Ray Charles (song)
{{short description|2011 single by Chiddy Bang}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Ray Charles
| cover = RayCharles.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Chiddy Bang
| album = Breakfast
| released = November 14, 2011
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Alternative hip hop, soul, R&B
| length = 3:43
| writer = David Katz, Anthony Martini, Sam Hollander, Adam Palin, Chidera Anamege, Noah Beresin
| producer = Xaphoon Jones S*A*M and Sluggo
| chronology = Chiddy Bang
| prev_title = Truth
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = Heart Skips a Beat
| next_year = 2012
| misc = {{Audio sample
| type = single
| file = Chiddy Bang - Ray Charles.ogg
| description = "Ray Charles"
}}
}}
"Ray Charles" is a single released from American rap group Chiddy Bang. It was released in Canada on November 14, 2011 as a digital download as the second single from their debut studio album Breakfast. The song is a homage to the musician of the same name. Outside of the United States, "Ray Charles" was a hit in the British Isles, peaking within the top 20 of the charts in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, the song peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart.
Music video
A music video to accompany the release of "Ray Charles" was first released onto YouTube on January 5, 2012. It was directed by Alan Ferguson.{{Cite web|date=2012-01-07|title=Video: Chiddy Bang – "Ray Charles"|url=http://lostinthesound.com/2012/01/video-chiddy-bang-ray-charles/|access-date=2022-01-23|website=Lost In The Sound}} The music video features the duo watching videos on VEVO, including one that features the duo dressed up like Ray Charles. Briefly, "Pass Out" and "So What Cha Want", by Tinie Tempah and the Beastie Boys, respectively, can be heard. The scene in the church towards the end of the video is an homage to The Blues Brothers. After one and week of being on the site the official video had been viewed just over 3.8 million times.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_TzlSPbYt8&ob=av2e Chiddy Bang – Ray Charles]. YouTube
Critical reception
Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating:
It's easy to see how they've come to appreciate the late star as their soul homage not only fully embodies his sound, but also highlights how popular it remains today. Over a vintage piano riff and bouncy jazz section they rap a tribute to the legend that falls somewhere between profound and dangerously tongue-in-cheek ("You're too blind to see it"), but the result nonetheless sounds genuinely heartfelt. {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a367439/chiddy-bang-ray-charles-single-review.html|work=Digital Spy|publisher=digitalspy.co.uk|author=Robert Copsey|title=Chiddy Bang: 'Ray Charles' – Single review|date=23 February 2012}}
Track listing
;Digital Download
- "Ray Charles" – 3:43
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2011–2012) !Peak |
| {{single chart|Australiapandora|54|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120315130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20120316-0000/Issue1144.pdf|urltitle=Issue 1144|rowheader=true|access-date=March 4, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders Tip|47|artist=Chiddy Bang|song=Ray Charles|rowheader=true|access-date=May 4, 2021}} |
| {{single chart|Germany|88|artist=Chiddy Bang|song=Ray Charles|songid=928190|rowheader=true|access-date=May 4, 2021}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|20|artist=Chiddy Bang|song=Ray Charles|rowheader=true|access-date=January 26, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|13|artist=Chiddy Bang|song=Ray Charles|date=20120310|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|UK|13|artist=Chiddy Bang|song=Ray Charles|date=20120310|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|UKrandb|4|artist=Chiddy Bang|song=Ray Charles|date=20120310|rowheader=true}} |
Release history
| class="wikitable" border="1" |
| Region
! Date ! Format ! Label |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|United States
| November 14, 2011[https://web.archive.org/web/20111120171609/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ray-charles-single/id475028469 Ray Charles – Single by Chiddy Bang]. iTunes | EMI |
| January 24, 2012{{Cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases|title = Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates}}
| Rhythmic radio |
| United Kingdom
| 26 February 2012[https://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/ray-charles-ep/id495199234 Ray Charles – EP by Chiddy Bang]. iTunes | Digital download | EMI |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Chiddy Bang}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:I.R.S. Records singles
Category:Virgin Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by S*A*M and Sluggo
Category:Songs written by Sam Hollander