* Jazz: Charles was also influenced by jazz music, particularly the work of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Billy Eckstine. He began listening to jazz records when he was a teenager and was drawn to the improvisation and expressiveness of the music.
* Blues: Charles was also a fan of the blues and was influenced by the work of artists such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Otis Spann. He admired the raw emotion and authenticity of the blues and incorporated elements of the genre into his own music.
* Country music: Charles was exposed to country music while he was living in Texas and was influenced by the work of artists such as Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb. He admired the storytelling aspect of country music and the way that it could connect with everyday people.
* Classical music: Charles was also a fan of classical music and was influenced by the work of composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Frédéric Chopin. He admired the beauty and complexity of classical music and incorporated elements of the genre into his own work.