Mess Around

Ray Charles recorded Mess Around for Atlantic in New York in 1953 with arranger Jesse Stone and Atlantic executive Ahmet Ertegun closely involved in the session. The song was written by Ertegun around a boogie piano figure associated with Cow Cow Davenports Cow Cow Blues. Released by Atlantic in 1953, Mess Around became one of Charles first important national R&B hits. Its hard piano drive and gospel-charged vocal style helped define his early Atlantic sound. Mess Around became a durable Ray Charles standard and remained one of the key recordings from his breakthrough Atlantic period. The song reached later audiences through film and television use and through covers by artists including Dr. John and Professor Longhair.