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Charles Ray Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
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Ray Charles Trivia

Ray Charles Trivia Quizzes

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8 Ray Charles quizzes and 85 Ray Charles trivia questions.
1.
  Ray Charles - American Musical Legend editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Sadly, American musical legend Ray Charles passed away in June of 2004, but not before leaving behind a wonderful music career spanning nearly six decades. This quiz explores Ray's biography...let's celebrate him together!
Tough, 15 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Jan 07 20
Tough
thejazzkickazz gold member
Jan 07 20
2836 plays
2.
  Song by Song: "What'd I Say"   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Test your knowledge of this song by Ray Charles or learn a bit more about it.
Easier, 10 Qns, skylarb, Nov 05 21
Easier
skylarb
Nov 05 21
253 plays
3.
  Ray Charles on My Mind   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The sound and lyrics of Ray Charles' music are unforgettable. Below are some lyrics from his songs. Can you bring these songs to your mind, hear them, and choose the lyric's correct title?
Average, 10 Qns, Windswept, Aug 15 08
Average
Windswept
551 plays
4.
  Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Ray Charles editor best quiz   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ray Charles is one of the most influential soul singers and pianists of all time. He is also a charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. This quiz reflects on the life of this great artist.
Tough, 10 Qns, ralzzz, Mar 22 13
Tough
ralzzz gold member
1929 plays
5.
  Lyrics Of Ray Charles   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Between 1958 and 1966, the great Ray Charles had an amazing 50 songs chart on Billboard's Hot 100. From the lyrics given, can you name these ten songs by Ray Charles? [All songs listed are by Ray Charles.]
Average, 10 Qns, lowtechmaster, Oct 02 17
Average
lowtechmaster
368 plays
6.
  Hit the Road, Jack   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ray Charles Robinson gave us 74 years of life and countless years of wonderful music...Hallelujah, I just love him so!
Difficult, 10 Qns, shedoesntcare, Apr 21 10
Difficult
shedoesntcare
288 plays
7.
  Ray Charles Lyrics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I noticed that nobody did a quiz on the lyrics of Ray Charles' songs so I thought I'd do one. I'll give you the lyric and you have to guess what song it's from
Average, 10 Qns, raycharlesfan, May 08 06
Average
raycharlesfan
537 plays
8.
  Ray Charles Lyrics 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
After my first quiz, I realized people needed more of a challenge. So here are some songs that are not very well known.
Difficult, 10 Qns, raycharlesfan, Jan 01 07
Difficult
raycharlesfan
266 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Ray's longtime friend and saxophone player David Newman had a unique nickname. What was it?

From Quiz "Hit the Road, Jack"





Ray Charles Trivia Questions

1. When was "What'd I Say" released as a single?

From Quiz
Song by Song: "What'd I Say"

Answer: 1959

The song was released in June of 1959 by Atlantic Records. It was produced by Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun. "What'd I Say" (also known as "What I Say") is considered one of the earliest songs of the "soul" genre.

2. Ray Charles Robinson was born in Albany, Georgia on what day?

From Quiz Hit the Road, Jack

Answer: September 23, 1930

Ray was born to Aretha Williams and Bailey Robinson. Ray had a younger brother, George, who drowned when they were young boys.

3. What happened when the cow got dry and the hen wouldn't lay? What happened to someone? What did they get? "I got a cow that went dry and a hen that won't lay A big stack of bills that gets bigger each day."

From Quiz Ray Charles on My Mind

Answer: Busted

In October, 1963, with a raunchy Big Band sound, "Busted," written by Country songwriter Harlan Howard, reached #4 on the pop charts and grabbed the Grammy for Best R&B Recording for 1963. Ray Charles later explained his conversion from imitating others to creating his own sound: "In 1994 he told the 'San Jose Mercury News,' "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." http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html

4. What song do you think this lyric comes from? 'Girl, you better go back in your mind Try and find yourself a brand new life I love you but you're toying with me So if you can't change, go on, let me be.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics 2

Answer: Tired Of My Tears

This song is featured on 'Sweet and Sour Tears' in 1964. This album also included 'No Use Crying', 'A Tear Fell' and 'No One To Cry To'.

5. Lets start with an easy one. What do you think this song is called? 'Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines Other arms reach out to me Other eyes smile tenderly Still in the peaceful dreams I see The road leads back to you.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics

Answer: Georgia On My Mind

Ray Charles introduced this song on 'Genius Hits The Road' in 1960 at Atlantic Records. He also won two Grammy awards in 1961 because of 'Georgia On My Mind'. It was also named the official Song of the State of Georgia in 1979.

6. Ray Charles was not always blind. His eyesight was lost at age six due to what ailment?

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Ray Charles

Answer: Glaucoma

Ray Charles suffered from glaucoma as a child which led to his complete blindness by age six. Although Charles had some prior musical training from a neighbor, he gained much of his learning at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind in Florida. He learned piano and saxophone at this school.

7. When Ray moved to Seattle, he formed a musical group with friends Gosady McGee and bassist Milt Garred (also spelled as 'Jarrett'). What was the name of the group?

From Quiz Hit the Road, Jack

Answer: McSon Trio

The McSon Trio ('MC'gee/robin'SON') began performing at the Elks Club in Seattle, Washington. It was about this time, according to Ray (in his biography, 'Brother Ray'), that he dropped his last name, "Robinson", as to not be confused with boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson.

8. The loved one treated the singer not with "pride and joy," but treated him for more momentarily reasons, only for what? "To me you were my pride and joy But to you, I was merely a toy A plaything, that you could toss around at will"

From Quiz Ray Charles on My Mind

Answer: Just For a Thrill

"Just for a Thrill" appeared in 1959. When Charles had to go to school, he got a complete musical education and learned there to arrrange, write and read music in Braille. He could compose scores for big bands and play piano, organ, saxophone, clarinet and trumpet. He listened to all kinds of music, classical, big band, blues and jazz. All recognize that "Ray Charles loved it all. At night he listened on the radio to the raw melodies and hillbilly twang of the Grand Ole Opry, to the sanctified soulfulness of gospel, and to the secular emotional venting of the blues. Then,at 15, his mother died and Charles, who said he never used a cane or guide dog or begged for money, left school and began touring the South on the so-called chitlin' circuit with a number of dance bands that played in black dance halls." http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html

9. What song do you think this lyric comes from? 'Lips, make a smile on my face Eyes don't let her see you shed a tear Heart don't let her hear you skip a beat And pride don't let her know how much I care.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics 2

Answer: Don't Let Her Know

This song was released on the album 'Country and Western Meets Rhythm and Blues' aka 'Together Again' in 1965.

10. What do you think this song is called? 'Mister engineer take the throttle in hand And take me down to that southern land Keep movin' on, keep rollin' on You can ease my mind if you get me there on time Move on.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics

Answer: I'm Movin' On

This song was also on 'Genius Hits The Road'. He recorded 'I'm Movin' On' in 1959 at Atlantic Records.

11. What US state was Ray Charles born in?

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Ray Charles

Answer: Georgia

Ray Charles was born in Albany, GA on September 30, 1930. His family moved to Greenville, FL while he was still young. It was from there that he attended the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind. Ray's parents died when he was a young teenager. He helped support himself by playing music around Florida.

12. What shining image of nature is in the title of this song? "The other night dear, as I lay sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken So I hung my head and I cried."

From Quiz Ray Charles on My Mind

Answer: You Are My Sunshine

In December, 1962, "You Are My Sunshine" was #1 on the Rhythm and Blues chart. 1962. It had been #7 on the Pop chart. This song was writen by the governor of Louisiana, Jimmie Davis.

13. What song do you think this lyric comes from? 'One day you kissed me, Or at least you tried, But I wouldn't let ya, And how you cried.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics 2

Answer: String Bean

This song is introduced on the album 'Wish You Were Here Tonight' which was released in 1993. This album also includes 'Shakin Your Head', '3/4 Time' and 'I Wish You Were Here Tonight'.

