"Mess Around" (Atlantic 999) was one of the first big hits by music legend Ray Charles. It is noted for its insistent chorus of "Shake that thing!".
The song was written by Atlantic Records president and founder Ahmet Ertegün, using most of the lyrics of the 1929 blues anthem, "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie", by Pinetop Smith. It became a big R&B charted hit when released as a single in early 1953. Though a big hit, it was not until Charles' "I Got a Woman" hit that put the blind pianist-singer in the national spotlight.
The song was featured in the film Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, as John Candy plays air piano and air saxophone to it. It was also featured in the 2004 biopic Ray. Dr. John included it in his collection of New Orleans classics Dr. John's Gumbo.
In 2002, Charles headlined during the Cognac festival in southern France. At one point in the performance, a young fan rose to his feet and began singing an a cappella version of the song. Charles appreciated this show of respect by playing Mess Around.
