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.

I'm Afraid
Robert Cray Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Where's the sun when you want it?
Never been a fan of clouds
You said you'd decide
When the time was right

So I stayed and I waited
I'm afraid to let this one go

Can't see the stars the way I used to
Big city lights surrounding me
I got a whole lot of pride, yeah
But I've been known to lie

So I stayed and I waited
I'm afraid to let this one go

Whoaaaaaaaohhhh
The lessons learned

So many ways, so many ways
This world can turn

The sky's the limit
I've got nothing to hide
No matter which way the wind is blowing
You can't stop this fire burning inside, no

Kinda cool around here this evening
Kinda like the look you're giving me
But then again you smile, yeah, yeah
Just like a child, baby

I stayed and I waited, huh
I'm afraid, but I waited
I stayed and I waited
Oh Lord, and I prayed, and I waited

I stayed and I waited
I'm afraid to let this one go

Overall Meaning

In Robert Cray's song "I'm Afraid," the singer is expressing his fear of letting go of a relationship. He starts by questioning the sun's whereabouts, emphasizing his dislike for clouds. He is waiting for his partner to decide when the time is right, but in the meantime, he feels stuck, afraid to let go. The singer then talks about how the city lights have blinded him to the stars he used to see. Despite his pride, he admits that he has lied before. He repeats that he is afraid to let this relationship go, and in the chorus, he sings about the various lessons he has learned and the many ways the world can turn.

Towards the end of the song, the singer describes sitting with his partner, enjoying the evening and her smile, which reminds him of a child's. He repeats that he has waited and he is afraid to let go of this relationship, implying that he is waiting for her final decision. Overall, the song expresses feelings of fear, confusion, and uncertainty, and highlights the complexities of relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Where's the sun when you want it?
Wondering where the light is in a moment of darkness.

Never been a fan of clouds
Disliking the obstacles that block the way.

You said you'd decide
Putting the fate of the situation in someone else's hands.

When the time was right
Believing that everything will happen in its own time.

So I stayed and I waited
Holding out for a positive outcome.

I'm afraid to let this one go
Feeling hesitant to lose what was waited for.

Can't see the stars the way I used to
Not seeing things in the same light as before.

Big city lights surrounding me
Living in a place that is overwhelming and all-consuming.

I got a whole lot of pride, yeah
Having confidence in oneself.

But I've been known to lie
Acknowledging past mistakes and dishonesty.

Whoaaaaaaaohhhh The lessons learned
Reflecting on past experiences and the insights gained.