“Hit the Road Jack” is one of Ray Charles’s most famous songs — a defining R&B/soul hit that blends punchy piano riffs, call-and-response vocals, and a driving rhythm. The track’s memorable chorus and attitude — “Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more” — resonated with listeners worldwide, combining frustration, independence, and swagger in a compact, catchy package. Released in late 1961, the single topped the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, and became a signature song for Charles. Its lively groove, soulful delivery, and universal lyrical theme of departure and self-respect turned it into a timeless standard, covered by many artists over decades and remaining a cornerstone of soul and R&B history.