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.
Never Mattered Much
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like that old oak tree, I'm as strong as I can be
Like a clock that moves but goes nowhere
I know just when it's time for me to leave
So this love affair is all over
And it's all right with me
It's hard to make nothing go anywhere
It's never really mattered much to me, me
It's never really mattered much to me, me, me
So this love affair is all over
And it's all right with me
You just can't make nothing go anywhere
I've made up my mind, it's time for me to leave
It's never really mattered much to me, me
It's never really mattered much to me, me, me
At first listen, the lyrics of Robert Cray's "Never Mattered Much" seem to be a simple breakup song. However, with further analysis, the true meaning of the lyrics is revealed. The song is about the power of inner strength and resilience even in the face of heartbreak. The first line "Like a stone, you can't hurt me," ties in with the overall theme of the song. Stones are known for their unyielding strength, and the lyrics suggest that the singer cannot be hurt by a failed love affair.
The old oak tree analogy in the second line further highlights the singer's strength and resilience. The chorus, "It's never really mattered much to me," reinforces the notion that the singer is not attached to this failed love affair emotionally. The lyrics "It's hard to make nothing go anywhere" indicate that despite their best efforts, the relationship could not be salvaged. The singer has decided to move on, which seems to be a common theme in Cray's music.
The final lyrics of the song, "I've made up my mind, it's time for me to leave" illustrates the singer's self-determination to move forward. The overall message of "Never Mattered Much" is that although love affairs may end, inner strength and resilience can never be broken.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a stone, you can't hurt me
I am emotionally resilient, strong and unbreakable, like a stone that cannot be damaged.
Like that old oak tree, I'm as strong as I can be
I am as unwavering and unbreakable as an aged, rugged oak tree.
Like a clock that moves but goes nowhere
While I am moving along with life, it is not leading me anywhere specific or of significance, much like a clock that ticks without any real progress or destination.
I know just when it's time for me to leave
I have the intuition and clarity to realize when it is appropriate to depart from a situation, relationship or circumstance.
So this love affair is all over
This romantic involvement has come to an end.
And it's all right with me
I am at peace with the conclusion of this relationship and am not upset or bothered by it.
It's hard to make nothing go anywhere
It is difficult to attain any significant outcomes or progress when there is no real direction, goal or purpose in a situation.
It's never really mattered much to me, me
This situation or relationship was never of significant importance or consequence to me personally.
You just can't make nothing go anywhere
It is impossible to generate any substantial or meaningful results when there is no clear objective or direction in a situation.
I've made up my mind, it's time for me to leave
I have made a definitive decision to depart from this situation, relationship, or circumstance.
It's never really mattered much to me, me
Once again, this situation or relationship was never of significant importance or consequence to me personally.
It's never really mattered much to me, me, me
This is simply a repetition of the prior statement, emphasizing the fact that the situation or relationship was not of great importance to the artist.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT CRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind