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
Smoking Gun
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I call you on the phone
I get a strong uneasy feeling
You're not sitting there alone
I'm having nasty, nasty visions
And baby you're in every one, yeah
And I'm so afraid I'm gonna find you with
So-called smoking gun
Maybe you want to end it
You've had your fill of my kind of fun
But you don't know how to tell me
And you know that I'm not that dumb
I put two and one together
And you know that's not an even sum
And I know just where to catch you with
That well-known smokin' gun
I'm standing here bewildered
I can't remember just what I've done
I can hear the sirens whining
My eyes blinded by the sun
I know that I should be running
My heart's beating just like a drum
Now they've knocked me down and taken it
That still hot smokin' gun
Yeah still hot smokin' gun
They've taken it
Still hot and smokin' gun
Oh, they've taken it
Still hot and smokin' gun
They've knocked me down, they've taken it
Ooh-ooh
Aaah!
The Robert Cray Band's song Smoking Gun tells a story of a man who suspects his partner is cheating on him. He tries to reach out to her on the phone but gets a busy signal, which makes him uneasy. He has visions of her being with someone else, and he fears that he might find her with a "smoking gun," which is a metaphor for evidence of her infidelity. He suspects that maybe she wants to end things but doesn't know how to tell him, and he realizes that the signs of her cheating are all there. In the end, he finds himself in a state of confusion, unable to remember what he has done or how he ended up with a gun in his possession.
The song highlights the emotions of a deceived partner who is struggling to make sense of their relationship. The lyrics create a sense of unease and tension, with the singer's fears coming to light in the end. The use of the metaphor, "smoking gun," adds a layer of suspense to the story and evokes a feeling of impending doom. Robert Cray's soulful voice adds to the intensity of the song, making it a classic in the blues genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I get a constant busy signal
Every time I try to reach out to you, I receive a busy tone
When I call you on the phone
Upon dialing your number
I get a strong uneasy feeling
I feel a sense of discomfort and unease
You're not sitting there alone
There's someone else present with you
I'm having nasty, nasty visions
I'm imagining negative and unpleasant scenarios
And baby you're in every one, yeah
And you are always part of these visions
And I'm so afraid I'm gonna find you with
I'm scared that I will eventually discover you with
So-called smoking gun
The supposed evidence of wrongdoing
Maybe you want to end it
Perhaps you wish to terminate our relationship
You've had your fill of my kind of fun
You're no longer interested in the things I consider enjoyable
But you don't know how to tell me
You don't possess the means to communicate this to me
And you know that I'm not that dumb
You're aware that I won't be easily deceived or fooled
I put two and one together
I'm beginning to realize what's happening
And you know that's not an even sum
I've discovered that the facts don't add up
And I know just where to catch you with
And I have a good idea where to find the supposed evidence
That well-known smokin' gun
The commonly used piece of evidence in situations such as this
I'm standing here bewildered
I'm trying to comprehend what's happening
I can't remember just what I've done
I have no recollection of the events leading to this point
I can hear the sirens whining
I can perceive the sound of approaching police cars
My eyes blinded by the sun
The glare of the sun is causing me to struggle to see
I know that I should be running
I'm aware that it would be wise to flee from this situation
My heart's beating just like a drum
My heartbeat is rapid and loud, much like a drum
Now they've knocked me down and taken it
They have taken the supposed evidence from me after knocking me down
That still hot smokin' gun
The evidence is still warm, indicating it had recently been used
They've taken it
They have confiscated the evidence
Ooh-ooh
An expression of frustration or distress
Aaah!
A sharp exclamation of surprise or pain
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRUCE M. BROMBERG, RICHARD COUSINS, ROBERT CRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind