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Ray Charles — UnChain My Heart
Album: Genius + Soul = Jazz
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 993









Released: 1961
Length: 2:47
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Unchain my heart, baby let me be
Unchain my heart 'cause you don't care about me
You've got me sewed up like a pillow case
but you let my love go to waste so
Unchain my heart, oh please, please set me free

Unchain my heart, baby let me go
Unchain my heart, 'cause you don't love me no more
Ev'ry time I call you on the phone
Some fella tells me that you're not at home so
Unchain my heart, oh please, please set me free

I'm under your spell like a man in a trance
But I know darn well, that I don't stand a chance so
Unchain my heart, let me go my way
Unchain my heart, you worry me night and day
Why lead me through a life of misery
when you don't care a bag of beans for me
So unchain my heart, oh please, please set me free



I'm under your spell like a man in a trance
But I know darn well, that I don't stand a chance so
Unchain my heart, let me go my way
Unchain my heart, you worry me night and day
Why lead me through a life of misery
when you don't care a bag of beans for me
So unchain my heart, please, please set me free
(please set me free)
Oh won't you set me free
(please set me free)
Woah, set me free
(please set me free)
Woowow, set me free little darlin
(please set me free)
Oh won't you set me free
Comments (60)add comment
 timmus wrote:

Ray Charles is the man but I'm not sure the music does anything at all to express misery and pain.  If anything it sounds exhuberant, especially with those backing vocals.


Sometimes "exhuberant" is great!   EXCELLENT TUNE!!
Posted 9 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Emwolb wrote:

it was about 40 years ago, out on a first date and I took the girl to a club (long since closed) in Franklin Square on Long Island, NY, figuring we'd drink, dance, etc.  when we got to the club, Mr Charles was playing that night and I ALMOST turned around to go to another club but figured what the hell and paid the admission fee and entered a world I had never experienced.  Ray was mesmerizing, entertaining and a great showman.  One of those rare circumstances / events that broadened my appreciation of great music.

they also just had a great segment on this past Sunday's CBS morning show which included a photo-shoot of Ray and the interaction between the photographer and Ray during the shoot.



Cool Story.  Thank You for sharing it.
Posted 9 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 xrdstv wrote:

So happy I saw him in concert. So happy it was front row. 




You lucky duck! I wish I was there, sitting next to you!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
So happy I saw him in concert. So happy it was front row. 
Posted 2 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
Ray Charles is the man but I'm not sure the music does anything at all to express misery and pain.  If anything it sounds exhuberant, especially with those backing vocals.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Legendary Ray✌️
Posted 2 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
I remember hearing this tune on the radio, when it first came out! I was 6yrs old.  And I still love it more, every time I hear it!!  Thanx RP!   
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
SUPER GREAT!!!!    CLASSIC & ICONIC!!!!     Thanx RP!
Posted 3 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]

it was about 40 years ago, out on a first date and I took the girl to a club (long since closed) in Franklin Square on Long Island, NY, figuring we'd drink, dance, etc.  when we got to the club, Mr Charles was playing that night and I ALMOST turned around to go to another club but figured what the hell and paid the admission fee and entered a world I had never experienced.  Ray was mesmerizing, entertaining and a great showman.  One of those rare circumstances / events that broadened my appreciation of great music.

they also just had a great segment on this past Sunday's CBS morning show which included a photo-shoot of Ray and the interaction between the photographer and Ray during the shoot.


Posted 7 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]

Dang, why in the world would this disturb you?

You better believe his estate made a big chunk of change, and good for them. Ray Charles was a great musician but also a great businessman and not ashamed of being so.

There is a silly myth that making money from art/music cheapens it. IMHO, it is a hangover from aristocratic dominated cultures where working for ones bread was considered crass and low class. Good thing, living in the USA, most of us think hard work and entrepreneurship are virtues.

