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 Welfare Turns Its Back On You
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the welfare turn it's back on you?
Whatcha gonna do
When the welfare turn it's back on you?
You'll be standin' there stranded
And there won't be a thing you can do
Yes and you can't even find a piece of bread
You look all through your house, I know you do
Yes, you can't even find a piece of bread
I sometimes begin to wonder, yeah
Yes, if you'd be better off, be better off dead
Lord have mercy
You have to go down to the welfare
Every month to report
And some of the things they say to you
Will sure enough get your goat
If you tell them that you're sick
You better have a bad cough, Lord have mercy
'Cause if you don't, they'll be ready to throw you off
I know they will
Whatcha gonna do, Lord have mercy
When the welfare turns its back on you?
Yeah, you'll be standin' there stranded
Yeah, and there ain't a thing that you can do
Robert Cray's song When The Welfare Turns Its Back On You is a melancholic and powerful ballad about poverty, desperation, and the despair of being abandoned by the system that's supposed to help you. The opening lines of the song pose a difficult question: "Now whatcha gonna do when the welfare turns it's back on you?" The singer is addressing people who rely on welfare for survival, and asking how they will cope when that support is taken away. He repeats the question in the second verse, emphasizing the sense of helplessness and abandonment that comes with losing a crucial lifeline. The chorus underscores this feeling, with the repeated line, "You'll be standin' there stranded and there won't be a thing you can do."
The second verse describes a scene of destitution and despair, with the singer talking about how people search through their homes looking for food and finding nothing. The images of hunger and poverty are hauntingly vivid, and the tone of the song is one of deep sadness and regret. The final verse talks about the experience of going to the welfare office to try and get help, but instead encountering a bureaucratic system that can be heartless and cruel. If you're not sick enough, the officials may throw you off the program, leaving you without any support at all. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the bleakness of the situation and the sense of hopelessness that many people in poverty feel every day.
Line by Line Meaning
Now whatcha gonna do
When the welfare turn it's back on you?
What actions will you take when you're left without any support from the welfare system?
Whatcha gonna do
When the welfare turn it's back on you?
You'll be standin' there stranded
And there won't be a thing you can do
When the welfare system abandons you, you'll be left with no resources or support to help you.
Now, you look all through your house, yeah
Yes and you can't even find a piece of bread
You look all through your house, I know you do
Yes, you can't even find a piece of bread
I sometimes begin to wonder, yeah
Yes, if you'd be better off, be better off dead
You'll face extreme poverty when welfare is not available, and will even begin questioning if it might be better to die than continue living in such destitution.
Lord have mercy
An expression of desperation and plea for divine intervention in such dire situations.
You have to go down to the welfare
Every month to report
And some of the things they say to you
Will sure enough get your goat
The requirements and process of reporting to welfare are tedious and difficult to bear, and some of the staff might even be rude or disrespectful.
If you tell them that you're sick
You better have a bad cough, Lord have mercy
'Cause if you don't, they'll be ready to throw you off
I know they will
The welfare system is not benevolent, and they will not hesitate to cut you off if they think you're faking an illness or not in enough need.
Whatcha gonna do, Lord have mercy
When the welfare turns its back on you?
Yeah, you'll be standin' there stranded
Yeah, and there ain't a thing that you can do
The song repeats the opening verse, emphasizing the helplessness and lack of options when left to fend for yourself.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LUCIOUS PORTER WEAVER, SONNY THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ernie D
This man is so underrated...!
Craig McCauley
Love it!
William Miller
Just saw Robert Cray three days ago in Greenville, SC. Hadn't seen him since Portland, ME in 1987. Young Bob was better than ever. Has matured like a fine wine. Always been one of my favorites.
Steve Trivago
William Miller Thanks for sharing... I’ve never had the privilege of seeing him live.. What a guitarist and then he doubles the difficulty by not only singing,but singing smooth and beautifully.. ✊🏼☮️🎸
Lil McGill
That truly defines the Blues!
Roberr Kinsey
every note sheer perfection
New-Fairy
The blues is more appearing than ever in our modern day society
Don Fredo
Thank you, thank you, thank you for uploading it. One of my favorites and I didn´t know the title ...
Azara Moon
Gather up your riches in Heaven, not here !!!!!!
Azara Moon
Sleep out in the rain, I guess.