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
The Grinder
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Weren't you a sweet, little thing
Worked my fool head off
Just to buy that diamond ring
Now things are kind of funny
You know the way it goes
Now you want to put that ring
You put me through the grinder
And I kept coming back for more
Now all I want to see of you
Is your back side headed out that door
Well, you said you needed night school
And I went along with that
Till I followed you last Wednesday, baby
Up to Sonny's flat
I put one and one together
And it added up to fool
Cause what Sonny's got to offer, baby
Ain't teached in any school
You put me through the grinder
You hurt me like an open sore
I don't want no more excuses, baby
Just get on out the door
(Guitar solo)
Ohh, they say this is a world of troubles
Ohh, I've had my share
But you're the kind of burden
I really don't need to bare
I came home a little early
Lord, what I found there
I walked in on you and Richard
And your legs were up in the air
I'm gonna put you through the grinder
I'm gonna even up the score
You better get yourself a lawyer, baby
We're about to go to war
What 'cha tryin' to do to me?
Yeah, look here
The Robert Cray Band's song "The Grinder" talks about a man who worked hard to buy his girlfriend a diamond ring when he first met her. However, things have now taken a strange turn and she wants to use the ring against him. She puts him through a grinder and keeps coming back for more. He now wants nothing more than to see her leave. The song goes on to talk about some of the lies she has told him, like needing to go to night school. He eventually figures out that she was seeing someone else, and things come to a head when he walks in on her with another man. The man decides to put her through the grinder and even the score. Interestingly, the song uses a lot of metaphors to explain the situation, like the grinder, diamond ring, and burden.
The lyrics of "The Grinder" are reflective of the blues genre, which is known for its storytelling abilities. Robert Cray's powerful vocals and guitar solos enhance the emotions and pain in the lyrics. The song talks about heartbreak, betrayal, and revenge, which are common themes in blues music. The grinder is a metaphor for the emotional turmoil that the man is going through, and the diamond ring represents the control that the woman wants to exert over him.
Line by Line Meaning
When I first met you, baby
At the start of our relationship, my first impression of you was positive and endearing.
Weren't you a sweet, little thing
You appeared to be charming and pleasant when we first began dating.
Worked my fool head off
I labored tirelessly to acquire the resources to fulfill your expectations.
Just to buy that diamond ring
I invested a significant amount of effort and money to purchase the ring that you desired.
Now things are kind of funny
Presently, our circumstances have taken on an unusual or unexpected quality.
You know the way it goes
You understand how things typically evolve in situations like ours.
Now you want to put that ring
You are currently seeking to manipulate or control me by making me comply with your demands.
Right on through my nose
You are attempting to forcibly insert your will upon me in a painful or uncomfortable way.
You put me through the grinder
You subjected me to emotional torture or intense stress that wore away at my mental and emotional resilience.
And I kept coming back for more
Despite the pain and suffering that you caused me, I persisted in staying in the relationship and trying to make things work.
Now all I want to see of you
My current desire regarding our relationship is for you to leave me and never return.
Is your back side headed out that door
I want you to vacate the premises as quickly and completely as possible.
Well, you said you needed night school
You claimed that you required further education, specifically in the evenings.
And I went along with that
I acquiesced to your request without questioning the authenticity of your need or motive.
Till I followed you last Wednesday, baby
However, I decided to spy on you and follow you one particular evening.
Up to Sonny's flat
I discovered that you had gone to a specific location, namely Sonny's apartment.
I put one and one together
I deduced and pieced together various clues and facts to form a coherent understanding of what was happening.
And it added up to fool
However, my understanding of the situation turned out to be inaccurate or incorrect due to my foolishness or naivete.
Cause what Sonny's got to offer, baby
I realized that Sonny had something to offer you that I could not.
Ain't teached in any school
This thing that Sonny could offer you was not something that could be learned through normal education or training.
You hurt me like an open sore
Your actions and behavior caused me pain and anguish that persisted and worsened over time.
I don't want no more excuses, baby
I am no longer willing to tolerate or accept your excuses or rationales for your behavior.
Just get on out the door
I am imploring you to leave immediately and not prolong our relationship any further.
Ohh, they say this is a world of troubles
It is commonly understood that life is difficult and full of problems.
Ohh, I've had my share
I have experienced my fair and significant portion of hardships and difficulties in life.
But you're the kind of burden
You, specifically, are a problematic and weighty burden in my life right now.
I really don't need to bare
I am fed up and overwhelmed by the responsibility and weight of carrying your problems and issues on top of my own.
I came home a little early
On a certain evening, I returned to our shared dwelling an hour or two before usual.
Lord, what I found there
Upon arriving and entering the premises, I observed and discovered something deeply disturbing or problematic.
I walked in on you and Richard
I caught you in the act of committing infidelity with a person named Richard.
And your legs were up in the air
You were in a sexually compromising position and actively engaging in intimate behavior with another person.
I'm gonna put you through the grinder
I intend to subject you to the same type of torment and suffering that you inflicted upon me.
I'm gonna even up the score
I want to balance out our experiences and restore some sense of justice or equity in our relationship.
You better get yourself a lawyer, baby
I am advising you to hire legal representation as soon as possible, as I intend to take legal action against you.
We're about to go to war
Our current situation and relationship has deteriorated to the point of open conflict or hostility, and I am prepared to fight for my own interests and justice.
What 'cha tryin' to do to me?
I am questioning your motives and intentions with regards to our relationship, and expressing my own confusion and frustration at the situation.
Yeah, look here
I am emphasizing the importance and seriousness of the situation and my claims regarding it.
Contributed by Micah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Winston Smith
Just a great album. Had this for about 25 years and it never gets old.
Dianne Campbell
God I haven't heard this song for twenty years! Thanks for the reminder. Got the album down in the garage somewhere but unfortunately don't have a record player. Next CD to buy
Barry Lawrence
Damn awesome...bad day comes good...smile on my face..fuzzy warm feeling in my heart.
Stuart Munro
Did this on stage many a night..immense pleasure!
Todd Williams
Thanks for loading. One of my favorites along with Don't Touch Me..
Robert M. East
'Cause what Sonny's got to offer they ain't teachin' in any school... Funky blues!
Don Brogan
Man, love this album, my brother put my cassette in the toaster. Wanker.
Bluesful1
Don't find any words!!! Great!!
vincenzo ongari
great
Bolton Michael
Is that Richard Cousins on bass on the cover?