Keep in mind that if Ray Charles wasn't a great businessman you probably would never have heard of him. Same is true for just about any other important artist/musician you can think of.

 

unclelonghair wrote:

It really disturbs me that hearing this song makes me think of that beer ad.  I hope that the Charles estate got a gazillion dollars for that.

 


Posted 7 years ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]
 LPCity wrote:
How much would you pay to be in the nightclub in Ray where Mr. Charles was jamming on this and everybody was getting their groove on?
 
This made me think. A few years ago I was at a small festival with my wife. It was just dark and we were stepping out for the night ahead. Walking through a wooded glade we stumbled across a couple of guys starting to play Bass and a Saxophone and doing vocals off to one side. They had just started and there was a handful of audience in front of them and they stopped us in our tracks. They were just phenomenal. They did three numbers and by the end there was a huge crowd right there in the groove.

They stopped on three to huge applause and walked away.

It set us up for the night.

So. Would I pay to see Mr Charles. Well, yes of course. Would I choose to pay over the free show that was equally as good? Perhaps. . .  Its a moot point. What is important is to grasp life wherever it appears and make yourself available to it. 

 
Posted 7 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
{#Roflol}
Posted 9 years ago by Bert7    [ Reply ]
Long live the king ♡

Awesome music Bill! 
Posted 9 years ago by marcedeleon    [ Reply ]
{#Wave} ...... all time classic ~ wonderfully stuff
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]

This song is good for the ears...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy} R C is the man -mechanic2
Posted 12 years ago by BibKiller    [ Reply ]
How much would you pay to be in the nightclub in Ray where Mr. Charles was jamming on this and everybody was getting their groove on?
Posted 12 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 lester wrote:
Ray Charles lives.
 
.....funny.......and his music never dies......
Posted 12 years ago by rockpommel16    [ Reply ]
Whoa!  I love this upbeat version too...those backing vocals, that beat, those horns...CLASSIC!

Posted 13 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
 unclelonghair wrote:
It really disturbs me that hearing this song makes me think of that beer ad.  I hope that the Charles estate got a gazillion dollars for that.
 

You can bet he did. Brother Ray didn't work cheap.
Posted 14 years ago by akousa    [ Reply ]
It really disturbs me that hearing this song makes me think of that beer ad.  I hope that the Charles estate got a gazillion dollars for that.
Posted 14 years ago by unclelonghair    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

ahh, who's that guy that sings only covers, ummm, ooh I forget, James Belushi did a parody of him right next to him on Saturday Night Live —— anyway he did a great cover of this - in slower motion. Brilliant!

Oh, just got it, Joe Cocker!!!!!!! 
 
Actually, it was the late John Belushi who did both Charles and Cocker parodies on SNL. RIP.

Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Unchain, not UnChain.
Posted 14 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
I like this bouncy version but it just reminds me how long its been since i heard the Cocker version all full of drunken remorse as it is.
Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 TanteJensen wrote:
This is a blues scheme, just all minor chords. And sped up, to a bouncy rhythm.

So simple, and yet you had to  be a genius like Mr. Charles to come up with that. 9
 
ahh, who's that guy that sings only covers, ummm, ooh I forget, James Belushi did a parody of him right next to him on Saturday Night Live —— anyway he did a great cover of this - in slower motion. Brilliant!

Oh, just got it, Joe Cocker!!!!!!! 
Posted 15 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 meghan89 wrote:
There are a lot of artists that you hear about over and over and being a young'un (26) I don't take the time to investigate - and then the artist dies or a movie comes out and I pick my head up and listen and kick myself for not doing so earlier. This applies to Ray, Johnny Cash, Sublime etc...
I think I'm going to have to start listening to Lionel Richie before someone makes a movie about HIM!
 
Lol. I think you're pretty safe in giving Lionel a wide berth. Pass. Seriously.

Posted 15 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
This is a blues scheme, just all minor chords. And sped up, to a bouncy rhythm.

