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.
It's All Gone
Robert Cray Lyrics
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What's on your mind?
Could it be that what you feel for me
Is getting hard to find?
You say you're falling out of love
Girl I can't believe
That it's all gone
You're movin on now
Listen when I tell you, sugar
I'm so in love with you
But the words falling from your lips
Seem to say we're through
All these thoughts that I can't bear
Tell me it's not true
That it's all wrong
Oh, girl
You're movin on now
I'm holdin on
Oh, lord
Don't leave me alone now
I know you've got your needs
But I beg you please
Yeah
Cause when your love comes down
I want it all, I want it all for me
Yeah
How you gonna do it, baby?
Make a blind man see
That it's all gone
Oh, yeah
You're movin on now
Don't take it all away now baby
With nothing in return
Cause if you're trying to teach me something
When am I gonna learn, now?
That it's all gone
Oh, yeah
You're movin on now
Don't break my heart, girl
You are my world
Yeah
You say our love is tumblin down
But that's a sound
I don't wanna hear
Nah
How you gonna do it, baby?
Make a blind man see
That's it's all gone
Oh, yeah
You're movin on, girl
And it won't be long
Oh, lord
Till you're gone, now
It's much too strong
Oh, yeah
Don't leave me alone, girl
I'm holding on
Oh, yeah
Am I so wrong?
In Robert Cray's song "It's All Gone", the singer is pleading with his partner to communicate with him about what is going on in their relationship. He believes that her feelings towards him are changing, and he is desperate to find out why. He tells her that he is still deeply in love with her but that her words and actions seem to indicate that their relationship is coming to an end. He asks her not to leave him alone, and wonders how he can make things right. Throughout the song, he is grappling with the fear of losing someone he loves and the realization that even the strongest love can fall apart.
The lyrics of this song provide a raw and honest portrayal of the pain that comes with the ending of a relationship. The singer is vulnerable and open about his emotions, showcasing the depth of his love for his partner. However, he is also realistic about the fact that sometimes love is not enough to keep two people together. The song captures the bittersweet feeling of holding on to love even as it slips away. Ultimately, the song is about the universal experience of heartbreak, and the difficulty of accepting that things don't always work out the way we want them to.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell what you're thinkin, baby
The singer is asking their partner to share their thoughts.
What's on your mind?
The singer is asking specifically what their partner is thinking about.
Could it be that what you feel for me Is getting hard to find?
The singer is wondering if their partner's feelings for them are fading.
You say you're falling out of love Girl I can't believe That it's all gone Oh, yeah You're movin on now
The artist is struggling to believe that their partner no longer loves them and is moving on.
Listen when I tell you, sugar I'm so in love with you But the words falling from your lips Seem to say we're through
The artist is telling their partner that they are deeply in love with them, but their partner's words suggest that the relationship is ending.
All these thoughts that I can't bear Tell me it's not true That it's all wrong Oh, girl You're movin on now I'm holdin on Oh, lord Don't leave me alone now
The singer is overwhelmed by thoughts that their relationship is ending and is desperately trying to hold on to their partner.
I know you've got your needs But I beg you please Yeah Cause when your love comes down I want it all, I want it all for me Yeah How you gonna do it, baby? Make a blind man see That it's all gone Oh, yeah You're movin on now
The singer acknowledges their partner's needs but wants to be the only one receiving their love. They are questioning how their partner can move on from the relationship so quickly.
Don't take it all away now baby With nothing in return Cause if you're trying to teach me something When am I gonna learn, now? That it's all gone Oh, yeah You're movin on now
The artist is pleading with their partner not to end the relationship without giving anything in return. They feel like they are not learning from the situation.
Don't break my heart, girl You are my world Yeah You say our love is tumblin down But that's a sound I don't wanna hear Nah How you gonna do it, baby? Make a blind man see That's it's all gone Oh, yeah You're movin on, girl And it won't be long Oh, lord Till you're gone, now
The artist is expressing that their partner means the world to them and doesn't want to hear that their love is falling apart. They still can't believe their partner is moving on.
It's much too strong Oh, yeah Don't leave me alone, girl I'm holding on Oh, yeah Am I so wrong?
The artist believes that their love is too strong to end and is begging their partner not to leave them. They are questioning if they have done anything wrong.
Contributed by Jordan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.