Crossroads
Eric Clapton Cream Lyrics

The opening line of "Crossroads" by Eric Clapton's Cream describes a common blues legend. According to the myth, bluesman Robert Johnson met Lucifer at the crossroads near Clarksdale, Mississippi, in the late 1920s. In exchange for his soul, Johnson supposedly received unparalleled guitar skills. "Crossroads" uses this story to explore the themes of sin and redemption. Clapton uses the image of the singer falling to his knees to show his desperation. The singer is asking God for mercy, hoping to be saved from eternal damnation since he made a deal with the devil for musical talent. The repetition of the opening lines reinforces the toughness of the singer's situation, emphasizing the dire need for help.

The second stanza of the song shifts to a different mood. The singer tries to leave the crossroads and find his salvation. He attempts to get a ride but finds no one willing to help him. This verse symbolizes the feeling of being a social outcast. The world rejects the singer for his actions, and he must accept all the consequences of his actions alone. This theme reflects the cultural attitudes of the time towards the blues as a genre, its musicians, and its fans. Despite its relatively recent popularity, blues music was often derided as deviant and unholy, especially in Christian-dominated societies.

The final stanza is about the singer's resolve to accept his punishment and maintain his art. By taking his rider to Rosedale, the singer is making a statement that he will continue to play music even if it brings him punishment. He also tells his friend to continue to spread his legacy, to tell others that he is at the crossroads and believes he might be sinking down. The song ends on ambivalent terms, remaining undecided about the fate of the bluesman.