“You Win Again”
Song by Ray Charles
For the many country music fans familiar with Hank Williams’ twangy 1952 song “You Win Again”, Ray Charles’ slow, orchestral version from 1962 must have come as something of a shock. It begins with a squeaky-clean white chorus singing “What can I do? You win again” over some sweet and lush strings before Ray takes over with his own lonesome, brokenhearted voice.
As one of many erstwhile country tunes that Ray recorded for the Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music LP, “You Win Again” has been transformed here into an emotionally draining and exquisitely beautiful performance, and made entirely Ray’s own. A big fan of country music, he does manage to countrify his vocals from time to time (“this hearrrt of mine…”).
The genuine pain in Ray’s voice atop the restrained and lovely backing musicians and choir, arranged by frequent co-conspirator Marty Paich, elevate “You Win Again” to grandeur. The song follows the musical blueprint that much of the rest of the Modern Sounds LP did: if you love this song, you’ll know why that album was such a worldwide smash upon its release.
The rhythm of Ray’s “You Win Again” is set by its very understated drums, which provide no flash or sharp edges whatsoever. They allow the gentleness of the music and the sadness of Ray’s voice to both become the focus — an unusual match, but an enormously successful one. The original Hank Williams version was recorded the day after the troubled singer’s divorce was finalized, and in true country fashion it finds the singer wallowing helplessly – almost masochistically – in his misery. (The song was originally written as “I Lose Again”.)
Strings and chorus back a soulful vocal by Ray Charles on this famous Hank Williams ballad.
– Song blurb from the LP jacket
“You Win Again” is undyingly beautiful and a completely compelling demonstration of how Ray Charles could merge disparate forms of music into one real and soulful whole. Although it was not one of the four tracks from the album to make it to either side of a single, “You Win Again” is one of the highlights of Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music, and a credit to all involved and to Ray’s untouchable powers as a singer and interpreter.
Listen to “You Win Again”
Songs on Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music