Uploaded November 2011 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
"Night Time Is the Right Time" or "The Right Time" is a rhythm and blues song recorded by Nappy Brown in 1957. It draws on earlier blues songs and has inspired many subsequent versions, including a record chart hit versions by Ray Charles, Rufus and Carla, and James Brown.
Ray Charles recorded his version, titled "(Night Time Is) The Right Time" in October 1958. According to Brown, "The difference between me and Ray Charles's 'Night Time Is the Right Time' ... is he had it up-tempo with Mary Ann and them behind him—the ladies [Charles' female backup singers, the Raelettes]. I had mine in a slow tempo with a gospel group behind me. That was my gospel group. But he got everything just like mine, note for note". Margie Hendricks with Charles' backup singers the Raelettes provided the accompaniment to Charles vocals. The song became a hit in 1959, when it reached number five in the Billboard R&B chart and number 95 in the pop chart. The song is included on the albums Ray Charles at Newport and The Genius Sings the Blues.
"Night Time Is the Right Time" or "The Right Time" is a rhythm and blues song recorded by Nappy Brown in 1957. It draws on earlier blues songs and has inspired many subsequent versions, including a record chart hit versions by Ray Charles, Rufus and Carla, and James Brown.
Ray Charles recorded his version, titled "(Night Time Is) The Right Time" in October 1958. According to Brown, "The difference between me and Ray Charles's 'Night Time Is the Right Time' ... is he had it up-tempo with Mary Ann and them behind him—the ladies [Charles' female backup singers, the Raelettes]. I had mine in a slow tempo with a gospel group behind me. That was my gospel group. But he got everything just like mine, note for note". Margie Hendricks with Charles' backup singers the Raelettes provided the accompaniment to Charles vocals. The song became a hit in 1959, when it reached number five in the Billboard R&B chart and number 95 in the pop chart. The song is included on the albums Ray Charles at Newport and The Genius Sings the Blues.
