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.
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Robert Cray Lyrics
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And she don't wave goodbye
Her last words echo in my mind
Listen honey, I gotta get away
I'm standing here watching her tail lights
As if they're some kind of sign
Fading into a memory
So long, I hate to see you go
So I save my tears for later on down the road
How come I keep I holding on
Knowing you won't be coming home
Two days later I get a letter
A picture of a room in some hotel
Sitting framed up on the table,
A picture I know so well
You've painted yourself into a corner
Now you're trying to paint something new
And your lipstick on the letter
Is a goodbye kiss from you
So long, I hate to see you go
So I save my tears for later on down the road
How come I keep I holding on
Knowing you won't be coming home
I still set the table
Still set it for you and me
It's become a habit
My own personal make believe
So long, I hate to see you go
So I save my tears for later on down the road
How come I keeW I holding on
Knowing you won't be coming home
So long, I hate to see you go
So I save my tears for later on down the road
How come I keep I holding on
Knowing you won't be coming home
The lyrics of Robert Cray's song "Coming Home" talk about the heartbreak and pain of a failed relationship. The singer's partner is leaving him, and she doesn't even say goodbye. Her last words, "Listen honey, I gotta get away," echo in his mind as she pulls out of the driveway, and he watches her tail lights fading into the distance. He realizes that he has tried his best to hold onto the relationship, but it's over. He says his goodbyes, saving his tears for later on down the road, knowing she won't be coming back.
Two days later, he receives a letter from his ex-partner. The picture she sends him is of a room in some hotel, and he knows it all too well. She is trying to paint something new in her life and has already painted herself into a corner. The lipstick on the letter is a goodbye kiss from her. The singer is still holding on to the relationship, even though he knows she won't be coming home.
The singer has become used to setting the table for both him and his partner, even though she's not there. It's his way of keeping the memory of her alive, which has become his personal make-believe. He is holding on to the past, even though his partner has moved on with her life.
Overall, "Coming Home" is a poignant song that explores the feelings of lost love and the pain of heartbreak. The lyrics are a reminder of the complexity of human emotions and the difficulties of letting go.
Line by Line Meaning
As her car pulls out the driveway
I see her leaving as she drives away
And she don't wave goodbye
She doesn't even look back or wave goodbye
Her last words echo in my mind
I can't stop thinking about her last words
Listen honey, I gotta get away
She told me she had to get away from me
I'm standing here watching her tail lights
I'm standing here watching her drive into the distance
As if they're some kind of sign
As if they're trying to tell me something
Fading into a memory
Slowly fading away into my memory
I just got tired of trying
I just got too tired to keep trying to make things work
So long, I hate to see you go
I'm sad to see her leave
So I save my tears for later on down the road
I'll cry later when I'm alone
How come I keep I holding on
Why can't I let go of my feelings for her
Knowing you won't be coming home
Knowing that she won't be returning home to me
Two days later I get a letter
She sends me a letter two days later
A picture of a room in some hotel
The picture shows a hotel room
Sitting framed up on the table,
The picture is sitting on the table in a frame
A picture I know so well
It's a picture that I'm familiar with
You've painted yourself into a corner
You've put yourself in a difficult situation
Now you're trying to paint something new
You're trying to make a fresh start
And your lipstick on the letter
I see your lipstick mark on the letter
Is a goodbye kiss from you
It's like you're kissing me goodbye
I still set the table
I still prepare the table for dinner
Still set it for you and me
I still set the table for the two of us
It's become a habit
It's now a regular routine for me
My own personal make believe
It's like I'm pretending that she's still here
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: HENDRIX ACKLE, RICHARD COUSINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve Rich
Cray is the most underrated Blues guitarist alive. Clapton calls him the “tour bearer” of the Blues.
Richard Brain
Great tone ..... no pedals straight into the amp. When you are an immaculate player this is how you roll!! Fantastic.
Richard Brain
@beyond horizon I will be there for sure
beyond horizon
@Richard Brain he'll be in town hall Birmingham on 18 of May 2022
Richard Brain
@beyond horizon if he is touring the UK I will be going to one that is nearest me. Probably Birmingham
beyond horizon
@Richard Brain fantastic now I'm assuming I will go to see him in UK next year I'm sure I'll enjoy the gig
Richard Brain
@beyond horizon it sure is and I can vouch for that as seen him in the Uk several times :)
TEXASFENDERBENDER
Cray is amazing and one of those artists that sounds just as good live as in the studio.
Steve Trivago
Love his playing style and voice… Cray is smooth ☮️
alba farias
Es tan agradable escucharlo y a su música. es excelente!!!