Born in Cleveland, Ohio,U.S., Tracy Chapman began playing guitar and writing songs as a child. She received a scholarship through A Better Chance that allowed her to attend Wooster School in Connecticut, and was eventually accepted to Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.
Tracy Chapman helped restore songwriters to the spotlight in the '80s. The multi-platinum success of Chapman's eponymous 1988 debut was unexpected, and it had lasting impact. Although Chapman was working from the same confessional songwriter foundation that had been popularized in the '70s, her songs were fresh and powerful, driven by simple melodies and affecting lyrics. At the time of her first album, there were only a handful of artists performing such a style successfully, and her success ushered in a new era of songwriters that lasted well into the '90s. Along with 10,000 Maniacs and R.E.M., Chapman's liberal politics proved enormously influential on American college campuses in the late '80s.
Official Website: http://www.tracychapman.com
Fansite: http://www.tracychapmanonline.com
Cross Roads
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you never made any sacrifice
Demons they are on my trail
I'm standing at the crossroads of the hell
I look to the left I look to the right
There're hands that grab me on every side
Mmh, mmh
All you folks think I got my price
At which I'll sell all that is mine
You think money rules when all else fails
Go sell your soul and keep your shell
I'm trying to protect what I keep inside
All the reasons why I live my life
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Some say the devil be a mystical thing
I say the devil he a walking man
He a fool he a liar conjurer and a thief
He try to tell you what you want
Try to tell you what you need
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Standing at the point
The road it cross you down
What is at your back
Which way do you turn
Who will come to find you first
Your devils or your gods
Mmh
All you folks think you run my life
Say I should be willing to compromise
I say all you demons go back to hell
I'll save my soul, save myself
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself
Tracy Chapman's song Crossroads is a powerful commentary on standing up for oneself and refusing to compromise one's values in a world that demands conformity. The lyrics speak to the struggle of maintaining one's individuality in the face of societal pressure to conform to established norms and expectations. Chapman is defiant in the face of these pressures, refusing to be controlled or influenced by others. She asserts her personal agency and the importance of protecting what she values most in her life. The use of the metaphor of standing at the crossroads of hell emphasizes the stakes of this struggle- the choice between succumbing to societal pressure or standing up for oneself is one with serious consequences.
The repeated lines "mmh, mmh" throughout the song reinforce the idea of a person going inward to make their own decisions and not relying on external pressures or voices to influence them. The line "Some say the devil be a mystical thing, I say the devil he a walking man" contrasts the idea of an external, supernatural force with the more tangible notion of the pressures that come from the people around us. The devil is not a mythic force but everyday people who try to tell us what to do or how to live.
Ultimately, the song advocates for resisting these pressures and finding strength in oneself. Chapman chooses to "save [her] soul, save [herself]" rather than giving in to societal pressures. The song is a call to arms for those who feel stifled by societal or personal expectations and a reminder that they have the power to live according to their own values.
Line by Line Meaning
All you folks think you own my life
People believe they have control over my life.
But you never made any sacrifice
They have not made any effort towards my life.
Demons they are on my trail
Difficulties and hardships are always following me.
I'm standing at the crossroads of the hell
I am at a point of having to make a difficult decision.
I look to the left I look to the right
I am searching for a solution in every direction.
There're hands that grab me on every side
There are many people trying to take control of my decision.
All you folks think I got my price
People believe that I can be bought or have a price.
At which I'll sell all that is mine
Suggesting that people think I will compromise my values for money.
You think money rules when all else fails
People believe that money is the only solution to problems.
Go sell your soul and keep your shell
Go do anything for money, but keep your physical body intact.
I'm trying to protect what I keep inside
I am trying to safeguard my values and beliefs.
All the reasons why I live my life
I am guarding things that are most important to me.
Some say the devil be a mystical thing
Some believe the devil is not real and just a myth.
I say the devil he a walking man
I believe that the devil exists and is a real person.
He a fool he a liar conjurer and a thief
He is deceitful, manipulative, and dishonest.
He try to tell you what you want
He tries to convince you that you desire something that is not beneficial.
Try to tell you what you need
He tries to convince you that you have a certain need that is not beneficial.
Standing at the point
I am at a crucial moment.
The road it cross you down
I must choose a path that will either guide me in the right or the wrong direction.
What is at your back
I have past experiences and decisions which have brought me to this point.
Which way do you turn
I am unsure of my next step.
Who will come to find you first
Will positive or negative consequences be the first to follow?
Your devils or your gods
Will negative or positive outcomes be the product of the decision?
Save my soul, save myself
I will make my decision based on my beliefs and values to ultimately protect myself.
Save my soul, save myself
I will make my decision based on my beliefs and values to ultimately protect myself.
Save my soul, save myself
I will make my decision based on my beliefs and values to ultimately protect myself.
Save my soul, save myself
I will make my decision based on my beliefs and values to ultimately protect myself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACY L CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zlatagergelova7534
Lyrics:
All you folks think you own my life
But you never made any sacrifice
Demons they are on my trail
I'm standing at the crossroads of the hell
I look to the left I look to the right
There're hands that grab me on every side
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
All you folks think I got my price
At which I'll sell all that is mine
You think money rules when all else fails
Go sell your soul and keep your shell
I'm trying to protect what I keep inside
All the reasons why I live my life
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Some say the devil be a mystical thing
I say the devil he a walking man
He a fool he a liar conjurer and a thief
He try to tell you what you want
Try to tell you what you need
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Standing at the point
The road it cross you down
What is at your back
Which way do you turn
Who will come to find you first
Your devils or your gods
Mmh
All you folks think you run my life
Say I should be willing to compromise
I say all you demons go back to hell
I'll save my soul, save myself
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself
Save my soul, save myself
Zdroj: LyricFind
@nombusolinky3453
Man it’s 2023 but this song, Tracy’s voice still gives me chills. Brings back memories of my childhood❤
@jeanyvespotier
Idem mec!
@kickemindafacestyleson6986
this song has stuck with me throughout my years...losses, pains , tribulations and hardships...i could always somehow sing this song and the words would ring true, no matter what i was going through....not many songs, ( or anything for that matter ) can do that...have that power to transcend....i am happy to have known this artist and her song from the beginning...and hope to remember them..at the end......
@laureenereevesndagire5970
This song kept playing in my head as I made my way up a mountain this week. It’s now 7.47pm, I am sitting at my sister’s resting place, playing this for her.
@virtuallyveganlifestyle3990
💜🙏🏽💜
@aliceinkaliceratterree5583
Your comment brought a lump to my thought and tears to my eyes.❤
@user-nx6lx4ry7g
@@aliceinkaliceratterree5583y'all wasn't born yet keep this music going k.y❤
@Browneyezish
🫂🌞🙏🏽
@virtuallyveganlifestyle3990
This song tells me when it came to the Crossroads she didn't cross.. She didn't sell her Soul that's why she dropped off the radar. Respect to those artists that just 'stop' making music 🙏🏽💜🖖🏾
@shamshirhussain8198
Shes still respected so still winniny