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.
The Grinder
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Weren't you a sweet, little thing
Worked my fool head off
Just to buy that diamond ring
Now things are kind of funny
You know the way it goes
Now you want to put that ring
You put me through the grinder
And I kept coming back for more
Now all I want to see of you
Is your back side headed out that door
Well, you said you needed night school
And I went along with that
Till I followed you last Wednesday, baby
Up to Sonny's flat
I put one and one together
And it added up to fool
Cause what Sonny's got to offer, baby
Ain't teached in any school
You put me through the grinder
You hurt me like an open sore
I don't want no more excuses, baby
Just get on out the door
(Guitar solo)
Ohh, they say this is a world of troubles
Ohh, I've had my share
But you're the kind of burden
I really don't need to bare
I came home a little early
Lord, what I found there
I walked in on you and Richard
And your legs were up in the air
I'm gonna put you through the grinder
I'm gonna even up the score
You better get yourself a lawyer, baby
We're about to go to war
What 'cha tryin' to do to me?
Yeah, look here
The lyrics of Robert Cray's song "The Grinder" tell a story of a relationship where one partner starts out as a sweet, innocent thing but then becomes manipulative and hurtful towards the other. The singer of the song, who is presumably the male in the relationship, describes how he worked hard to buy his partner a diamond ring when they first met, only for her to turn the relationship around and want to control him with it. He accuses her of putting him through the grinder, meaning she has caused him pain and stress, but he still keeps coming back for more.
As the song progresses, the singer discovers that his partner has been lying to him and cheating on him with another man, someone he had trusted and even followed her to see him. The song takes a turn at this point, with the singer seeking revenge and vowing to put his partner through the same pain that she has caused him. The lyrics reflect a sense of betrayal, hurt, and anger, all wrapped up in a catchy blues tune.
The song is a commentary on the darker side of love, and how often the people we trust and care for can turn around and betray us. While the singer of the song seeks revenge, in reality, it is always better to walk away from a toxic relationship than to seek revenge or stay in a situation that causes pain and hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
When I first met you, baby
When we first met, you were very kind and gentle
Weren't you a sweet, little thing
You were very innocent and nice when we first met
Worked my fool head off
I worked very hard and sacrificed a lot for you
Just to buy that diamond ring
I bought you an expensive diamond ring as a symbol of my love
Now things are kind of funny
Our relationship has changed and it's not the same as before
You know the way it goes
This is a common scenario in many relationships
Now you want to put that ring
You want to control me and manipulate me using the diamond ring
Right on through my nose
You want me to do whatever you say, like an animal with a ring through its nose
You put me through the grinder
You caused me a lot of pain and suffering
And I kept coming back for more
Despite the pain, I still loved you and wanted to be with you
Now all I want to see of you
I want to break up with you and never see you again
Is your back side headed out that door
I want you to leave and never come back
Well, you said you needed night school
You claimed that you needed to attend night school
And I went along with that
I supported your decision to attend night school
Till I followed you last Wednesday, baby
But then I decided to follow you secretly one day
Up to Sonny's flat
I caught you red-handed cheating on me with another man named Sonny
I put one and one together
I connected the dots and figured out what was really going on
And it added up to fool
I realized that I was a fool for trusting you
Cause what Sonny's got to offer, baby
Sonny has something you desire or need
Ain't teached in any school
It's not something you can learn in school, like cheating or betrayal
You hurt me like an open sore
You wounded me deeply and the pain is still fresh
I don't want no more excuses, baby
I don't want to hear any more lies or justifications from you
Just get on out the door
Just leave and don't come back
Ohh, they say this is a world of troubles
Life is full of challenges and difficulties
Ohh, I've had my share
I've experienced my fair share of struggles and problems
But you're the kind of burden
But you are a burden that I don't need in my life
I really don't need to bare
I don't need to suffer because of you anymore
I came home a little early
I arrived home earlier than usual
Lord, what I found there
I was shocked at what I discovered
I walked in on you and Richard
I caught you cheating on me with another man named Richard
And your legs were up in the air
You were in a sexual position with Richard
I'm gonna put you through the grinder
I'm going to make you suffer and pay for what you did to me
I'm gonna even up the score
I'm going to get my revenge and make things equal between us
You better get yourself a lawyer, baby
You should hire a lawyer because we're going to court
We're about to go to war
We're going to have a brutal battle in court
What 'cha tryin' to do to me?
What are you trying to do to me?
Yeah, look here
Listen to me, pay attention to what I'm saying
Contributed by Micah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Winston Smith
Just a great album. Had this for about 25 years and it never gets old.
Dianne Campbell
God I haven't heard this song for twenty years! Thanks for the reminder. Got the album down in the garage somewhere but unfortunately don't have a record player. Next CD to buy
Barry Lawrence
Damn awesome...bad day comes good...smile on my face..fuzzy warm feeling in my heart.
Stuart Munro
Did this on stage many a night..immense pleasure!
Todd Williams
Thanks for loading. One of my favorites along with Don't Touch Me..
Robert M. East
'Cause what Sonny's got to offer they ain't teachin' in any school... Funky blues!
Don Brogan
Man, love this album, my brother put my cassette in the toaster. Wanker.
Bluesful1
Don't find any words!!! Great!!
vincenzo ongari
great
Bolton Michael
Is that Richard Cousins on bass on the cover?