Right Next Door
Robert Cray Lyrics


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I can hear the couple fighting right next door
Their angry words sound clear through these thin walls
Around midnight I heard ‘em shout "Unfaithful one"
And I knew right then the axe was gonna fall
It's because of me, It's because of me

I heard him shout "Who is he", she mumbled low
He said "Baby, don't you lie to me no more"
And I'm listening through these thin walls silent o' shame
As she called out my name I was right next door

It's because of me, It's because of me
Because of me, It's because of me

Oh, she was right next door and I'm such a strong persuader
She was just another note on my guitar
She's gonna lose the man that really loves her
In the silence I can hear their breaking hearts
At daybreak I can hear him pack, say goodbye
I can hear him slam the door and walk away
Right next door I can hear that woman start to cry
I should go to her, but what would I say

It's because of me, It's because of me
Because of me, Young heart





CHORUS (twice)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robert Cray's song "Right Next Door" tell the story of a man who realizes he is responsible for the fighting he hears from his neighbors through their thin walls. The couple argues about infidelity, and the man believes the woman is cheating with him. As he listens in shame, he realizes that he has been a "strong persuader" and has led her astray from her loving partner. He hears the man leave and the woman break down in tears, but he is reluctant to offer any comfort for fear of making the situation worse.


The lyrics convey a sense of guilt and regret for the actions that have caused the couple's strife. The singer recognizes that he has played a role in their problems, but he feels powerless to make things right. He is haunted by the sound of their breaking hearts and by his own lack of courage to intervene. The song leaves the listener with a sense of sadness and resignation, as the singer accepts the consequences of his own mistakes.


Overall, "Right Next Door" is a poignant tale of love, betrayal, and remorse. The lyrics are simple yet effective in conveying the emotional complexity of the situation. The song's slow, bluesy melody underscores the sadness of the story and adds to its poignancy.


Line by Line Meaning

I can hear the couple fighting right next door
I am able to listen to the couple who lives in the neighboring house and hear their argument loud and clear.


Their angry words sound clear through these thin walls
The walls between me and the couple are unusually thin, so I can hear their enraged words loudly and distinctly.


Around midnight I heard ‘em shout "Unfaithful one"
Last night, at around midnight, I heard the man accuse the woman of being unfaithful and cheating on him.


And I knew right then the axe was gonna fall
I had a hunch then that their relationship was going to come to an unpleasant end after hearing their angry exchange of words.


It's because of me, It's because of me
I feel responsible for the couple's fight because of a problem I caused.


I heard him shout "Who is he", she mumbled low
The man was shouting and demanding an answer from the woman about a third person who could be involved. The woman answered weakly and softly.


He said "Baby, don't you lie to me no more"
The man requested the woman to stop lying to him about the third person in question.


And I'm listening through these thin walls silent o' shame
Although I am able to hear their conversation through my walls, I am keeping my ears open without interfering and with a feeling of shame due to my part in the incident.


As she called out my name I was right next door
As she took my name in her argument, I realized that I was there standing very close to her without her knowledge.


Oh, she was right next door and I'm such a strong persuader
The woman lived very close to me but my presence could easily sway her due to my powerful convincing abilities.


She was just another note on my guitar
I view the woman in question as just another object in my life, merely a possession rather than a person with feelings.


She's gonna lose the man that really loves her
The woman will lose the man who loves her unconditionally, due to her relationship with me.


In the silence I can hear their breaking hearts
Despite the external arguments, there is an evident emotional strain in both the man and the woman's voices, which is audible to me, revealing their broken hearts.


At daybreak I can hear him pack, say goodbye
In the morning, I can hear the man packing and saying goodbye to the woman, in all probability due to their fight from the previous night.


I can hear him slam the door and walk away
I am able to hear the sound of their door slamming and the man walking out of the house.


Right next door I can hear that woman start to cry
I can hear the sound of the woman crying out, clearly audible again as they both move on from the breakup.


I should go to her, but what would I say
Although I feel the urge to go to her and support her, I'm utterly confused about what to say due to my involvement in the situation earlier.


Because of me, Young heart
The young heart in this situation is emotionally burdened, partly because of the influence I have had over the woman, and the fact that she is now fated to suffer by losing someone who loved her dearly.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: D. WALKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@frankregan3585

Right Next Door
Robert Cray
LYRICS
I can hear the couple fighting right next door
Their angry words sound clear through these thin walls
Around midnight I hear him shout unfaithful woman
And I knew right there the axe was gonna fall
It's because of me
It's because of me
I heard him shout who is he, she mumbled low
He said baby don't you lie to me no more
And I'm listening through these thin walls silently
As he called out my name I was right next door
It's because of me
It's because of me
She was right next door and I'm such a strong persuader
That she was just another notch on my guitar
She's gonna lose the man that really loves her
In the silence I can hear their breaking hearts
At daybreak I hear him back and say goodbye
I can hear him slam the door and walk away
Right next door I hear that woman start to cry
I should go to her but what would I say
It's because of me
It's because of me
She was right next door and I'm such a strong persuader
That she was just another notch on my guitar
She's gonna lose the man that really loves her
In the silence I can hear their breaking hearts



All comments from YouTube:

@josephbenton2500

It's 2022 and I'm still jamming Robert cray. His music will never get old and die.

@darnellpistachio2991

Lol i never heard this song til 2022

@anjabieber4776

First time today...wow!

@freedom_born

WORD

@weisguy65

Wife and I are seeing him tonight... Totally agree with you.

@marybethdasilva4818

2/23/23 Still jamming

1 More Replies...

@clee0303

Just saw him play this live tonight (10/1/23) and you honestly couldnt tell a difference in his voice. Even at 70 he is still SPOT ON

@Loctorak

What a badass

@theirishgirl6809

He is EVERYTHING one would hope for... and MORE! 👍🎸🎶💜

@user-ee8sb4oq3v

​@@Loctorak¹❤

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