With ba… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist, composer and singer.
With bassist Richard Cousins, keyboardist Peter Boe and drummer Tom Murphy, they launched The Robert Cray Band in 1980 with "Who's Been Talkin". The album was recorded during constant touring in the U.S. in 1978. The record was initially shelved for two years, being eventually issued by the short-lived Tomato label (whose licence was picked up by "Atlantic Records" (U.S.) and "Charly" in the UK.
After several years of regional success, Cray was signed to Mercury in 1982. It was the connection with the producing and songwriting team of Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker at Hightone that helped to create the mold-breaking music of "Bad Influence" (1983) and "False Accusations" (1985).
In 1984, The Robert Cray Band completed their first European tour to critical acclaim. Cray's participation with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland on "Showdown!" (1985, Alligator) and the 1986 album release, "Strong Persuader", again produced by Walker, both received Grammy Awards, while the crossover single "Smoking Gun" gave him wider appeal and name recognition. During 1986 Cray played 170 concerts, including his seventh European tour since 1984, building on his increasing reputation in the UK.
The Robert Cray Band's next album "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" (1988) was recorded in Los Angeles, California, and featured David Sanborn on guest saxophone. The title song from the album won Cray his third Grammy, and he guested on Eric Clapton's "Journeyman", whilst also being on the bill at Clapton's eighteen show marathon at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In 1991 Cray was selected to present Howlin' Wolf's induction trophy to Wolf's widow, Lilly Burnett, at the sixth annual "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" Awards. Later that year Cray took part in the "Newport Jazz Festival" with B. B. King and John Lee Hooker.
Cray issued his following records under his own name, Robert Cray
A Whole Lotta Pride
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There′s a pain I can't stop
It′s seems to me there isn't much time
By the ticking of the clock
Feels like a deadly fever
Or is it just your sweet revenge?
I guess this makes us even
Here comes that heartache
But I know I can make it
With a little faith
And a whole lotta pride
No kinds of pills will help me
And I won′t take no shots
My only hope of living is
If we can start from the top
I can taste the bitter teardrops
I′ve made you cry before
Do you have to leave me, baby
Just to even up the score?
Here comes that heartache
But I know I can make it
With a little faith
And a whole lotta pride
Only you
Could stop these tears
I'll take the blame and all the shame
For all those bad years
Now I′m alone
Time's no longer on my side
All I′ve got left is a little faith
And a whole lotta pride
My foolish heart
Just can't understand
The love that we′ve lost
And your change of plans
It took so long
To feel the pain
I'll go on, yes I will
Cause that's the name of the game
Here comes that heartache
But I know I can make it
With a little faith
And a whole lotta pride
Stop these, stop these, stop these tears
Won′t you please?
Ohhhhh!
Stop it, baby!
I can′t make it
Ohhhh, no!
I can't make it
Noooooooo!
Heyyy, yeahhhhh!
The Robert Cray Band's song A Whole Lotta Pride tells the story of a man who is experiencing physical pain due to heartbreak and loss, and is searching for a way to cope with his emotions. He recognizes that his actions led to the heartache, and he is willing to take the blame and the shame. He has a strong sense of pride and faith and believes that he can overcome the pain with those qualities in his corner. The lyrics suggest that the narrative is coming to a close, that the loss is final, and that the singer must overcome his heartache and move on.
The song's lyrics vividly describe the emotions that someone goes through when they have reached the end of a relationship, and must face the consequences of their behavior. The singer's pride is used as a tool to help him heal, and his faith helps him believe that he can overcome. The use of the ticking clock adds an urgency to the song, emphasizing that time is running out to fix the situation. The line "Here comes that heartache, but I know I can make it" shows a sense of determination and resilience that can inspire others to overcome their own heartbreak and pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody send me a doctor
I need help, the hurt is too much to bear.
There's a pain I can't stop
The emotional pain I'm feeling is overwhelming.
It seems to me there isn't much time
Things are moving too fast and I'm running out of time to fix it.
By the ticking of the clock
The sense of urgency and the feeling that time is running out.
Feels like a deadly fever
The emotional pain feels so intense that it's taking a toll on my physical health.
Or is it just your sweet revenge?
It's hard to tell whether this is just the result of my own actions or someone else's payback.
I guess this makes us even
I understand that I messed up and I'm willing to accept accountability.
You said I'd pay in the end
I knew the consequences of my actions and I'm now facing the repercussions.
Here comes that heartache
The feeling of pain and sadness is creeping in again.
But I know I can make it
I'm confident in my ability to get through this difficult time.
With a little faith
Believing that things will get better is giving me the strength to keep going.
And a whole lotta pride
I have self-respect and dignity, and I won't let this situation break me down.
No kinds of pills will help me
There's nothing that can numb the emotional pain I'm feeling.
And I won't take no shots
I won't resort to alcohol or other substances to escape from my problems.
My only hope of living is
The only way for me to feel alive again is to start over and rebuild what was lost.
If we can start from the top
If we can go back to the beginning and try again, there's hope for us.
I can taste the bitter teardrops
I can feel the pain of the hurt I caused you and it's affecting me deeply.
I've made you cry before
I'm ashamed to have caused you pain and regret my actions.
Do you have to leave me, baby
I don't want to lose you, but I understand why you might need to leave.
Just to even up the score?
Are you leaving me as revenge for the pain I caused you?
Only you
You're the only one who can heal the hurt that I'm feeling.
Could stop these tears
Without you, I'm helpless to stop the pain and tears.
I'll take the blame and all the shame
I'm willing to accept responsibility and deal with the shame of my actions.
For all those bad years
I know I wasn't a great partner and I'm sorry for the years of pain and hurt.
Now I'm alone
I feel lonely and lost without you.
Time's no longer on my side
I'm running out of time to make things right and rebuild what was lost.
All I've got left is a little faith
I'm holding onto hope and faith that things will work out somehow.
And a whole lotta pride
My pride and sense of self-worth are what keep me going, even in the face of adversity.
My foolish heart
I was foolish to think that my actions had no consequences.
Just can't understand
I'm struggling to comprehend what went wrong and how I ended up here.
The love that we've lost
I'm mourning the loss of the love we once had.
And your change of plans
I didn't anticipate the changes you would make and now I'm struggling to adapt.
It took so long
It's taken me a while to come to terms with the consequences of my actions.
To feel the pain
The pain of my actions is just now settling in and it hurts deeply.
I'll go on, yes I will
I won't give up or let this defeat me, I'll keep moving forward.
Cause that's the name of the game
Life is full of challenges and obstacles, but I won't let it defeat me.
Stop these, stop these, stop these tears
I'm overwhelmed with emotion and I just want the tears to stop flowing.
Won't you please?
I'm pleading for help to stop the pain.
Ohhhhh!
Expressing a cry of pain.
Stop it, baby!
Pleading for the emotional pain to stop.
I can't make it
Feeling helpless and alone in the face of overwhelming pain.
Ohhhh, no!
Exclaiming in despair and hopelessness.
I can't make it
Repeating the feeling of being unable to cope with the pain.
Noooooooo!
Expressing an intense feeling of sadness and desperation.
Heyyy, yeahhhhh!
Expressing a sense of determination and inner strength, despite the pain and hurt that's being felt.
Writer(s): Dennis Walker, Robert Cray
Contributed by Samuel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.