What'd I Say
Context
Born from an improvisation at the end of a concert in late 1958, "What'd I Say" was recorded on February 18, 1959 in Atlantic's small studio and released in June 1959 as a single split into two parts. Its innuendo got it banned from many radio stations, but it reached number 1 on the R&B chart and number 6 on the Hot 100: Ray Charles's first gold record. He plays a Wurlitzer electric piano here, with the Raelettes in call and response.
In the genealogy of jazz
This track belongs to Jump blues, R&B. Among the origins and influences of Jump blues, R&B: Blues, spirituals, work songs, Boogie-woogie, Swing, big bands, Kansas City, Gospel.