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.
I
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So bad, I scare myself
My hair is turnin' gray so fast
I'm worried about my health
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
I shiver all over, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
My stomach's twisted up in knots
My blood's pressure's runnin' up so high
I know it's gonna stop my heart
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
I shiver all over, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
I've got spots all over my body
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
I got a headache that just won't go away
It's a wonder that I'm not dead
I got spots all over my body
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
I got a headache that just won't go away
It's a wonder that I'm not dead
My doctor looked at my condition
He said, "Oh, Bob, you look all a mess
There ain't a thing that I can do about you
But you can sure use a whole lot of rest"
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
I can't even sleep at night, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
I ain't got you
No, no, no
No, no, no
No, no, no
The song "I" by Robert Cray depicts the emotional and physical symptoms of heartbreak. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of his physical condition, as he wakes up in the morning plagued by the blues, causing him to shiver all over. He expresses his concern about his health, especially as he notices his hair turning grey rapidly. The sensation of being sick is so overwhelming that he believes it could eventually stop his heart. The singer is clearly experiencing a great deal of emotional distress, which is manifesting in his physical body. His doctor acknowledges that he looks like a mess and that he needs a lot of rest but that there is nothing he can do for him since his ailment is love. The pain of heartbreak is so severe that it is affecting every aspect of his life, as he can't even sleep at night.
It is clear from the lyrics of the song "I" that the singer is dealing with the aftermath of a heartbreak. The physical symptoms he describes are an exaggerated metaphor for the intense emotional pain that he is feeling. Even though his doctor suggests rest, the pain of heartbreak cannot be cured by physical remedies. It is a condition that can only be healed with time and perhaps a willingness to move on from the person who caused the hurt. The song is a powerful depiction of how the pain of heartbreak can consume a person to the point where it affects their physical body.
Line by Line Meaning
I get the blues in the mornin'
I feel extremely sad and low when I wake up in the morning.
So bad, I scare myself
My sadness is so intense that it frightens me.
My hair is turnin' gray so fast
I am experiencing a lot of stress and worry, causing my hair to turn gray quickly.
I'm worried about my health
I am concerned about my physical and mental well-being.
And I shiver all over, I shiver all over
My sadness and anxiety are so intense that I physically tremble.
I'm burnin' with a fever
I feel feverish and ill.
My stomach's twisted up in knots
I feel extremely anxious and nauseous, causing my stomach to churn.
My blood's pressure's runnin' up so high
My blood pressure is dangerously high due to stress and anxiety.
I know it's gonna stop my heart
I am afraid that my stress and anxiety will have a fatal impact on my physical health.
I've got spots all over my body
My stress and anxiety are manifesting physically in the form of spots on my skin.
I wear shades 'cause my eyes are red
My stress and anxiety are causing my eyes to become bloodshot and swollen.
I got a headache that just won't go away
I am experiencing a persistent headache due to stress and anxiety.
It's a wonder that I'm not dead
My physical and emotional state is so poor that it is surprising that I am still alive.
My doctor looked at my condition
I have sought medical help for my physical and emotional symptoms.
He said, "Oh, Bob, you look all a mess
My doctor observed that I am not physically or emotionally healthy.
There ain't a thing that I can do about you
My doctor is unable to cure me of my stress and anxiety.
But you can sure use a whole lot of rest"
My doctor suggests that the best course of action for me is to rest and relax.
I can't even sleep at night, 'cause I ain't got you, hmm
My emotional state is preventing me from sleeping, and I believe that my troubles would be alleviated if I had emotional support.
I ain't got you
I am alone and feel as though I lack emotional support.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT WILLIAM CRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lmetrovich
Somebody wrote that Robert Cray has the soul of Stevie Wonder, the guitar skills of Jimmy Hendrix and the smooth of Eric Clapton
@danielszczepankiewicz6650
This man does not get the credit he truly deserves. Not only a talented vocalist, but one of the best guitar players of all time.
@JimmyBusy
Seeing him tomorrow night in Peachtree City, GA
@MasterWitchDoctor
best guitar players of all time? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
@tmaddrummer
Daniel I'm Polish too, and grew up with something close.... Szczepanski!
@wladekwloszcz3803
I know what you mean, but he does! Look at his Grammys, and millions of his fans worldwide. Take heart -:)
@fonzario
@Daniel Szczepankiewicz. We played this song in our classic rock/blues band and I quickly learned that Robert Crays style is very unique. It was so fun playing the bass part to this.
@gilliannorris4040
This man was so smooth.. he had it going on in every department.. never ever got the credit he deserved.. total class with that guitar.. 🔥🔥🔥
@elizabethmcleod246
He still does! ❤
@babywah3290
Ever notice he was the bass player in Animal House backing (My man!!!!) Otis Day?