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

Tell The Landlord
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm gonna move on baby nothin' seems to go my way
I'm gonna move on baby nothin' seems to go my way
I'm gonna pack up and leave ya nothin' can make me stay

You did me wrong, you so mean
I give up, queen beat the king
Some rainy morning

Don't be surprised
There'll be tears in your eyes
In your eyes

You'll look around for my check
You'll freak out start to sweat
Ooh, some rainy morning

Don't be surprised
There'll be tears in your eyes
In your eyes

Flowers on the table, I didn't buy
Champagne in the icebox store bought fries
Oh, some rainy morning

There'll be tears in your eyes
In your eyes

I'm gonna move on baby
Nothin' seems to go my way
I'm gonna move on baby
Nothin' seems to go my way

And you can tell that landlord, I refuse to pay

Go on and tell him baby, mm
Go on and tell him babe, I refuse to pay

Overall Meaning

The Robert Cray Band's song Tell The Landlord is about an individual who has decided to leave their partner because their relationship is no longer working out. It seems that the singer has been mistreated by their partner, as seen in the line "You did me wrong, you so mean." As a result, the singer has given up on the relationship, and intends to leave their partner, as seen in the line "I'm gonna pack up and leave ya nothin' can make me stay."

The song mainly talks about the singer's dissatisfaction towards their relationship, and how they have decided to move on from it. It seems that the singer's partner may have been taking their relationship for granted, as seen in the line "Flowers on the table, I didn't buy, Champagne in the icebox, store-bought fries." The singer's partner also appears to have been financially dependent on them, as seen in the line "And you can tell that landlord, I refuse to pay." This may explain why the singer has decided to leave their partner, as they may have been tired of shouldering the financial burden of the relationship.

In summary, The Robert Cray Band's song Tell The Landlord is about a person who has made the decision to end an unsatisfactory relationship with their partner, mostly due to mistreatment and financial dependence.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna move on baby nothin' seems to go my way
The persona is tired of things not working out in his relationship and therefore decides to leave.

I'm gonna pack up and leave ya nothin' can make me stay
The persona is committed to leaving and nothing can change his decision.

You did me wrong, you so mean
The persona feels wronged and victimized by their partner's behavior.

I give up, queen beat the king
The persona has come to the end of his rope and acknowledges defeat at the hands of his partner

Some rainy morning
The persona is predicting a future time that will bring sorrow to his partner.

Don't be surprised
The persona is warning his partner to expect this outcome.

There'll be tears in your eyes
The persona is anticipating his partner's emotional pain and perhaps even shedding tears.

You'll look around for my check
The persona believes his partner is selfish and will miss his financial contributions.

You'll freak out start to sweat
The persona believes his partner will become anxious when they realize they will have to make ends meet without his support.

Flowers on the table, I didn't buy
The persona implies that his partner is used to receiving things from him but he will no longer be giving them, hence the flowers on the table.

Champagne in the icebox store bought fries
The persona describes the low-quality things his partner will be left with once he has left.

And you can tell that landlord, I refuse to pay
The persona is defying the landlord and will not accept the consequences of something that is not his problem.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kevin Robert Hayes, Karl Sevareid, Robert William Cray

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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