Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist, composer and singer.
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

Don't Touch Me
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't touch me, baby
No
Just leave me alone
Because the way you treat me, baby
You know that's wrong

I'm leavin' you, baby
Gonna hit that highway

Back home

When I took you off the streets
And gave you everything that I had
When I ask you for some love, baby
You haul off and get mad

I'm gone, baby
Hey, baby
Gonna hit that highway
Back home

Now check this out
You don't appreciate
Not one thing that I do
And you're always talking about
How you and I are through
You take all my money
And you take it with so much pride
Baby, you
Darling I know that you're never satisfied

I'm leavin' you baby
And there's no need to cry, no
I'm gonna grab my coat and put on my hat
And wave you bye-bye

I'm gone, baby
Hey, baby
Gonna hit that highway
Back home

Well, I'm leavin' you, baby
Oh, there's no need to cry
When I grab my coat and put on my hat
It's just to say bye-bye

I'm gone, baby
Hey, baby

Gonna hit that highway
Back home

Overall Meaning

The Robert Cray Band's song 'Don't Touch Me' talks about the singer's decision to leave his partner and return to his hometown. The opening lines, "Don't touch me, baby / Just leave me alone / Because the way you treat me, baby / You know that's wrong", indicates that the partner has been abusive towards the singer. Although the singer expresses his intentions of leaving, he acknowledges that he had previously given his partner everything that he had, including bringing her off the streets. Whenever he reaches out to her for love, she gets mad. She constantly talks about breaking up with him, takes all his money, and is never satisfied.

The singer takes the decision to leave her and hit the road back home, and it's evident from the lyrics that this is not an easy decision. The lines, "Well, I'm leaving you, baby / Oh, there's no need to cry / When I grab my coat and put on my hat / It's just to say bye-bye" indicate that while he might be leaving, it's a difficult decision for him. He still cares for her, but the abuse and disrespect have made him realize that he deserves better. The "highway" is symbolic of the path that the singer has chosen to move forward, even though it may not be easy.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't touch me, baby
I don't want you to touch me

No
I mean it

Just leave me alone
Stop bothering me

Because the way you treat me, baby
Your behavior towards me is not acceptable

You know that's wrong
You're aware of it

I'm leavin' you, baby
I'm breaking up with you

Gonna hit that highway
I'm going to leave town

Back home
Where I came from

When I took you off the streets
When I rescued you from a bad situation

And gave you everything that I had
When I gave you all I could offer

When I ask you for some love, baby
When I wanted affection from you