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.
Does It Really Matter
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I always seem to forget
Where I put my keys, my hat and my coat
We're searching for your sun glasses
And you've lost the remote
Did you forget the heat
'Cause I'm getting chills
Did we forget to pay the bills
Why does it really matter
'Cause when the lights go out, it only gets better
When you hold me tight and tell me it's alright
Then the rest doesn't really matter
I guess it doesn't really matter
That we ain't been riding high
And keepin' up with the Jones
Never been to Pairs, I don't care if we go, oh no
We'll get around the world right here at home
Now the car won't start
And the paint is peeling
So the dishes are stacking up
They can wait, I've got that feeling
Why does it really matter
We can dim the lights and put on [Incomprehensible]
Now baby, hold me tight and tell me it's alright
Then the rest doesn't really matter
Why does it really matter
'Cause when the lights go out, it only gets better
Yeah, baby, hold me tight and tell me it's alright
Then the rest doesn't really
Why does it really matter
'Cause when the lights go out, it only gets better
Why does it really matter
Why does it really matter, baby, hey
The lyrics to Robert Cray's song Does It Really Matter express the idea that the little things in life that often seem important, such as forgetfulness or material possessions, are really insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The singer describes forgetfulness about everyday items like keys and remote as well as forgetfulness about paying bills. He asks, "Why does it really matter?" and suggests that in the end, what really matters is the love and connection he shares with his partner. When the lights go out, and they are holding each other, everything else fades into insignificance.
The theme of the song emphasizes the importance of appreciating the present moment and cherishing the people we love. By focusing on the love between the partners, the song suggests that as long as they have each other, everything else can be overcome, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the moment. The message is that the smaller things that we often stress about will not matter in the end when it is the people we love and the time we spend with them that truly matters.
Line by Line Meaning
You know it doesn't really matter
It's not important
That I always seem to forget
Even though I forget things
Where I put my keys, my hat and my coat
And we can't find things
We're searching for your sun glasses
We're looking for your sunglasses
And you've lost the remote
And you've misplaced the TV remote
Did you forget the heat
Did you forget to turn on the heat
'Cause I'm getting chills
As I'm feeling cold
Are the lights really going out
Are the lights actually going to turn off
Did we forget to pay the bills
Did we neglect to pay our bills
Why does it really matter
Why is it important
'Cause when the lights go out, it only gets better
Because in darkness it feels cozy
When you hold me tight and tell me it's alright
When you hug me and say everything's fine
Then the rest doesn't really matter
The other problems don't seem important
I guess it doesn't really matter
I suppose it isn't crucial
That we ain't been riding high
That we're not having the best time
And keepin' up with the Jones
And trying to impress other people
Never been to Pairs, I don't care if we go, oh no
Never visited Paris, but I don't mind
We'll get around the world right here at home
We can travel the world from our own home
Now the car won't start
The car won't turn on
And the paint is peeling
The paint is flaking off
So the dishes are stacking up
Dirty dishes are piling up
They can wait, I've got that feeling
They can wait because I have other priorities
We can dim the lights and put on [Incomprehensible]
We can turn down the lights and listen to music
Now baby, hold me tight and tell me it's alright
Now, honey, hold me tight and let me know it's OK
Then the rest doesn't really matter
Then the other issues become unimportant
Why does it really matter
Why is it significant
Yeah, baby, hold me tight and tell me it's alright
Yes, darling, hug me and assure me everything's fine
Why does it really
Why is it really
'Cause when the lights go out, it only gets better
Because in darkness it feels cozy
Why does it really matter
Why is it significant
Why does it really matter, baby, hey
Why is it truly important, my love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JIM PUGH, SCOTT MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind