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.
Right Next Door
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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"
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)
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
@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
@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
@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❤