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.
Playin' In The Dirt
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And baby, so are you
But right now we're not thinking
Past this little rendezvous
We both know what's gonna happen
Four people gonna get hurt
'Cause it's bound to rub off on us
You'll probably lose your husband
I know I'll lose my wife
You'd think that we'd know better
At this point in our lives
So we might as well enjoy it
Take it for what it's worth
'Cause we're gonna get some on us
When we're playing in the dirt
It's the same old common story
It's happening all around
Ain't no doubt about it
One more ship is going down
There ain't no escaping
All the troubles on this Earth
We're gonna come up muddy, muddy, muddy
When we're playing in the dirt
The lyrics of Robert Cray's song "Playin' In The Dirt" tell the story of two married people who have engaged in an extramarital affair. The lyrics acknowledge the moral implications of their actions, but still suggest that they are willing to engage in the affair nonetheless. The chorus, stating that they will come up "muddy, muddy, muddy" when playing in the dirt, suggests the inevitability of the negative consequences that their actions will have on both of their lives.
The first two lyrics immediately set up the premise of the song, as the singer acknowledges that he is aware of the moral implications of the affair (that he and the other person are both married) but suggests that in the present moment, they are not thinking about those implications. The second verse suggests that the affair will inevitably lead to pain for all four involved parties - the two people engaging in the affair, and their respective spouses. However, the chorus of the song suggests that they are still willing to engage in the affair despite the negative consequences that they know it will have.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a cautionary tale against the dangers of infidelity and the potential negative impacts that such actions can have. The repeated reference to "playing in the dirt" suggests that these actions are base, animalistic, and not elevated or desirable, while the implication that they will all come away "muddy" suggests that the affair will have negative repercussions for everyone involved. Overall, the song is a powerful meditation on the complicated nature of human relationships and the various motivations that can drive people to engage in destructive behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, you know that I'm married
I am reminding you that I am already married
And baby, so are you
I acknowledge that you are also married
But right now we're not thinking
We are not currently concerned about the consequences of our actions
Past this little rendezvous
Beyond this brief meeting
We both know what's gonna happen
We are aware of the inevitable outcome
Four people gonna get hurt
Both of our spouses and ourselves will suffer
'Cause it's bound to rub off on us
Our actions will have consequences for us
When we're playing in the dirt
When we are engaging in this illicit behavior
You'll probably lose your husband
Your spouse is likely to leave you
I know I'll lose my wife
My spouse will likely leave me as well
You'd think that we'd know better
We should have more wisdom considering our age and experience
At this point in our lives
Considering our current life stage
So we might as well enjoy it
We might as well indulge in this momentary pleasure
Take it for what it's worth
Let's see this for what it is, without any illusions
'Cause we're gonna get some on us
We will experience some consequences
When we're playing in the dirt
When we engage in this risky behavior
It's the same old common story
This is a common tale
It's happening all around
This occurs frequently
Ain't no doubt about it
There is no question
One more ship is going down
One more relationship is going to end in disaster
There ain't no escaping
It is impossible to avoid
All the troubles on this Earth
All the hardships and difficulties we face in life
We're gonna come up muddy, muddy, muddy
We will experience some negative consequences and regret in the end
When we're playing in the dirt
When we are engaging in risky or illicit behavior
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRUCE M. BROMBERG, ROBERT CRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Girl4Reba
Hands down this is one of my all time favorite Robert Cray songs. Thanks!
@ericstein4695
just heard it for the first time tonite. he is great. one of my fav's
@austingonzales1405
This is from False Accusations. Great album. His next albums were Showdown with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland and Strong Persuader. Both would win Grammy's. Spectacular stuff!
@AmandaDraig
Robert Cray is one of my many blues heroes. And h'e still ALIVE! Great song
@danbutterfield4248
What a legend
@luizlauretinodemelo
MAGIA DA MUSICA*****
@lazyfender68
HAAaaaa yeah! here's a throw back to them days... love it. Classic staccato R Cray solo.
@RJ3220
What a song
@bluesoulady
so cool!
@ClassicRockDJdotcom
NICE!