The band formed in 1984 in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The original lineup consisted of singer/guitarist Trevor Tanner, drummer Jan Kalicki, and bassist Nick Chown. (Tanner and Kalicki had previously played together in the short-lived punk band Moskow.) Early gigs supported the likes of The Cult, The March Violets, and Lords of the New Church. In 1985, the band released their debut single, "Sob Story", followed by the mini-LP, Giants. Word-of-mouth was such that the Bolshoi were able to sell out many of their early headlining performances.
The band migrated to London in 1985, and their lineup expanded to include Paul Clark on keyboards. In 1986, they released their first full-length LP, Friends, and expanded their touring schedule to U.S., South America, and Poland. Friends was followed in 1987 by the album Lindy's Party, on which the sound was more pop-oriented.
Stylistically, the Bolshoi were difficult to categorize. They have been described as a proto-goth band, similar in their live act to fellow Beggars Banquet signees, Bauhaus. Tanner was recognized for his dark, pensive lyrics that belied a social responsibility and awareness.
After the release of Lindy's Party, the band recorded a fourth album, but problems with their record label management impeded its release, and they disbanded as the 1980s drew to a close. The unreleased fourth album, apparently titled "Country Life", is reportedly still in the vaults at Beggars Banquet.
Crosstown Traffic
The Bolshoi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you know all the time that
ninety miles an hour, boy
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 drive
so hard to get through to you
crosstown traffic
i don’t need to worry over you
crosstown traffic
all you do is slow me down
while i’m tryin’ 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
i can see you had your fun
but darlin’ can’t you see
my signal 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 worry over you
crosstown traffic
all you do is slow me down
and i got something much better on the other side of town
you’re just like crosstown traffic
coming, i'm coming
here i come
crosstown traffic
crosstown traffic
so hard to get through to you
crosstown traffic
crosstown traffic...
The Bolshoi's Crosstown Traffic explores a love-hate relationship between two individuals, where one person is repeatedly getting in the way of the other's goals and ambitions. The singer, driving at a breakneck speed of ninety miles per hour, is confronted by their lover who intentionally jumps in front of their car, causing a near-accident. Despite the danger, the lover assures the singer that he/she is not afraid of a little pain, and wants nothing more than to go on a joyride with them.
However, the singer sees the lover as nothing more than a hindrance, and compares them to the eponymous crosstown traffic that impedes their progress. The lover is an obstacle to be overcome, like a difficult road block or disruptive force. The singer is tired of being slowed down and having to deal with tire marks on their back, a metaphor for being hurt and left behind. They can sense a traffic jam ahead, and this motivates them to move on to greener pastures.
In conclusion, Crosstown Traffic is a powerful song that explores the archetype of two people who have different goals and motivations, and whose conflicting desires lead them towards a love-hate relationship. It uses vivid metaphors of speed, danger and roadblocks to create a memorable and intense experience for the listener.
* Six panel fold-out sleeve packaging for both 7" and 12".
* Some copies of the 12" came with a bonus fold-out poster.
* Re-released in 1996 with a fold-out four page booklet including lyrics and band history.
* The song was played on the band's first Top of the Pops appearance in March 1986.
* The song was included on the soundtrack of the film "Something Wild" (1986).
* The sleeve of the initial 12"/CD release used photos by David Corio.
* A limited edition 10" picture disc was released as part of 4AD's 'Dusted & Decadent' compilation in 1999.
* The song reached #76 on the UK Singles chart.
* The guitar solo in Crosstown Traffic was performed by Terry Bickers.
* The Bolshoi's version of Crosstown Traffic was a cover of a Jimi Hendrix song.
Chords (as played by the Bolshoi):
Verse:
Am F Am F
Am Bb Am Bb
Chorus:
D7 A7 G7 D7
A7 G7 D7 A7 D7
Line by Line Meaning
you jump in front of my car when you,
You deliberately put yourself in danger by suddenly appearing in front of my car.
you know all the time that
You are fully aware of your recklessness.
ninety miles an hour, boy
I drive extremely fast.
is the speed I drive
I am not going to slow down.
you tell me it’s alright, you don’t mind a little pain
You try to convince me that it is acceptable to endanger yourself.
you say you just want me to take you for a drive
You only care about your own desires and refuse to acknowledge the danger.
you’re just like crosstown traffic
You are like the chaos and confusion of a busy intersection.
so hard to get through to you
It is difficult to communicate with you and make you understand the risks.
crosstown traffic
This phrase is repeated as a metaphor for the difficulties of dealing with the person's reckless behavior.
i don’t need to worry over you
I do not want to be responsible for your choices.
all you do is slow me down
Your behavior impedes my progress.
while i’m tryin’ to get on the other side of town
I have a destination to reach and you are preventing me from getting there quickly.
i’m not the only soul
Other people have also been harmed by your actions.
who’s accused of hit and run
You are known for causing accidents and fleeing the scene.
tire tracks all across your back
This is a vivid image that shows the damage you have caused to others.
i can see you had your fun
You enjoy the excitement and danger of reckless behavior.
but darlin’ can’t you see
I am pleading with you to open your eyes to the reality of the situation.
my signal turn from green to red
I need to stop and reassess the situation because of your behavior.
and with you i can see
Your behavior is a clear sign that there will be problems ahead.
a traffic jam straight up ahead
Your recklessness is going to cause problems and delays.
coming, I'm coming
This is a repeated phrase that shows the urgency and determination to reach the destination despite the obstacles.
Contributed by Alice B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.