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.
More Than I Can Stand
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't start leaving tracks now
I know there's really nothing left in it, woman
And before you go, gimme my love back
'Cause that's more than I can stand
Much more than I can stand
It's so plain, hard to admit
I want a lover, you're a teaser
You're so unpredictable baby, and
You turn cold whenever I squeeze ya
Do I have to let you go, baby?
That's more than I can stand
Much more than I can stand
It's so plain, hard to admit
That it's over
Ohh, I lost one I thought was wonderful
But the strange thing about it
Is I can't believe that this is happening to me
It don't make no sense to try to plead with you
I know what your answer's gonna be, babe
I just thought maybe you'd reconsider
Before you head on out that door, baby
That's more than I can stand
Much more than I can stand
It's so plain, but hard to admit
That it's over
Please baby, wait one minute
If you walk out, I'll know it's true
But it would only set my mind at ease
'Cause I'm doing time worrying about you
That's more than I can stand
Much more than I can stand
Please don't tell me that it's over
Please don't leave young Bob alone
I can't believe it's happening to me
I'm doing time worrying about you, baby
That's more than I can stand, yeah
That's more than I can stand, baby
In Robert Cray’s song "More Than I Can Stand," the lyrics speak to the end of a relationship, where the singer is frustrated with his partner's constant teasing and unavailability. He wants her love back before she leaves, but he knows deep down that it’s over. The repetition of the phrase “That's more than I can stand” speaks to his desperation and heartbreak. He wants her to reconsider leaving but knows that it’s unlikely. He tries to bargain with her and pleads with her not to leave him but ultimately knows that it’s out of his control. The final plea in the song “Please don’t leave young Bob alone” feels particularly poignant and shows that the singer is scared of what will happen without her.
The lyrics are emotionally raw and relatable to anyone who has been in a relationship that has come to an end. The singer is trying desperately to hold on, even though he knows it’s time to let go. The repetition of the phrase “That's more than I can stand” adds weight to the song and shows just how heartbroken the singer is. Overall, the song is a powerful depiction of the end of a relationship, and the emotions that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey baby, wait a minute
Request to pause before leaving
Don't start leaving tracks now
Asking not to leave any emotional scars
I know there's really nothing left in it, woman
Acknowledging the relationship is over
And before you go, gimme my love back
Asking for emotional investment to be returned
'Cause that's more than I can stand
Revealing emotional vulnerability
Much more than I can stand
Emphasizing the intensity of emotional pain
It's so plain, hard to admit
Accepting the reality of the situation
That it's over
Reiterating the end of the relationship
I want a lover, you're a teaser
Expressing dissatisfaction with the partner's behavior
You're so unpredictable baby, and
Describing the partner's fickle behavior
You turn cold whenever I squeeze ya
Feeling rejected when seeking intimacy
Do I have to let you go, baby?
Questioning the necessity of ending the relationship
Ohh, I lost one I thought was wonderful
Mourning the end of a cherished relationship
But the strange thing about it
Not understanding why the relationship ended
Is I can't believe that this is happening to me
Feeling disbelief and shock at the situation
It don't make no sense to try to plead with you
Realizing attempts to reconcile are futile
I know what your answer's gonna be, babe
Anticipating rejection from the partner
I just thought maybe you'd reconsider
Expressing a sliver of hope for the relationship
Before you head on out that door, baby
Asking for one last chance before the relationship ends
Please baby, wait one minute
Urging the partner to pause before leaving
If you walk out, I'll know it's true
Acknowledging the reality of the relationship's end
But it would only set my mind at ease
Finding closure would provide emotional relief
'Cause I'm doing time worrying about you
Feeling emotionally imprisoned by the relationship
Please don't tell me that it's over
Desperately hoping for the relationship to continue
Please don't leave young Bob alone
Expressing fear of loneliness without the partner
That's more than I can stand, yeah
Reiterating the intensity of emotional pain
That's more than I can stand, baby
Emphasizing the emotional turmoil caused by the breakup
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robert William Cray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind