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Jimi Hendrix — Crosstown Traffic
Album: Electric Ladyland
Avg rating:
8.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1489









Released: 1968
Length: 2:15
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Doo, doo, do-loo-doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, do-loo-doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, do-loo-doo, doo, doo
Doo doo, doo doo, doo doo, doo doo, doo doo

You jump in front of my car when you, you know all time, that-ah
Ninety miles an hour, girl, is the speed I drive
You tell me it's alright, heh, you don't mind a little pain
You say you just want me to take you for a drive

You're just like
(Crosstown traffic) So hard to get through to you
(Crosstown traffic) I don't need to run over you
(Crosstown traffic) All you do is slow me down
And I'm trying to get on the other side of town

I'm not the only soul who's accused of hit and run
Tire tracks all across your back, I can, heh, I can see you had your fun
But uh, darlin', can't you see my signal's turned from green to red?
And with you, I can see a traffic jam straight up ahead

You're just like
(Crosstown traffic) So hard to get through to you
(Crosstown traffic) I don't need to run over you
(Crosstown traffic) All you do is slow me down
And I got better things on the other side of town

Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo

Yeah, yeah
(Crosstown traffic, yeah)
Look out, look out
Look out, baby
Comin' through
(Crosstown traffic, yeah) Yeah, look out
(Crosstown traffic, yeah, look out)
Look out, look out, baby
(Crosstown traffic, yeah, look out)
What's that in the street?
Move over, heh
(Crosstown traffic, yeah, look out)

Yeah!
Comments (66)add comment
Loved this song all those decades past and still today! Excellent! Thanks for playing it.
Posted 7 months ago by locavore58153    [ Reply ]
Electric Lady Studios
52  West 8th Street, New York City

It's still there.
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Amazing that I have never commented on this song.  I am a professional Traffic Engineer, licensed in four southeastern states (US).

Crosstown Traffic keeps me in business!  Keep on truckin', y'all!
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Amazing innovation. Love the decay on the piano.
Killer headphone song.
Posted 2 years ago by aliencat    [ Reply ]
 Greyerwrit wrote:


Just ridiculous.  In the context of 50 more years of rock, he may not look like much to you.  At that time, the blues consisted of "House of the Rising Sun" and Paul Revere and the Raiders were one of the heaviest rocking bands around.  Not to flame you.  That's meant for serious discussions on heartfelt matters, not to simply inform someone about facts.

While I also disagree with the original post you were responding to, you've made quite sweeping assessments as to the other music which was around at the time this album was released.  The blues/rock tunes at that time consisted of much more than "House of the Rising Sun" - Butterfield Blues Band, Cream, John Mayall, The Stones, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, etc.  There were also many bands much heavier than Paul Revere & The Raiders - The Who, Blue Cheer, Mountain, Deep Purple, James Gang, The Stooges, etc.
Anyhow, this was always one of my favorite Hendrix tunes.
Posted 2 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 jadewahoo wrote:

Actually, these were the times when he was not high on psychedelics.



I won't be able to give a reference for this, but I read a review of a Hendrix show in which the reviewer noted that Hendrix attempted to leave the stage through a solid brick wall, showing that Hendrix could play better stoned out of his mind than the reviewer could ever hope to play in any condition.
Posted 2 years ago by Greyerwrit    [ Reply ]
 Greyerwrit wrote:


Just ridiculous.  In the context of 50 more years of rock, he may not look like much to you.  At that time, the blues consisted of "House of the Rising Sun" and Paul Revere and the Raiders were one of the heaviest rocking bands around.  Not to flame you.  That's meant for serious discussions on heartfelt matters, not to simply inform someone about facts.



Very well stated!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
SUPERGREAT!!! ICONIC!!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Xeric wrote:

If Jimi hadn't played his guitar upside-down and died of an OD, nobody would ever have heard of him after about 1975. Oh, I know, flame me to death. And I'm exaggerating my own opinion on the matter. But it does all get a little overblown sometimes, the Jimi worship, I think. . . .



