This song is about a girl who is hard to get rid of. Getting through to her… Read Full Bio ↴This song is about a girl who is hard to get rid of. Getting through to her that she's not wanted is like getting through crosstown traffic.

The lyrics are similar to many Blues songs in that they are filled with sexual references in clever metaphors: "I'm not the only soul, who's accused of hit and run, tire tracks all across your back, I can see you've had your fun."

This song includes a famous kazoo riff, which Hendrix originally performed using a comb and a piece of cellophane. Instead of using sounds of car horns like the Lovin' Spoonful did on "Summer In The City," the kazoo simulated the traffic nicely.

Dave Mason from the group Traffic sang on this. That's him singing the high part on the word "Traffic."

Chas Chandler produced the original tracks, but Hendrix remixed them when he started producing his own music in 1968.

Crosstown Traffic
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

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, uh-huh, I can see you had your fun.
But a darling, can't you see my signals turn 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.

Yeah now crosstown traffic, look out, look out, baby, let me through.
Crosstown traffic yeah, look out.

Crosstown traffic yeah, look out, look out, look out.
Crosstown traffic yeah, look out, watch that street.

Overall Meaning

The song Crosstown Traffic by Jimi Hendrix Experience showcases a city dweller's daily experience and dealing with traffic jams. The song's lyrics express the frustration and difficulty associated with navigating through the crowded streets of the city. The song's subject is a woman who somewhat mocks the driver's sense of urgency and recklessness, paying no heed to the need for speed limits. Despite his agreement, she insists on going for a ride, disregarding any potential consequences. The lyrics suggest that the woman is hard to understand and may represent the overwhelming and confusing nature of Crosstown traffic.

The language of the song suggests that the city is moving fast and that time is limited. The driver urges everyone to get out of their way because he needs to get somewhere important. The lyrics also suggest that the woman is causing a traffic jam, a metaphor for difficulties encountered in dealing with complex and convoluted situations. The tone of the song is playful, light-hearted, and upbeat, with a fast-paced guitar riff and catchy melodies.

Line by Line Meaning

You jump in front of my car when you, you know all the time that
You intentionally put yourself in harm's way despite being aware of the potential danger

Ninety miles an hour, girl, is the speed I drive.
I am driving at a very high speed

You tell me it's alright, you don't mind a little pain.
You are willing to endure pain and discomfort for the sake of being with me

You say you just want me to take you for a ride.
You want to be with me and experience the thrill of riding in my car

You're just like crosstown traffic, so hard to get through to you.
You are like the congested traffic in the city, difficult to communicate with or reach a mutual understanding

Crosstown traffic, I don't need to run over you.
I don't need to physically harm or damage you in order to convey my frustration with the situation

Crosstown traffic, all you do is slow me down
You are hindering my progress and preventing me from moving forward

And I'm trying to get on the other side of town.
I have a destination in mind and I am working towards reaching it

I'm not the only soul who's accused of hit and run, Tire tracks all across your back, uh-huh, I can see you had your fun.
I am not the only person who has hurt you in the past, but your scars are evident and it appears that you have enjoyed some of those experiences

But a darling, can't you see my signals turn from green to red
I am no longer giving you a clear path forward and am signaling for you to stop or change direction

And with you I can see a traffic jam straight up ahead.
I can predict that there will be even more obstacles and difficulties if we continue on this path together

Yeah now crosstown traffic, look out, look out, baby, let me through.
I am warning you to be careful and make way for me to pass through without any further issues

Crosstown traffic yeah, look out.
I am emphasizing the danger and potential harm that can arise if you don't make room for me to pass through

Crosstown traffic yeah, look out, look out, look out.
I am urgently warning you to watch out and pay attention to what is happening around us

Crosstown traffic yeah, look out, watch that street.
I am highlighting the importance of being alert and aware of our surroundings in order to avoid any accidents or further delays

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimi Hendrix

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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