Cross Road Blues - Robert Johnson (1936)

"Cross Road Blues" is a song by delta blues singer Robert Johnson (1911-1938), released in 1936. The lyrics tell of the narrator's failed attempts to hitch a ride from an intersection as night approaches. The song had frequently been linked to stories of Johnson selling his soul to the devil for the ability to play music, although nothing in the actual lyrics speaks of these events. The song itself was very successful, and is known as one of the greatest songs of the 1930s decade. Another successful version of the song was by Cream in 1968.

[popculturecollectableslc]

This is THE song that made rock. That is literally what and all you need to know.

[michaelaitchison]

Delta Blues King, God Bless Robert, your influence and power has and still will always, inspire every young Guitarist for evermore. Michael

[Mr_JonesXIII]

And to think, he was booed off stage in his first performance, and went on to become a legend. He became so good that people thought he sold his soul to the devil for that talent. The take home message: Practice, practice, practice, and never give up!

[The.Badger.]

I Just rewatched 'Timeless' on Netflix, and was reminded of this guy by an episode in which he is featured. I had forgotten how good he was!!!

[kengaroo]

First member of the so-called "27 Club"

[moisesperesramos]

Robert Johnson é uma lenda do Blues. Sua forma de tocar é inigualável. Grande influência na música de Eric Clapton.

[devmehta]

"Hellhounds, SOB"- Sam and Dean

[RonaldPoe]

Good old Robert Johnson, Grandfather of Heavy Metal (similarities are blatant). Awesome song and influential to many. Today is my birthday (I'm 20) and it's morning.

[sallydulaney]

The first blues rock star. Taken too soon

[laylaandcrazystuff]

I had to go see the plaque they put up for him at the crossroads in Mississippi it gave me chills.love his music

[unspeakableexperiments]

Way ahead of its time to be that far back! Thanks.

[Arikarinful]

Thank you for this amazing song Robert! RIP

[AdrianaOliveiraAbençoada]

Na covardia e ignorância mataram o homem mas imortalizaram a lenda!!
Foi inspiração direta de Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones....

[Oldaccount]

I have to listen to this for music class

[robertlewis]

SOUNDS LIKE GOD SENT ME ANOTHER ANGEL ❤❤❤😢😢😢🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[kalebfaucett]

And they say he wrote this about the time he went to the crossroads and made a deal with the devil to become good at music and singing

[fannys]

I can hear this gave origin to rock music.

[adityakharade]

I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above, "Have mercy, now, save poor Bob if you please"

Ooh, standin' at the crossroad, tried to flag a ride
Ooh-ee, I tried to flag a ride
Didn't nobody seem to know me, babe, everybody pass me by

Standin' at the crossroad, baby, risin' sun goin' down
Standin' at the crossroad, baby, eee-eee, risin' sun goin' down
I believe to my soul, now, poor Bob is sinkin' down

You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
That I got the crossroad blues this mornin', Lord, babe, I'm sinkin' down

And I went to the crossroad, mama, I looked east and west
I went to the crossroad, baby, I looked East and West
Lord, I didn't have no sweet woman, ooh well, babe, in my distress

[joeyzuber]

So a lot of people don't know this. He was poisoned at a bar at the age of 27 after sleeping with another man's wife. Nobody wanted him to do backup guitar because they said he was terrible, then he disappeared for two years, not to be found, and came back a virtuoso! You go to the crossroads to meet the devil! This is why he always sounds like two guitar players playing at once!

[odemu]

If I were a dj at any radio station I would run this version of Crossroads instead of Cream