Just ridiculous.  In the context of 50 more years of rock, he may not look like much to you.  At that time, the blues consisted of "House of the Rising Sun" and Paul Revere and the Raiders were one of the heaviest rocking bands around.  Not to flame you.  That's meant for serious discussions on heartfelt matters, not to simply inform someone about facts.
Posted 3 years ago by Greyerwrit    [ Reply ]
 martinc wrote:

1969 was a fantastic year for music. To name a view albums, Beatles Abbey Road and Led Zep I and II. The list is quite amzing




In the Court of the Crimson King

Posted 3 years ago by bpemby    [ Reply ]
Melodic, edgy, underrated. This song rocks. Period.
Posted 3 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
I love  him  a 10
Posted 5 years ago by Rocktom60    [ Reply ]
He was dead a long time before I found his stuff to be listenable. Now, part of an era.

Back then you paid a fortune ($4) for  the latest album or brain edited  out three 5-year-old bugs an hour from the radio mix.  Yeah, there was a conflagration of stereo on the airwaves feeding the newish  FM  sound.
Posted 5 years ago by hbm    [ Reply ]
Immortal! Klasyka i taka pozostanie na zawsze
Posted 5 years ago by amitoro    [ Reply ]
This has always been my favorite up tempo tune from him, underrated song IMO.{#Yes}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
1969 was a fantastic year for music. To name a view albums, Beatles Abbey Road and Led Zep I and II. The list is quite amzing
Posted 13 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
10
Posted 13 years ago by jpkelly    [ Reply ]
Sorry. This just went from 9-> 10. I'm so happy I went back in time to change the setting so I could notch it up one now.
Posted 13 years ago by cirruss    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:


This was from Electric Ladyland not Are You Experienced and here is the artwork
 
and FAR from the best song on the album - I mean CD. By the way, this and Layla were the first CDs I bought way back in the '80s.
Posted 14 years ago by ezzyme    [ Reply ]


This was from Electric Ladyland not Are You Experienced and here is the artwork


Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
...finally!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
me and the rest of my band went to the Hendrix tribute concert(jonny lang,kenny wayne,eric johnson,et al)and when....I think Kenny Wayne played this song....the whole place was singing the chorus.....it's just like..."CROSSTOWN TRAFFIC"...
Our wives/girlfriends thought we were friggin nuts....great show!
Posted 14 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
Hello, lmic. Love this tune.
Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:
Not melodic. Shrill. Overrated.
 
I always thought it was shrill too- as I think of most Hendrix tunes.
I thought it was the(bad) recording process.
Otherwise I think it's a cool song. 
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a kazoo.{#Doh}
Posted 14 years ago by nerakdon    [ Reply ]
Not melodic. Shrill. Overrated.
Posted 14 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
all you ever do is slow me down!
Posted 15 years ago by mcYammer    [ Reply ]
 SuperWeh wrote:
I generally admire Jimi as a musician more than a guitar player too. Sometimes I wish he would have had better musicians playing with him though. Technically Jimi was quite a decent player (listen to how he did chord embellishments and his amazing sense of timing). However I don't think Jimi was "the best player ever" in terms of technique. Jimi was very innovative in the way he used feedback, distortion and an array of effects (wah/fuzz/octaver/backwards solos etc.) I kinda disagree with the drugs thing, I've seen (and heard) footage of concerts where he was obviously strung out and they were quite bad (basically one long psychadelic and incoherent guitar solo). The concerts where he seemed sober are much better.

 
Actually, these were the times when he was not high on psychedelics.

Posted 15 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
Two great things about this track:
1) The metaphor - getting through to her is like getting through Crosstown Traffic, which even in 1968 wasn't easy.
2) The kazoo. Is this the most popular song featuring the instrument?

