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.
Survivor
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darlin', don't live without you and your love
If I had those golden dreams of my yesterdays
I would wrap you in the Heaven 'til I'm dyin' on the way
Feel like makin'
Feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love to you
Baby, if I think about you, I think about love
Darlin' if I live without you, I live without love
And if I had the sun and moon, we will shine them
I would give you both night and day of satisfyn'
Feel like makin'
Feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love to you
And if I had those golden dreams of my yesterdays
I would wrap you in the Heaven 'til I'm dyin' on the way
Feel like makin'
Feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love to you
Well I feel like makin' love
Well I feel like makin' love
Well I feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love to you
Well I feel like makin' love
Well I feel like makin' love
Well I feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love to you
Well I feel like makin' love
Well I feel like makin' love
Well I feel like makin' love
Feel like makin' love to you
Well I feel like makin' love
The lyrics of Robert Cray's "Survivor" express the singer's deep love for someone, so much so that he would wrap them in heaven until his dying day, and how living without that love would be impossible. The repeated phrase "feel like makin' love" implies a strong physical desire for the person the singer is addressing. This may suggest that the relationship between the singer and this special someone is sexual and emotional in nature, as they would want to spend every minute satisfying and loving each other.
The final lines of the song emphasize the depth of the singer's romantic feeling, as he repeats "well I feel like makin' love" several times. This suggests a person who is willing to do anything to keep their love alive and burning strong. The song is infused with soulful, bluesy guitar riffs and a slow, steady beat that underscores the intensity of the sentiment contained within the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, when I think about you, I think about love
Remembering you always reminds me of love.
Darlin', don't live without you and your love
Without your love, life is not worth living.
If I had those golden dreams of my yesterdays
If I still had hope for my past dreams.
I would wrap you in the Heaven 'til I'm dyin' on the way
I would cherish you always, even until my death.
Feel like makin'
I am in the mood for
Feel like makin' love
I want to show my love physically.
And if I had the sun and moon, we will shine them
If I could control everything in the world, I would make sure we shine the brightest.
I would give you both night and day of satisfyn'
I would take care of you around the clock, giving you everything you need.
Well I feel like makin' love
I still want to show my love physically.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICK RALPHS, PAUL RODGERS, PAUL BERNARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind