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.
That Wasn't Me
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone broke your heart
I feel sorry for you
If it's the last thing that I do
I'll have to talk to that man
Yes I will
The pain
And the shame
The news is all over town
Why he left
Is a mystery
Cause I wouldn't have done that
If that was me
That wasn't me
That was someone else
That wasn't me
No, no, that wasn't me
No it wasn't
At all
Could I have done something wrong?
Maybe I did
Maybe I didn't
You know when you went out on me the other night
Didn't come home to about five o'clock in the morning, I said to myself:
"I'm gonna get even with you."
So I went out, too
And even though you said nothin' went--went on, nothin' happened
I refused to believe it, I just, uh
I'll have to talk to that man
Yes I will
That wasn't me
That was someone else
Sure wasn't me
I wanna defend myself
That wasn't me
No, it wasn't
At all
Could I have done something wrong?
That wasn't me
Hey, that was someone else
Sure wasn't me
I wanna defend myself
That wasn't me
No, it wasn't
At all
Could I have done something wrong?
The lyrics to Robert Cray's song "That Wasn't Me" speak to the confusion and pain of a relationship that has been marred by infidelity. The singer in the song is aware that their partner's heart has been broken, and they feel sorry for them. They are convinced that their partner has been cheated on, but they aren't sure if they themselves could be the source of this pain. The ambiguity in this statement shows just how confusing and murky the waters of love and faithfulness can be.
The second verse adds another layer to the narrative by suggesting that perhaps the singer was the one who was unfaithful, and that their partner is seeking revenge. They are quick to absolve themselves of this wrongdoing, however, by insisting that they didn't actually cheat, they just wanted to get even with their partner for staying out all night. The central paradox of the song, then, is that the singer is both condemning and defending themselves against the accusation of infidelity. They don't want to be the person who caused their partner pain, but they also don't want to be falsely accused of something they didn't do.
Overall, "That Wasn't Me" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of relationships and the difficulties of staying faithful in a world full of temptation and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Could I have done something wrong?
Questioning whether his actions contributed to the heartbreak his loved one is experiencing.
Someone broke your heart
Acknowledging that the person he cares for is suffering from a broken heart.
I feel sorry for you
Expressing compassion for the pain his loved one is feeling.
If it's the last thing that I do
Promising to take action to help his loved one find healing and closure.
I'll have to talk to that man
Acknowledging that there may be someone else involved in the heartbreak and expressing a desire to confront them.
The pain
Recognizing the depth of suffering his loved one is experiencing.
I see you suffering
Expressing empathy for his loved one's pain.
And the shame
Acknowledging the societal stigma that can come with a public heartbreak.
The news is all over town
Recognizing that the details of the heartbreak have become public knowledge.
Why he left
Expressing confusion over the reasons for the heartbreak.
Is a mystery
Acknowledging that the motive behind his loved one's heartbreak is unclear.
Cause I wouldn't have done that
Insisting that he would never intentionally cause his loved one pain.
If that was me
Empathizing with his loved one's pain by imagining how he would feel if the roles were reversed.
That wasn't me
Denying responsibility for the actions that caused his loved one's heartbreak.
That was someone else
Suggesting that there may be a third party involved in the heartbreak.
No, no, that wasn't me
Reiterating that he is not at fault for his loved one's heartbreak.
No it wasn't
Asserting that he is innocent in the situation.
Maybe I did
Admitting fault or responsibility for any possible wrongdoing.
Maybe I didn't
Considering the possibility that he is innocent in the situation.
You know when you went out on me the other night
Implying that his loved one may be at fault for the heartbreak by referencing a past incident.
Didn't come home to about five o'clock in the morning, I said to myself
Describing a specific instance that may have contributed to the heartbreak.
I'm gonna get even with you
Admitting to a vengeful attitude towards his loved one for hurting him in the past.
So I went out, too
Admitting to retaliating against his loved one.
And even though you said nothin' went--went on, nothin' happened
Doubting his loved one's innocence or honesty in the situation.
I wanna defend myself
Asserting his innocence once again.
That wasn't me
Denying his involvement or culpability in the heartbreak.
Hey, that was someone else
Reiterating that he is not responsible for the heartbreak.
Sure wasn't me
Emphatically denying any wrongdoing or blame for the situation.
Contributed by Dylan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.