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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1411








Released: 1968
Length: 2:12
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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 (65)add comment
Electric Lady Studios
52  West 8th Street, New York City

It's still there.
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!
Amazing innovation. Love the decay on the piano.
Killer headphone song.
 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.
 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.
 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!!
SUPERGREAT!!! ICONIC!!!
 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.
 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

Melodic, edgy, underrated. This song rocks. Period.
I love  him  a 10
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.
Immortal! Klasyka i taka pozostanie na zawsze
This has always been my favorite up tempo tune from him, underrated song IMO.{#Yes}
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
10
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.
 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.


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


...finally!
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!
Hello, lmic. Love this tune.
 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. 
Sounds like a kazoo.{#Doh}
Not melodic. Shrill. Overrated.
all you ever do is slow me down!
 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.

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?

I was ~just~ thinking agout this song this morning! Thank You!!!  Woooooo! Jimi!!!
  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

 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}
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.
Hey, Bulldog...
oh yeah!
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
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
Love the sounds switching from one ear to the other back and forth in my headphones.
Had to turn my speakers WAY UP!!
First tune for me in 2006. Good omen no doubt....
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.
Almost sounds like kazoos in the background
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.
have good, get give babyarm
Oh please,play "Who Knows"...oh wait ,you don't have it yet!
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.
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
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.
This is another good rock song from Jimi! :)
It doesn't get any better than this, kiddies. Hear it and *LEARN*.....
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. . . .
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.
doo-doo-da-doo-da-doo-da-doo, datta-do-do-da-do-da-do-da-da-doo-doo
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.
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...
You ever known a woman who's like crosstown traffic? You'd have better things on the other side of town too.
madtowner11 wrote:
Why, oh why, does this song have to be so short?
I think the same thing every time I hear it!!
Why, oh why, does this song have to be so short?
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!!!
Definately one of the best songs from Electric Ladyland, at least in my book. Sorry GGendeman
So far ahead of anything else at the time and it still sounds fresh today.
Featuring the best "but, uh" in music history.... (Mick Jagger probably has the best "aw yeah" in Soul Survivor)
Not my favorite tune from Electric Ladyland, so I could only give it a 9.
No comments on CT in RP? Hard to imagine. Hard to evaluate w/o the requisite narcotics.....