Ray Charles — Quotes

“I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts, like my ribs, my kidneys, my heart. Like my blood.”

— Ray Charles · From his 1992 autobiography 'Brother Ray,' reflecting on how music was integral to his identity from childhood.

“Don't cry for me because I am blind. I have more fun than you do.”

— Ray Charles · A statement made throughout his life to address public sympathy, emphasizing his refusal to be defined by his blindness.

“I got a right to sing the blues. I paid my dues.”

— Ray Charles · From his song 'I Got a Right to Sing the Blues,' expressing how his hardships gave him authentic claim to the genre.

“Music is the one thing that can be universal. I believe that music is God's gift to mankind.”

— Ray Charles · A reflection shared in various interviews about why music transcended racial and social barriers during the civil rights era.

“What I have accomplished, I have done because of the color of my mind, not the color of my skin.”

— Ray Charles · Stated during civil rights era interviews when discussing his achievements and their significance beyond racial categories.

“Every morning I wake up and make my choice to be happy.”

— Ray Charles · A characteristic statement reflecting his philosophical approach to life despite the challenges of blindness and a difficult childhood.

“The real thing is not to stop working. The day you stop working, you start dying.”

— Ray Charles · Expressed in later interviews about his work ethic and how continuous creative effort kept him vital throughout his life.

“I was always a rebel. I never could follow the rules.”

— Ray Charles · A reflection on his career, particularly regarding his musical innovations that blended genres and defied industry conventions.