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.
Too Many Cooks
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
Too many cooks are trying to get in your kitchen
The first thing you know there's something missin'
You got a real good oven, you've got a hot range, too
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
The stew that you're cooking, it smells so good
It's got everybody talking in the neighborhood
Your spice's spicy, your sugar so sweet
Your meat is so tender and your juice is a treat
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
No, ain't nobody cooking, baby
In my house, in my kitchen
But me and you, oh
The song "Too Many Cooks" is a classic blues number that talks about how too many people in the kitchen might ruin what is being cooked. The song is a metaphor for life, telling the listener that they should be wary of letting too many people in their lives, as it might lead to chaos and problems. The lyrics start by repeating the phrase "Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew" several times to emphasize the problem. The singer then talks about how too many people are trying to get into the kitchen, leading to confusion and problems.
The singer then goes on to describe how good the stew being cooked smells and how impressive the cook's kitchen is. However, he also notes that too many people in the kitchen might eventually ruin the stew. In the end, the song message warns the listener to be mindful of the people they let into their lives and to be careful with how many people are in influential positions.
Line by Line Meaning
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
The excessive number of people involved will ruin the outcome.
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
No one else is helping, so we must work together to make it right.
Too many cooks are trying to get in your kitchen
Too many people are trying to get involved with your personal affairs.
The first thing you know there's something missin'
When too many people get involved, important things may be overlooked or lost.
You got a real good oven, you've got a hot range, too
You have all the necessary tools and equipment to create a great outcome.
Let me butter your buns while you stir the stew
I'll take care of the little things while you focus on the main task at hand.
The stew that you're cooking, it smells so good
The work that you're doing is producing something great.
It's got everybody talking in the neighborhood
The outcome of your work is impressing and attracting a lot of attention.
Your spice's spicy, your sugar so sweet
Your approach is bold and flavorful, yet balanced in all the right ways.
Your meat is so tender and your juice is a treat
Your work is high quality and satisfying in every way possible.
No, ain't nobody cooking, baby
No one else is involved in what we're doing, and that's just fine.
In my house, in my kitchen
This is our space, where we work hard and achieve great things together.
But me and you, oh
Just the two of us, working together to create something amazing.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WILLIE DIXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Indu Chaure
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
Too many cooks are trying to get in your kitchen
The first thing you know there's something missin'
You got a real good oven, you've got a hot range, too
Let me butter your buns while you stir the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
Douglas Ford
This is a fun number to play at a backyard cook out, catchy tune and have a good time.
armando37803
GRACIAS POR SUBIR ESTA CANCION , HACE 15 AÑOS NO LA ESCUCHABA .
Cynthia LeVeque
Love Robert Cray.
Barbara Wallace
I love this song!
Fede Canut
Me alegro que disfruten este tema tanto como yo! I'm glad you enjoy this song as much as me!
John F. Eden
Used to listen to Robert in Eugene — always loved his music! Thanks for posting!
Indu Chaure
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
Too many cooks are trying to get in your kitchen
The first thing you know there's something missin'
You got a real good oven, you've got a hot range, too
Let me butter your buns while you stir the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
Too many cooks are gonna spoil the stew
There ain't nobody cooking but me and you
PAUL HATZ
IT'S REALLY HARD TO FIND THIS SONG, BUT I'M GLAD I WAS ABLE TO FIND IT:)
Leandro Morales
GRACIAS POR SUBIR EL TEMA!!!
Rahul Pande
Just love it...