles
Could you do me a favor and close that bag?
Quincy Jones
What's wrong with you? You got two hands. You can close it yourself.
Ray Charles
I got two feet too. Could you close that bag?
Quincy Jones
I got it.
[chuckling]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Betrayal Among Friends in the Music Industry
Jeff Brown
Ray, I know that jealous bastard planted that lie in your head, but I've never stolen from you, Ray, and I never will. I got myself a small business loan. And, yeah, Milt Shaw was giving me a little extra, but I'm not a thief, Ray.
Ray Charles
Then, what about that, Jeff, huh? Promoters swearing that you did side deals with them so that you could strip my overages. How could you do that? We've been through so much. We were like brothers.
[accuses Jeff of stealing]
Jeff Brown
You know what, Ray... if we were like brothers, why are you paying Joe more than you're paying me?
Ray Charles
Damn all that. You broke my heart, man.
Jeff Brown
Well, you know what, Ray? You broke mine a long goddamn time ago.
Ray Charles
Well, there it is.
Jeff Brown
You know something, Ray? You're gonna get yours one day. And I pray to God he has mercy on your soul, you son of a bitch!
[walks away]
Joe Adams
Everything all right, Ray?
[walks out of his office]
Ray Charles
How the hell do you think it is?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Extraordinary Music and the Man Behind It
Taglines
The one thing more extraordinary than the music is the man behind it: Ray Charles.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Over Substance Abuse Choices
Della Bea Robinson
That stuff kills people, Ray. Now you've gotta stop it.
[just discovered Ray's drug problem]
Ray Charles
I don't have to do a GODDAMN thing!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Conversation About Perceived Size
George Robinson
I'm a giant!
[falls into a washtub]
Young Ray Robinson
Some giant.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Struggles of Love and Faith
Ray Charles
I love the stories. You know about fallin in love and have love knock you around, and then the pressures of the world on you so tough, it makes you feel small. You just want to give your soul to God. You might as well, your ass belongs to Him.
[about his love for country music]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Struggle with Faith and Despair
Della Bea Robinson
The only thing that can help you is God, Ray!
Ray Charles
Don't you talk about God! You have any idea how it feels to go blind and still be afraid of the dark? And every day, you stand and pray just for a little light, and you don't get nothing. Cause God don't listen to people like me.
Della Bea Robinson
Stop talking like that, Ray.
Ray Charles
As far as I'm concerned, me and God is even, and I do what I damn well please. And goddamnit, if I wanna shoot, I'm gonna shoot up.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Art of Listening and Perception
Ray Charles
I hear like you see. Like that hummingbird outside the window, for instance.
Della Bea Robinson
I can't hear her.
[astonished]
Ray Charles
You have to listen.
Della Bea Robinson
Yes!
[closes her eyes and hears the hummingbird]
Ray Charles
Yeah. Yes, you can... Uh-oh. Did you hear that?
Della Bea Robinson
What?
Ray Charles
Her heart just skipped a beat.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Recording the Music Together
Jerry Wexler
Ahmet.
Ahmet Ertegun
Yeah?
Jerry Wexler
We gotta get this on wax.
Ahmet Ertegun
Oh, yeah.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Night of Disagreement and Concern
Ray Charles
Margie is drunk, Jeff. You should go home and sleep it off.
Jeff Brown
Margie, come on now, let me take you home.
Margie Hendricks
No, I'll leave when I'm good and goddamn ready to!
Ray Charles
She's good and goddamn ready right now.
Margie Hendricks
Why don't you make me leave this, sucker! Teach you to treat me like some piece of meat!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Struggles of Creativity and Survival in Music
Margie Hendricks
Listen to that crap. I thought you said ABC wasn't gonna force that nothing on him.
Jeff Brown
They didn't. It was Ray's idea. Something new.
Margie Hendricks
Well, what are we then, Jeff? Something old?
Fathead Newman
Yeah, what about us? We got to eat too.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Resilience of Ray Charles
Taglines
The extraordinary life of Ray Charles. A man who fought harder and went further than anyone could imagine.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Ray's Legacy of Commitment and Generosity
Title card
Ray kept his promise. He never touched heroin again.
Title card
As celebrated as he became, he never forgot his roots, contributing over $20 million to African-American Colleges and charities for the deaf and blind.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Mother's Promise and a Son's Identity
Aretha Robinson
Always remember your promise to me. Never let nobody or nothin turn you into no cripple.
Della Bea Robinson
He isn't my gift to you, he's your son.
[about one of Ray's sons]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Love and Addiction in Relationships
Della Bea Robinson
You have got to stop this now.
Ray Charles
No, don't say that, Bea. You know I love you more then anythin'.
Della Bea Robinson
There is something that you love more then me and them boys, more then all the women you ever slept with on the road, more then all the dope you ever took.
Ray Charles
What are you talkin about?
