Context

This line is from the song "Hit the Road Jack," a single by Ray Charles (1961).

We don't know about you, Shmoopers, but this Jack guy sounds like bad news to us. Time for him to get lost.

If you've got your own Jack in your life and just wish he'd leave you alone, this is the line to quote. And if his name is actually Jack and you don't quote this line, then really? C'mon. You're missing a golden opportunity. We'll try not to judge, but… c'mon.

Where you've heard it

You've most likely heard this song on your local oldies radio station, but you may also have heard it from your local oldies. It's a gem for parents to sing each time you leave the house with your cool friends, who then ask you pityingly, "Are they always like that?"

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

If you drop this line when the first person gets up to leave your dinner party, you may get a chuckle or two. And, hey, there are worse things you can get at a dinner party... like botulism.