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.
My Problem
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I have to face
Right here all by myself
It's my fault, yes it is
I'm so ashamed
Can't blame it on no one else
She was once my
I sit here alone
Wondering
Just where did I go wrong?
I've got a problem
She used to love me
But, oh, I really, really misused that girl
I did
I took all the love that I wanted
All I thought I needed
To satisfy my selfish world, yes I did
And she never asked for
Anything
And all the time
She was suffering
And right now I've got a problem
What was I doing?
I never noticed all the tears
The signs and the warnings
How could I have been so blind all those years
I missed all the signals
That she tried real hard to show
I got so hung up on myself, man
I didn't even want to know
Oh, yeah, and that's my problem
A no good-bye
Am I even worth one more chance?
I don't think so
And there's no use
No use to even try
I'll just have to make some other plans
Yes I will
'Cause I just lost my
Everything
I sit all alone
Wondering
Just where did I go wrong?
Oh, yeah
That's my problem
The song "My Problem" by Robert Cray tells a story of a man who realizes he has lost the love of his life because of his own selfishness and lack of attention to her needs. The first verse illustrates the man's acceptance of the situation when he sings, "It's my own problem, that I have to face, right here all by myself. It's my fault, yes it is. I'm so ashamed. Can't blame it on no one else." He acknowledges that he caused the problem and must deal with the consequences alone.
The chorus lyrics "I've got a problem, she used to love me, but oh, I really, really misused that girl" solidify the man's regret and pain for not recognizing his actions and words hurt his significant other. He sings about how he took her love for granted, and all the while she was suffering, he never noticed the warning signs. The final verse shows the man's recognition that there is no going back, and he must move on, resigning himself to "just have to make some other plans."
Overall, the song is a lament for lost love and a warning to pay attention to others before it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
It's my own problem
I am solely responsible for this issue.
That I have to face
I must confront it.
Right here all by myself
I have no one to turn to.
It's my fault, yes it is
I acknowledge that I am to blame.
I'm so ashamed
I feel guilty and embarrassed.
Can't blame it on no one else
I cannot shift the responsibility to anyone else.
She was once my Everything
She was the center of my world.
I sit here alone
I am now isolated.
Wondering
I am unsure, questioning.
Just where did I go wrong?
I am trying to identify my mistake.
I've got a problem
I realize that I have a problem.
She used to love me
She was once in love with me.
But, oh, I really, really misused that girl
I treated her poorly and took her for granted.
I did
I am admitting my wrongdoing.
I took all the love that I wanted
I received love from her without giving any back.
All I thought I needed
I only cared about my own wants and needs.
To satisfy my selfish world, yes I did
I prioritized my own selfish desires above her needs and feelings.
And she never asked for Anything
She did not require anything from me.
And all the time
The whole time.
She was suffering
She was in emotional pain.
And right now I've got a problem
I am now struggling with the consequences of my actions.
What was I doing?
I am questioning my own behavior.
I never noticed all the tears
I did not see her distress.
The signs and the warnings
The indications that something was wrong.
How could I have been so blind all those years
I am reflecting on my lack of insight and awareness.
I missed all the signals
I did not recognize the indications that things were going wrong.
That she tried real hard to show
She made an effort to communicate her feelings.
I got so hung up on myself, man
I was too self-absorbed to see what was happening.
I didn't even want to know
I did not want to acknowledge what was happening.
Oh, yeah, and that's my problem
My own self-centeredness is the root of all of these problems.
A no good-bye
There was no opportunity for a proper farewell.
Am I even worth one more chance?
I am questioning my own value and whether I deserve forgiveness.
I don't think so
I feel unworthy of redemption.
And there's no use
There is no point or benefit.
No use to even try
There is no point in attempting to fix what has been broken.
I'll just have to make some other plans
I must find another way forward from this situation.
Yes I will
I am determined to move on and find a new path.
'Cause I just lost my Everything
I have lost the most important person in my life.
I sit all alone
I am still isolated and alone.
Wondering
I am still questioning and uncertain.
Just where did I go wrong?
I am still searching for answers and identifying my mistake.
Oh, yeah
Yes, it is clear to me now.
That's my problem
My own selfishness and lack of empathy caused all of these issues.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROBERT CRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind