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.
Pardon
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've even seen him shed tears
For after taking those wedding vows
That didn't last many years
I've seen him walk the streets alone
In the wind and rain cold and weak
Help the poor man save his heart
Take him in, make him neat
Grant him a pardon from love
The people talk when he passes by
And they don't seem to care
The pain he hides down in his soul
That they don't want to share
If he could turn this world around
He could be like you and me
Help him break these chains of love
Help the man go free
And grant him a pardon
Grant him a pardon
Grant him a pardon from love
(guitar solo)
And grant him a pardon
Grant him a pardon from love
He's guilty of nothing that I can think of, oh no
So let's not convict him
He just happens to be a prisoner of love
So if you're out on that lonely street
And by chance pass him by
Don't rush to judgement or put him down
Cause you could be that guy
Someone could take your heart to school one day
And that would surely change your plans
And all the things you think you know
Now you understand
And grant him a pardon
Grant him a pardon
Grant him a pardon from love
All you got to do is
Grant him a pardon
Grant him a pardon
Grant him a pardon from love
Grant him a pardon, baby
Grant him a pardon from love
Just grant him a pardon
From love
Won't ya
The lyrics of Robert Cray's song "Pardon" talk about a man who has been hurt by love and how the people around him treat him with scorn and indifference. The singer speaks of having seen him weep and struggle with the pain of a failed marriage, and how he walks alone on the streets in the worst kind of weather. He talks about how the people around him don't show him any understanding or sympathy and how if he could break free from the chains of love, he could be like anyone else. The lyrics urge the listener not to judge him too quickly as they could just as easily find themselves in his shoes someday. Instead, the singer asks for a pardon for the man, a release from his pain and heartache.
The song is a heartfelt plea for compassion and empathy towards those who have been hurt by love, and it speaks to a universal feeling of loneliness and isolation that can come when one's heart is broken. The songwriters use powerful imagery of rain, wind, cold and chains to convey the depth of the man's suffering and isolation. The guitar solo in the middle of the song adds to the emotional intensity of the lyrics, making the song a poignant representation of the pain of lost love and the need for understanding and kindness.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear him when he weeps and moans
I can hear the sadness and pain in his voice
I've even seen him shed tears
I have witnessed him crying due to his broken heart
For after taking those wedding vows
After committing himself in marriage
That didn't last many years
But the marriage ended soon after
I've seen him walk the streets alone
I have witnessed him roaming around in isolation
In the wind and rain cold and weak
During cold weather and rainy days, feeling vulnerable
Help the poor man save his heart
Assist him in healing his heartache
Take him in, make him neat
Provide him with warmth and comfort to make him feel better
And grant him a pardon
Forgive him and let him move on
Grant him a pardon from love
Let him be free from the pain of love
The people talk when he passes by
People gossip about him behind his back
And they don't seem to care
They are indifferent to his struggles
The pain he hides down in his soul
The emotional trauma he conceals within himself
That they don't want to share
Which others do not want to empathize with
If he could turn this world around
If only he were to have a miraculous transformation
He could be like you and me
Then he could live a normal life like everyone else
Help him break these chains of love
Assist him in freeing himself from the agony of love
Help the man go free
Aid that man in finding freedom
He's guilty of nothing that I can think of, oh no
He is not faulted in any of my assessments
So let's not convict him
So let us not judge him unfairly
He just happens to be a prisoner of love
He is merely incarcerated by the entanglements of love
So if you're out on that lonely street
If you happen to be wandering in that desolate area
And by chance pass him by
And coincidentally cross paths with him
Don't rush to judgement or put him down
Don't make any rash conclusions or belittle his situation
Cause you could be that guy
We could all easily find ourselves in his shoes
Someone could take your heart to school one day
One day someone may hurt you emotionally
And that would surely change your plans
And that experience will undoubtedly affect your future
And all the things you think you know
All the assumptions you make regarding love
Now you understand
You will then realize the true nature of love
All you got to do is
All that needs to be done is
Grant him a pardon
Forgive and release him from his creeps
From love
Free him from the burden of love
Won't ya
Will you please do so?
Contributed by Lila B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.