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
I Was Warned
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But like a fool I went on
Whether they're right or wrong
At least the mystery is gone
The more people talked about her
The more I had to see
I had to find out for myself
Her lips were so inviting
Her hands soft to touch
After just one kiss
I knew I was out of luck
From then on I was hers to control
And knowing that, she robbed me
Of my heart and robbed me of my soul
Oh, I was warned about her love
And I'll have to stay strong
Whether they're right or wrong
At least the mystery is gone
From then on I was hers to control
And knowing that she robbed me of my heart
And robbed me of my soul, yeah
Oh, I was warned about her love
But like a fool I went on
Whether they're right or wrong
At least the mystery is gone
She had a left hand filled with diamonds
And the other filled with lies
She saw right through me
There was no place to hide
Now I've finally learned my lesson
But you'll never tell the pain her love left me
I hide so well, I go on day by day in fear
And knowing that I'll never, never love again
Only brings tears
Oh, I was warned about her love
And I'll have to stay strong
Whether they're right or they're wrong
At least the mystery is gone
Whether they're right or wrong
At least the mystery is gone
I was warned about her love
The Robert Cray Band's song "I Was Warned" is a lamentation of falling for a woman who was known to be dangerous for love. The singer knew his friends' and acquaintances' warnings about the woman, but he was blinded by his own curiosity and desire to find out what made her so dangerous. He finally met her, and it did not take long for her to captivate him. However, he eventually realized that his heart and soul had been taken away by her, and he was powerless to her control. The chorus "Oh, I was warned about her love, and I'll have to stay strong, Whether they're right or they're wrong, At least the mystery is gone" suggests that although he was warned, the singer found out for himself that the woman was indeed dangerous for love, and that he had to be strong and distant for his own good, even though the allure of the mystery was now known to him.
The first few lines of the song set the stage for the affair that the singer would have with the woman. He admits that he had been warned about her love, but he, like a fool, went ahead anyway. This indicates the notion that he had indeed been enticed by the mystery of this woman who was said to be bad news. The singer then uses the metaphor of being robbed to convey how the woman took advantage of him. He says, "From then on, I was hers to control,/And knowing that, she robbed me/Of my heart and robbed me of my soul." This hints that the woman was manipulative, and the singer was so besotted with her that he could not control himself. Lastly, the song ends with a sense of melancholy as the singer laments that he has learned his lesson, and he will never love again.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I was warned about her love
Despite being given a warning about the consequences of her love, I proceeded with her anyway.
But like a fool I went on
I ignored the warning and foolishly ventured into a relationship with her.
Whether they're right or wrong
The accuracy of the warning is irrelevant now as I am already under her influence.
At least the mystery is gone
Although I didn't listen to the warning, I am now aware of the truth about her love and no longer in the dark.
The more people talked about her
The more her reputation preceded her and intrigued me.
The more I had to see
I couldn't resist the temptation to find out for myself what she was really like.
I had to find out for myself
I needed to experience her love firsthand to truly understand it.
What could she do for me
I was curious about whether or not she could offer me something meaningful.
Her lips were so inviting
Her physical appearance and charm were irresistible to me.
Her hands soft to touch
Even the softness of her hands was alluring to me.
After just one kiss
Her kiss was enough to hook me and make me vulnerable to her influence.
I knew I was out of luck
I was now in a precarious situation with no way of turning back.
From then on I was hers to control
She had complete power over me and my actions.
And knowing that, she robbed me
She took advantage of my vulnerability and stole my heart and soul.
Of my heart and robbed me of my soul
She left me emotionally devastated and desolate.
She had a left hand filled with diamonds
She had wealth and material possessions, but these were ultimately meaningless.
And the other filled with lies
Despite her material wealth, she was still deceitful and manipulative.
She saw right through me
She knew exactly how to control me and exploit my weaknesses.
There was no place to hide
I was completely exposed and powerless in her presence.
Now I've finally learned my lesson
After being hurt by her love, I have finally realized the true cost of my actions.
But you'll never tell the pain her love left me
I suffer in silence and nobody else can truly understand the pain that she caused me.
I hide so well, I go on day by day in fear
I am now apprehensive about pursuing another relationship and live in a constant state of fear.
And knowing that I'll never, never love again
The hurt that I experienced has made me doubt whether I can ever love another person again.
Only brings tears
The thought of never being able to love again is a sad and painful realization.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robert Cray, Dennis Walker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Uski None
Best Guitar solo ever! 😍🌹👍🎼At least 1 x per year, I gotta listen to Robert Cray.
jb050774
I saw Robert do this as an encore at the Shepherds Bush Empire, London in 1997. I'd never heard the track before, as the album was one of his I did not at the time own. I was overawed. To be holding down that rhythm and singing a complex soul vocal AND then dropping those two solos was jaw-dropping. I can still see his fingers flying up and down the fretboard now.
Brett Groh
Just saw Robert and his fabulous band last Tuesday (12-5-17) at the Elsinore Theater here in Salem, OR. He is a freak of nature. After all these years (I've seen him multiple times) he's stronger than ever. What a gift!
Lynne Hammar
I heard this years ago on the radio and searched out Robert Cray. He's known for his guitar (oh wow) but it's the voice that gets me!
Stephan Larsen
Crazy Cray. Sweet jam seen him five times all in California not.many can sing like this and be so talented on guitar
Robert Schmitt
No better singer. This guitar solo kills. Such perfect Fender overdrive
MoosicandCritters
I love the swingy beat to this song! What a talent! What year did this come out?
Dillan Taylor
MoosicandCritters 1989 or 1990
Prince Hirachan
1992.. took this album on cassette from my uncle’s collection when I was 14.. now Im 29.. now it’s even on my phone’s playlist.. rare album by an underrated blues man.. I’ve never met anyone acknowledging him or his albums here in my country except my uncle ofcourse
Greetings from Nepal
Stephan Larsen
Yeah like some Latin beat