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'll Always Remember You
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It just won't let me be
They say that it is all over now that she 's gone
The past is why they called up to me
I'm not to lazy to worry
Or to nervous to even steal
But it was never enough for her
Or at least that is how she made me feel
Old clothes and worn out shoes,
Empty bottles and I put this way past due
On the table a note that she had wrote
That said I'll allways remember you
I'll allways remember you
Old clothes and worn out shoes,
Empty bottles and I put this way past due
On the table a note that she had wrote
That said I'll allways remember you
I'll allways remember you
Oh I'll allways remember you
The lyrics of Robert Cray's song, "I'll Always Remember You," tells a story of heartbreak and regret. The singer is haunted by memories of a past relationship with a person referred to as "she." The line "Transam relations visit my dream, it just won't let me be" suggests that the singer is tormented by memories of the relationship, as though it were still present in his life. Despite the fact that the relationship is over, the past continues to haunt him, as evidenced by the line "They say that it is all over now that she's gone, the past is why they called up to me." This line implies that the singer is unable to move on from the past and that it continues to affect his thoughts and emotions in the present.
The next few lines of the song reveal the singer's feelings of inadequacy within the relationship. He admits that he's not "too lazy to worry, or too nervous to even steal," but feels that he was never enough for her. It's unclear whether these feelings are based on his own insecurities or if they are reflective of the way his partner treated him. Nonetheless, they underscore his sense of loss and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
Transam relations visit my dream
I keep seeing memories of us in my dreams, like the times we spent together in my Transam car.
It just won't let me be
These memories are so strong that I can't shake them off and they keep haunting me.
They say that it is all over now that she's gone
Everyone tells me that I should move on because our relationship is over now that she's left me.
The past is why they called up to me
I keep getting reminded of our past and how things used to be and it's preventing me from moving on.
I'm not too lazy to worry
I'm not indifferent or apathetic about our breakup, I am really concerned and troubled.
Or too nervous to even steal
I'm not afraid or hesitant to try and win her back, even if it means doing something bold like stealing her heart again.
But it was never enough for her
I tried my best to make her happy but it seems like all my efforts were not enough for her.
Or at least that is how she made me feel
She made me believe that I was inadequate and that I couldn't make her happy, which hurt my self-esteem and confidence.
Old clothes and worn out shoes,
I'm left with nothing but old and worn out possessions, like my clothes and shoes that are a metaphor for my broken and tattered heart.
Empty bottles and I put this way past due
I drown my sorrows in alcohol and try to forget my pain, but it only numbs the pain temporarily and doesn't make it go away.
On the table a note that she had wrote
I found a note left by her on the table, which signifies her final goodbye and the end of our relationship.
That said I'll always remember you
The note stated that she would always remember me, but it wasn't enough for me to hold on to because I wanted her back.
I'll always remember you
Despite the pain and heartbreak, I will always cherish the memories we shared together and hold on to them forever.
Contributed by Adrian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.