14. What do you think this song is called? 'See the girl with the diamond ring She knows how to shake that thing All right now now now, hey hey, hey hey.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics

Answer: What'd I Say

What do you think this song is called? Ray Charles recorded this song in 1959. He made it because at a gig he had done every song in the book and he had 12 minutes left. So he said to the band, and the Raylettes, to just 'do what I do and say what I say'.

15. As a youth, Ray Charles was fortunate to have been accepted into a school in Florida for blind and deaf children. Where was this learning institution?

From Quiz Ray Charles - American Musical Legend

Answer: St. Augustine

It was at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind that Ray learned to read and write Braille and learned to play a number of musical instruments. Ray would write music using Braille during his musical career.

16. Most Ray Charles fans identify him with his signature hit "Georgia on My Mind". Who originally wrote the song?

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Ray Charles

Answer: Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell

Carmichael wrote this song in 1930, the same year Charles was born. Carmichael also wrote such standards as "Stardust" and "Heart and Soul". Charles had a hit with the song in November of 1960.

17. According to Ray Charles's autobiography, what was unique about "What'd I Say"?

From Quiz Song by Song: "What'd I Say"

Answer: It was improvised at the end of a concert to fill leftover time

The song was initially improvised in December of 1958 at a live performance by Ray Charles and his orchestra when they had twelve minutes left over after completing their set, but the response was so positive, that Charles determined to record it. Ray Charles recounts this story in his 1978 autobiography, "Brother Ray: Ray Charles' Own Story," which he wrote with David Ritz. To fill the time, Charles decided to "fool around" and told his orchestra "just follow me." To his backing singers, the Raelettes, he said, "Whatever I say, just repeat after me."

18. In 1963, these lyrics appeared in what tune by Ray Charles? "Take these tears from my eyes and let me see Just a spark of the love that used to be. If you love somebody new, let me find a new love, too."

From Quiz Lyrics Of Ray Charles

Answer: Take These Chains From My Heart

The Billboard Hot 100 listed "Take These Chains From My Heart" at number eight in 1963. "Your Cheatin' Heart" made number 29 in 1962. "I Choose To Sing The Blues" was ranked number 32 in 1966. And "My Baby Don't Dig Me" got to number 51 in 1964.

19. When Ray had moved to L.A. in 1950 he recorded a few songs for the Swingtime label. What was the name of the man who ran Swingtime at the time?

From Quiz Hit the Road, Jack

Answer: Jack Lauderdale

The McSon Trio recorded songs like "Honey, Honey" and "She's on the Ball" for Lauderdale. However, there weren't many opportunities for the Trio to perform, so McGee and Garred went back to Seattle. Ray then went out on tour with Lowell Fulson whose hit "Every Day I Have the Blues" was big at that time.

20. Whom or what does this singer think he has got? "She's there to love me Both day and night Never grumbles or fusses Always treats me right Never runnin' in the streets Leavin' me alone"

From Quiz Ray Charles on My Mind

Answer: I Got A Woman

This was his first rhythm and blues number one single. "I Got a Woman" was Billboard's top rated single in 1955. Ray Charles recorded this in November 1943 in Atlanta, Georgia. Many say that this song was the first song to be the unique blend of gospel and rock and roll called "soul." Later, in 1976, "I Got A Woman" was nominated for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.

21. What song do you think this lyric comes from? 'All the world is cold, Everything is grey, Nothing seems the same, Since you went away.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics 2

Answer: Who Cares (For Me)

This song is featured on the album 'Have a Smile With Me' in 1964. This album included 'Two Ton Tessie','The Man With The Weird Beard' and 'Who Cares (For Me)'.

22. What do you think this song is called? 'She's there to love me both day and night Never grumbles or fusses always treats me right Never runnin' in the streets and leavin' me alone She knows a womans place is right there now in her home.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics

Answer: I've Got A Woman

He recorded this song in 1954 at Atlantic Records. It was his first major recorded.

