Robert Cray (born August 1, 1953, Columbus, Georgia) is an American blues g… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Cray (born August 1, 1953, Columbus, Georgia) is an American blues guitarist and singer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, he has led his own band (the Robert Cray Band), as well as an acclaimed solo career. In 2011, Cray was inducted to the Blues Hall of Fame.

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.

Holdin
Robert Cray Lyrics

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Our love was as strong as love could be
But then someone got between you and me
People said we were finished when you walked out the door
I was so worried, I walked a hole in the floor

But I'm holdin' court tonight
Surprising all my friends
I'm holdin' court tonight, baby

'Cause I got you back again

All the one nighters that I had to do
I didn't think about what that would do to you
Some smart guy thought that while I was away
That he could just slip right in and take my place

But I'm holdin' court tonight
Surprising all my friends
I'm holdin' court tonight, baby
'Cause I got you back again

I called you from (?) to talk about yesterday
Nothing about I love you, there's just some bills to pay
You said time and loneliness had made you weak
It's hard not to listen when temptation speaks

We talked about it
And we set it straight
And now I'm on the town, baby
We're gonna celebrate

I'm holdin' court tonight
Surprising all my friends
I'm holdin' court tonight, baby
'Cause I got you back again

I'm holdin' court tonight
I'm holdin' court tonight

I got my baby back again
I'm holdin' court tonight, baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robert Cray's "Holdin' On" tell the story of a romantic relationship between two people that faced a significant challenge. The love between them was strong, but then someone got between them, which caused the other person to walk out the door. Although many people thought that their relationship was over, the singer was determined to fight for their love.

The lyrics speak to the idea that love can be challenging, and there are times when it feels like everything is falling apart. However, with the right attitude and determination, love can conquer all. The song highlights the importance of communication and working through tough times in relationships.

The singer reflects on some of the mistakes he made during their relationship, including the one night stands that he engaged in while away. Despite these moments of weakness, he realizes that he wants to be with his partner and does everything he can to hold on to her.

In the end, the singer is "holdin' court tonight," celebrating the fact that he has his partner back. He is surprising his friends who thought that their relationship was over, and he feels proud that he was able to fight for what he wanted.

Overall, the lyrics to "Holdin' On" convey a message of hope and determination in the face of adversity. The song speaks to the universal experience of fighting for love and reflects the idea that, if you work hard enough, you can overcome any obstacle.

Line by Line Meaning

Our love was as strong as love could be
Our love was incredibly strong and powerful.

But then someone got between you and me
Somebody came between us and caused us to drift apart.

People said we were finished when you walked out the door
When you left, people believed our relationship was over.

I was so worried, I walked a hole in the floor
I was extremely worried and anxious, to the point where I was pacing restlessly on the floor.

But I'm holdin' court tonight
I'm in control and leading the conversation tonight.

Surprising all my friends
My friends are shocked by the fact that I have regained control of the situation and gotten you back.

I'm holdin' court tonight, baby
I am the one in charge tonight now that you are back with me.

'Cause I got you back again
I am celebrating because I have won you back and we are together again.

All the one nighters that I had to do
I had to spend some nights away from you due to work or other obligations.

I didn't think about what that would do to you
I did not consider how my time away might affect you or our relationship.

Some smart guy thought that while I was away
Somebody thought that they could take my place while I was gone.

That he could just slip right in and take my place
He tried to take advantage of our distance to try and replace me.

I called you from (?) to talk about yesterday
I called you to discuss what had happened before.

Nothing about I love you, there's just some bills to pay
I did not express my feelings of love towards you, I just talked to you about some bills that needed to be paid.

You said time and loneliness had made you weak
You told me that the passage of time and being alone had made you vulnerable.

It's hard not to listen when temptation speaks
It can be difficult to resist temptation when it is beckoning to us.

We talked about it
We discussed what had happened.

And we set it straight
We put everything back in order and agreed on things between us.

And now I'm on the town, baby
Now that we are back together, I can celebrate by going out and enjoying myself.

We're gonna celebrate
We are going to have fun together and enjoy each other's company.

I got my baby back again
I have won you back and we are together once more.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kevin Robert Hayes, Richard Cousins

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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