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.
Out of Eden
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make sure, did we forget anything?
Turn the lights out and close the door
Tell the mailman we don't live here no more
They said it was paradise
And that we'd live here forever
And they stabbed us in the back
Stood by the river
And watched us drown
Smiled, then they waved
While we went down
But once was will never happen
Again
Now we travel out of Eden
I know you would stand up
For what is right
And I know you would you stand up
Against what's wrong
Our neighbors were blind
But we had each other
And we became strong
They said it was paradise
And that we'd live here forever
Then they stabbed us in the back
With a poison dagger
Wrongly accused
Rightly upset
When our friends turned their backs
We knew we'd never, never forget
What once was will never happen
No, no, again
Now we travel out of Eden
Put your suitcase down
Lay on the bed
I'll open up the window
Clear skies ahead
We can sit on the beach
Or swim in the ocean
We survived on a life of devotion
They said it was paradise
And that we'd live here forever
And they stabbed us in the back
With a poison dagger
Tried and convicted
Without hearing our side
Now everyone's sorry
But there'll be no next time
What once was will never happen again
Now we travel out of Eden
Now we travel out of Eden
Now we travel out of Eden
The song “Out of Eden” by Robert Cray paints a vivid picture of betrayal and the resilience of the human spirit. The lyrics talk about a couple who have been forced out of their home by deceitful neighbors who promised them paradise only to turn on them with a “poison dagger”. The couple has been wrongly accused and convicted, and even their friends have turned their backs on them. However, their love for each other has kept them strong and they are now heading out of Eden, having survived a life of devotion.
The imagery and metaphors used in the song are powerful. The trunk tied with a piece of string represents the simplicity that the couple had to get used to after being forced out of their home. Turning the lights out and telling the mailman they no longer live there signifies the finality of their departure. The line “stood by the river and watched us drown” represents the lack of empathy from those who betrayed them, while the couple’s resilience is reflected in the line “we survived on a life of devotion”.
The song is ultimately about the human capacity to overcome adversity and betrayal, and to continue to believe in love and hope. It is a message of strength and resilience in the face of betrayal and injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
Tie the trunk with a piece of string
Securing our belongings to leave this place behind
Make sure, did we forget anything?
Double-checking to make sure we didn't leave anything important behind
Turn the lights out and close the door
Leaving our former home and closing the door on that chapter of our lives
Tell the mailman we don't live here no more
Notifying others that we have moved on from our old life and are beginning a new journey
They said it was paradise
We were promised a life of happiness and fulfillment
And that we'd live here forever
We were led to believe that this paradise would be our permanent home
And they stabbed us in the back
Those who promised us paradise betrayed us
With a poison dagger
They did so by using deceit and harm to bring about our downfall
Stood by the river
Those who promised us paradise watched as we struggled
And watched us drown
They saw us suffer and did nothing to help
Smiled, then they waved
They were pleased to see our demise and showed it by their actions
While we went down
Our downfall was quick and painful
But once was will never happen
We will never forget the pain and betrayal inflicted upon us
Again
We have learned from our experience and will not be fooled again
Now we travel out of Eden
We are leaving behind our old life and starting anew
I know you would stand up
I trust that you would do the right thing
For what is right
You have a strong sense of morality and would not compromise your values
And I know you would you stand up
I have faith in your strength and character
Against what's wrong
You would fight against injustice and wrongs in the world
Our neighbors were blind
Those around us did not see the truth of our situation
But we had each other
Despite our circumstances, we had each other for support and comfort
And we became strong
Our shared experiences made us stronger and more resilient
Wrongly accused
We were blamed for something we did not do
Rightly upset
We were rightfully angry and hurt by the false accusations
When our friends turned their backs
Even those who we thought were our friends abandoned us
We knew we'd never, never forget
We were deeply impacted by the abandonment and betrayal
Put your suitcase down
We have arrived at our new destination and can finally unpack our things
Lay on the bed
We can rest and relax after a long journey
I'll open up the window
We can let in fresh air and new opportunities
Clear skies ahead
Our future is bright and full of promise
We can sit on the beach
We can enjoy the simple pleasures in life that we were denied before
Or swim in the ocean
We can embrace the freedom and possibility of our new lives
We survived on a life of devotion
We made it through our past struggles by being dedicated to each other and our shared goals
Tried and convicted
We were punished unjustly for our supposed wrongdoings
Without hearing our side
Our pleas for fairness and explanation were ignored
Now everyone's sorry
The very people who betrayed us now regret their actions
But there'll be no next time
We have learned from our experiences and are better equipped to handle future challenges
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J PUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind