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Ray Charles — Night Time is the Right Time
Album: Blues & Jazz
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1127









Released: 1958
Length: 3:21
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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You know the night time, darling
(Night and day)
Is the right time
(Night and day)
To be
(Night and day)
With the one you love, now
(Night and day)

Say now, oh baby
(Night and day)
When I come home baby, now
(Night and day)
I wanna be with the one I love, now
(Night and day)
You know what I'm thinking of
(Night and day)

I know the night time
(Night and day, oh)
Whoa, is the right time
(Night and day, oh)
To be with the one you love, now
(Night and day)
I said, to be with the one you love
(Night and day)

You know my mother, now
(Night and day)
Had to die, now
(Night and day)
And my father
(Night and day)
Well, he broke down and cry
(Night and day)

Whoa! whoa baby
(Night and day)
When I come home baby, now
(Night and day)
I want you to hold my hand
(Night and day)
Yeah, tight as you can
(Night and day)

I know the night time
(Night and day, oh)
Whoa is the right time
(Night and day, oh)
To be with the one you love, now
(Night and day)
You know what I'm thinking of
(Night and day)

Whoa! Sing your song, Margie
Baby
(Night and day)
Baby
(Night and day)
Baby
(Night and day)
Oh, baby
(Night and day)

Do I love you?
(Night and day)
No one above you
(Night and day)
Hold me tight
(Night and day)
And make everything alright
(Night and day)

Because the night time
(Night and day)
Oh, is the right time
(Night and day)
To be with the one you love, now
(Night and day)
Oh, yeah
(Night and day)

Tease me
(Night and day)
Squeeze me
(Night and day)
Leave me
(Night and day)
Ah, don't leave me
(Night and day)

Oh baby
(Night and day)
Take my hand, now
(Night and day)
I don't need
(Night and day)
No other man
(Night and day)

Because the night time
(Night and day)
Ow, is the right time
(Night and day)
To be with the one you love
(Night and day)
Oh, yeah
(Night and day)

I said baby
(Night and day)
Baby
(Night and day)
Baby
(Night and day)
Whoa! baby now, now
(Night and day)

Oh, come on, baby
(Night and day)
You know I want you by my side
(Night and day)
I want you to keep
(Night and day)
Oh, keep me satisfied, now
(Night and day)

I know the night time, now
(Night and day)
Every day is the right time
(Night and day)
Yeah, to be with the one you love, now
(Night and day)
Well, you know it's all right
(Night and day, oh)
Yeah, yeah now
Comments (114)add comment
 joejennings wrote:



I Agree!! I was 3yrs old when this was released.  GREAT TUNE!!  Thanx RP!


I wsnt born til '62...totally a classic 
Posted 11 months ago by KPC1    [ Reply ]
i wish more musicians would try stuff like this

it really, really swings
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Gave it a 10 because it is ray charles
Posted 1 year ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 zedstation wrote:

1 9 5 8

The sway. The swagger. 




Yes! I Agree!  Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:

I'm sure they're saying "Night and day" but I hear (and often sing along) "Marvin Gaye" too.
BillG just made this a permanent mondegreen in our ears. 

Posted 2 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
 Jamus wrote:

Simply put, one of the classics.




I Agree!! I was 3yrs old when this was released.  GREAT TUNE!!  Thanx RP!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Simply put, one of the classics.
Posted 2 years ago by Jamus    [ Reply ]
I just know, deep down in my rocking soul -- and I love that RP is jamming this -- that Ray would LOVE the Golden Goat we got here...
Posted 2 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:

I'm sure they're saying "Night and day" but I hear (and often sing along) "Marvin Gaye" too.


Now I do too 
Posted 2 years ago by GustaafJHeinh    [ Reply ]
 jmsmy wrote:

I still remember when the Huxtable's lip sync to this song.



"Movin' On Up!"
Posted 3 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:

I'm sure they're saying "Night and day" but I hear (and often sing along) "Marvin Gaye" too.



