The groovy composition Hit the Road Jack has become perhaps the most popular in the repertoire of the legendary Ray Charles. He first performed it over fifty years ago, and now few people remember the history of the song and its author, Percy Mayfield, a talented American bluesman.
History of the song Hit the Road Jack
Mayfield composed Hit the Road Jack in 1960. He recorded an a cappella demo and sent it to producer Art Roop. But by that time, Percy was barely performing due to injuries sustained in a car accident. Perhaps it was for this reason that he did not hesitate to allow Ray Charles to perform it, who became very interested in the song.
It is unlikely that Mayphil miscalculated when he did so. Charles not only made him famous as the author of a world-famous hit, but also got Percy a composer at Tangerine Records, where he wrote several more famous songs.
Meaning of Hit the Road Jack
Hit the Road Jack is a dialogue between a woman who is dissatisfied with her dissolute man and this dupe who is unable to earn his bread and butter. She drives him away, unable to live in poverty, and he tries to pity her in order to stay.
The female part, among other backing vocalists, is sung by Margie Hendrix, Ray Charles’ companion and mother of his child. A lot of people have been talking about Ray and Margie’s relationship in Hit the Road Jack, but any sane person knows that this gossip is absurd.
Release and achievements
Hit the Road Jack, performed by Ray Charles, topped the Billboard Hot 100, won two Grammy Awards, and was included in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Cover versions of the song were later recorded by many famous bands, including The Animals, The Residents, Tic Tac Toe and others.
Interesting Facts
- The composition Hit the Road Jack is well known to all fans of basketball and hockey, because it is often played at matches when the referee removes a visiting team player from the court.
- Hit the Road Jack was the theme song for five seasons of the Unhappy Together television series.
Hit the Road Jack lyrics
Hit the road Jack and don’t cha come back
No more no more no more no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t cha come back
No more
What’d you say?
Hit the road Jack and don’t cha come back
No more no more no more no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t cha come back
No more
Old woman old woman, oh you treat me so mean
You’re the meanest old woman that I ever have seen
Well I guess if you say so
I’ll have to pack my things and go (that’s right)
Now baby, listen baby, don’t you treat me this way
Cause I’ll be back on my feet someday
Don’t care if you do cause it’s understood
You ain’t got no money, you just a no good
Well I guess if you say so
I’ll have to pack my things and go (that’s right)
Well
Uh, what do you say?
Don’t cha come back
No more
Hit the Road Jack lyrics
Get out Jack and don’t come back
Never, never, never, never
Get out Jack and don’t come back
Never
What you said?
Get out Jack and don’t come back
Never, never, never, never
Get out Jack and don’t come back
Never
Old woman, old woman, you are so cruel to me
You are the meanest old woman I’ve ever met
Well I guess if you say so
I’ll have to pack up and leave (That’s right)
Well baby, listen baby don’t do this to me
‘Cause one day I’ll get back on my feet
I don’t care if it’s so, because everything is clear,
You have no money, you are good for nothing
Well I guess if you say so
I’ll have to pack up and leave (That’s right)
Well
What are you talking about?
Do not come back
Never
