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.
Payin
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alvey's hideaway
I could tell by looking at her
That she had come to play
Bought her three gin and tonics
And we told each other lies
Then I headed to the motel
And I'm payin' for it now
Payin' for it now
She's gone and so's my wallet
And I'm payin' for it now
Girl took off and took all my duckets
Then I ran into Maggie
Old friend of mine
She said, "Let's do some reminiscing"
"Go and get some wine"
She could drink just like a sailor
Got as drunk as I could be
By the time the night was over, yeah
The joke, it was on me
And I'm payin' for it now
Payin' for it now
She took me off the market
And I'm paying for it now
She was soft and friendly
And willing as can be
Had a pretty little tattoo
Right above her knee
I got it down to business
Then I fell asleep
She said, I made her promises, promises
That she's expecting me to keep
And I'm payin' for it now
Payin' for it now
That girl was talkin' marriage
And I'm payin' for it now
Well, I should have got suspicious
When she started acting nice
Should have read the signals
Should have thought about it twice
For eleven days running
She was cozy in the night
And when she laid it on me
You know, I didn't even fight
And I'm payin' for it now
Oh Lord, I'm payin' for it now
Here comes her mother with her suitcase
And I'm payin' for it now
No, not my mother-in-law
Jeez, her daughter
No, no, no
The lyrics of Robert Cray's "Payin' For It Now" are a cautionary tale about the consequences of one's actions. The singer is recounting his experiences with different women, where he indulges in drinking and makes promises he cannot keep. In the first stanza, he meets a woman in a nightclub and buys her drinks, knowing that it was a game for her. He ends up taking her to a motel, but she leaves with all his money, leaving him with regret.
In the second stanza, the singer meets an old friend, Maggie, and they drink wine together, getting drunk. He falls prey to her seduction, but she sets him up, and he ends up paying for his indiscretion. In the final stanza, the singer meets a woman with a tattoo on her knee, who he believed was friendly and willing. However, she wants him to keep his promises of a future together, which he cannot fulfill.
Overall, the song highlights the dangers of recklessness and irresponsibility in one's actions. While the consequences may not be immediate, they will catch up with us eventually, and we will pay the price for our actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Met her in a night club
Alvey's hideaway
I could tell by looking at her
That she had come to play
I met a girl at a club and could tell she was interested in having fun.
Bought her three gin and tonics
And we told each other lies
Then I headed to the motel
With my little prize
And I'm payin' for it now
Payin' for it now
She's gone and so's my wallet
And I'm payin' for it now
Girl took off and took all my duckets
I bought her drinks, lied to her, and then we went back to a motel. Now I am paying for it because she took off with all my money.
Then I ran into Maggie
Old friend of mine
She said, "Let's do some reminiscing"
"Go and get some wine"
She could drink just like a sailor
Got as drunk as I could be
By the time the night was over, yeah
The joke, it was on me
And I'm payin' for it now
Payin' for it now
She took me off the market
And I'm paying for it now
I ran into an old friend, Maggie, and we drank and reminisced. She got drunk and I ended up becoming her partner, but now I am paying for it because she took me off the market.
She was soft and friendly
And willing as can be
Had a pretty little tattoo
Right above her knee
I got it down to business
Then I fell asleep
She said, I made her promises, promises
That she's expecting me to keep
And I'm payin' for it now
Payin' for it now
That girl was talkin' marriage
And I'm payin' for it now
Another woman I got involved with was attractive and willing. We had sex, but I fell asleep, and now I am paying for it because she is expecting me to keep promises of marriage.
Well, I should have got suspicious
When she started acting nice
Should have read the signals
Should have thought about it twice
For eleven days running
She was cozy in the night
And when she laid it on me
You know, I didn't even fight
And I'm payin' for it now
Oh Lord, I'm payin' for it now
Here comes her mother with her suitcase
And I'm payin' for it now
No, not my mother-in-law
Jeez, her daughter
No, no, no
I should have been suspicious of the woman who was acting nice towards me. I ignored the warning signs and ended up spending eleven nights with her. Now her mother is here with a suitcase, and I am paying for it. Not with my mother-in-law, but with her daughter.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind