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.
Twenty
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where do you go,
Soldier
Mother dry your eyes,
There's no need to cry
I'm not a boy,
Iit's what I signed up for
Where do you go,
Soldier
I can't take the heat,
And I hardly sleep anymore
What'd we come here for
Standing out here in the desert
Trying to protect an oil line
I'd really like to do my job but
This ain't the country that I had in mind
They call this a war on terror
I see a lot of civilians dying
Mothers, sons, fathers and daughters
Not to mention some friends of mine
Some friends of mine
Was supposed to leave last week
Promises they don't keep anymore
Got to fight the rich man's war
When you're used up,
Where do you go,
Soldier
Late in 2004
Comes a knock at the door
It's no surprise
Mother dry your eyes
Mother don't you cry, no, no
Someone told you a lie
Yes they did, why
Mother don't you cry, oh no
Mother don't you cry
When you're used up,
Where do you go,
Soldier
Where do you go,
The song "Twenty" by Robert Cray is a poignant reflection on the experiences of a soldier who is exhausted and disillusioned by the war he is fighting. The title of the song refers to the young age of soldiers who are sent to fight and risk their lives for their country. The first lines of the song, "When you're used up, where do you go, soldier?" signify the fear and uncertainty of a soldier when he is pushed to his limit.
The soldier in the song talks about the hardships of war and the physical and emotional toll it takes on him. He talks about how he can't take the heat and hardly sleeps anymore. He questions the reasons for being there and the reality of protecting an oil line. As he witnesses civilians dying, he questions the "war on terror" and why innocent people are being killed. He realizes that he is fighting the "rich man's war" and wants to leave, but cannot because of broken promises.
The soldier's mother is a recurring theme in the song, providing comfort and support. With the line "Mother dry your eyes, there's no need to cry," the soldier acknowledges the pain and worry of his mother but tries to reassure her that he knew what he was getting into. In the end, the song ends with a sense of resignation, with the line "Mother don't you cry, someone told you a lie."
Line by Line Meaning
When you're used up,
Feeling exhausted and drained from the physical and emotional demands of war
Where do you go,
Questioning where to turn for support and relief from the traumatic effects of war
Soldier
Acknowledging the identity of being a soldier and the responsibility that comes with it
Mother dry your eyes,
Comforting a mother by urging her not to worry or fret about her son's safety
There's no need to cry
Reassuring the mother that everything will be okay and there's no reason to be upset
I'm not a boy,
Asserting that the experience of war has forced the singer to mature and grow up quickly
Iit's what I signed up for
Acknowledging that joining the military comes with the expectation of serving in combat
I can't take the heat,
Expressing physical discomfort and fatigue caused by the harsh conditions of deployment
And I hardly sleep anymore
Struggling with insomnia and the inability to get restful sleep
What'd we come here for
Questioning the purpose and objectives of the war
Standing out here in the desert
Describing the environment and location of where the soldier is stationed
Trying to protect an oil line
Expressing frustration with the concept of risking life and limb for oil
I'd really like to do my job but
Feeling hindered and distracted from the primary goal of serving as a soldier
This ain't the country that I had in mind
Disillusioned and disappointed with the reality of the situation compared to the idealized image they had in mind
They call this a war on terror
Referencing the justification and rationale for the war
I see a lot of civilians dying
Expressing dismay and heartbreak at the reality of innocent people being caught in the crossfire
Mothers, sons, fathers and daughters
Listing the familial relationships of the innocent victims of war
Not to mention some friends of mine
Acknowledging the personal and emotional toll of losing close friends and comrades in battle
Was supposed to leave last week
Expecting to be discharged or rotated out of duty, but not following through on the promise
Promises they don't keep anymore
Feeling betrayed by those in power who made promises that they are not keeping
Got to fight the rich man's war
Feeling a sense of injustice and anger at the fact that those in charge are not fighting the war, but rather sending soldiers to do their bidding
Late in 2004
Specifically referencing a time period in the war
Comes a knock at the door
Describing the dramatic and heartbreaking way in which families are informed of their loved one's death
It's no surprise
Implying that death is always a possibility in war and therefore, families should not be shocked when they receive such news
Mother don't you cry, no, no
Reassuring the mother that her son's death was not in vain and he served with honor
Someone told you a lie
Refuting the idea that the war is necessary and just
Yes they did, why
Further expressing frustration and anger at the people who perpetuate lies about the war
Mother don't you cry, oh no
Repeating the comfort and reassurance to not worry or grieve
Where do you go,
Repeating the question of where to turn for support and solace in the aftermath of war
Contributed by Nathan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnnyhstat
as a former neo con, I loved Robert Cray's music, but hated this song. When I woke up by getting educated by reading guys like Ron Paul, Murry Rothbard, and Lew Rockwell things changed. One day I was listening to some other Robert Cray songs and suddenly remembered this song that I had previously hated. I did a google search for this video and watched it and cried like a baby, spot on Robert, war is no friend to freedom. Thoughts and prayers go out to all who have lost loved ones due to this government sponsored war, whether they be American or from the Middle East.
@dgriffin552
I love this song. I'm an Iraq veteran with a Purple Heart 💜. This song is so true. I remember when I stepped off that helicopter. My first thought was where the hell am I? But Soldiers do what we have to do.
@alantaylor8916
A beautiful song. Robert Cray has a brilliant blues voice that reaches deep into the soul. This song must touch almost everyone who has been in, has relatives or knows someone who has served in the Armed forces. War solves nothing. War takes lives of the innocent and the brave. I am English and it means as much to me as it does to Americans. A song that resounds to me like this is by The Levellers named 'Another Man's Cause'
@vancouverblades
Almost 10 years old and still hits home for me. One of the greatest songs Robert has done among the many. Thank-you
@some2l9
Cool to see that even little kids can relate to it.
@leozingy
Heard him play this one live and got a huge lump in my throat... his guitar and his voice weep together as one.
@sdenny
A thing i most admire about americans is the absolute respect they give to their military personnel , particularly the fallen . We were over visiting friends in TN and at Nashville Airport they had a sign " If you are serving Military Personnel please go to the front of the queue , Its the least we can do , thank you " sort of sums it up , great song , great message
@GlaucoAlves
The best musicians are storytellers imo.
What a message!
Thank you Robert 🙌
@SRayVon4u
Thank you Robert Cray...for your very realistic eye, in all your music threw the years....this is what makes you a "master" of R&B, it IS about the heart !
@raisedbyacupofcoffee
Chilling-wasn't sure I could watch the whole thing without breaking down.