It may be the herb speaking, but I just keep hearing "Party Dave".
Posted 3 years ago by zair99    [ Reply ]
 sfyi2001 wrote:
Yeah, it's Ray Charles. His performance here is fine, as ever, - but the rest of it - that 'Yawdy day' bullshit or whatever it is they're saying, just pissed me off. Shrugs {#Eek}
 
<========

Lyrics  

<========
Posted 4 years ago by NeuroJoe    [ Reply ]
 sfyi2001 wrote:
Yeah, it's Ray Charles. His performance here is fine, as ever, - but the rest of it - that 'Yawdy day' bullshit or whatever it is they're saying, just pissed me off. Shrugs {#Eek}
 

I dunno, it's my hips a'swingin' 
Posted 4 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Yeah, it's Ray Charles. His performance here is fine, as ever, - but the rest of it - that 'Yawdy day' bullshit or whatever it is they're saying, just pissed me off. Shrugs {#Eek}
Posted 7 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
 TanteJensen wrote:
davedog wrote:
Can anyone tell me what the backup singers are repeating? Every time I hear this song I wonder but I've never figured it out.

Jacksonstat wrote
I believe they are saying "Night and day".

 
I keep hearing "Marvin Gaye", though admittedly that doesn't make any sense.
 
I'm sure they're saying "Night and day" but I hear (and often sing along) "Marvin Gaye" too.
Posted 7 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I still remember when the Huxtable's lip sync to this song.
Posted 7 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
1 9 5 8

The sway. The swagger. 
Posted 7 years ago by zedstation    [ Reply ]
Not a ray fan!
Posted 9 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
You sing it Margie.

 
Is that the background singer? What is her full name? WOW!
Posted 9 years ago by CinnamonGirl    [ Reply ]
Sure wish I could have seen Ray perform.

Wow. 
Posted 9 years ago by Tizmself    [ Reply ]
Fantastic!
If you don't like this, something is wrong.
I know, everyone is different, has their own tastes, preferences.
But seriously, if you don't like this you might want to mention that to a professional.
I'm just saying...
 
Posted 10 years ago by FrankDebbieCote    [ Reply ]
Not for me!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:


Nope.  I don't think I was exposed to the "wonderment" of an 8-track until approx. 1972-73.  My friend had just got this bitchin' new stereo, and he had a few cartridges to play.  I somehow recall him inserting this Three Dog Night GH collection,


 

and we were off and running.  After a few cuts, the song playing was literally stopped in the middle (it may have been during "Celebrate"), and then started up again on another track on the playmode.  What a stupid music format, and I was "shocked" when they were gone within a few years...




 

And yet 8-track lives on and on in our collective memory. I think 3-D movies and TV are the modern equivalent...
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I was jamming along on my keyboard with this song (e flat major). Such a pleasure, just imaging what it might have been like to play alongside Ray.
Posted 10 years ago by RandomousJam    [ Reply ]
You sing it Margie.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Gitarzan
Posted 11 years ago by maxjboxer    [ Reply ]
The background singer just belts it OUT !!!!
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]

Posted 11 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
 Mandible wrote:
 
This is exactly what I think of too! Priceless!
Posted 12 years ago by LifeIsMusic    [ Reply ]
 sbegf wrote:

As soon as I hear this song, that is exactly what I picture...ha

 
Ditto
Posted 12 years ago by dalemarushy    [ Reply ]
 Mandible wrote:
 
Yup, I just saw this episode the other day. Can't believe how little they were. {#Cool}
Posted 12 years ago by GeneP59    [ Reply ]

sbegf, Mandible - I rushed to comment as soon as I heard this song, only to see that we are totally on the same page!  the image is priceless.


Posted 12 years ago by elitry    [ Reply ]
The exchange between Ray and Margie Hendricks here is one of the most passionate vocals in recorded history.
 
Posted 12 years ago by lshinkawa    [ Reply ]

Now we know where Ray Stevens got Jane's wail in Gitarzan.




Posted 13 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 Mandible wrote:

 
As soon as I hear this song, that is exactly what I picture...ha

Posted 13 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Did it have an 8-track tape player?
 

Nope.  I don't think I was exposed to the "wonderment" of an 8-track until approx. 1972-73.  My friend had just got this bitchin' new stereo, and he had a few cartridges to play.  I somehow recall him inserting this Three Dog Night GH collection,


 

and we were off and running.  After a few cuts, the song playing was literally stopped in the middle (it may have been during "Celebrate"), and then started up again on another track on the playmode.  What a stupid music format, and I was "shocked" when they were gone within a few years...



