During the spring of 1968, Cream came to America for their second US tour; after their first concert in Santa Monica on March 23, they played a string of dates at the Winterland Auditorium in San Francisco (Feb 29, and March 1, 2, 8, 9, 10 (all dates with two shows), with two dates at the Fillmore West on March 3 and 7 (both dates with two shows as well). It was during the first set of the March 10 show that Cream recorded "Crossroads". Arranged by guitarist Eric Clapton, the Cream version had a faster tempo than the original, and included two lines borrowed from Johnson's "Traveling Riverside Blues."
Unlike Cream's usual arrangement with bassist Jack Bruce singing, guitarist Eric Clapton took the vocals on this recording. Clapton's explosive guitar solos cemented his reputation as a guitar legend; his work from the track was named by one critic the greatest live rock solo ever. Bruce's fluid bass playing, blurring the line between rhythm and melody, has been similarly honored as the second-best live bass performance.
It was placed at #409 on the 2004 List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and #3 on the 2008 RS Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time lists.
crossroad
Cream Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please"
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by
I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
You can still barrel house, baby, on the riverside
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
And I'm standing at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down
The lyrics to Cream's classic blues song "Crossroads" tell the story of a desperate man who has hit rock bottom and is pleading with the Lord above for salvation. The man has gone down to the crossroads and fallen on his knees, asking for mercy and salvation. The crossroads are a common symbol in blues music and folklore, representing a place where one can make a deal with the devil in exchange for success or talent. The man's plea to the Lord above shows that he is seeking redemption rather than making a deal with the devil.
In the second verse, the man tries to flag a ride but is ignored by everybody who passes him by. This emphasizes the man's loneliness and isolation. He is desperate for help, but he is alone in his struggle. In the third verse, the man decides to go to Rosedale with his lover by his side. The mention of "barrel house" music on the riverside suggests that the man is seeking solace in music and community. However, in the final lines of the song, the man is still struggling, and he tells his friend Willie Brown that he is sinking down.
Overall, the lyrics to "Crossroads" paint a vivid picture of a man's search for redemption and salvation. The song contains many classic elements of blues music, including references to loneliness, struggle, and the power of music to heal.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
I was in a desperate situation and I turned to God for help.
Asked the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please"
I humbly begged for mercy and help from the Lord above.
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride
I tried everything possible to get out of my desperate situation.
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by
Unfortunately, nobody knew or cared about my plight.
I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
I'm moving on to a new place and I'll have someone with me to face whatever comes our way.
You can still barrel house, baby, on the riverside
Despite my struggles, there's still some hope and joy to be found in life.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
Tell my friend Willie Brown that even though I'm in a tough spot, I'm still pushing forward.
And I'm standing at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down
Despite my efforts to move forward, I'm still struggling and my situation is getting worse.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@apleasantsymmetry
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy
"Save me if you please"
I went down to the crossroads
Tried to flag a ride
I went down to the crossroads
Tried to flag a ride
Nobody seemed to know me
Everybody passed me by
I'm going down to Rosedale
Take my rider by my side
I'm going down to Rosedale
Take my rider by my side
You can still barrelhouse, baby
On the riverside
You can run, you can run
Tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run
Tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
And I'm standing at the crossroads
Believe I'm sinking down
@TheRealForrestGeorge
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Asked the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please."
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
Down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.
Well I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
You can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside.
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
You can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy, Willie Brown.*
Run, you can run, tell my friend-boy, Willie Brown.*
And I'm staying at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down.
I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy, save poor Bob, if you please."
Mmmmm, standin' at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Standin' at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Didn't nobody seem to know me, everybody pass me by
Mmm, the sun goin' down, boy, dark gon' catch me here
oooo, ooee, eee boy, dark gon' catch me here
I haven't got no lovin' sweet woman that love and feel my care
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy, Willie Brown.
You can run, tell my friend-boy, Willie Brown.
Lord, that I'm standin' at the crossroad, babe, I believe I'm sinking down.
@terrybane6206
Note to grand kids: THIS is why paw paw can't hear anymore.
@hokeypokeyalso1783
Exactly! 😎
@Scoodlee
Why do Americans say paw paw lol to Australians that's lip balm
@pf6875
@@Scoodlee it's funny you think it's the stranger of the two
@Scoodlee
@@pf6875 it's funny that I don't give a fuck ya knob
@mattlaflamme1162
Best comment I've read in a long while.
@kenneth-pc7mf
I was 15 years ild when this song was released.I am 70 now and I still rock out to it.
The 1960s was a great decade for music.
@gloriapascoe2614
From Australia 🇦🇺 just a bit older. We lived in a brilliant era of 🎉music . Melody is lacking and creativity not the same. Today you can hear a great voice but don't remember it because there is no melody
@user-jy2cn3cn4t
@gloriapascoe2614 ,you are 100% correct, my Aussie friend.❤😊
@cantankerish9399
Ur wrong bruh it was the 70s stupid old man