Posted 15 years ago by Ndugu    [ Reply ]
I was ~just~ thinking agout this song this morning! Thank You!!!  Woooooo! Jimi!!!
Posted 15 years ago by audiophelia    [ Reply ]
  SuperWeh wrote:
I generally admire Jimi as a musician more than a guitar player too. Sometimes I wish he would have had better musicians playing with him though. Technically Jimi was quite a decent player (listen to how he did chord embellishments and his amazing sense of timing). However I don't think Jimi was "the best player ever" in terms of technique. Jimi was very innovative in the way he used feedback, distortion and an array of effects (wah/fuzz/octaver/backwards solos etc.) I kinda disagree with the drugs thing, I've seen (and heard) footage of concerts where he was obviously strung out and they were quite bad (basically one long psychadelic and incoherent guitar solo). The concerts where he seemed sober are much better.

 
You guys have to put this in perspective, this was the psychedelic era, when he and others were back stage wasn't uncommon to take whatever somebody handed them so they did get blasted alot on stage. Alot of his concerts there were technical difficulties with amps etc. I saw him numerous times and some concerts were ragged others especially the early ones with Mitch and Noel were great. Jimi didn't read or write music, he picked up guitar and played like nobody had ever heard before

Posted 15 years ago by stkman    [ Reply ]
 gadfly wrote:
I admit I dont know sh about music, but I know what I like and it is JIMI
 
Good enough for me, sport.

