Hit the Road Jack

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“Hit the Road Jack”

Single by Ray Charles
B-side	"The Danger Zone"
Released	1961
Format	7", 45rpm
Genre	R&B
Length	2:00
Label	ABC
Writer(s)	Percy Mayfield
Producer	???
Certification	???

"Hit the Road Jack" is a song written by Percy Mayfield and recorded by Ray Charles. It hit number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning on Monday, October 9, 1961.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Song information

[edit] Covers

SMAK on their 30th Anniversary concert in Belgrade.
Big Youth in a reggae version, on his 1976 album Hit the Road Jack. Also released on the album Natty Universal Dread 1973-1979.
The Stampeders (1970s)
Suzi Quatro (1970s)
The Residents (1987)
Buster Poindexter (1989)
Bob Walsh (2002)
A'Cappella ExpreSSS (2005)
John Scofield (2005)
Miyavi (2005 - live)
Basement Jaxx (2006)
Tic Tac Toe (2006)
Kava (2007)

The original was also used for the WB sitcom Unhappily Ever After, and the movie Grumpier Old Men.

[edit] In popular culture

The song is often played during sporting events when a player from the visiting team is forced to leave the game, such as an ice hockey player sent to the penalty box, a basketball player fouling out, or a player being ejected from the game. It may also be played near the end of the game, when the home team appears likely to win.^{[citation needed]}

When Joe Mikulik has his meltdown, the song could be heard in the background; along with Who's on First?, Tom Hanks shouting "There's no crying in baseball!" from A League of Their Own.

Preceded by "Take Good Care of My Baby" by Bobby Vee	Billboard Hot 100 number one single (Ray Charles version) October 9, 1961 (2 weeks)	Succeeded by "Runaround Sue" by Dion