I was watching A Night For Ray Charles earlier today and was blown away by the passion of the performers as they paid tribute to the late soul, R&B and country genius. Admittedly, although his career spans decades and his performance of his own songs - or others - is undoubtedly full of soul, I hadn't heard of any of the songs other than Georgia On My Mind (done surprisingly well by Usher) and I Can't Stop Loving You (by a rather sedate Reba McEntire, in comparison to the other performers, I felt).

One of the stand-out performances of the night was Stevie Wonder's rendition of I've Got A Woman. From one genius to another, indeed.

In any case, the song which got my attention was You Don't Know Me, performed in a rather jazzy way by country singer Kenny Chesney. I like the lyrics on unrequited (and unnoticed) love.

You Don't Know Me
written by Eddy Arnold
most memorably performed by Ray Charles

You give your hand to me
And then you say, "Hello."
And I can hardly speak,
My heart is beating so.
And anyone can tell
You think you know me well.
Well, you don't know me.
(no you don't know me)
No you don't know the one
Who dreams of you at night;
And longs to kiss your lips
And longs to hold you tight
Oh I'm just a friend.
That's all I've ever been.
Cause you don't know me.
(no you don't know me)
For I never knew the art of making love,
Though my heart aches with love for you.
Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by.
A chance that you might love me too.
(love me too)
You give your hand to me,
And then you say, "Goodbye."
I watched you walk away,
Beside the lucky guy
Oh, you'll never ever know
The one who loved you so.
Well, you don't know me
(For I never knew the art of making love, )
(Though my heart aches with love for you. )
Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by.
A chance that you might love me too.
(love me too)
Oh, you give your hand to me,
And then you say, "Goodbye."
I watched you walk away,
Beside the lucky guy
Oh, you'll never ever know
The one who loved you so.
Well, you don't know me
(you don't love me, you don't know me)