Download Quick… who did this song? If you said Ray Charles you get a gold star. It was written by R&B artist Percy Mayfield in the late ’50’s but didn’t become famous until Ray did it in 1961. The story in the song is about some poor schmuck who gets tossed out of his house by a woman who’s finally had enough of his shenanigans. Men, take heed… this one could be for you.
“Hit the Road, Jack” is one of those pieces that lives on forever – popping up when you least expect it. Aside from being a huge pop hit for Charles, it was used as the theme song for the sitcom Unhappily Ever After. In the early 90s, Kentucky Fried Chicken used a rerecorded version in their commercials – retitled”Cross the Road, Jack”. Cute. In an episode of Two and a Half Men, Charlie delightedly plays it on piano as Alan is finally moving out of his house. Ray Charles’ version is played over the PA at Chicago Bulls games when an opponent is fouled out of the game.
I wish I had composed this gem. I wouldn’t be writing this silly little blog if I had. Well, actually, I probably would. But we do perform it as it has nice vocal interplay between a man and a woman, using Buster Poindexter’s arrangement. Buster and his woman actually have a rather lengthy conversation in the middle 16 bars, which is hard to duplicate with a keyboard – but you’ll get the idea where to sing or talk. This version is fun, lively, and gives me a chance to use my horn section. Give it a go…
Poindexter video below:
Stageworthy Backing Tracks by Dave Zobrist 