"Hit the Road Jack" is a song written by the rhythm and blues singer Percy Mayfield and recorded by Ray Charles. The song was a US number 1 hit in 1961, and won a Grammy award for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording, becoming one of Charles' signature songs. The song was played in the 1995 film Grumpier Old Men. Background The song was written by Percy Mayfield, who first recorded in 1960 as an a cappella demo sent to music executive Art Rupe. It became famous after it was recorded by the singer-songwriter-pianist Ray Charles, with The Raelettes vocalist Margie Hendrix. Charles's recording hit number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning on Monday, October 9, 1961. "Hit the Road Jack" won a Grammy award for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. The song was number one on the R&B Sides chart for five weeks, thereby becoming Charles's sixth number-one on that chart. The song is ranked number 387 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". The Chantels released an answer song, "Well, I Told You" which charted at No. 29. The vocal sample and lyrics have been used in contemporary music. Both remixes and covers have added a modern context to the original song. Charts and certifications Charts Certifications The Stampeders version In 1976, Canadian band The Stampeders released a version of the song taken from their album Steamin' featuring DJ Wolfman Jack. The song reached No. 6 in Canada and No. 40 in the US. References 1960 songs 1961 singles ABC Records singles The Animals songs Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles Cashbox number-one singles Number-one singles in New Zealand Paramount Records singles Ray Charles songs Songs written by Percy Mayfield Male–female vocal duets