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 Gonna Forget About You
Robert Cray Lyrics

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I'm gonna forget about you
I'm gonna forget about you
'Cause in my lonely time, I'm gonna lose my mind
I'm gonna forget about you

I'm gonna forget about you
I'm gonna forget about you
In my lonely time, I'm gonna lose my mind

I'm gonna forget about you

Now I asked you for respect
And you didn't give me that
I'm gonna give you a coach
And that thing that you don't have happening

I'm gonna forget about you
I'm gonna forget about you
'Cause in my lonely time, I'm gonna lose my mind
I'm gonna forget about you

Now if you got a good woman
Don't you let her have her way
'Cause a real good woman
You just can't find every day

You better hold on
You better hold on
'Cause if you don't want that vibe, summer will be your time
You better hold on

Hold on yeah, hold on yeah
You got a good woman, hold on yeah
Oh, you just can't find it every day

Hold on, hold on, ooh, yeah
Hold on yeah, hold on yeah
Hold on to the good thing you got got got brother

Hold on yeah, hold on yeah
Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on

I know that you have to hold on
Hold on

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Gonna Forget About You" by Robert Cray is a heartbreak anthem about moving on from a past relationship. The repeated verses "I'm gonna forget about you" and "in my lonely time, I'm gonna lose my mind" convey the struggle of trying to move on from someone who has caused pain and betrayed trust. Throughout the song, the singer mentions the lack of respect he was given in the relationship and suggests that their partner didn't have something essential "happening" in order to make things work.

The song also comes with a warning to those who may have a good woman or partner in their life. The singer advises them to hold on tight to their good thing, recognizing that it's not something that comes around every day. The warning could also reflect the singer's own experience of losing someone they would have wanted to hold on to. The repetition of "hold on" at the end of the song adds emphasis to the importance of valuing the good thing you have in your life and not taking it for granted.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna forget about you
I will erase you from my mind and move on

In my lonely time, I'm gonna lose my mind
When I feel lonely, my mental state will be distracted

Now I asked you for respect
I demanded respect from you

And you didn't give me that
But you failed to meet my expectation

I'm gonna give you a coach
I will give you advice or guidance

And that thing that you don't have happening
To address what is missing in your life

Now if you got a good woman
If you have a good female partner in your life

Don't you let her have her way
Don't allow her to control or manipulate you

'Cause a real good woman
Because an exceptional female partner

You just can't find every day
Is hard to come by these days

You better hold on
You must keep and cherish it