Della Bea Robinson
It's your music! And if you keep usin that needle, they're gonna take away your music and put you in jail. Is that poison worth losin everything?
[shouts; starts to cry]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Presence of Memory and Love
Della Bea Robinson
If only your mama was here.
Ray Charles
She's here. She ain't never left.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Touring with Ray Charles: A Business Discussion
Ray Charles
I have a question for all of you: How would like to go on the road with me?
Margie Hendricks
Um, how much are you gonna pay us?
Ray Charles
Ahmet takes care of all of that.
Margie Hendricks
You mean he don't listen to you?
Ray Charles
You better know he does. Don't worry about it. Brother Ray will take care of all of you.
Margie Hendricks
Well my mama taught me to take care of myself, honey.
Ray Charles
Well is your mother here?
Margie Hendricks
No she's not, but I speak for us.
Ray Charles
Okay Speak For Us, how about $20 a week?
Margie Hendricks
We'll take $40. Each.
Ray Charles
$40 each?
Margie Hendricks
You heard me.
Ray Charles
Naw! How about $25?
Margie Hendricks
We'll take $30.
Ray Charles
I better say yes before you talk me out of my drawers.
Ray Charles
Is it a deal?
Margie Hendricks
Oh! Yeah!
Ray Charles
From now on you guys are gonna be called the Raylettes.
Margie Hendricks
Does that mean we have to "let Ray"?
Ray Charles
Oh, what am I gonna do with you?
Margie Hendricks
I'm sure you'll think of something.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Meeting of Musical Minds
Quincy Jones
Say, daddy-o, what axe you play?
Ray Charles
Uh, piano. Just blew in from Tampa, Florida. Me and my partner, Gossie McGee, came here, you know, want to fatten up our style. Cop some licks from some more experienced cats, you dig?
Quincy Jones
You know what? Why don't you let me take you inside? You know, show you around.
Ray Charles
All right. Perfect gentleman.
Quincy Jones
Yeah, this is just like my place. So, what's your name?
Ray Charles
Ray Robinson.
Quincy Jones
I'm Quincy Jones.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Dispute Over Arrival Times
Fathead Newman
Ray, this fool, Joe Adams, is trying to fine for me for being late.
Ray Charles
What time did you get here?
Fathead Newman
What? Just now. The band's still setting up. Jeff never...
Joe Adams
I'm not Jeff.
Fathead Newman
That's a fact, Jack.
Jeff Brown
Ray, you said the band was my thing.
Ray Charles
That's right, I did.
Jeff Brown
Fathead, you go on back to rehearsal.
Fathead Newman
Ray! You know how it is, you've been there.
Jeff Brown
Fathead, go on now. I'll take care of this. Ray, you want to tell me what the hell is going on.
Joe Adams
I'm not doing anything I haven't been asked to do. Ray's running a business. He shouldn't have to waste time hearing why people were late.
Jeff Brown
I'm not talking to you, Joe. I'm talking to Ray.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unexpected News Amidst Tension and Conflict
Ray Charles
You know what they're saying about me? Said I lost something. Said I've gone middle-of-the-road. They might as well say the same thing about you. You were the soul of this band, now every time you're around, you're just drunk. The drunk soul of a blind junkie. What a lovely couple. Why don't you just get outta here?
Margie Hendricks
I ain't drunk, Ray. I'm pregnant. Yeah, that's right. I'm having your baby.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Fond Memory of George
Ray Charles
George, I miss you. I miss you, George.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Truth and Admiration in Adversity
Ray Charles
I want you to promise me something. Promise me you're gonna always tell me the truth just like you did before. Don't feel sorry for me just because I'm blind.
Della Bea Robinson
How can I pity someone I admire?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Mother's Tough Love for Her Son
Aretha Robinson
Somebody'll fetch you when the bus gets to St. Augustine. When your there, show em this. Tell them your name is Ray Charles Robinson. An them sandwiches I made, don't eat them all at once... ya hear me?
[shows Ray a name tag]
Young Ray Robinson
Mama... please don't make me go away. I'll keep up with the normal kids. I'll be good, just like George.
[starting to cry]
Aretha Robinson
This ain't got nothin to do with George... I've taken you as far as I can, baby. The teachers at St. Augustine know things I can't teach you. An you need an education in this world.
Young Ray Robinson
I don't want no education!
Aretha Robinson
Shh! don't say that!
Young Ray Robinson
I don't! I wanna stay here with you!
Aretha Robinson
Stop it, Ray! I won't have you livin hand to mouth like me, you hear? Now... If you wanna do something to make Mama proud, promise me you'll never let nobody turn you into no cripple... You won't become no charity case. An’ you will always stand on your own two feet.
[Ray nods]
Young Ray Robinson
I promise.
Aretha Robinson
I love you baby... I'm so proud of you.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.