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 Things You Do to Me
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I really need to see you, baby
So long
When I called you up
And talked to you yesterday, baby
You really rocked me
Oh, you rocked me
I made my promise to you, darling
And I'm gonna do what needs be done
You've made me understand, baby
That hearts ain't made from stone
The things you do to me, yeah
Three o'clock in the morning
I wake up
Can't go back to sleep
I get a real, real, real good feeling
Way down inside
Knowing you're in love with me
It's so hard
To be away from you, baby
Only makes me want you more
You're so good to me, baby
It makes it hard to walk out that door
But, oh, the things you do to me, yeah
I made my promise now, darling
And I'm gonna do what needs be done, yes I am
You've made me understand, baby
That hearts ain't made from stone
And, oh, the things you do to me, yeah
Oh, the things you do to me
It's so hard to be away from you, baby
Oh, those things you do to me, yeah
The things you do to me
Aww, you really rock me, you rock me, you rock me, baby
The song "The Things You Do To Me" by Robert Cray is a love song that expresses the singer's feelings towards his lover who he hasn't seen in a long time. He expresses his desperation to see her and how much he misses her. The singer has made a promise to his lover, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill it. The promise is not specified in the song, but it's clear that it's something that will make his relationship with his lover stronger. This promise shows how committed the singer is to his lover and their relationship.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer's lover has a profound impact on him. The singer wakes up in the middle of the night thinking about her and feeling a "real, real, real good feeling way down inside" knowing that she loves him too. This line suggests that the singer is secure with his lover's feelings towards him, which brings him great comfort. The singer also acknowledges how good his lover is to him, making it hard for him to leave her. The things she does to him, as the song suggests, are positive and make him feel good about himself and his relationship.
Overall, the song sends out a positive message towards love and relationships. It emphasizes the importance of keeping promises, being committed to one's partner, and appreciating the positive things that a lover brings to a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been so long
It's been a while since I saw you last, baby.
I really need to see you, baby
I desperately want to see you, my darling.
When I called you up
When I spoke to you on the phone,
And talked to you yesterday, baby
When we spoke to each other yesterday, my love,
You really rocked me
You just amazed me with your words, baby.
Oh, you rocked me
You made me feel so loved and appreciated, sweetheart.
I made my promise to you, darling
I made a promise to you, my love,
And I'm gonna do what needs be done
And I will do everything necessary to fulfill that promise, my dear.
You've made me understand, baby
You taught me a valuable lesson, my love,
That hearts ain't made from stone
That a heart is not a rock and can be easily swayed by love, baby.
The things you do to me, yeah
The way you make me feel, my darling.
Three o'clock in the morning
It's three o'clock in the morning,
I wake up
I suddenly awaken from my sleep,
Can't go back to sleep
I am unable to fall back asleep.
I get a real, real, real good feeling
I experience an overwhelming sense of joy and happiness.
Way down inside
Deep inside my heart and soul,
Knowing you're in love with me
Because I know you love me, my sweet.
It's so hard
It's incredibly difficult,
To be away from you, baby
To be separated from you, my darling.
Only makes me want you more
It just intensifies my longing for you, my love.
You're so good to me, baby
You treat me so well and with such tenderness, my sweet,
It makes it hard to walk out that door
It makes it challenging for me to leave, my dear.
But, oh, the things you do to me, yeah
But the way you make me feel, my love.
Oh, the things you do to me
Oh, the way you make me feel, my darling.
I made my promise now, darling
I reaffirm my vow to you, my love,
And I'm gonna do what needs be done, yes I am
And I will do everything to keep that promise intact, my dear.
And, oh, the things you do to me, yeah
And the way you make me feel, my love.
Aww, you really rock me, you rock me, you rock me, baby
Your love and affection have a powerful impact on my life, my sweet.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robert Cray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind