“One Of These Days”
Song by Ray Charles
Ray Charles’ 1979 recording of “One Of These Days” should be Exhibit A in the case for his ability to turn any piece of music into absolute gold. The second song on Side 2 of Ray’s great Ain’t It So LP, “One Of These Days” began life as a syrupy Barry Manilow song from Manilow’s 1973 debut album but is here a gripping, soulful statement of defiance.
Manilow’s original, as you might imagine, is a treacly piece of crudely orchestrated, bombastic melodrama, emasculated and obvious. And, as far as that goes, quite well done if you like that sort of thing. But when Ray Charles, who had by this point long tired of defending his choices of material, decided he liked the melody and the sentiment of the song, it got added to Ain’t It So and became a rich performance of gravitas and humanity.
Ray plays electric piano on “One Of These Days”, and from the outset (where it’s just him and his singing) his voice is cracking, sliding up and down intricate glissandos, and balanced so perfectly with grit and pathos that the astute listener will be transfixed by the aural joys being presented. One does a double-take at the LP jacket’s writer’s credit on this song: “Who wrote this? … Really, Barry Manilow? Wow, I never would have guessed…”
I don’t want to make this all about putting down Barry Manilow; the point is that when Ray made a choice to record a song, it was not a light decision: he knew he liked it and could make it his own, and others’ opinions about it were absolutely irrelevant. “One Of These Days” may seem an odd choice but it’s gorgeous, from the touching arrangement – gentle orchestra with Ray’s keyboard and lightly brushed drums – to Brother Ray’s engaged, engaging vocals.
The hook that Ray adds, that the original didn’t feature, is a spine-tingling repeat of the line “I won’t be there” throughout the song:
That’s what I say
That’s what I tell myself: I won’t give in
So try someday, and you’ll see that I won’t be there
(Girl, I won’t BE there!!)
It’s a nice touch, genius in fact, and it makes Ray’s take on “One Of These Days” particularly emotional, a key feature of an album full of strong songs done superbly. It contributes towards Ain’t It So‘s status as a forgotten album in serious need of modern re-assessment.
Poor Manilow has taken some knocks from critics over the years (including in this article!) but it must be said that the message of “One Of These Days” is surprisingly, even admirably, curt and direct. Barry takes an old blues notion – one of these days and it won’t be long, you’ll look for me and I’ll be gone; Ray himself had recorded variations on this lyric – and extends it over a whole song, building it into an epic and supremely cold-hearted brush-off.
One of these days
Out of the blue you’ll start remembering
And I just won’t care
‘Cause I won’t be there
Shrug. Deal with it, lady!
“One Of These Days” was not released on either side of any Ray Charles single, so to hear it you’ll have to find a copy of the Ain’t It So LP. Used copies in good shape are easy to find and aren’t expensive. The album is highly recommended, not least because of songs like “One Of These Days” that find Ray at the peak of his golden interpretive powers.
Listen to “One Of These Days”
Songs on Ain't It So