While Cray was among artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Thorogood who got wider radio airplay and regular MTV video exposure during the late 1980s, he started playing guitar in his early teens. At Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia, his love of blues and soul music flourished as he started collecting records. Originally, Robert Cray wanted to become an architect, but at about the same time he was going to study design in architecture he formed a local band "Steakface", described as "the best band from Lakewood you never heard of". Cray on guitar and vocals contributed greatly to Steakface's set list of songs by Jimi Hendrix, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Fleetwood Mac, the Grease Band, Blodwyn Pig, Jethro Tull, Forever More, Spirit, and The Faces.
By the time he was twenty, Cray had seen his heroes Albert Collins, Freddie King and Muddy Waters in concert, and decided to form his own band. His band started playing college towns on the west coast. After several years of regional success, Cray was signed to Mercury Records in 1982. His third release, Strong Persuader, received a Grammy Award, while the crossover single "Smokin' Gun" gave him wider appeal and name recognition.
By then Cray was an opening act for such major stars as Eric Clapton (who remains a friend to this day), and sold out larger venues as a solo artist. Cray has generally played Fender guitars (Telecasters and Stratocasters) and there are two signature Robert Cray Stratocasters models available from Fender.
Cray continues to record and tour.
Already Gone
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's the use in even trying?
You busted my heart, baby
When I found out that you were lyin'
You don't have to tell me
I hear it in the way you talk
When you say that it's all my fault
But is it all on me?
All on me?
All me?
You're already gone
Ohhh, I was the last one to know
And, ohhh, I'm so ashamed, baby
I hear people whispering everywhere I go (shame and sin)
I got these tear stains on my shirt
Won't dry out
And you know it's killing me
Say it's all my fault
Is it all on me?
All on me?
All on me?
All on me?
Did I misuse you, baby?
No
Have I ever mistrusted you, baby?
No
I always said that I loved you
I love you
I love you, baby
Yes I do
So why you doing me
The way you're doing me, baby?
I want to know
But you're already gone, yeah
Oh, I guess you gotta have someone to blame
(Might as well be me)
Since your mind's already made up
Go on, baby
I'll make it on past the pain
Yes I will
You think that now, baby
You're justified
And you know it's killing me
I hope you're satisfied
That it's all on me
All on me
All on me
Ewww, ah hahah!
You're already gone, baby
What's the use?
Somebody tell me
Ah hahah!
You're already gone, baby
Ewww, hope you're satisfied
Busted my heart, baby
Ah hahaha!
You're already gone, baby
Oh, you busted my heart in
So many little tiny, tiny
Oww!
Already gone
Found out that you were lying
Somebody help me
The lyrics of Robert Cray's song Already Gone express the sorrowful feelings of a man who has just realized that his lover has left him. The first few lines set the tone for the rest of the song, expressing the futility of trying to hold on to someone who has already moved on. The pain of betrayal is evident in the line "You busted my heart, baby, when I found out that you were lyin'." The singer reveals that he has heard the truth in the way his lover speaks, and it is killing him every time she blames him for what went wrong. He questions whether the whole thing is his fault, and the repetition of "All on me?" emphasizes his struggle to understand and find answers.
The middle of the song is expressed in a series of questions, asking whether he has misused her or mistrusted her, to which the reply is "No." He reiterates his love for her, so he can’t understand why she would treat him badly. The song's ending is a series of anguished cries, as the singer accepts that his lover is gone and questions whether there is any use in continuing to hope for a reconciliation. The line "Hope you're satisfied," is bitter, suggesting that the singer feels his former lover only wanted to hurt him, regardless of any pain she caused herself.
Line by Line Meaning
You're already gone
The person has already left and it's too late to fix anything
What's the use in even trying?
The person is questioning whether there is any point in trying to make things better
You busted my heart, baby
The person feels hurt and betrayed by their lover
When I found out that you were lyin'
The person discovered that their lover was dishonest
You don't have to tell me
The person already knows what's going on
I hear it in the way you talk
The tone or choice of words reveals the truth
And you know it's killin' me
The situation is causing emotional pain for the person
When you say that it's all my fault
The lover is blaming the person for the problems in the relationship
But is it all on me?
The person is questioning whether they are really to blame
Ohhh, I was the last one to know
The person was kept in the dark about the situation
And, ohhh, I'm so ashamed, baby
The person feels embarrassed and guilty about what happened
I hear people whispering everywhere I go
Others are discussing the person's troubles behind their back
I got these tear stains on my shirt
The person has been crying a lot
Won't dry out
The emotions are still raw
Is it all on me?
The person is still unsure if they are truly responsible
Did I misuse you, baby?
The person is questioning if they have mistreated their lover in some way
No
The person denies having mistreated their lover
Have I ever mistrusted you, baby?
The person wonders if they have ever shown a lack of trust in their lover
No
The person denies ever having mistrusted their lover
I always said that I loved you
The person emphasizes their love for their lover
So why you doing me
The person is asking why their lover is treating them badly
The way you're doing me, baby?
The lover's behavior is causing the person distress
I want to know
The person seeks answers
Oh, I guess you gotta have someone to blame
The lover needs to hold the person responsible to justify leaving
Since your mind's already made up
The lover has already decided to leave
Go on, baby
The person is giving permission to their lover to leave
I'll make it on past the pain
The person will overcome the emotional turmoil eventually
You think that now, baby
The person is challenging their lover's perspective
You're justified
The person acknowledges their lover feels that they had a valid reason to leave
And you know it's killing me
The person is still feeling hurt
I hope you're satisfied
The person is expressing resentment towards their lover
Ewww, ah hahah!
The person is letting out a disgusted laugh
Oh, you busted my heart in
The person feels as if their heart was physically broken
So many little tiny, tiny
The amount of pain caused was immense
Oww!
The person lets out a cry of anguish
Already gone
The person is emphasizing that their lover has already left
Found out that you were lying
The person discovered that their lover was dishonest
Somebody help me
The person is pleading for assistance
Hope you're satisfied
The person is expressing anger and resentment
Busted my heart, baby
The person feels hurt and betrayed by their lover
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robert Cray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind