“Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off”

One of the many excellent performances on Ray Charles’ 1988 LP Just Between Us is a cover of Jimmy Lewis’ 1969 B-side “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off”. It’s a horn-led, mid-tempo rhythm and blues stomper, and Ray’s version follows Jimmy’s original very closely.

Jimmy Lewis was signed to Ray’s own Tangerine Records when he recorded “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off” as the B-side to the song “I’m Stepping Out”, and had in fact collaborated on an entire album with Ray that same year, Doing His Thing. Ray would continue to draw from Lewis’ well of lean, snaky R&B numbers with outrageous and funny lyrics about the foibles of relationships.

This “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off” is not related to the famous 1937 Gershwin tune (the “to-may-to/to-mah-to” song). This time a relationship is being called off because the married man is getting nervous that his wife will find out – and may go looking for some “outside help” her own self.

Jimmy Lewis’ version of “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off” from 1969.

Ray is testifying as soon as he starts singing, pointing out that his extra woman has known all along that he was married, so she shouldn’t be too surprised that he’s calling for things to end. He’s tired of sneaking out, tired of explaining to his wife why someone keeps calling the house. For his own peace of mind he wants the affair to end and pleads to the heavens for understanding.

Every man’s entitled to one mistake
And I’ll tell y’all the truth
If I ever get out of this one
I promise you from now on I’ll be going straight

“Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off” was arranged by long-time Ray Charles friend Quincy Jones, and is mostly a small-band combo highlighted by Ray’s gurgling electric piano and some efficient little guitar fills. A nice brass arrangement builds on Jimmy Lewis’ version is splendid but appropriately mixed to blend with the band, not dominate them.

Listen to “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off”

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