Posted 13 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
I can't hear this without thinking of the Bill Cosby Show episode where the family lip synched this for Bill's birthday. Makes me laugh thinking of Rudy singing this.
Posted 13 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
Ooooh so good.
Posted 13 years ago by gabrielle7nt    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:
Sorry Cosby kids (and Ray C.)—being a "semi-privileged" middle-class white boy from the plains, this is where I first heard this cut, and it was on my older brother's crappy late-60's Zenith "Hi-Fi"...

J. Fogerty's yelps still work for me.

 
Did it have an 8-track tape player?
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
What's going on RP? This is Yello, not Ray Charles!

Posted 14 years ago by Dillinquent    [ Reply ]
Sorry Cosby kids (and Ray C.)—being a "semi-privileged" middle-class white boy from the plains, this is where I first heard this cut, and it was on my older brother's crappy late-60's Zenith "Hi-Fi"...

J. Fogerty's yelps still work for me.



Posted 14 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
I love the woman's vocal.
Posted 14 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
 Pyro wrote:
This is a good version of a classic.  First time I heard it (ever), Big Joe Turner was singing it at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.  I fell in love with the song AND Big Joe that day....
 
Huh, huh, huh, huh.....you're old.....huh, huh, huh, huh.{#Wink}


Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
Historical importance aside, I find this pretty annoying.
 
yeah.

Posted 14 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
Nice, just happened to pick up this very disc from the rack a half an hour ago.

{#Whisper}  It was released in 1994.
Posted 14 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
I am going to go with... "Fun"
Posted 14 years ago by ddbz    [ Reply ]
i feel sorry for anyone who cant get this__ no hope __
Posted 14 years ago by buzmaggie    [ Reply ]
love this so sweeeet! night and day!
Posted 14 years ago by buzmaggie    [ Reply ]
This is a good version of a classic.  First time I heard it (ever), Big Joe Turner was singing it at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.  I fell in love with the song AND Big Joe that day....
Posted 14 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
I think the Cosby Show has forever tainted my appreciation for this song.

Posted 14 years ago by flatpicker    [ Reply ]
By far my favorite Ray Charles tune!{#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Who Is that woman doing the belting!?

/Ed
Figured it out myself from wikipedia.
"Charles was helped in the song by lead Raelette Margie Hendricks, who sang a raspy and demanding vocal to Charles' own raspy baritone and wails"

Posted 14 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

That's like saying, historical importance aside, I find the Mona Lisa quite irritating.
Very few people care that you're a philistine. (I took the time to respond to your post, and that means that I care {#Wink} )

 

 crockydile wrote:

It's also like saying that although I recognize the significance of Pol Pot, I don't care for his politics. There is a lot of art that has been influential, groundbreaking, etc that I don't particularly care for...Andy Warhol comes to mind. Peace.

 
Oh, dear lord. There is so much wrong with this, I almost don't know where to begin. To compare artists like Ray Charles and Andy Warhol to a genocidal tyrant is mind boggling. Son, I know you miss Excelsior, but you've surpassed him for mindless bad taste. No, really, I mean this as a compliment. You're in your own league. Congratulations. Peace.

Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

That's like saying, historical importance aside, I find the Mona Lisa quite irritating.
Very few people care that you're a philistine. (I took the time to respond to your post, and that means that I care {#Wink} )

 
It's also like saying that although I recognize the significance of Pol Pot, I don't care for his politics. There is a lot of art that has been influential, groundbreaking, etc that I don't particularly care for...Andy Warhol comes to mind. Peace.

Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
Historical importance aside, I find this pretty annoying.
 
That's like saying, historical importance aside, I find the Mona Lisa quite irritating.
Very few people care that you're a philistine. (I took the time to respond to your post, and that means that I care {#Wink} )

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Why Ray Charles is essential.
Posted 15 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
Historical importance aside, I find this pretty annoying.
 
Oh, come on.  If you took away the background vocals, it would be okay.  If you took the lead vocal out too, maybe.  And prolly the instruments.  Okay, it's annoying. 

Posted 15 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
Historical importance aside, I find this pretty annoying.
Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Not that it was of any importance. But I wonder who sang first the verse that makes this song's title: him, or John Lee, or who else....?
Posted 15 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
I can't hear this without thinking of Rudy Huxtable now! LOL!
Posted 15 years ago by audiophelia    [ Reply ]
Yeah, 10.
Posted 15 years ago by ptooey    [ Reply ]
It was the Cosby Show and it was hilarious.
Posted 15 years ago by Rick_V    [ Reply ]
What about Sharon Jones (and the Dap-Kings) when we're lookin' for soul?
Posted 15 years ago by cochlear    [ Reply ]
davedog wrote:
Can anyone tell me what the backup singers are repeating? Every time I hear this song I wonder but I've never figured it out.