23. In 1948, Ray made an important move in his early career when he left the south (where he had been traveling and performing) for what city on the west coast of the United States?

From Quiz Ray Charles - American Musical Legend

Answer: Seattle

It was in Seattle where Ray would first become a celebrity, albeit a local one. He took under his wing a young trumpet player named Quincy Jones while living in the Pacific northwest; the two became lifelong friends.

24. Ray Charles had passion for the popular country and western music of his generation. He recorded many songs with a country influence throughout his career. What was the first full fledged country based album that Ray recorded?

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Ray Charles

Answer: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

The album "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" stayed on the top of the album chart for three and a half months. The album featured the hits "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "You Don't Know Me". Based on the popularity of this album, Charles released a second volume which had the hit "You Are My Sunshine" on it.

25. Ray Charles played the opening riffs of "What I'd Say?" on what instrument?

From Quiz Song by Song: "What'd I Say"

Answer: Wurlitzer electric piano

Ray Charles began the song with left-handed riffs on a Wurlitzer electric piano but then switched to a regular piano for the choruses. Charles was rumored to have brought an electric piano on tour because he didn't trust the tuning of the pianos at the venues where he would play. The song also includes a Latin conga rhythm played on drums.

26. From what Ray Charles hit are these lines? "Woah woman, oh woman, don't treat me so mean. You're the meanest old woman that I've ever seen. I guess if you said so Id have to pack my things and go. (That's right.)

From Quiz Lyrics Of Ray Charles

Answer: Hit The Road Jack

In 1961, "Hit The Road Jack" topped the Billboard Hot 100 at number one. In 1960, "Sticks And Stones" made number 40. In 1964, "That Lucky Old Sun" ranked number 20 and "Smack Dab In The Middle" peaked at number 52.

27. In 1953, Ray went to Houston for a gig. He met his future wife, Della Beatrice (or 'Della B'). What musical act was she a part of at that time?

From Quiz Hit the Road, Jack

Answer: Cecil Shaw Singers

While being interviewed by King B at a local radio station in Houston, Ray was asked who his favorite gospel group was. He said that one of his favorites were from Houston, Cecil Shaw and the Cecil Shaw Singers. He later got a chance to meet Cecil Shaw at the Crystal Hotel in Houston, Texas. Della B heard Ray on the radio and set up the meeting.

28. What kind of times did the singer feel when he remembered his mother's cautionary words to him before she passed away." "My mother told me Before she passed away Said son when I'm gone Don't forget to pray"

From Quiz Ray Charles on My Mind

Answer: Hard Times

This powerful, soul-wrenching song grabbed the attention of millions of people. Ray Charles speaks clearly of the importance of respectng jazz and soul music as a integral part of our American heritege, saying "But, we basically created jazz in this country; we own that form of music. And it's sad that we all don't have more extensive knowledge of that fact.... In Europe, though, you find people who know all about our music. I'm talking about the average person. I've been to Europe and talked to people who have records of mine that I forgot I ever made! And I find that incredible." http://www.swingmusic.net/Ray_Charles_Biography.html

29. What song do you think this lyric comes from? 'I am lost, I've been led astray, Once again I need your light and love to lead the way, I know I don't deserve it, But I promise it's the end.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics 2

Answer: So Help Me God

This song is introduced on the album 'My World' in 1993. This album featured 'Still Crazy After All These Years', 'One Drop Of Love' and 'Love Has A Mind Of Its Own.'

30. What do you think this song is called? 'Hey y'all tell everybody, Ray Charles in town, I got a dollar and a quarter and I'm just ringing the clock, But don't let no female, play me cheap, I got fifty cents more than I'm gonna keep.'

From Quiz Ray Charles Lyrics

Answer: Let The Good Times Roll

He got a Grammy for this song in 1961. He once did an advert for a car and this song was the music in the background.

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