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.
Little Boy Big
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you promised you wouldn't do it again
Now where are you going?
You've knocked on someone else's door
And you, jived and told some great big lies about it
Don't you think they know you?
Do you walk away from love
Just like it was nothing?
You hide, and then you move on
You don't walk away from a good love
Nooo, little boy big
Now she begged and pleaded with 'ya
Tried and she tried and she tried everything that she could
Could you feel it?
You got one more go round this time, little fella
You better take hold to it if you can
You know you've got to
Can you feel it?
You hide, when something goes wrong
Even if it's just a little thing
That throws you off
Why can't you be strong?
You don't walk away from a good love
Noooo
Why, when something goes wrong
You turn your back on love
Just like it was nothing
You hide, and then you move on
You can't walk away from a good love
Noo, little boy big
No, no
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Little boy big
With your hands in your pocket
You walk down the street singin'
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Oh, little boy
Little boy big
The song "Little Boy Big" by Robert Cray expresses the frustration and hurt of a woman who is tired of her partner's constant betrayal and inability to take responsibility for his actions. The lyrics suggest that the man keeps walking away from love, even when it's a good love, without any regard for the consequences of his actions. He hides and moves on to someone else without taking the time to fix the problem. The woman is pleading with him to see that he has a good thing and to take hold of it, but he seems unable or unwilling to do so.
The chorus of "Little Boy Big" repeats "Why, when something goes wrong, do you walk away from love, just like it was nothing?" This line implies that the man has a pattern of abandoning the women in his life, whether it's because of big or small issues. The woman in the song recognizes that he is a little boy who wants to play big, but he isn't ready to take on the responsibility of a real commitment. She warns him that he will never find true happiness until he learns to be strong and face his problems with maturity.
Overall, the song is a powerful message about the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and treating love with respect. It also highlights the pain that comes from being in a relationship with someone who is unwilling to fix their mistakes and instead chooses to run away from love.
Line by Line Meaning
So it's all said and done
The situation has reached its conclusion
And you promised you wouldn't do it again
You made a commitment to refrain from repeating certain behavior
Now where are you going?
Asking a rhetorical question as to the person's destination
You've knocked on someone else's door
You are seeking companionship elsewhere
And you, jived and told some great big lies about it
You misrepresented the truth about your actions
Don't you think they know you?
Rhetorical question highlighting the fact that the other person can see through the lies
Why, when something goes wrong
Asking a rhetorical question concerning the pattern of behavior exhibited
Do you walk away from love
Deserting an existing relationship due to conflicts
Just like it was nothing?
Treating the relationship as insignificant despite the invested time and energy
You hide, and then you move on
Concealing your true emotions and then looking for another relationship
You don't walk away from a good love
It's not reasonable to abandon a healthy relationship
Nooo, little boy big
Suggesting the immature nature of the behavior
Now she begged and pleaded with 'ya
The other person has pleaded and beseeched to maintain the relationship
Tried and she tried and she tried everything that she could
The partner attempted various methods to preserve the relationship
Could you feel it?
Posing the question whether the person experienced the feelings of the partner
You got one more go round this time, little fella
The person now has one more chance to make amends
You better take hold to it if you can
The person should take advantage of this opportunity if feasible
You know you've got to
Indicating the necessity of putting in the effort to maintain the relationship
Can you feel it?
Asking if the person recognizes the importance of the situation
You hide, when something goes wrong
You tend to conceal your true feelings during turbulent times
Even if it's just a little thing
This behavior is exhibited regardless of the severity of the issue
That throws you off
The person is quickly dissuaded by minor inconveniences
Why can't you be strong?
Asking why the person is unable to remain steadfast in the relationship
You don't walk away from a good love
Reiterating the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship
Noooo
Emphasizing the significance of the sentiment expressed
Why, when something goes wrong
Repeating the earlier rhetorical question with emphasis
You turn your back on love
In times of difficulty, the person is inclined to abandon the relationship
Just like it was nothing
Treating the relationship as inconsequential despite the existing bonds
You hide, and then you move on
Reiterating the earlier notion of concealing emotions and moving on
You can't walk away from a good love
It's unwise to forsake a valuable relationship
Noo, little boy big
Reinforcing the notion of immature or petulant behavior
No, no
Emphatic rejection of undesirable behavior patterns
La, la, la, la, la, la
An extension of the earlier refrain, serving a similar purpose, and creating resonance
Oh, little boy
An admonishing term used to describe the immaturity observed
Little boy big
Repeating the earlier refrain as a sort of warning label
Contributed by Annabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.