Robert Cray was among artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Thorogood, who got wider radio airplay and regular MTV video exposure during the late 1980s. He started playing guitar in his early teens. At Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia, his love of blues and soul music flourished as he started collecting records. Originally, Robert Cray wanted to become an architect, but at about the same time he was going to study design in architecture he formed a local band "Steakface", described as "the best band from Lakewood you never heard of". Cray on guitar and vocals contributed greatly to Steakface's set list of songs by Hendrix, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Fleetwood Mac, the Grease Band, Blodwyn Pig, Jethro Tull, Forever More, Spirit, and the Faces. By the time he was twenty, Cray had seen his heroes Albert Collins, Freddie King and Muddy Waters in concert, and decided to form his own band. His band started playing college towns on the west coast. After several years of regional success, Cray was signed to Mercury Records in 1982. His third release, Strong Persuader, received a Grammy Award, while the crossover single "Smokin' Gun" gave him wider appeal and name recognition.
| 1 | Won't You Give Him (One More Chance) | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 2 | What About Me | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 3 | My Problem | Midnight Stroll |
| 4 | I Wonder | Strong Persuader |
| 5 | Midnight Stroll | Midnight Stroll |
| 6 | A Picture Of A Broken Heart | I Was Warned |
| 7 | Living Proof | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 8 | Walk Around Time | Midnight Stroll |
| 9 | Bouncin' Back | Midnight Stroll |
| 10 | The Forecast (Calls for Pain) | Midnight Stroll |
| 11 | Won The Battle | I Was Warned |
| 12 | All The Way | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 13 | Our Last Time | I Was Warned |
| 14 | 24-7 Man | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 15 | On The Road Down | I Was Warned |
| 16 | I'm A Good Man | I Was Warned |
| 17 | Pardon | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 18 | A Whole Lotta Pride | I Was Warned |
| 19 | That Wasn't Me | Take Your Shoes Off |
| 20 | Fantasized | Strong Persuader |