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.
Nothin' But A Woman
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pay all my tickets, wipe the slate blank
You could buy me a car, fill up the tank
Tell me a boat full of lawyers just sank
But it ain't nothin' but a woman
Nothin' but a woman, no, no
Don't need nothin' but a woman
Any time I'm feelin' low
Well, you could fly us to Dallas on a jumbo-jet plane
If we run late and miss it, we can take the night train
When the pressure is on, things getting insane
Only one cure for that kind of strain
It ain't nothin' but a woman
Nothin' but a woman, no, no
Don't need nothin' but a woman, yeah, yeah
To get me through the show
Yeah, you can make me a bet, give me a ten-point spread
Give me French brandy that will clear my head
When it's all over, feeling half-dead
Only one thing, just like I said
It ain't nothin' but a woman
Nothin' but a woman, yeah, yeah
Any time I got a woman
Things can't be too bad
You can buy me a house, turn over the deed
Bring six pounds of California weed
But my weakness ain't drugs, whiskey, or greed
Only one thing that YOUNG BOB needs
It ain't nothin' but a woman
Nothin' but a woman
Yeah, you right
Ain't nothin' but a woman to get me through the night
Mmmmm
It's like I said, man
Ain't nothin' but a woman
Yeah, look at her
And that one over there
The song "Nothin' But A Woman" by Robert Cray talks entirely about how much he values the woman in his life above anything else. He uses different scenarios and situations to endorse his sentimental persona towards that. He mentions how he could possess a large amount of money, travel by all means, or any luxury material, but none of that would provide him with the pleasure that his woman does. The song denotes that regardless of the circumstances, his woman is the only source of joy and happiness that drives him to keep moving on. In his eyes, his woman isn't a material item or an object, but an indispensable part of his life that he can't live without.
The lyrics express how the woman in his life provides him with all the support and energy to keep moving forward, no matter how bad things can get. She helps him forget his woes and problems, and with her around, he isn't bogged down by a sober life. He doesn't need or desire any other comfort or distraction, and that alone can lift his spirits. Robert Cray lyrics refer to his woman as the only cure that can relieve his stress and strain.
Line by Line Meaning
You can give me an hour alone in a bank
Even if I have all the money in the world, it still wouldn't be enough without the comfort and love of a woman
Pay all my tickets, wipe the slate blank
Even though you try to make up for my mistakes, only the support of a woman can make me feel better
You could buy me a car, fill up the tank
No matter how luxurious my lifestyle becomes, it's still empty without the company of a woman
Tell me a boat full of lawyers just sank
Even if I have all the legal power on my side, I still need a woman's love to feel complete
But it ain't nothin' but a woman
The only thing that can bring me happiness and fulfillment is a woman's love, nothing else matters
Don't need nothin' but a woman
All I need is the love and support of a woman to get me through tough times
Any time I'm feelin' low
Whenever I'm feeling down, I know that the love of a woman can lift me up
Well, you could fly us to Dallas on a jumbo-jet plane
Even the most extravagant experiences mean nothing without a woman's love
If we run late and miss it, we can take the night train
Even if things don't go according to plan, I can still find comfort in a woman's love
When the pressure is on, things getting insane
During the most stressful situations, the love and support of a woman is what gets me through
Only one cure for that kind of strain
The only cure for stress and pressure is the love and companionship of a woman
To get me through the show
Performing can be nerve-wracking, but the support of a woman can make it easier to handle
Yeah, you can make me a bet, give me a ten-point spread
Even if I win big, it won't be enough to bring me true happiness without the love of a woman
Give me French brandy that will clear my head
Even the finest alcohol won't make me forget about the need for a woman's love and companionship
When it's all over, feeling half-dead
Even after all the excitement and thrills are gone, I still need a woman's love to feel alive
To get me through the night
When I'm feeling lonely and vulnerable, the love and support of a woman can bring me comfort and peace
You can buy me a house, turn over the deed
Even if I have all the material possessions in the world, they will be meaningless without the love and companionship of a woman
Bring six pounds of California weed
No amount of drugs or substances can substitute the love and happiness that comes with a woman's companionship
But my weakness ain't drugs, whiskey, or greed
My biggest weakness is my need for a woman's love and support
Only one thing that YOUNG BOB needs
The only thing that can truly make me happy and fulfilled is the love and companionship of a woman
Yeah, you right
It's true, the most important thing in life is the support and love of a woman
And that one over there
The love and companionship of a woman is something that I value highly and cannot live without
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dave Olney, Peter Boe, Richard Cousins, Robert Cray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@enriquepina9829
Hell yeah!!! R. C. Seen him in Concert!!! Bout 5yrs ago, Awesome!!! I'm 69 still Rock n Roll!!!! Great Video!!!
@robinrichardson6491
At 71 years this song and any of Robert's music still makes me get up and dance! I was blessed to meet Robert in the late seventies bartending at a club in Portland Oregon where he played on his way up. We all knew where he was headed! He was a kind and gentle soul. Keep keeping on Robert, you are the best!
@christopauls
Robert Cray has nothing to proove. There is plenty of his live work on you tube. A great guitarist. One of the best blues singers ever.
@GlenB1963
Been listening to him for 40 years. Need I say More?
@runhardhooah
My mom got me into Robert Cray in the '90s, and damn, this dude is awesome. Unappreciated by the masses, yet an absolutely legendary bluesman.
@kidgohan7230
Seen him in New Zealand many years ago. Your mum has good taste
@rhondahaley7139
I first heard mr.cray in 1989.and have loved his music since!why he isn't getting the notoriety like the greats of blues have is a mystery to me.just happy someone turned him on to me all those years ago!I'd be missing out on some awesome musicl😎❣❣❣🙏
@sonjavandam1306
@@kidgohan7230 I also saw him in Wellington in 1992 tripping...
@tonymakatea2410
@@kidgohan7230 7hi Linda who r U if I can ask ?
@NoorAlHaqiqa
But he play(ed) with the BEST legends! Liked him since the late 80;s ...