So simple, and yet you had to  be a genius like Mr. Charles to come up with that. 9

Posted 15 years ago by TanteJensen    [ Reply ]
I like this!
Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
never ever heard this version- great !!!  Thanks...
Posted 15 years ago by KrischanZ    [ Reply ]
Can there really be 4 people in the world who are foolish/tone deaf/ignorant enough to give this song a "1" rating? I think the same idiot voted 4 times. That almost makes sense. Nahh...{#Ass}
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
Godlike.
Posted 15 years ago by mZk    [ Reply ]

 

Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good      ==>    Ray Charles - UnChain My Heart

Unforgetable!  Mr. Ray Charles Robinson

** 10 **



Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Ray Charles gets better with age.
Posted 16 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Ray was one of those who influenced me the most by his unforgettable music... may he jam with god now :)
Posted 16 years ago by petesku    [ Reply ]
If you lost the fatally irritating background vocals, this would be better. A little.
Posted 16 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
lester wrote:
Ray Charles lives.
In our hearts, forever!
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Two #1 on this one,WHO? Feel free to contact me for help!!
Posted 17 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by h2o2kat    [ Reply ]
algrif wrote:
Well Said!!!
Posted 18 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
I thought so. From Webster's dictionary: Main Entry: god·like Pronunciation: -"lIk Function: adjective : resembling or having the qualities of God or a god : DIVINE 1 a) similar in nature or likeness to Ray Charles
Posted 18 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
There are a lot of artists that you hear about over and over and being a young'un (26) I don't take the time to investigate - and then the artist dies or a movie comes out and I pick my head up and listen and kick myself for not doing so earlier. This applies to Ray, Johnny Cash, Sublime etc... I think I'm going to have to start listening to Lionel Richie before someone makes a movie about HIM!
Posted 18 years ago by meghan89    [ Reply ]
Yeah!
Posted 18 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
WOW! Lots of things are called classics- few are. This is. Even more enjoyable after seeing RAY and knowing a bit about how it came about. You are missed, Ray.
Posted 19 years ago by ralphcanoe    [ Reply ]
check out the sax!
Posted 19 years ago by ezzyme    [ Reply ]
I absolutely go nuts for the back up vocals on this tune.
Posted 19 years ago by Deronius    [ Reply ]
Ray Charles lives.
Posted 19 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
Not my favourite Ray Charles song, but by no means a bad one. Heard this one first on the Ray soundtrack
Posted 19 years ago by Moosey    [ Reply ]
Ray was a terrific movie. Interesting seeing the actor playing Atlantic Records' Tom Dowd, one of the most famous recording engineers ever (Aretha, Allmans, et al.). There's an excellent documentary on Dowd floating around presently on satellite TV.
Posted 19 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
RichardPrins wrote:
8)
What he said.
Posted 19 years ago by Skeletor    [ Reply ]
Poor little Joe Cocker...
Posted 19 years ago by bonux    [ Reply ]
:sunny.gif:
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
8)
Posted 19 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
.............iabsolutelycannotwaittoseemrfoxowningmrcharlesgeorgiamakesmecry..............
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
I hope everyone gets a chance to catch Ray when it comes out in theaters. I got to see a screening of it months ago and the movie was excellent. It is filled with lots of performances and some of the stories behind the songs.
Posted 20 years ago by pikester    [ Reply ]
Nice music. I just always had a challenge working up enthusiasm for RC after he played the '84 GOP Convention and in S. Africa in the apartheid era. Then again, he said he needed the cash! Fair enough for a musician, just not for an icon.
Posted 20 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
Ray Charles was always a very big and important part of the rich American popular music tradition to me. Since his passing he definitely is.
Posted 20 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
You're already much missed, Mister Charles.
Posted 20 years ago by rgj13    [ Reply ]
Good stuff Maynerd!
Posted 20 years ago by frednic    [ Reply ]