About the song
**Ray Charles** was more than just a singer; he was a musical icon whose influence reverberated through countless genres. His unique blend of blues, jazz, gospel, and R&B created a sound that was both timeless and deeply personal. One of his most enduring hits, **”I Got a Woman,”** perfectly encapsulates Charles’s ability to turn heartache into a soulful anthem.
Released in 1954, “I Got a Woman” was a departure from Charles’s earlier gospel recordings. It marked a shift towards a more secular style, one that would ultimately define his career. The song’s driving rhythm and catchy melody immediately captured the attention of listeners, while Charles’s raspy vocals delivered a raw emotional intensity that was both captivating and heartbreaking.
The lyrics of “I Got a Woman” tell a tale of love and loss, of a man who is torn apart by the absence of his beloved. Charles’s delivery is filled with a sense of longing and regret, as he sings about the pain of separation and the hope of reconciliation. The song’s bridge, with its repeated refrain of “I got a woman,” is a poignant moment of vulnerability, a declaration of love and devotion that is both heartbreaking and uplifting.
Charles’s performance on “I Got a Woman” is a masterclass in vocal expression. His phrasing is impeccable, his tone is both soulful and powerful, and his ability to convey emotion through his voice is simply extraordinary. The song’s arrangement is equally impressive, featuring a driving rhythm section, soulful horns, and a gospel-inspired backing choir that adds depth and texture to the music.
“I Got a Woman” was a huge commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard R&B chart. It also helped to establish Charles as one of the most popular and influential musicians of his generation. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal, a reminder of the power of music to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level.
Video
Lyrics
Well
I got a woman, way over town
That’s good to me, oh yeah
Say, I got a woman, way over town
Good to me, oh yeah
She give me money when I’m in need
Yeah, she’s a kind of friend indeed
I got a woman, way over town
That’s good to me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin’, early in the morning
Just for me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin’, early in the morning
Just for me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin’, just for me
Ah, she love me so tenderly
I got a woman, way over town
That’s good to me, oh yeah
She’s there to love me
Both day and night
Never grumbles or fusses
Always treats me right
Never runnin’ in the streets
And leavin’ me alone
She knows a woman’s place
Is right there now in her home
I got a woman, way over town
That’s good to me, oh yeah
Say, I got a woman, way over town
That’s good to me, oh yeah
Oh, she’s my baby
Oh, don’t you understand?
Yeah, and I’m her lover man
I got a woman, way over town
That’s good to me, oh yeah
Oh, don’t you know she’s alright
Oh, don’t you know she’s alright
She’s alright, she’s alright
Whoa yeah, oh yeah