Crossroads
Chapman (Tracy) Lyrics


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All you folks think you own my life
But you never made any sacrifice
Demons they are on my trail
I'm standing at the crossroads of the hell
I look to the left I look to the right
There're hands that grab me on every side

Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
All you folks think I got my price
At which I'll sell all that is mine
You think money rules when all else fails
Go sell your soul and keep your shell
I'm trying to protect what I keep inside
All the reasons why I live my life

Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Some say the devil be a mystical thing
I say the devil he a walking man
He a fool he a liar conjurer and a thief
He try to tell you what you want
Try to tell you what you need

Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Standing at the point
The road it cross you down
What is at your back
Which way do you turn
Who will come to find you first
Your devils or your gods

Mmh
All you folks think you run my life
Say I should be willing to compromise
I say all you demons go back to hell
I'll save my soul, save myself

Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself




Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself

Overall Meaning

Tracy Chapman's song "Crossroads" begins with her expressing her frustration with people who believe they own her life without having made any sacrifice. She feels like demons are on her trail and she's at the crossroads of hell. Her lyrics indicate that she's feeling trapped and helpless, like she's being pulled in every direction. She expresses her desire to protect what she holds dear, the reasons why she lives her life. Her lyrics suggest that she's feeling vulnerable and is trying to find her way through the chaos and confusion.


In the second verse, Tracy seems to be addressing those who think she's got her price, that she'll give up everything for money. She suggests that money doesn't rule everything, and that what really matters is protecting what she holds dear. She describes the devil as a walking man, a trickster who tries to tell people what they need and want. At this point, it's clear that she sees herself as being at a crossroads, in a spiritual sense, and she's trying to decide which path to take.


In the final verse, Tracy addresses the people who think they run her life and ask her to make compromises. She's determined to save her soul and herself, and she tells the demons to go back to hell. The lyrics indicate that Tracy has found the strength to stand up for herself and take control of her life.


Line by Line Meaning

All you folks think you own my life
You believe you have control over my life


But you never made any sacrifice
You haven't given up anything for me


Demons they are on my trail
I am being pursued by my demons


I'm standing at the crossroads of the hell
I am at a point in my life where I have to make a difficult decision


I look to the left I look to the right
I am considering all the options available to me


There're hands that grab me on every side
I am feeling trapped and overwhelmed by my circumstances


All you folks think I got my price
You believe I can be bought for a certain amount


At which I'll sell all that is mine
At which point I'll give up everything that belongs to me


You think money rules when all else fails
You believe that money is the only thing that matters when everything else falls apart


Go sell your soul and keep your shell
Give up your integrity and keep your outer appearance


I'm trying to protect what I keep inside
I am trying to preserve my inner self


All the reasons why I live my life
All of my motivations for living my life


Some say the devil be a mystical thing
Some believe that the devil is a supernatural being


I say the devil he a walking man
I believe that the devil is a human being


He a fool he a liar conjurer and a thief
He is foolish, dishonest, and steals from others


He try to tell you what you want
He attempts to persuade you to desire what he wants


Try to tell you what you need
He attempts to convince you that you need what he wants


Standing at the point
I am standing at a specific moment


The road it cross you down
The path I choose will significantly affect my life


What is at your back
What is behind me and pushing me forward


Which way do you turn
Which direction should I take


Who will come to find you first
Will I be confronted by my demons or my saviors first


Your devils or your gods
My inner demons or my inner angels


All you folks think you run my life
You believe that you are in charge of my life


Say I should be willing to compromise
You think I should be willing to negotiate and give up some of my desires


I say all you demons go back to hell
I want all of my negative influences to leave me alone


I'll save my soul, save myself
I will prioritize preserving my inner self over anything else


Save my soul, save myself
I will protect my inner self


Save my soul, save myself
I will safeguard my inner self


Save my soul, save myself
I will defend my inner self




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACY L CHAPMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@zlatagergelova7534

Lyrics:
All you folks think you own my life
But you never made any sacrifice
Demons they are on my trail
I'm standing at the crossroads of the hell
I look to the left I look to the right
There're hands that grab me on every side
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
All you folks think I got my price
At which I'll sell all that is mine
You think money rules when all else fails
Go sell your soul and keep your shell
I'm trying to protect what I keep inside
All the reasons why I live my life
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Some say the devil be a mystical thing
I say the devil he a walking man
He a fool he a liar conjurer and a thief
He try to tell you what you want
Try to tell you what you need
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Standing at the point
The road it cross you down
What is at your back
Which way do you turn
Who will come to find you first
Your devils or your gods
Mmh
All you folks think you run my life
Say I should be willing to compromise
I say all you demons go back to hell
I'll save my soul, save myself
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself
Zdroj: LyricFind



All comments from YouTube:

@nombusolinky3453

Man it’s 2023 but this song, Tracy’s voice still gives me chills. Brings back memories of my childhood❤

@jeanyvespotier

Idem mec!

@kickemindafacestyleson6986

this song has stuck with me throughout my years...losses, pains , tribulations and hardships...i could always somehow sing this song and the words would ring true, no matter what i was going through....not many songs, ( or anything for that matter ) can do that...have that power to transcend....i am happy to have known this artist and her song from the beginning...and hope to remember them..at the end......

@laureenereevesndagire5970

This song kept playing in my head as I made my way up a mountain this week. It’s now 7.47pm, I am sitting at my sister’s resting place, playing this for her.

@virtuallyveganlifestyle3990

💜🙏🏽💜

@aliceinkaliceratterree5583

Your comment brought a lump to my thought and tears to my eyes.❤

@user-nx6lx4ry7g

​@@aliceinkaliceratterree5583y'all wasn't born yet keep this music going k.y❤

@Browneyezish

🫂🌞🙏🏽

@virtuallyveganlifestyle3990

This song tells me when it came to the Crossroads she didn't cross.. She didn't sell her Soul that's why she dropped off the radar. Respect to those artists that just 'stop' making music 🙏🏽💜🖖🏾

@shamshirhussain8198

Shes still respected so still winniny

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