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

Steppin' Out
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm so fed up
Girl, I've had enough
I'm steppin' out tonight

Girl, you're playin' around
Sure enough gonna get me down
I'm steppin' out tonight

Down to the end of my rope
And I've get to get lose
Get a lose before I choke

Ain't no use in you
Beggin' me not to go
I'm steppin' out tonight

Last night you left home
Said you was goin' to your momma's place
That's what I believed

But your mama said
She hadn't seen your face
Girl, you steppin' out on me

Trying to pull the wool over my eyes
But I've been knowin' you too long, baby
For you to try to lie

So don't look at me
So doggoned surprised
I'm steppin' out tonight

Girl, you've put my patience to the test
And I'm gettin' tired, baby
Tired of all your mess

So excuse me
Excuse me while I get dressed
I'm steppin' out tonight

Steppin' out tonight
Steppin' out tonight
Got to get lose

Steppin' out tonight, hey

Got to get away, baby
Yeah, steppin' out tonight, hey

Overall Meaning

The Robert Cray Band's song "Steppin' Out" is a tale of a man who is fed up with his girlfriend's behavior and has made the decision to go out for the night. The song opens with the man saying that he's "so fed up" and has had enough of his girlfriend's ways. He continues by saying that he's "stepping out tonight" because he's at the end of his rope and needs to get away before he chokes. The woman is shown to be playing around and getting him down. His frustration is evident as he says that there's no use in her begging him not to go, he's made up his mind.

In the second verse, the man confronts his girlfriend about her whereabouts the previous night. She had told him she went to her mother's place, but her mother said otherwise. The man knows that she's been stepping out on him and trying to lie to him, but he's too familiar with her ways to fall for it. He's beyond the point of being patient with her and getting tired of her messing with him. He excuses himself while he gets dressed to go out for the night.

The lyrics suggest that the man is making the decision to end the relationship and move on from his girlfriend's deception. The theme of the song is relatable to many people who have been in similar circumstances in their romantic relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm so fed up
I'm extremely annoyed and frustrated

Girl, I've had enough
I can't tolerate your behavior anymore

I'm steppin' out tonight
I'm going out to escape from this situation

Girl, you're playin' around
You're cheating on me

Sure enough gonna get me down
Your cheating is affecting me negatively

Down to the end of my rope
I'm at my wit's end

And I've get to get lose
I need to break free from this situation

Get a lose before I choke
I need to get out before I can't handle it anymore

Ain't no use in you
There's no point in

Beggin' me not to go
Pleading with me not to leave

Last night you left home
Yesterday, you left the house