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Mess Around
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Wikipedia article
"'Mess Around'", is a song written by Ahmet Ertegun, co-founder and then-president of Atlantic Records, under the pseudonym of A. Nugetre,[http://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/ray_charles/mess_around___funny__but_i_still_love_you_/ Mess Around / Funny (But I Still Love You) by Ray Charles (Single, Rhythm & Blues): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list - Rate Your Music] or "Nuggy". It was performed by Ray Charles, and was one of Charles's first hits.
Ertegun claims his inspiration for writing "Mess Around" was Pete Johnson. Earlier versions of the tune, a New Orleans boogie piano riff, can be heard throughout the early 1930s and 1940s the earliest of all being "Cow Cow Blues" from Charles "Cow Cow" Davenport in 1928. Dr John has spoken about the origin of this tune on his "Dr John Teaches New Orleans Piano" series of DVDs.
The lyrics urge listeners to dance ("mess around"), along with a few other key phrases, notably the "girl with the red dress on", harkening back to "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie", the early boogie woogie classic. "Mess Around" became a big R&B charted hit when released as a single in early 1953. It was later included on Charles's 1957 album 'Ray Charles'.
Cover versions
* It was covered by the Animals in 1965 on the albums 'The Animals on Tour' and 'Animal Tracks'.
* Dr. John included it in his 1972 collection of New Orleans classics 'Dr. John's Gumbo'.
* Professor Longhair covered the song on several of his albums, including 'Rock 'n' Roll Gumbo' (1974).
* It was covered by the UK new wave band Squeeze and featured on their 1980 album 'Argybargy' deluxe edition as a live version. Jools Holland said Ray Charles was so impressed that Squeeze were doing a version, Ray sent the band his suit.
In popular culture
* The song was featured in the 1987 American comedy film 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles', during a scene in which Del Griffith (John Candy) tries to dance to the song on the radio while driving a car at night on the freeway, and while his passenger Neal Page (Steve Martin) sleeps beside him.
* It was featured in the 2004 biographical film 'Ray' of Ray Charles.
* The song was played on the piano in the series 'Lucifer', season one, episode nine, by Lucifer Morningstar and Father Frank.
References
Category:1953 singles
Category:Ray Charles songs
Category:The Animals songs
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:Songs written by Ahmet Ertegun
Category:Dr. John songs
Category:1953 songs
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