“Let’s Go Get Stoned”
Song by Ray Charles
“Let’s Go Get Stoned” is a famous song from Ray’s 1966 album Crying Time. It was an early song from Ashford and Simpson, and Ray plays it with a roller-rink organ acting as a contrast to his simple gospel piano chords. A bluesy guitar, though low in volume, also provides important backbone to the sound of “Let’s Go Get Stoned”. Of utmost importance sonically are the Raelets, who sing the title and its incongruously uplifting melody, but do not seem to follow our hero into his tragic, boozy decline.
The song is structured well and is compelling just for that, but the lyrics also have a curious uniqueness and balance that keep the listener’s attention throughout. Although Ray had just kicked heroin, and though it was released in the heady year of 1966, “Let’s Go Get Stoned” in fact refers to alcohol and the older meaning of “stoned”, not to drugs.
“Let’s Go Get Stoned” is a highlight of the Crying Time album and of Ray’s late 1960s output. It’s an effortlessly cool yet subtly tortured missive from an artist who knew well the realities of substances, good and bad. It was released as a single in May 1966, with the non-LP song “The Train” as the B-side.
Single releases
“Let’s Go Get Stoned”
b/w
“The Train”
Listen to “Let’s Go Get Stoned”
Get your own “Let’s Go Get Stoned” on 45, LP, CD or MP3 from Amazon. Or get the out-of-print complete ABC singles 5xCD box set.
Songs on Crying Time