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
Sitting On Top Of The World
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's gone and left me, she's gone to stay
My baby's gone and I don't worry
'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world
You know that I worked all the summer, down on the farm
And oh, I had to take Christmas in my overalls
My baby's gone and I don't worry
Going down to the freight yard, I'm gonna catch me a train
I believe I hear it coming now
I know that I'm gonna to leave this town, now baby
Worked and got hard
My baby's gone, yes
'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world
Close the door behind you
The lyrics to The Robert Cray Band's Sitting On Top Of The World talk about the aftermath of a breakup. The singer's lover has left him and gone away for good, but he's not too perturbed because he feels like he's sitting on top of the world. He says he worked hard all summer down on the farm, and even had to take Christmas in his overalls. The singer is willing to move on and leave the town behind, and even though his baby is gone, he has a sense of contentment.
The song is representative of blues music, and the lyrics are an example of the genre's common theme of heartbreak and loss. Despite the theme, the song has a relatively upbeat feel to it, with a catchy beat and a guitar riff that is characteristic of blues music. The song is said to express the hopefulness and positivity that are present in blues music even when discussing tough issues like a broken heart. The singer is resigned to his fate and is ready to go where the wind takes him, hence the line, "going down to the freight yard, I'm gonna catch me a train".
Line by Line Meaning
One summer day, she went away
One day during the summer, the person's partner left them.
She's gone and left me, she's gone to stay
The person's partner has left them and has no intention of returning.
My baby's gone and I don't worry
Although the person's partner has left, they are not worried or upset.
'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world
The person is feeling confident and happy, despite their partner leaving.
You know that I worked all the summer, down on the farm
The person spent the entire summer working on a farm.
And oh, I had to take Christmas in my overalls
The person was so busy that they did not have the chance to change out of their work clothes on Christmas day.
Going down to the freight yard, I'm gonna catch me a train
The person is leaving town and heading to the freight yard to catch a train.
I believe I hear it coming now
The person believes they can hear the train approaching.
I know that I'm gonna to leave this town, now baby
The person is certain that they are leaving town, regardless of their partner's absence.
Worked and got hard
The person worked hard to get to their current situation of feeling content without their partner.
My baby's gone, yes
Reiterating the fact that the person's partner has left them.
'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world
Despite their partner leaving, the person is still feeling good about their current situation.
Close the door behind you
An instruction to someone else to close the door when they leave, likely indicating that the person is departing.
Contributed by Molly J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@billkalivas9750
My son and I just saw him at the Hard Rock near Tulsa. Very talented, top notch band. The show was his first time with music like this. Highly reccomended.
@joecoleman8271
the best blues singer period
@Thomas-mf9bk
Smooth as silk....
@wisesatyr72
always got to to listen RC twice , its tat good
@margaretwilson1539
Superb..end of....
@victorjones7071
Robert Cray is a baddass!🙂
@hutch761
Smooth as it gets, this guy.
@Bluesful1
Well yes!Super!
@secretreleases
What a King!
@bluesmaster9896
That was beautiful ,