‘Hit the Road Jack’ by Ray Charles is a timeless song that still captivates musicians and audiences in the 21st century. The simple stepwise bass melody (descending from A to E in Am) helps to establish the groove, and the lyrics are extremely catchy.
If you want to learn to play Hit the Road Jack, you’ve come to the right place. This article will examine the melody, chords, harmony, and lyrics, and provide a video lesson to learn from. Enjoy!
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Hit the Road Jack: Full Piano Lesson Video, Chords, Lyrics
Contents
Video Lesson
Chords
Am / G / F / E7
Lyrics
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more
What you say?
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more
Old woman, old woman, don’t treat me so mean
You’re the meanest old woman that I’ve ever seen
I guess if you said so
I’ll have to pack my things and go (that’s right)
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more
What you say?
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more
Now baby, listen baby, don’t ya treat me this way
‘Cause I’ll be back on my feet some day
(Don’t care if you do ’cause it’s understood)
(You ain’t got no money, you just ain’t no good)
Well, I guess if you say so
I’ll have to pack my things and go (that’s right)
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more
What you say?
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more
Well (don’t you come back no more)
Uh, what you say? (Don’t you come back no more)
I didn’t understand you (don’t you come back no more)
You can’t mean that (don’t you come back no more)
Oh, now baby, please (don’t you come back no more)
What you tryin’ to do to me? (Don’t you come back no more)
Oh, don’t treat me like that (don’t you come back no more)
Ray Charles
Ray Charles, often called “The Genius,” was a legendary musician who pioneered soul music during the 1950s. He blended blues, gospel, R&B, rock, country, and jazz to create groundbreaking hits like “Unchain My Heart,” “I’ve Got A Woman,” and “What I’d Say”.
Charles’s musical journey began when he was blinded during childhood, possibly due to glaucoma. Despite this challenge, he became an iconic and influential figure in music history.
His innovative fusion of genres left an indelible mark on music, and his legacy still inspires artists today.
FAQ
Q1. Is Hit the Road Jack Hard to Play?
The song is surprisingly easy, thanks to the chord progression that stays constant throughout the song. This is a 4 chord song with a simple bassline and is therefore perfect for beginners. Try to sing and play the song at the same time!
Q2. What Key Is Hit the Road Jack In?
The song is in A Minor.
Q3. How Did Ray Charles Learn to Play Piano?
Ray Charles started to appreciate music at the age of 3. While at Wylie Pitman’s Red Wing Cafe, he saw Pitman playing boogie woogie on an upright piano. Wylie Pitman taught Ray how to play the piano.
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