Ray Charles Picture
Ray Charles was the stage name of Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 - June 10, 2004). He was a pioneering American pianist and soulmusician who helped shape the sound of rhythm and blues and brought a soulful sound to everything from country music to pop standards to a now-iconic rendition of "America the Beautiful." Frank Sinatracalled him "the only genius in the business." In 2003, he headlined the White House Correspondents Dinner in Wash., DC, at which President and Mrs. Bush, Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice, were in attendance. Astonishingly, he also performed at the request of the previous seven American presidents. During his life he received eight honorary doctorates, the last from Dillard University in New Orleans in 2003.
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Chose To Sing The Blues Lyrics

Ray Charles

I could have been a gambler
'coz I'm good with the cards
I could have been a lover
breakin' other's hearts
and I feel so silly
bettin' on the dice
and a lover seldom sees
the same girl twice

and that is why (that is why)
that's why I chose (that's why I chose)
I chose to sing the blues, yes I did

now, I could have been a doctor
helping the sick
and I could have been a lawyer
but you know that ain't my stick
'coz I feel so bad
if a patient didn't do well
and I feel just as bad
to leave a client in jail

and that is why (that is why)
that's why I chose (that's why I chose)
I chose to sing the blues

(sax solo)

Now a man has a lot
that he could present
just to think I could have been
president
but I can't understand
what politicians say
so I wanna talk to you
in my own little way

and that is why (that is why)
that's why I chose (that's why I chose)
I chose to sing the blues

Yes I did, friends
Don't you know what I mean
I like what I'm doin'
You know, I like the blues
Everybody understands
What I mean when I say
Something like this here
Unnnnnnn-hoo
Yeah
Yeah-hoo
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout when I sing
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