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.
Foul Play
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once again I'm home alone
Lately every Wednesday night
She's late getting home
She phoned from work at quittin' time
Says the bossed asked her to stay
She says she's makin' double time
I suspect foul play
I suspect foul play
This makes five straight Wednesday nights
And that's no coincidence
Sitting here and thinking back
It all starts making sense
Her old boss quit two months ago
She came home all smiles that day
She says they hired a younger man
I suspect foul play
Said I suspect foul play
I suspect foul play
Oh, I suspect foul play
Something in her voice
Alerted my suspicious heart
I've heard that warning sign before
Just before love fell apart
This is my last Wednesday night
Waiting like a fool
I won't stand for another man, no, no, no
That's my hard-fast rule
She'd better have some kind of evidence
Of all this extra pay
She'd better have some cold, hard facts
'Cause I suspect foul play
Said I suspect foul play
Oh, I suspect foul play
I suspect foul play
Yeah, yeah
Something's gone wrong
Foul play, yeah
The lyrics of Robert Cray's song "Foul Play" depict a man who suspects his partner of infidelity. He is at home alone on Wednesday night, which has become a regular occurrence for him lately. His partner, who he believes to have been cheating on him for five straight Wednesday nights, calls him from work and says that her boss asked her to stay and that she's making double time. The man finds it suspicious and believes that his hunch is right. He has noticed inconsistencies and things that don't add up. For instance, two months ago, her old boss quit, and she came home all smiles, saying that they hired a younger man. The man puts all of this together and concludes that his partner is cheating on him, and he won't put up with it any longer. He states that it's his last Wednesday night waiting like a fool and that he won't stand for another man.
The song's lyrics are powerful and tell a story of betrayal, hurt, and drama. The man is convinced that there's foul play, and he won't rest until he has the proof that his partner has been unfaithful. The lyrics also depict an individual in a vulnerable position. He's been let down by someone he trusted and is trying to get to the truth to move on with his life. The song strikes a chord with many people because it's a situation that many have experienced or can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Wednesday night, my woman's out
On every Wednesday night, his partner is out
Once again I'm home alone
Once again, he is alone at home
Lately every Wednesday night
This is happening frequently for the last few Wednesdays
She's late getting home
She is late to get back home
She phoned from work at quittin' time
She called him when her work ended
Says the boss asked her to stay
Her boss asked her to work overtime
She says she's makin' double time
She said she is earning double the amount
I suspect foul play
He suspects wrongdoings
I suspect foul play
He still believes something's not right
This makes five straight Wednesday nights
This is the fifth consecutive Wednesday that this has happened
And that's no coincidence
It's something that is not just a chance event
Sitting here and thinking back
He is reflecting on her behaviour
It all starts making sense
Things are starting to make sense to him
Her old boss quit two months ago
Her boss left two months ago
She came home all smiles that day
She was happy when her old boss left
She says they hired a younger man
She told him they hired a younger man
I suspect foul play
He still suspects wrongdoings
Said I suspect foul play
Repeated the suspicion he has
I suspect foul play
His doubt is still there
Oh, I suspect foul play
He's quite convinced that something is wrong
Something in her voice
Her sound was suspicious to him
Alerted my suspicious heart
His heart suggests to him that he should be cautious
I've heard that warning sign before
He is familiar with such warning signs
Just before love fell apart
It's a sign that a relationship is falling apart
This is my last Wednesday night
He won't be waiting around anymore
Waiting like a fool
He feels foolish for waiting any longer
I won't stand for another man, no, no, no
He won't tolerate another man in her life
That's my hard-fast rule
He has a strict principle about this matter
She'd better have some kind of evidence
She needs to have proof of what she said
Of all this extra pay
He specifically wants proof of the overtime pay
She'd better have some cold, hard facts
He wants her to provide him with factual evidence
'Cause I suspect foul play
He still thinks there are wrongdoings
Said I suspect foul play
He reiterates his doubts
Oh, I suspect foul play
He restates his suspicions that something is wrong
I suspect foul play
He has strong doubts that foul play is going on
Yeah, yeah
Something's gone wrong
Something went wrong, and he knows it
Foul play, yeah
He believes that something is not right in his relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DENNIS WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rebecca Randleman
I was fortunate to live in Eugene, Oregon and be 21 at the very same time that Robert Cray was launching his musical career there. I saw him many times in small up close venues. He was nothing short of amazing....even then. If you like Robert Cray, and have never had the privilege of seeing him play live...then you simply must put it on your "bucket list". I promise you will be glad you did. The man is pure musical genius, he does it all...composes, plays and sings and does all of them well.
William Weiss
YES! Lived in Spokane, he would come through. Tiny places. Our band with Tim "Too Slim" Langford on guitar, opened for them once. Magical time.
Miyanovich
He's the only artist, within driving distance of pop music, that actually plays R&B. Whatever they call "R&B" these days is a bunch of computerized, overly sexual horseshit. Robert Cray plays R&B. That other stuff can go away.
DirtyWaters01
These songs remind me of my childhood, my uncle always use to play Robert Cray. R.I.P John Wairau till we meet again brother !!!
Anna Olson
Dave Olson (the drummer) is my father. He died 3 years ago. This is one of my favorite videos to watch when I’m thinking of him. Thank you so much for this.💗
Barbara Butler
💗 💖 💘 💝 💟 ☮️... 💔
Alyssa Rumple
I love that. It’s hard to keep my eyes off his energy. I’m sorry for your loss.
Lafly84
My condolences - take some comfort in the knowledge that he brought joy to many unknown people out here - I saw them live at a small venue about 15 years ago, and they were excellent, as always.
Serena Bussell
Bless your heart! My husband took me to see them in Emporia, KS ., years ago. 17th row. Best show ever. My husband is gone also, but this music isn't. 🤗
klaas klapsigaar
Sad to hear that. I really like your father's rendition in this video, great feel for the song!