Rolling Stone's Top 20

“What’d I Say”- #10

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Released:1959

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This song was inspired by Ray Charles experience with “sweet sounds of love”. As one might assume, he is talking about making love. Charles is not trying to be lucrative either, he blaintly states at the beginning of the first verse, “Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love your daddy all night long.” He continues to discuss this sexual encounter with a woman, and he seems to be recounting a sexual experience. He goes on to say, “Hey, don't quit now! Naw, I got, I uh-uh-uh, I'm changing (stop! stop! we'll do it again)”. He does not want to stop making love; willing to go another round. This song not only discussed sex openly, but the song sold! The production of this song solidifies the fact that people desired love and affection, and this song gave the people what they wanted to hear.

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Themes: Sex, Relationships, Sex