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
Twenty
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where do you go,
Soldier
Mother dry your eyes,
There's no need to cry
I'm not a boy,
It's what I signed up for
Where do you go,
Soldier
I can't take the heat,
And I hardly sleep anymore
What'd we come here for
Standing out here in the desert
Trying to protect an oil line
I'd really like to do my job but
This ain't the country that I had in mind
They call this a war on terror
I see a lot of civilians dying
Mothers, sons, fathers and daughters
Not to mention some friends of mine
Some friends of mine
Was supposed to leave last week
Promises they don't keep anymore
Got to fight the rich man's war
When you're used up,
Where do you go,
Soldier
Late in 2004
Comes a knock at the door
It's no surprise
Mother dry your eyes
Mother don't you cry, no, no
Someone told you a lie
Yes they did, why
Mother don't you cry, oh no
Mother don't you cry
When you're used up,
Where do you go,
Soldier
Where do you go,
The Robert Cray Band's song, "Twenty," is a poignant commentary on the toll that war takes on soldiers and their families. The lyrics express the sentiment of a disillusioned soldier, wondering what happens to soldiers after they are "used up." The soldier implies that they feel discarded when they have exhausted their value to society. The chorus, "when you're used up, where do you go, soldier?" captures the despair and the sense of abandonment that often accompanies the end of a soldier's service.
The soldier is also questioning the purpose of the war, questioning why they are fighting a war that seems to be about protecting the interests of the wealthy rather than the people who live in the countries they are fighting in. The line "Trying to protect an oil line" suggests that the war is more about economics than any kind of ideological conflict. The lyrics express a sense of frustration with the situation, and the soldier's voice is one of anger and sadness.
The song also speaks to the impact on families when soldiers are asked to go to war. The soldier's mother is depicted as being distraught and crying at the thought of her child going to war. The line, "it's no surprise, mother dry your eyes" suggests that the soldier believes his mother should have expected this reality. He feels a sense of resignation towards the fact that his mother is upset, and he realizes that she has every reason to be worried.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're used up,
When you've given everything you have,
Where do you go,
Where can you turn to find hope,
Soldier
A title for those who have served in the military,
Mother dry your eyes,
Don't worry, everything will be okay,
There's no need to cry
No need to shed tears for me,
I'm not a boy,
I am a grown man,
It's what I signed up for
I knew what I was getting into when I enlisted,
I can't take the heat,
The environment is too hot and difficult to tolerate,
And I hardly sleep anymore
I can't find the peace and rest that I need,
What'd we come here for
What was the purpose of this mission,
Standing out here in the desert
Living and fighting in a harsh and unforgiving environment,
Trying to protect an oil line
Risking my life to safeguard a corporate interest,
I'd really like to do my job but
I want to serve my country, but the circumstances make it difficult,
This ain't the country that I had in mind
The ideals and values that I associate with my nation are not represented here,
They call this a war on terror
The official narrative is that we are fighting terrorism,
I see a lot of civilians dying
In reality, innocent people are being killed every day,
Mothers, sons, fathers and daughters
The human toll of this conflict is devastating and far-reaching,
Not to mention some friends of mine
I have personally lost people that I cared about,
Was supposed to leave last week
I was promised that I would be able to return home soon,
Promises they don't keep anymore
The military's word cannot be trusted,
Got to fight the rich man's war
I am being used to further the interests of the wealthy and powerful,
Late in 2004
A specific time period,
Comes a knock at the door
A foreboding event,
It's no surprise
The news that I receive is not unexpected,
Mother dry your eyes
Once again, assuring a loved one that everything will be alright,
Mother don't you cry, no, no
A plea to remain strong and composed,
Someone told you a lie
The government's propaganda and false promises are exposed,
Yes they did, why
Questioning the authorities and their motivations,
Mother don't you cry, oh no
A final reassurance and message of love,
Where do you go
The repeated question at the heart of the song,
Contributed by Xavier O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnnyhstat
as a former neo con, I loved Robert Cray's music, but hated this song. When I woke up by getting educated by reading guys like Ron Paul, Murry Rothbard, and Lew Rockwell things changed. One day I was listening to some other Robert Cray songs and suddenly remembered this song that I had previously hated. I did a google search for this video and watched it and cried like a baby, spot on Robert, war is no friend to freedom. Thoughts and prayers go out to all who have lost loved ones due to this government sponsored war, whether they be American or from the Middle East.
@dgriffin552
I love this song. I'm an Iraq veteran with a Purple Heart 💜. This song is so true. I remember when I stepped off that helicopter. My first thought was where the hell am I? But Soldiers do what we have to do.
@alantaylor8916
A beautiful song. Robert Cray has a brilliant blues voice that reaches deep into the soul. This song must touch almost everyone who has been in, has relatives or knows someone who has served in the Armed forces. War solves nothing. War takes lives of the innocent and the brave. I am English and it means as much to me as it does to Americans. A song that resounds to me like this is by The Levellers named 'Another Man's Cause'
@vancouverblades
Almost 10 years old and still hits home for me. One of the greatest songs Robert has done among the many. Thank-you
@some2l9
Cool to see that even little kids can relate to it.
@leozingy
Heard him play this one live and got a huge lump in my throat... his guitar and his voice weep together as one.
@sdenny
A thing i most admire about americans is the absolute respect they give to their military personnel , particularly the fallen . We were over visiting friends in TN and at Nashville Airport they had a sign " If you are serving Military Personnel please go to the front of the queue , Its the least we can do , thank you " sort of sums it up , great song , great message
@GlaucoAlves
The best musicians are storytellers imo.
What a message!
Thank you Robert 🙌
@SRayVon4u
Thank you Robert Cray...for your very realistic eye, in all your music threw the years....this is what makes you a "master" of R&B, it IS about the heart !
@raisedbyacupofcoffee
Chilling-wasn't sure I could watch the whole thing without breaking down.