Let's Go Get Stoned

For the Sublime song, see 40oz. to Freedom.

"Let's Go Get Stoned" is a song originally recorded by The Coasters in May 1965.^[2] It was written by Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, and Josephine Armstead. Ronnie Milsap recorded it in October 1965 as a B-side to the single, "Never Had It So Good.^[3]

"Let's Go Get Stoned"
Single by Ray Charles
from the album Crying Time
B-side	"The Train"
Released	1966
Genre	R&B[1]
Length	2:57
Label	ABC
Songwriter(s)	Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Josephine Armstead
Producer(s)	Joe Adams
Ray Charles singles chronology
"Together Again" (1966) "Let's Go Get Stoned" (1966) "I Don't Need No Doctor" (1966)

Ray Charles recording

It was a 1966 number one R&B hit for American recording artist Ray Charles.^[4] The single was released shortly after Charles was released from rehab after a 16-year heroin addiction. Charles heard a 1965 recording of the song by Ronnie Milsap. According to Milsap, Charles liked his version of the song so much that he decided to record it himself. It is notable for being one of Ashford & Simpson's first successful compositions together; the duo also penned Charles' "I Don't Need No Doctor".^[5]

Chart positions

Chart (1966)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	31
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles	1

Other notable covers

• Manfred Mann recorded the song on their #1 British EP No Living Without Loving, which topped the UK EP chart in December 1965.^{[citation needed]}
• The Amboy Dukes recorded a cover for their 1967 eponymous album^[6]
• James Brown released a recording of the song as a single.^[7]
• Big Mama Thornton recorded the song for her 1969 album Stronger Than Dirt.^[8]
• Joe Cocker performed the song at Woodstock in August 1969.^[9]

References

1. Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 167. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
2. "Recording: Let's Go Get Stoned". Second Hand Songs. 18 February 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
3. "Ronnie Milsap - Never Had It So Good". 45cat.com. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 113.
5. "I Don't Need No Doctor - Ray Charles | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
6. Joe Viglione. "The Amboy Dukes - The Amboy Dukes | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
7. "Fine Old Foxy Self - James Brown | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
8. Michael Spörke. "Big Mama Thornton: The Life and Music". Mcfarlandbooks.com. Retrieved 2015-10-07.
9. "Joe Cocker: 50 Years of Peace & Music". Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Retrieved 30 May 2021.