Ray quotes

View Quote [about his love for country music] 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.

View Quote George, I miss you. I miss you, George.

View Quote Aretha Robinson: Always remember your promise to me. Never let nobody or nothin' turn you into no cripple.

View Quote Della Bea Robinson: [about one of Ray's sons] He isn't my gift to you, he's your son.

View Quote 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.

View Quote 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: [chuckling] I got it.

View Quote Gossie McGee: [about Jack Lauderdale] You need watching out for and he ain't got time to look after you the way I been looking after you.
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!

View Quote [Jerry and Ahmet listen to Ray perform "I Got a Woman".]
Jerry Wexler: Ahmet.
Ahmet Ertegun: Yeah?
Jerry Wexler: We gotta get this on wax.
Ahmet Ertegun: Oh, yeah.

View Quote Ray Charles: I hear like you see. Like that hummingbird outside the window, for instance.
Della Bea Robinson: [astonished] I can't hear her.
Ray Charles: You have to listen.
Della Bea Robinson: [closes her eyes and hears the hummingbird] Yes!
Ray Charles: Yeah. Yes, you can... Uh-oh. Did you hear that?
Della Bea Robinson: What?
Ray Charles: Her heart just skipped a beat.

View Quote Ray Charles: Miss Antoine, it's been two weeks.
Della Bea Robinson: It's been three.
[They kiss and she pushes him inside]
Ray Charles: Well, where's the preacher at and the wife?
Della Bea Robinson: They're in Dallas till Monday.
Ray Charles: Well, hallelujah!

View Quote [After Ray and Della Bea finish making love]
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?

View Quote George Robinson: I'm a giant! [falls into a washtub]
Young Ray Robinson: Some giant.

View Quote Aretha Robinson: Somebody'll fetch you when the bus gets to St. Augustine. When your there, show 'em this. [shows Ray a name tag] Tell them your name is Ray Charles Robinson. An' them sandwiches I made, don't eat them all at once... ya hear me?
Young Ray Robinson: [starting to cry] Mama... please don't make me go away. I'll keep up with the normal kids. I'll be good, just like George.
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? [Ray nods] 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.
Young Ray Robinson: I promise.
Aretha Robinson: I love you baby... I'm so proud of you.

View Quote 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.
[The Cookies cheer and laugh]
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.

View Quote Della Bea Robinson: [just discovered Ray's drug problem] That stuff kills people, Ray. Now you've gotta stop it.
Ray Charles: I don't have to do a GODDAMN thing!