No, You Don't Know Me

Articles

No, You Don't Know Me

By Kaycee Nilson
Mar. 6, 2006

Ever since I can remember, Ray Charles has been one of my favorite piano players and his song, “You Don’t Know Me,” has been one of my favorites. Of course, “Georgia On My Mind,” is another favorite song of mine.

So when the Jaimie Foxx movie about the great Ray Charles came out, I viewed it with mixed emotions at first. But the more the movie went along, the more I loved it. Now I have the DVD and have watched this movie at least 20 times.

Anytime I watch it, I find something new that I missed the first time I saw it. What I love most about the DVD is the “extended version” with the scenes that were cut out put back in place where they belong. This extended version is more compelling than the original theater release.

Jaimie had to audition for Ray Charles himself before he got the role. When Ray stood up and hugged himself, the producers and director knew they found the correct actor to portray the “Blind Sensation” himself. A side note that not many people know about Jaimie Foxx is he took piano lesions from the time he was three years old.

Without Ray’s approval, Jaimie would not have gotten this role. But having his eyes glued shut as Ray had in real life, made the essence of Ray shine through Foxx’s performance. And although Foxx managed to at least portray Ray in the piano playing ability, he still couldn’t get the fills in that is signature only to the great late, Ray Charles.

What I love about this movie is the flashbacks. And you have a sense of whom Ray Charles was and why his early career was filled with both drug abuse and a sense of guilt over his brother passing away in such a terrible accident. Like most farm kids, his early days were marked with pain and poverty. But going blind at age 7, was probably the most life changing experience other than loosing George in front of is own eyes.

Everyone has their story; everyone has their pain and sorrow. Some come through that pain and others just curl up and refuse to live. I find the story of Ray Charles inspiring. He picked himself up from poverty, from a handicap, and made something of his life.

Ray Charles has taught me to not be down because of my disability, he taught me to live for you never know what tomorrow will bring.

In closing, I’m going to put the lyrics of one of my favorite songs and I want you to read the lyrics and what the poetry of this man was.

You give your hand to me

And then you say, "Hello."

And I can hardly speak,

My heart is beating so.

And anyone can tell

You think you know me well.

Well, you don't know me.

(no you don't know me)

Who dreams of you at night;

And longs to kiss your lips

And longs to hold you tight

Oh I'm just a friend.

That's all I've ever been.

Cause you don't know me.

(no you don't know me)

For I never knew the art of making love,

Though my heart aches with love for you.

Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by.

A chance that you might love me too.

(love me too)

You give your hand to me,

And then you say, "Goodbye."

I watched you walk away,

Beside the lucky guy

Oh, you'll never ever know

The one who loved you so.

Well, you don't know me

(For I never knew the art of making love, )

(Though my heart aches with love for you. )

Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by.

A chance that you might love me too.

(love me too)

And then you say, "Goodbye."

I watched you walk away,

Beside the lucky guy

Oh, you'll never ever know

The one who loved you so.

Well, you don't know me

(you don't love me, you don't know me)

(“Ray Charles – You Don’t Know Me”)

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About the author: Kaycee Nilson has completed her first novel, "Night Falls on Chicago." The first two chapters can be viewed at http://www.KayceeNilson.com.

Besides writing columns for Useless-Knowledge, Kaycee is currently working on two more novels, "From the Mind of a Vampire", and "I'll Love You Til You Die."

If you have enjoyed what you read, or would like to leave Kaycee a message, please visit her message board at http://www.KayceeNilson.com/Board

Email: Kaycee@kayceenilson.com

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