West gained fame the world over during his long career as one of the most innovative and influential musicians in the history of rock music. He is most noted for his role as leader of the explosive hard rock trio, Mountain, which was named by VH-1 as one of the Top 100 Hard Rock Groups of all time. With Mountain, he climbed the heights of rock stardom on the strength of a unique, signature guitar sound and classic songs such as “Mississippi Queen”, “Never In My Life” and “Theme From An Imaginary Western”,and Nantucket Sleighride which are still staples of rock radio to this day. West earned the admiration of a long list of famous peers. During his career, he recorded or played with a litany of rock icons including Billy Joel, Van Halen, The Who, Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix, to name just a few. In fact, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Schenker and Richie Sambora have all cited West as an important influence on their own music.
West's bold, expressive and unique guitar style is really a mirror of his own personality. Spend a little time talking with this larger-than-life figure, and you’ll realize that he is as charismatic without a guitar in his hands as he is with one. Possessing a sharp sense of humor, he was at once gregarious and gruff while recounting stories from his legendary past. When discussing his music projects, he exuded an infectious enthusiasm and excitement. Such projects could take him outside his traditional roles of guitarist, singer and songwriter.
In 1986, he acted alongside Tom Hanks and Shelley Long in the hit comedy film, The Money Pit and has lent his distinctive voice to the popular animated series, Beast Wars Transformers which ran for three seasons on the WB network beginning in 1996 before going into syndication. He has also contributed the theme music to the new WB show, Mutant X.
West was a popular personality on the Howard Stern Radio Show and was Musical Director for the shock jock’s FOX series, as well as for the late comedian Sam Kinison. Most recently, he lent his production and songwriting skills to an album by Atlantic Records’ modern rock group, Clutch, and has just released his own instructional guitar DVD, Big Phat Ass Guitar.
Crossroader
Leslie West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Speedin' from town to town.
I'm a crossroader.
Speedin' from town to town.
I never ride the main highway.
So nobody can slow me down.
I'm always trav'lin'.
I'm always trav'lin'.
Just a taste outside the law.
If you come lookin' for some trouble
I'm the man that you'relookin' for.
When things ain't movin' fast enough
I gotta' pick up and move
When things ain't movin' fast enough
I gotta' pick up and move
They say it ain't no way for a man to be livin'.
It's the crossroader's blues.
Leslie West's song Crossroader is a blues rock classic. The song depicts the life of a crossroader, who is always on the move, traveling from town to town. The crossroader is a person who has no permanent residence or occupation and lives by taking risks and breaking the law. The song's lyrics portray a sense of adventure, danger, and freedom.
The crossroader is portrayed as a rebel traveler who doesn't ride the main highway to avoid being caught by the authorities. He is constantly in search of excitement and thrill, a taste outside the law. He is a man of action and not afraid of trouble; in fact, he welcomes it. The chorus of the song emphasizes the crossroader's sense of freedom and independence, as he speeds away from town to town, leaving behind a trail of dust.
The song's lyrics also suggest that the crossroader's lifestyle is not sustainable. He is always on the move, and when things are not moving fast enough, he has to pick up and move. The song suggests that this way of life is no way for a man to live, yet the crossroader is trapped in this lifestyle - it's the crossroader's blues.
Overall, Leslie West's Crossroader is a powerful and emotionally charged song that portrays the life of a rebel traveler who is constantly on the move, searching for excitement and thrill while being pursued by the authorities.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a crossroader.
I am someone who travels from place to place continuously and frequently.
Speedin' from town to town.
I travel from one town to the other very fast and quickly.
I never ride the main highway.
I avoid the regular and busy way of travelling to remain uninterrupted, unnoticed, and untraceable.
So nobody can slow me down.
I don't allow anyone to stop or hinder me from going on with my adventures, movements, or plans.
I'm always trav'lin'.
I am continuously on the move, exploring different places and territories.
Just a taste outside the law.
I usually operate and act in a manner that is slightly rebellious or out of order, contrary to the law's provisions.
If you come lookin' for some trouble
If you intend to find or create conflict, chaos, or violence,
I'm the man that you'relookin' for.
I am the one you should search, find, or deal with if you want trouble or a fight.
When things ain't movin' fast enough
When the events, situations or happenings around me slows down to my detriment,
I gotta' pick up and move
I must create and fabricate another plan of action and quickly move into a new territory.
They say it ain't no way for a man to be livin'.
Some people condemn my way of life as reckless, dangerous, and unproductive.
It's the crossroader's blues.
Despite the criticisms, I have no regrets or remorse about my way of living because it's a crossroader's lifestyle.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FELIX PAPPALARDI, GAIL COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
I'm a crossroader.
Speedin' from town to town.
I'm a crossroader.
Speedin' from town to town.
I never ride the main highway.
So nobody can slow me down.
I'm always trav'lin'.
Just a taste outside the law.
I'm always trav'lin'.
Just a taste outside the law.
If you come lookin' for some trouble
I'm the man that you'relookin' for.
When things ain't movin' fast enough
I gotta' pick up and move
When things ain't movin' fast enough
I gotta' pick up and move
They say it ain't no way for a man to be livin'.
It's the crossroader's blues.
David Innes
Leslie West at his best. An incredible talent. If Felix didn't pass who knows what might have been.......
Keith Welch
Felix was already out of the band. His hearing was gone.
blueslover97
I call those days 'When Guitar Gods Roamed The Earth'. Happy I got to live in the era to hear them.
Kenneth Beuscher
These guys should be in the Rock and Roll hall of fame. Except that the hall is so lame I don't blame them if they refuse the nomination.
Robert Mayer
They're in my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. That's the only one that counts.
Robert Mayer
This is such a great song. Love the live version with Felix's fuzz bass - the best.
johnny zell
I'm a crossroader.
Speedin' from town to town.
I'm a crossroader.
Speedin' from town to town.
I never ride the main highway.
So nobody can slow me down.
I'm always trav'lin'.
Just a taste outside the law.
I'm always trav'lin'.
Just a taste outside the law.
If you come lookin' for some trouble
I'm the man that you'relookin' for.
When things ain't movin' fast enough
I gotta' pick up and move
When things ain't movin' fast enough
I gotta' pick up and move
They say it ain't no way for a man to be livin'.
It's the crossroader's blues.
Jean Mi
Thanks for the lyrics I am a French man I understand English spoken rather well but badly sung
Steve Aitch
this came out the year in joined the army. played the hell out of this album on a banged up reel to reel recorder
Miguel Ángel Jimenez
Temazo