I don't know what would have happened to me if I hadn't been able to hear.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the profound impact that hearing has had on Ray Charles's life and artistry, suggesting that it enabled him to overcome challenges.
Ray Charles, an iconic musician who was blind, emphasizes the crucial role that hearing played in his life. His ability to hear not only shaped his musical genius but also allowed him to connect deeply with the world around him, showcasing the significance of the senses in navigating life's challenges and finding one's passion.
In practice
During a motivational speech about overcoming adversity.
I suppose I've always done my share of crying, especially when there's no other way to contain my feelings. I know that men ain't supposed to cry, but I think that's wrong. Crying's always been a way for me to get things out which are buried deep, deep down. When I sing, I often cry. Crying is feeling, and feeling is being human. Oh yes, I cry.
I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.
To me, music is entertainment - what else can it be? In fact, it's the only language I know of that's universal.
Just because you can't see anything , doesn't mean you should shut your eyes.
Any artist, when he goes in to record, should have the feeling that any song he records can be a hit. This may sound egotistical, but it makes sense.
When I started to sing like myself - as opposed to imitating Nat Cole, which I had done for a while - when I started singing like Ray Charles, it had this spiritual and churchy, this religious or gospel sound. It had this holiness and preachy tone to it. It was very controversial. I got a lot of criticism for it.
From my birth I have aspired like the eagle - but unlike the eagle, my wings have failed. . . . Congratulate me then that I have found a fitting scope for my powers.
I want to be a force for real good. In other words. I know that there are bad forces, forces that bring suffering to others and misery to the world, but I want to be the opposite force. I want to be the force which is truly for good.
I don't know whether it's the athlete in me or the passion I have for the game: I always think that I can step back on the field and play.
I feel very privileged to hear how somebody used to run around stickin' people up and stealing cars, and now they're gettin' their life back together... I just love the stories. The stories of the fallen world, they excite us. That's the interesting stuff.
I always believed there would be an African-American president. It was something I'd dreamed about, thought about, but certainly did not believe would happen in my lifetime.
Ordinary women of grace are, in a sense, my real role models.
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