I'm still a little to close to my love for Hendrix to suffer much criticism of his work. Sure he was addicted, and did some stupid shit, but the guys been dead for nearly forty years, for Christ's sake! Leave him alone. {#Sealed}
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
I had no idea what this song was about until I went to Manhattan for the first time and took a cab from Roosevelt Drive to Avenue of the Americas around Midtown. Coulda walked faster.
Posted 15 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Hey, Bulldog...
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by jayvee2    [ Reply ]
oh yeah!
Posted 18 years ago by mbop    [ Reply ]
rosedraws wrote:
Almost sounds like kazoos in the background
Its Jimi - playing a comb w/a piece of paper on it- he came up with the idea in the studio as they were cutting the tracks
Posted 18 years ago by pope183    [ Reply ]
I would have loved to see him work with Sly and the Family Stone... I think people like Jimi and Buddy only come around one a lifetime True talents taken way way to quickly
Posted 18 years ago by huebdoo    [ Reply ]
Love the sounds switching from one ear to the other back and forth in my headphones.
Posted 18 years ago by AlonzoTheArmless    [ Reply ]
Had to turn my speakers WAY UP!!
Posted 18 years ago by SCprof    [ Reply ]
First tune for me in 2006. Good omen no doubt....
Posted 18 years ago by nuggler    [ Reply ]
ploafmaster wrote:
While I don't think Jimi was the innovative Guitar God that most other guitar players do, I can't argue with his INCREDIBLE song writing. SO MANY of his songs sound so excellent - lyrically, vocally, and the complete package - the way the instruments all work together. Even on drugs, he sure knew what he was doing when it came to writing music. An easy 9.
I generally admire Jimi as a musician more than a guitar player too. Sometimes I wish he would have had better musicians playing with him though. Technically Jimi was quite a decent player (listen to how he did chord embellishments and his amazing sense of timing). However I don't think Jimi was "the best player ever" in terms of technique. Jimi was very innovative in the way he used feedback, distortion and an array of effects (wah/fuzz/octaver/backwards solos etc.) I kinda disagree with the drugs thing, I've seen (and heard) footage of concerts where he was obviously strung out and they were quite bad (basically one long psychadelic and incoherent guitar solo). The concerts where he seemed sober are much better.
Posted 18 years ago by SuperWeh    [ Reply ]
Almost sounds like kazoos in the background
Posted 18 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
Funnily enough, for a Hendrix track, it's the pumping rhythm, not the guitar, that makes this song work. This rocks on nearly every level.
Posted 19 years ago by jah_blessed    [ Reply ]
have good, get give babyarm
Posted 19 years ago by Glockman45    [ Reply ]
Oh please,play "Who Knows"...oh wait ,you don't have it yet!
Posted 19 years ago by katzendogs    [ Reply ]
Beez wrote:
madtowner11 wrote:
Why, oh why, does this song have to be so short?
I think the same thing every time I hear it!!
Exactly what I thought when it came on. Awesome.
Posted 19 years ago by Filofox    [ Reply ]
ploafmaster wrote:
Even on drugs, he sure knew what he was doing when it came to writing music.
i think you might have that one a little backwards my friend. from a good deal of personal and other anecdotal experience i'd vernture to says its at least in part because of, not despite his friendship with denis rugz
Posted 19 years ago by th3boon    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
If Jimi hadn't played his guitar upside-down and died of an OD, nobody would ever have heard of him after about 1975. Oh, I know, flame me to death. And I'm exaggerating my own opinion on the matter. But it does all get a little overblown sometimes, the Jimi worship, I think. . . .
What can we say? One must give credit where credit is due.
Posted 19 years ago by SigmaBetaTooth    [ Reply ]
This is another good rock song from Jimi! :)
Posted 19 years ago by fab4fan    [ Reply ]
It doesn't get any better than this, kiddies. Hear it and *LEARN*.....
Posted 19 years ago by nuggler    [ Reply ]
If Jimi hadn't played his guitar upside-down and died of an OD, nobody would ever have heard of him after about 1975. Oh, I know, flame me to death. And I'm exaggerating my own opinion on the matter. But it does all get a little overblown sometimes, the Jimi worship, I think. . . .
Posted 19 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
While I don't think Jimi was the innovative Guitar God that most other guitar players do, I can't argue with his INCREDIBLE song writing. SO MANY of his songs sound so excellent - lyrically, vocally, and the complete package - the way the instruments all work together. Even on drugs, he sure knew what he was doing when it came to writing music. An easy 9.
Posted 19 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
doo-doo-da-doo-da-doo-da-doo, datta-do-do-da-do-da-do-da-da-doo-doo
Posted 19 years ago by MisterVErb    [ Reply ]
billery wrote:
I sing this to myself whenever splitting lanes on my motorcycle at better than 90. "Ninety miles an hour, babe, is the speed I drive!!!" Yeah!!!
And Arizona doesn't have a helmet law. 8O Phenomenal tune.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Too bad now radio stations use this to intro their morning traffic reports...god, if commercial broadcasters can do something to destroy a good song, they always will...
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
You ever known a woman who's like crosstown traffic? You'd have better things on the other side of town too.
Posted 19 years ago by stickittotheman    [ Reply ]
madtowner11 wrote:
Why, oh why, does this song have to be so short?
I think the same thing every time I hear it!!
Posted 19 years ago by Beez    [ Reply ]
Why, oh why, does this song have to be so short?
Posted 19 years ago by madtowner11    [ Reply ]
I sing this to myself whenever splitting lanes on my motorcycle at better than 90. "Ninety miles an hour, babe, is the speed I drive!!!" Yeah!!!
Posted 20 years ago by billery    [ Reply ]
Definately one of the best songs from Electric Ladyland, at least in my book. Sorry GGendeman
Posted 20 years ago by lizardman_tcs    [ Reply ]
So far ahead of anything else at the time and it still sounds fresh today.
Posted 20 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Featuring the best "but, uh" in music history.... (Mick Jagger probably has the best "aw yeah" in Soul Survivor)
Posted 20 years ago by namesbenny    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite tune from Electric Ladyland, so I could only give it a 9.
Posted 20 years ago by GGendeman    [ Reply ]
No comments on CT in RP? Hard to imagine. Hard to evaluate w/o the requisite narcotics.....
Posted 20 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]