“Funny (But I Still Love You)”
Song by Ray Charles
“Funny (But I Still Love You)” was the B-side of Ray Charles’ third single for Atlantic Records, the A-side of which was his early hit “Mess Around”; it was released in July 1953. It was written by Ray himself, and credited to Ray Charles and His Orchestra.
“Funny (But I Still Love You)” is bluesy – a nerve-wracked plea to a woman to come back home – but has an especially melodic chord structure over which Ray brilliantly sings an adventurous vocal line. The loveliness of the singing is in contrast to Ray’s actual voice, which is deep and wide, expressive and croaking.
Ray was being recorded professionally, and encouraged musically, by Atlantic, but he was still building on the foundation he’d established while recording 78 discs for Jack Lauderdale and Swing Time Records. “Funny (But I Still Love You)” is in the same vein as many of those early songs with its simple piano-led late-night club feel. Mickey Baker’s guitar sounds a lot like Ray’s erstwhile accompanist Gossie McKee with its dramatic sweeps, pushing the dejected emotions of the vocals over their dreary waterfall.
As a single, “Mess Around” was able to appeal to a wide range of listeners: the many who loved the hit A-side for its raucous, partying R&B explosion, and those for whom “Funny (But I Still Love You)” shone for its restrained and believable expression of desolate but warmly human blues.
Single releases
“Mess Around”
b/w
“Funny (But I Still Love You)”
Listen to “Funny (But I Still Love You)”
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Songs on Ray Charles