In the wake of 9-11, the mood in the country was dark. Ray's performance at the World Series that year was a spiritual shot in the arm for America at a time when we really needed it. It was indeed a moment worth remembering.
🙋🏾♂️ I'm a retired US Soldier living in Germany this is the first time I ever seen this and I'm crying. I'm crying from my country and my fellow Americans who are so divided. 😭
Wait what about john legend? Oh never mind. There will never be another ray charles. All of these new singers are clueless and don’t understand the greatest country ever
@@sg1770 I think you need to try and see it from their perspective. Understand that by doing that you aren’t abandoning your belief that the country is great. It just needs improvement in some areas. There is greatness about our country, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t injustice.
@@smoothoperator1083 they are feeding into irrational fears and mainstream nonsense. Love your family, neighbours and mind your business. Life in America is great
@@smoothoperator1083 Ah you are one of them huh? I don't live in a 3rd world country neither do I have 3rd world problems. Maybe get out of the Trump cult?
After 9-11 this country came together as a country, we stood shoulder to shoulder with each other not seeing differences just seeing a fellow American. We flew our flags on our homes and cars. We came together. Mr. Ray Charles was a national treasure, a blind man that could truly see.
America, as is the human condition, is very self-destructive. It wasn't very long after 9/11 that we resumed that nature and many of the left wing actually sympathized with terrorists. Look at who they elect and who they covet.
@@mikewrasman5103 Don't know anout all that. Just why is it whites want to believe that Blacks love the US? You people are sick and twisted -- Blacks love what America could be/should be -- not what it is.
@@loriannrichardson7644 I agree with you. But it is our striving to make this place what it always should have been that is pleasing to the eye of the Lord. This America will never be perfect. But we must strive to form a more perfect union. This is home. And for all its horror and faults and beauties and victories, it's still home. And I love it.
Chad Baldwin k? los "americanos", o como os gusta llamaros "americans" (lo cual no debería ser así porque os estáis refiriendo a todo un continente), os creéis los amos del mundo. Creéis que sois mas importantes que los europeos, los asiáticos, africanos, etc. Menos mal que mucha gente de tu "América" no es así
We’ve gone from having pride in this country and trying to make it better to so many people hating it and wanting to destroy its freedoms. We are so far astray in this country in 2023.
When Ray stood at the end, the humility,joy and happiness was surely there and I'll never forgot it. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 🇺🇸🇺🇸 RIP dear brother Ray. We'll always love you.
When I retired after over 30 years in the US Navy in 2005, a version of Ray Charles America the Beautiful was played at the Retirement Ceremony, I have always loved his version of this beautifu song. God Bless America and God Bless Ray Charles
Yes... It was in the aftermath of 9/11... Our beloved country stood fearlessly in unified allegiance. I remember what it was like to be able to cheer for our country and even that of our President. Of course, not everyone liked President George W Bush - but back then we found a way to agree to disagree. Today in 2020 people pledge more of an allegiance to their political party's than they do to their very own country. Our country is in desperate need of reconciliation - united we stand, divided we fall. No doubt about it - we are falling. And it is heartbreaking. I'm so glad that Mr. Charles didn't have to see what America has become today.
Exactly!! We were and came together. He couldnt see color but bet he could "feel hate" and still gave his life making all colors happy. Ain't no other like him.. never will be another as good.
Kelley Broussard appreciate your comment. It’s very sad in my mind to see how far we have fallen since the days after 9/11. In my lifetime I’ve never seen this country more divided. We have allowed politics to creep into any and all aspects of our lives and the result of that is clearly evident. No longer do we agree to disagree you are absolutely right. Now we treat each other like enemies like we aren’t from the same planet let alone country. We have to come together by any means necessary and take back our great nation. Elected officials work for us and it’s time to let our collective voices be heard.
They should, but unfortunately they won't. As parents, it is up to us to show them - I've shared it with my two kiddo's (ages 12 and 16) just this afternoon. I hope and pray more parents will share it with their kids as well. I refuse to allow patriotism to die, not on my watch.
He was not blind to beauty....listening to this....I felt he allowed us to hear the soul of America. He was, and still IS the best of us.. oh yeah!! oh YEAH!!!!
@John Hightower You are sick! I care less about your stupid political views! If one is born within the borders of America, or naturalized, one is an American. And btw, only Dummycrats are KKK.
I’m a kid who stood for the national anthem and was twitchy respect by a military father. Our country try was so much better then. This is a beautiful rendition of a song that many should feel in our hearts.
I love how at the end thousands of Americans were feeding Mr. Charles’ soul. He could really feel the energy they were giving him in return for what he just gave us. R.I.P. great man.
I remember when we used to care about each other. Unfortunately, now we live in a toxic world that there is no empathy or compassion. We are now so filled with hate. I think our ancestors are depressed
Carly Simon must have had Ray's rendition of America the Beautiful in mind when she sang "Nobody does it better Makes me feel sad for the rest Nobody does it half as good as you Baby, you're the best"
Our country may have its faults, it’s problems, it’s issues, but what makes it beautiful is that we can come together and make it better. Love you Cheryl my fellow American 🇺🇸 ❤️!!
We will bring it back. WE!!!!!!!!!! WILL!!!!!!!!!! BRING!!!!!!!!!! IT!!!!!!!!!!! BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@southsideman4891 NEVER,AMERICA TURNED GOD DOWN.LOOK AT THIS NATION NOW.iT'S A CESSPOOL AND ONLY ONE THING WILL CHANGE THIS WORLD.it's called an atom bomb.
Yes, another great song by Ray Charles---both always bring me to tears. With Georgia---it sure does because even though not born there, I spent my "formative years" there, graduating high school in Savannah.....
I was 11 years old and 9/11 was still fresh in our minds and this brought the fire back to all our souls. This was a time when we all united. Thank you Ray.
That's literally what leftists want for EVERYONE to be treated like fellow Americans and just have acsess to social service to make sure everyone is cared for equally. This always makes me cry seeing so many different Americans coming together.
Him staring to the sky (by ear) tells me just how proud he was to be an American. We come in all shapes, sizes, color, and creed. This is our foundation, for which no one can ever break. Thank you Mr Charles for this beautiful rendition of who we are as a country! God Bless the USA !!
YOU COULD DEFINITELY TELL RAY CHARLES LOVES THE UNITED STATES 🇺🇸 of America but HE HAS NOT SEEN IT SINCE HE WAS A YOUNG KID WORLD SERIES IN 2001 which was one month after the WORLD TRADE CENTERS PLUMMETED TO THE GROUND... HIS rendition of AMERICA the BEAUTIFUL made me feel there was hope for us to be hand-in-hand again but the trump card is dividing and ruining our country 😖
This is a true American coming from a white person raised in the suburbs! It doesn't matter where your from! Americans are Americans!! I miss this great American!! What a soul he had!!!
When I was a boy, a long time ago, I didn't enjoy Mr. Charles' music. Mind you, I was just a boy. But several years ago, I was poking around on RU-vid and found a old live recording of him performing this song. WOW! Then I began to look around, and realized what I had missed out on for so many years. A celebrity who truly loved his country, and an amazing entertainer. A national treasure of unsurpassed music and lyrics, coupled with a genuine love for his audience as well.
Take note those that are rioting, looting and burning flags, this is what America is a lesson from one of the greatest black artists that ever lived RIP Ray Charles.
"There was only one night game a year. On the 4th of July, the whole sky would brighten up with fireworks, giving us just enough light for a game. We played our best then because, I guess, we all felt like the big leaguers under the lights of some great stadium. Benny felt like that all the time. We all knew he was gonna go on to bigger and better games, because every time we stopped to watch the sky on those nights like regular kids, he was there to call us back. You see, for us, baseball was a game. But for Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, baseball was life."
People were nervous and afraid after 911, when or where would the next attack be? The World Series, should it be cancelled? Fear not, brother Ray stepped forward and hit a home run far greater than any ball hit by a player
Don Sullivan If only 911 was a terrorist attack by the people we blamed your comment would've been more beautiful than Ray singing this beautiful piece. Unfortunately Bush, Cheney, the Saudis are still walking around freely.
