Crosstown Traffic

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

You jump in front of my car when you,
you know all the time that
Ninty 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 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 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! yeah!
Crosstown traffic
Look out
Look out baby
Coming through
Crosstown traffic
Yeah! look out crosstown traffic yeah look out
Look out look out baby crosstown traffic
Yeah, look out
What's that in the street?
Crosstown traffic
Yeah, look out
Crosstown traffic
Yeah look out


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Crosstown Traffic song meanings
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16 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    in contrary with other jimi songs you can take this song quite literally its about himself (not metaphors): he was a very busy artist but that was his personality, he liked travelling. This song is about (like many of him) his - limited- love for women. Jimi likes travelling over the country and also "travelling" over women. "I'm not the only soul who's accused of hit and run" just a one nite stand but hes saying dont blame me, youre know im a travelling man, youre up to one nite stands yourself! "Tire tracks all across your back" (men who had a ride on her) i read a book about jimis songs mostly his songs are explained by 1)Travelling (never settling) 2) limited but great love and respect for women 3) searching to make a deeper love with his guitar he named it "electric lady" ==> Electric ladyland is his dreamworld
    pennystrikeon July 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    never heard it but the lyrics are quite beautiful!
    I am Ednas Goldfishon January 27, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    other side of town.....was jimi living in the infinite.... dealing with the demands of this world...
    Soloon April 27, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Maybe this is about a relationship in which he can see problems and just wants to get out. It could also possibly be about the nature of humans to constantly strive for better things
    hangingbyamomenton May 11, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i think its about an annoying girl that is in your way, and stoppin yuo form doin what you love (the metaphore here is crusin in your car, but it could be anything)
    we_r_the_red_hotson July 06, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is about one of Jimi's girlfriends. (I forget exactly which one.) But she was trying to tie down Jimi. But at this point in his career, his life was 1,000 miles per hour and he doesn't have time or the ability to slow down for the pace she would like. She wants to come along, but he's telling her no cause you always try to slow me down!
    jersey73on October 01, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I heard this on the movie "SWAT". This is my favorite Hendrix song!!!
    sabresfanwp7on October 27, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Jimi tries to get all girls possible laid. This being a heinous task, he has little time. He wrongly assumed the young lady had the same mission (Tire tracks all across your back I can see you had your fun) but now she wants to 'tie him down'. He wants to continue and finish his mission. (it's not the destination, but the journey you know...)
    McPhlipon November 07, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    jersey73 seems preety right, but when i first listen to this with the little metaphors "You tell me it's alright, you don't mind a little pain" "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" Definitly about sex.
    FloatOn33on March 14, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Yep, McPhilip I'd say you're o the money. Great song, kinda funny.
    productofthe80son July 05, 2005   Link

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