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
All the Way
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody pulled me in
You know I've never learned to swim
I'm trying to tread in an unknown territory
Don't know to find my next of kin ???
Cause I'm diggin it
I got more than my feet wet
And I'm diggin it
But I never would have learned
If I hadn't gone all the way
Someone said that love would make a fool of me
I'd seen what happened to my friends
But they only told one side of the story
Trying to make me believe that it's just pretend
But I'm diggin it
So glad I've never listen
To a single word that they said
And I'm diggin it
But I never would have learned
If I hadn't gone all the way
People will always try to warn ya'
And make you think about it twice
You're better off trusting yourself
Just take your own advice
Heeeeyyyy!
I forgot my coat
And it began to rain
I never planned to be out long
And then you're love came pouring down upon me
I got caught in the storm of a love so strong
And I'm diggin it
I got more than my feet wet
And I'm way up over my head
And I'm diggin it
So glad I never listened to a single word that they said
And I'm diggin it, diggin it, diggin it, baby
I got more than my feet wet
I'm way up over my head
And I'm diggin it, baby, baby, baby
But I never would have learned
If I hadn't gone all the way
If I hadn't gone all the way
No, no
If I hadn't gone all the way
I wouldn't know what I know today, no, no
If I hadn't gone all the way
I just wouldn't have the love I have today, baby, baby, baby
I've found a love
Cause I went all the way
I've found love
The Robert Cray Band's song "All The Way" is a song about taking risks in love and life. The song's protagonist acknowledges that he has never learned to swim, which is a metaphor for his lack of experience in love. He knows he is in uncharted territory, but he is wading in it anyway. He is thankful to the person who threw him a rope and pulled him in, allowing him to take the plunge. He is falling for someone and admits that he is in over his head, but he is enjoying every minute of it. His friends may have warned him about the danger of love, but he is so glad that he did not listen to them. The singer is now caught in the storm of love, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
The song is a testament to taking risks and trusting oneself. It encourages listeners to tune out the naysayers and follow their hearts, even when it seems like they may be in over their heads. It emphasizes the importance of taking chances in love and not letting fear hold you back.
Line by Line Meaning
Threw out a rope
I sought help from others
Somebody pulled me in
Someone helped me out of a difficult situation
You know I've never learned to swim
I am not skilled at navigating through tricky situations
I'm trying to tread in an unknown territory
I am attempting to navigate through unfamiliar circumstances
Don't know to find my next of kin ???
I am uncertain of how to get through the situation with support from loved ones
Cause I'm diggin it
I am enjoying the experience
I got more than my feet wet
I am deeply involved in the situation
I'm way up over my head
I am in over my head in the situation
But I never would have learned
I wouldn't have gained the experience
If I hadn't gone all the way
If I didn't fully invest in the experience
Someone said that love would make a fool of me
Somebody warned me against the potential negative consequences of love
I'd seen what happened to my friends
I had seen my friends get hurt by love
But they only told one side of the story
Their warnings were incomplete
Trying to make me believe that it's just pretend
Attempting to convince me that love is not worth the risk
So glad I've never listen
I'm glad I didn't take their advice
To a single word that they said
I ignored their warnings
People will always try to warn ya'
People will always give unsolicited advice
And make you think about it twice
They want to make you reconsider your choices
You're better off trusting yourself
You should make your own decisions
Just take your own advice
Follow your own instincts
I forgot my coat
I wasn't prepared for what was to come
And it began to rain
Difficulties arose unexpectedly
I never planned to be out long
I wasn't expecting to be in the situation for long
And then you're love came pouring down upon me
I unexpectedly fell in love
I got caught in the storm of a love so strong
I found myself deeply involved in a powerful love affair
But I never would have learned
I wouldn't have gained the experience
But I never would have learned
I wouldn't have gained the experience
If I hadn't gone all the way
If I didn't fully invest in the experience
No, no
No regrets
I wouldn't know what I know today, no, no
I would have missed out on a significant learning opportunity
I just wouldn't have the love I have today, baby, baby, baby
I wouldn't have the deep love that I am currently experiencing
I've found a love
I have discovered a deep, satisfying love
Contributed by Hannah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.