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.
No One Special
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's just a game
She's hard to follow
She'll bring you pain
I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
Though I know I never do
She wants the life of wealth and fame
She's got my soul
It's such a shame
You see, 'cause
I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
Don't drive a fancy car
Like you're used to
But I've got this great big heart
Won't that do?
I'm no one special
One thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
I'd give my all to be with you
But I'm just on call
Things fall through
You see, 'cause
I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
You know that I
Try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
Oh, I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
The song "No One Special" by Robert Cray is a poignant and melancholic take on unrequited love. The lyrics describe the singer's attempt to win over a woman who seems unattainable and has a taste for wealth and fame. The singer acknowledges that he is not anything special and that he never seems to be able to please her despite his best efforts. He offers his great big heart as a consolation, hoping that it might be enough to win her over.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'm no one special, but one thing I know is true, I try my best to please her, though I know I never do." The repetition of these lines highlights the singer's frustration and sense of inadequacy in the face of the woman's unattainable standards.
The phrase "Don't bother, it's just a game" suggests that the woman may not take the singer's advances seriously, or even that she might be playing a game with him. The line "She's hard to follow, she'll bring you pain" further emphasizes the woman's elusive and possibly destructive nature.
Overall, the song's sparse instrumentation and mournful vocals create a somber mood that perfectly captures the singer's sense of longing and disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
They say don't bother
People say it's not worth it
It's just a game
They believe it's just a meaningless activity
She's hard to follow
She's not easy to understand
She'll bring you pain
Being with her will hurt
I'm no one special
I'm just an ordinary person
But one thing I know is true
But I know one fact for certain
I try my best to please her
I do everything I can to make her happy
Though I know I never do
Even though I'm aware that I'm unsuccessful
She wants the life of wealth and fame
She desires to be rich and famous
She's got my soul
She has control over me
It's such a shame
It's unfortunate
Don't drive a fancy car
I don't have an expensive car
Like you're used to
Like what she's accustomed to
But I've got this great big heart
But I have a big and caring heart
Won't that do?
Isn't that enough?
I'd give my all to be with you
I'm willing to do anything to be with her
But I'm just on call
But I'm only available when she needs me
Things fall through
Plans don't work out
You know that I
You're aware that I
Try my best to please her
Do everything I can to make her happy
Oh, I'm no one special
Oh, I'm just an ordinary person
But one thing I know is true
But I know one fact for certain
Though I know I never do
Even though I'm aware that I'm unsuccessful
Contributed by Zoe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@isabelarcher2924
They say don't bother
It's just a game
She's hard to follow
She'll bring you pain
I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
She wants the life of wealth and fame
She's got my soul
It's such a shame
You see, 'cause
I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
Don't drive a fancy car
Like you're used to
But I've got this great big heart
Won't that do?
I'm no one special
One thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
I'd give my all to be with you
But I'm just on call
Things fall through
You see, 'cause
I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
You know that I
Try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
Oh, I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
@bassman902
Robert Cray is the greatest under-appreciated artist of this generation. His voice is "Sam Cooke" quality and plays the tastiest guitar you will ever witness.
@marinasia63
Dichosos aquellos que lo pudieron ver en vivo! me encantaría que algún día nos deleite con su música en Buenos Aires, Argentina!!! Que algún productor lo traiga por favor!!!!
@daverow49
Much respect for Robert. A great musician and a gentleman. The band are very good too:)
@evev232
What a gem Robert is! We saw his performance in San Francisco last month, and I gotta say he is on our home list now constantly.Robert has such a sweet and expressive voice., his lyrics are meaningful and his guitar sings so beautifully! Thank you Robert Cray for giving us your gifts so generously and gracefully!
@evev232
* home play list (along with Nina Simone, Robin Ford,, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins to name a few) since the concert
@yokeloonw
Beautiful singing and that haunting organ sound. A gem.
@jeffreygreene875
Great song... Robert Cray has lots of great songs. Thanks for posting.
@SevanStick
I can‘t express how much I love this song.
❤️
@gandydancer72
"Im No One Special" Bobs humility as an artist is what makes him so great. Long live Robert Cray
@isabelarcher2924
They say don't bother
It's just a game
She's hard to follow
She'll bring you pain
I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
She wants the life of wealth and fame
She's got my soul
It's such a shame
You see, 'cause
I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
Don't drive a fancy car
Like you're used to
But I've got this great big heart
Won't that do?
I'm no one special
One thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
I'd give my all to be with you
But I'm just on call
Things fall through
You see, 'cause
I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
You know that I
Try my best to please her
Though I know I never do
Oh, I'm no one special
But one thing I know is true
I try my best to please her
Though I know I never do