The Ray Charles Version and Other Versions
Six years after that, in 1962, Ray Charles included the tune on his No. 1 pop album “Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music”. His single of “You Don’t Know Me” went all the way to No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Unfortunately, it was blocked from the top spot by Tommy Roe’s “Sheila.” However, Ray’s record did spend three weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s now known as “Easy Listening” chart. Over 30 years later, Charles’ version of “You Don’t Know Me” was also featured prominently in the 1993 hit movie “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray. Ray Charles re-recorded the song as a duet with jazz singer Diana Krall for his 2004 album “Genius Loves Company”. It made “You Don’t Know Me” the only song common to both of Ray Charles’ two No. 1 pop albums.
“You Don’t Know Me” was cut through the years by dozens of other top artists. Those artists include Elvis Presley, Anne Murray, Bob Dylan, Patti Page, Rick Nelson, Bette Midler, Kenny Loggins, Juice Newton, Charlie Rich, Floyd Cramer, Michael Bolton, Emmylou Harris, Harry Connick, Jr. and Willie Nelson.
Cindy Walker’s tremendous catalog of classic hits made her a shoo-in for country music’s highest honor. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997.
Walker is one of only five non-performing songwriters so recognized.
