Mess Around

by Ray Charles
Loading song
Fetching song
1
—
Download Sheet & MIDIPlay on Guitar
Looking to play this yourself? Try the standard piano arrangement of “Mess Around”
Two-handed piano arrangement — color-coded notes, lead sheet, sheet music. Learn it yourself.

Other arrangements of Mess Around

Pick a learning view or switch to the backing-track version.

Lyrics

(Eb7)Ah, you can (Eb13)talk a bout the pit, bar be cue, the band was jum pin’, the peo ple too.

Ah, (Ab9)mess a round,

they do in’ the (Eb6)mess a round,

they do in’ the (Bb9)mess a round,

(Ab9)ev ’ry bod y do in’ the mess a (Eb6)round.

Ah, ev ’ry bod y was juiced, you can bet your soul.

They did the boo gie woo gie with a stead y roll.

They mess a round,

they do in’ the (Eb6)mess a round,

they do in’ the (Bb9)mess a round,

(Ab9)ev ’ry bod y do in’ the mess a (Eb6)round.

Now, ah, when I say stop, don’t you move a peg.

When I say go, just ah, shake your leg and do the mess a round,

I de clare, do the (Eb6)mess a round.

Yeah, do the mess a round, (Ab9)ev ’ry bod y’s do in’ the mess a (Eb6)round.

Now let me have it there boy

Now you got it boy...

Yeah,

ah, mess around...

Go on, mess around.

Mess around, boy!

Now this (Eb)- round.

Mess Around — Karaoke: Lyrics & Chords to Sing & Play Along

1 person has learned this song

Free karaoke for "Mess Around" by Ray Charles: lyrics on screen with the chords above each line and a bouncing ball that lands on every word in time. Sing along, or play along on guitar or piano from the chord chart. Change the key to fit your voice, slow the tempo down. Key of Ab, 148 BPM.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (Ab) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “Mess Around”

Can I sing "Mess Around" karaoke-style with the lyrics on screen?
Yes — Karaoke mode puts the lyrics of "Mess Around" on screen a line at a time and lights up each word in time, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word and the chord shown just above. The piano backing plays underneath in Ab, and you can transpose it to fit your voice.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "Mess Around" by Ray Charles in?
The backing track is in Ab at 148 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "Mess Around" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "Mess Around"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Mess Around", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Mess Around" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "Mess Around"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Mess Around"?
"Mess Around" was originally performed by Ray Charles. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Ray Charles are available?
Other accompaniments by Ray Charles: "A Song For You", "A Song For You", "Georgia On My Mind". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
Is there a karaoke version of "Mess Around" with lyrics?
Yes — this is a free karaoke slide for "Mess Around" by Ray Charles. The lyrics appear on screen a line at a time and each word lights up exactly when it's sung, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word. A backing plays underneath so you can just sing.
Does it show chords so I can play along on guitar or piano?
It does — a chord symbol sits on a thin row just above the lyric it changes on, so the same screen doubles as a lyrics-and-chords chart. Guitarists can strum the changes and pianists can comp while singing; the chords are colour-coded and move with the live transpose if you change key.
Can I change the key of "Mess Around" to match my voice or capo?
Yes. The original is in Ab, but the live transpose control shifts the whole song up or down semitones until the melody sits in your range (or maps to an easier guitar shape / capo position) — the on-screen chords and the backing move with it.
Can I slow "Mess Around" down to learn the words and chords?
Yes — the tempo control lets you take it as slow as you need while the lyrics still light up in time and the ball keeps you on the beat. Speed it back up once you can sing and play it through.

More songs you might like

A Song For You, Ray Charles
Ab

A Song For You

Ray Charles

Medium56 BPM
Hallelujah I Love Her So, Ray Charles
Eb

Hallelujah I Love Her So

Ray Charles

Medium145 BPM
HALLELUJAH I LOVE HIM (HER) SO, Ray Charles
F

HALLELUJAH I LOVE HIM (HER) SO

Ray Charles

Medium120 BPM
Georgia On My Mind, Ray Charles
F

Georgia On My Mind

Ray Charles

Very Easy80 BPM
Shake A Tail Feather, Ray Charles
D

Shake A Tail Feather

Ray Charles

Medium162 BPM
Georgia On My Mind, Ray Charles
G

Georgia On My Mind

Ray Charles

Medium60 BPM
I GOT A WOMAN, Ray Charles
A

I GOT A WOMAN

Ray Charles

Medium200 BPM
You Don't Know Me, Ray Charles
B

You Don't Know Me

Ray Charles

Beginner100 BPM
I Can't Stop Loving You, Ray Charles
Bb

I Can't Stop Loving You

Ray Charles

Medium79 BPM
I'LL DROWN IN MY TEARS, Ray Charles
C

I'LL DROWN IN MY TEARS

Ray Charles

Medium72 BPM
Mess Around, Ray Charles
C

Mess Around

Ray Charles

Easy140 BPM
Unchain My Heart, Ray Charles
A

Unchain My Heart

Ray Charles

Easy140 BPM