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.
You're Gonna Need Me
Robert Cray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And every word was true
You're actin' kind of funny lately
I wonder what's wrong with you
I'm gonna leave you
And you're crying won't make me stay
Well, the more you cry for me, little girl
There won't be no need to callin' me
I won't answer the phone
I'll have someone to answer, baby
That your sweet lovin' daddy is gone
You're gonna need me
The day I say goodbye
Ohh, when the train leave the station
You'll have to hang your head and cry
(Fuzzy guitar solo)
Ohh, when that train leave the station
You'll have to hang your head and cry
In Robert Cray's song "You're Gonna Need me", the singer is admitting that he's aware of his lover's feelings towards him, but he's also aware that something has shifted in their dynamics. By saying “You're actin’ kind of funny lately / I wonder what's wrong with you”, he's expressing his confusion about why their love has changed. Despite this, the singer is steadfast in his decision to leave, as he believes that staying with his lover will only prolong the inevitable. He won't be there to pick up the phone if she calls and won't be around to see her cry when he leaves.
However, the last verse of the song has a slight change in tone. The singer admits that even though he's leaving, his lover will still need him; “You're gonna need me / The day I say goodbye / Ohh, when the train leave the station / You'll have to hang your head and cry”. In essence, despite his departure, the singer believes that his lover will come to realize the love that she’s lost and that he will be missed. It's almost like he's both reassuring himself and his lover that he has value, and that she'll eventually see that.
Overall, the message of the song is that sometimes, despite true love, relationships can end. The lyrics highlight the importance of recognizing that love is not just a physical attachment; but it is the feeling of comfort, care, and affection one gives and receives in a mutually healthy partnership. In essence, the song is a reminder to assess and appreciate those we love before it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
You told me that you loved me
You admitted your love for me
And every word was true
You were sincere with your feelings
You're actin' kind of funny lately
You've been behaving strangely recently
I wonder what's wrong with you
I'm curious about your sudden change in behavior
I'm gonna leave you
I am going to end this relationship
And you're crying won't make me stay
Your tears won't persuade me to stay
Well, the more you cry for me, little girl
Your crying will have the opposite effect
The futher I'm going away
It will push me farther away
There won't be no need to callin' me
You won't need to call me anymore
I won't answer the phone
I won't pick up the phone
I'll have someone to answer, baby
I'll have someone else take your calls
That your sweet lovin' daddy is gone
Your loving partner is no longer around
You're gonna need me
You will come to realize how much you need me
The day I say goodbye
It will hit you the day I leave
Ohh, when the train leave the station
When I depart on the train
You'll have to hang your head and cry
You'll have to feel the sadness of my absence
(Fuzzy guitar solo)
Instrumental solo
Ohh, when that train leave the station
When I depart on the train
You'll have to hang your head and cry
You'll have to feel the sadness of my absence
Contributed by Alexander M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.