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.
Consequences
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That a man doesn't have to choose
Between what he wants
What he's afraid to lose
Along comes temptation
And he can't refuse, no
I know the different 'tween wrong and right
Don't make no difference in the middle of the night
Take the bait
You pay the price
It's much too late
For good advice
You know and I know that our good things' through
Because there's consequences for what we do
Consequences for me and you
I was smokin' and drinkin'
And thinkin' when you walked by
The next thing I knew
I was making up my alibi, yes I was
And all I've done since then
Is lie, lie, lie
I took my chances
Had a real good time
But I'd give my soul
For a little piece of mind
To tell the truth
Is a big mistake
Homes will crumble and hearts will break
Baby, why gamble when there's so much to lose
Because there's consequences for what we do
Consequences for me and you
Oh, listen baby
It's just common sense
Sooner or later
We're gonna suffer the consequences
To tell the truth
And pay the price
I did not listen to Mama's good advice
You know and I know that our good things' through
Because there's consequences for what we do
Consequences for me and you
Consequences of the things that we do
Consequences for me and you
Yeah
We're gonna have to pay the price, baby
Yeah
We're gonna suffer the consequences
Yeah
For hot lovin'
On the side
Yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Consequences, baby
Hot lovin'
On the side
The song "Consequences" by Robert Cray is a reflection on the choices we make in life and the repercussions that come with them. The lyrics suggest that every man must choose between what they want and what they are afraid to lose, and that temptation is sometimes too difficult to resist. The singer admits to making choices that he knows are wrong, but he realizes too late that these actions come with consequences that will affect not only himself but also his loved ones.
The singer narrates his story of drinking and smoking by himself when someone walks by, and he finds himself making up an alibi because of his actions. He admits that he has been lying ever since and that he had great fun but would give anything for peace of mind. The good things in his life are now over, and he and the other person must face the consequences of their actions. The song implies that it's always better to tell the truth and pay the price than to gamble and risk losing everything.
Overall, "Consequences" is a poignant reflection on the choices we make in life and the impact of those choices on ourselves and those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Not a day goes by
Every day, a man must make choices
That a man doesn't have to choose
There is no day without choices
Between what he wants
Between what he desires
What he's afraid to lose
And what he fears to lose
Along comes temptation
Sometimes temptation is too strong
And he can't refuse, no
And he can't resist
I know the different 'tween wrong and right
I understand what is right and what is wrong
Don't make no difference in the middle of the night
But at times, it's difficult to distinguish the two
Take the bait
Giving in to temptation
You pay the price
But there are consequences
It's much too late
By the time we realize our mistake
For good advice
It's too late to take advice
You know and I know that our good things' through
We know that our good life is over now
Because there's consequences for what we do
Because our actions have consequences
Consequences for me and you
And these consequences affect both of us
I was smokin' and drinkin'
I was engaging in vices
And thinkin' when you walked by
And then you came along
The next thing I knew
Before I realized it
I was making up my alibi, yes I was
I was lying to cover up my behavior
And all I've done since then
And my lies have continued
Is lie, lie, lie
I've been constantly lying
I took my chances
I took risks
Had a real good time
I enjoyed myself
But I'd give my soul
But now I regret it
For a little piece of mind
And I wish I could find peace
To tell the truth
Being honest
Is a big mistake
However, honesty can have consequences
Homes will crumble and hearts will break
And can even break apart families and relationships
Baby, why gamble when there's so much to lose
So why risk it when there's so much at stake?
Oh, listen baby
Listen to me
It's just common sense
It's just basic logic
Sooner or later
Eventually
We're gonna suffer the consequences
We will face the consequences
And pay the price
And we will suffer the consequences
I did not listen to Mama's good advice
I ignored my mother's wise words
Because there's consequences for what we do
Because our actions have consequences
Consequences for me and you
And these consequences affect both of us
Consequences of the things that we do
The consequences of our actions
We're gonna have to pay the price, baby
We will pay the price
For hot lovin'
For the temporary pleasure
On the side
Outside of our relationships
Consequences, baby
Consequences, my love
Hot lovin'
The temporary pleasure
On the side
Outside of our relationships
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bonnie Hayes, David Nagler, Kevin Hayes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnosborne2989
Robert Cray still slaying them in 2024.❤❤
@charlesavino8826
Does this shit ever get old?!!!!!!! Hot Damn!!!!
@enriquepina9829
Awesome Cray!!!! Seen him in Concert!!!!! Great!!!! Music 🎵🎶🎵🎶!!!!! I'm 69 still Rock n Roll!!!!!!
@RussellHouston-wv5wn
Rest in peace sam stader you introduced me to Robert Cray when I was fourteen and I still love it
@DebbsDebbadoo247
u cannot let his guy go away
@beckyleedy1400
Smooth as silk
@virginiaratkovich9338
Smooth and enduring talent. One note, unmistakably it's Cray! Smooth play that Strat!
@sandragriffiths9692
And most are original songs, not copies of old blues songs, he us a genius.
@SlimJones62
Love them funky horns
@redhouaneboulechbak8316
The Memphis Horns, Andrew Love & Wayne Jackson