Jacksonstat wrote
I believe they are saying "Night and day".

 
I keep hearing "Marvin Gaye", though admittedly that doesn't make any sense.

Posted 15 years ago by TanteJensen    [ Reply ]
 RockinBlueVoodoo wrote:
That's what you get for watching the Cosby show! Serves you right. Now you're scarred for life and can never enjoy the awesomeness of this tune again...
 
Why not? Everyone has an irrelevant, non sequitur-like personal association with any given piece of art, generally what they were doing the first time they experienced it, or at least the first time it made an impression on them. I will always associate ELO's Telephone Lines with sleeping in the back seat of my dad's Mercury Montego (with my sister!) as we drove (probably straight through) from Vancouver to Los Angelos for a family vacation. The song was a hit, and we must have heard it a dozen times on various local stations as my dad pointed our car down the I5.

So this guy thinks of the Cosby show when he hears this song. So do I. Doesn't mean we can't enjoy it.


Posted 15 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
sooooooooooo cooooooool
Posted 15 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
Came here to say that I can't hear this song without thinking of the Cosby Show, but it looks like everyone beat me to it already!  Love it!
Posted 16 years ago by joeychick    [ Reply ]
Is that little Rudy Huxtable belting out those vocals? Guess you all thought so, too. Sorry you didn't like it; I thought it was a riot.

Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 rickhoran wrote:


thats all i think of everytime i hear this song.
 

Me too.
Posted 16 years ago by bugleboy624    [ Reply ]
RockinBlueVoodoo wrote:
That's what you get for watching the Cosby show! Serves you right. Now you're scarred for life and can never enjoy the awesomeness of this tune again...

I was a kid!  I didn't have a choice!  I also cannot hear this song without seeing those sweater-clad Cosbys dancing in their living room.

Posted 16 years ago by queenjill    [ Reply ]
All I can think of is The Muppets singing this!
Posted 16 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Oh goodness! They be Significating! Shout it Out Sistahs! Yes, Indeed, Oh Praise His Name! Do thet Lining, sweat that sweet Funk'o'love! Oh yas, yas yas ... here it comes now ... wait for it to come around! Wow! Oh Yes!
Posted 16 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
Zep wrote:
I didn't want to live it the first time....
That's what you get for watching the Cosby show! Serves you right. Now you're scarred for life and can never enjoy the awesomeness of this tune again...
Posted 16 years ago by RockinBlueVoodoo    [ Reply ]
davedog wrote:
Can anyone tell me what the backup singers are repeating? Every time I hear this song I wonder but I've never figured it out.
I believe they are saying "Night and day".
Posted 16 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
God is Love. Love is Blind. Therefore God must be Ray Charles!
Posted 16 years ago by ohaganclan    [ Reply ]
superflyLD wrote:
remember when they Cosby Show did a lip sync to this song with the whole family? Classic TV! little Rudy did the female vocal- it was hilarious! (oops! just read the comments- looks like you guys DO remember! GO RUDY!)
I was thinking it was The Muppets!
Posted 16 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Can anyone tell me what the backup singers are repeating? Every time I hear this song I wonder but I've never figured it out.
Posted 16 years ago by davedog    [ Reply ]
Smoove_D wrote:
For those of you who want to re-live seeing the Cosby kids lip synch...
I didn't want to live it the first time....
Posted 16 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Smoove_D wrote:
For those of you who want to re-live seeing the Cosby kids lip synch: https://youtube.com/watch?v=XSvGdfOfLFw
thats all i think of everytime i hear this song.
Posted 16 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
Hell yes.
Posted 16 years ago by spunkyboy62    [ Reply ]
For those of you who want to re-live seeing the Cosby kids lip synch: https://youtube.com/watch?v=XSvGdfOfLFw
Posted 16 years ago by Smoove_D    [ Reply ]
Rock the Heartland! Love this!
Posted 16 years ago by bupanishad2012    [ Reply ]
superflyLD wrote:
remember when they Cosby Show did a lip sync to this song with the whole family? Classic TV! little Rudy did the female vocal- it was hilarious! (oops! just read the comments- looks like you guys DO remember! GO RUDY!)
Yep. I was just thinking of that.
Posted 17 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by lostintokyo    [ Reply ]
remember when they Cosby Show did a lip sync to this song with the whole family? Classic TV! little Rudy did the female vocal- it was hilarious! (oops! just read the comments- looks like you guys DO remember! GO RUDY!)
Posted 17 years ago by superflyLD    [ Reply ]
">
Posted 17 years ago by drekar    [ Reply ]
The female vocal is outstanding. She gives Ray a real run for his money!
Posted 17 years ago by Mozart    [ Reply ]
meydele wrote:
But Ray is dead. Does that mean God is dead?
If he isn't, he should be.
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
dixiedeb wrote:
Me too! Vivid mental picture!!
Yeah, all I can picture is little, little Rudy squeezing her fists and miming "BAY-BAYYY" while still missing a tooth, haha
Posted 17 years ago by davyjrshort    [ Reply ]
celadonstone wrote:
"The song was originally released by blues singer Nappy Brown in 1954 and was revised by Charles, who is helped in the song by lead Raelette Margie Hendricks, who sings a raspy and demanding vocal to Charles' own raspy baritone and wails...."
Thank you very much!
Posted 17 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
This is where the rating system fails. 10 – Godlike No "-like" about it. Ray Charles is God.
But Ray is dead. Does that mean God is dead?
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
curtkare wrote:
Go little Rudy!!
Me too! Vivid mental picture!!
Posted 17 years ago by dixiedeb    [ Reply ]
I have this on vinyl: Ray Charles Live at the Newport Folk Festival. The LP says STEREO DISC on it--it was a time when stereo recordings were nascent (1950s).
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Antigone wrote:
Yeah, she's amazing ... does anyone know who it is?
"The song was originally released by blues singer Nappy Brown in 1954 and was revised by Charles, who is helped in the song by lead Raelette Margie Hendricks, who sings a raspy and demanding vocal to Charles' own raspy baritone and wails...."
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
Hard to find anything that compares to Ray Charles. Truely a fantastic song.
Posted 17 years ago by elvenwise    [ Reply ]
i love the collective 80s pop culture memory. The Huxtables' performance was my first thought too and it was SOOO much fun. "BAY BAAAAAYY"
Posted 17 years ago by mrrmt    [ Reply ]
killer. love the horns too.
Posted 17 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
ruthless wrote:
THAT IS WHAT FIRST CAME TO MIND HERE AS WELL!!
Go little Rudy!!
Posted 17 years ago by curtkare    [ Reply ]
Yeah, Sing it Ray!
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Jacksonstat wrote:
I loved that episode! Thanks for the flashback :)
THAT IS WHAT FIRST CAME TO MIND HERE AS WELL!!
Posted 17 years ago by ruthless    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
I love the way the background vocalist belts it out in her "solo" parts!
Yeah, she's amazing ... does anyone know who it is?
Posted 17 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
IH574 wrote:
Was this one of the Huxtable family sings?
I loved that episode! Thanks for the flashback :)
Posted 17 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
This is where the rating system fails. 10 – Godlike No "-like" about it. Ray Charles is God.
Posted 17 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
hippie wrote:
Damn Right.
I love the way the background vocalist belts it out in her "solo" parts!
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
RockinBlueVoodoo wrote:
Any time is the right time for Ray...
Damn Right.
Posted 17 years ago by hippie    [ Reply ]
IH574 wrote:
Was this one of the Huxtable family sings?
Yes. I'll never forget the first time I heard this song. I was at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Big Joe Turner was onstage belting this song out! I'm embarrassed to say I'd never heard Ray's version, but Big Joe knocked my socks off!! I've loved every version of this song since then.
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Brilliant and groundbreaking. I miss you, Ray Charles.
Posted 17 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
IH574 wrote:
Was this one of the Huxtable family sings?
yup https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_Time_(Is_the_Right_Time)
Posted 17 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
perfect ray-full of passion, despair, faith and longing.
Posted 18 years ago by MCKY    [ Reply ]
Was this one of the Huxtable family sings?
Posted 18 years ago by IH574    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP for playing Ray! Another Tom Dowd-recorded classic.
Posted 18 years ago by Moormann    [ Reply ]
Any time is the right time for Ray...
Posted 18 years ago by RockinBlueVoodoo    [ Reply ]