Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
The 1959 song Elton John called “one of the greatest”
Elton John has praised Ray Charles’s 1959 hit ‘What’d I Say’ as one of the greatest songs ever made, highlighting the lasting influence of Charles on his own musical development. The article presents the track as a landmark of rhythm and blues that helped shape the sound and energy of later rock and pop performers.
Written and recorded by Charles, ‘What’d I Say’ emerged from an improvised ending during a live performance before becoming a major hit. Its driving piano, call-and-response vocals and blend of gospel, blues and R&B helped establish a template for soul music, while Charles became one of John’s most admired musical figures.
In short
- Elton John praised Ray Charles’s 1959 hit ‘What’d I Say’.
- The song grew from a live improvisation.
- Its sound helped define early soul music.
Explained simply
Ray Charles was an American rhythm and blues pioneer who released the song 'What'd I Say' in 1959. The track began as an improvisation during a live performance before Charles developed it into a full recording and hit.
The song featured a driving piano line, call-and-response vocals, and a blend of gospel, blues and rhythm and blues elements. This distinctive sound helped establish the foundation for soul music.
Charles's innovative approach to blending these musical traditions made him profoundly influential across generations of musicians. His groundbreaking work established templates that soul and rock artists would continue to build upon for decades to come.