"Hit the Road Jack" is a song written by the rhythm and blues artist Percy Mayfield and first recorded in 1960 as an a cappella demo sent to music executive Art Rupe. It became famous after it was recorded by the singer-songwriter-pianist Ray Charles with The Raelettes vocalist Margie Hendrix, and eventually became one of Charles' signature songs.
Charles's recording hit number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning on Monday, October 9, 1961. "Hit the Road Jack" won a Grammy award for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. The song was number one on the R&B Sides chart for five weeks, thereby becoming Charles's sixth number-one on that chart. The song is ranked number 387 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
The Chantels released an answer song, "Well, I Told You" which charted at #29.
The vocal sample and lyrics have been used in contemporary music. Both remixes and covers have added a modern context to the original song.
Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrnWp5O0DEs
Hit the Road Jack has been suggested to play 10 roles. Click below to see other actors suggested for each role, and vote for who you think would play the role best.
