I remember being a very young child and this woman named Ruth, who used to babysit me and my sisters, would play this on the turntable. Cigarette in one hand, drink in the other. Old raggedy slippers with the heel out...dancing around the house. That was 50+ years ago.
I cannot get enough of Margie Hendrick's superlative vocals without which this song would be simply very good rather than iconic. Notice how she can scream "Baby" without losing any resonance or sounding nasal and she can repeat it several times. And you can hear the effortless melisma after each "Baby" which is sung quieter creating the effect of a dying scream. Her versatility is a joy to listen to. What a voice.
Ray Charles is putting soul and magic into this song and Margie is a force of nature , Beyoncé couldn't sing like that if her life depended on it ! Truly remarkable .
The night time is the right time simple and straight to the point..Musical talent they talked about sex back then without the children knowing they was talking bout sex lol