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"Crosstown Traffic"
West German single picture sleeve
Single by the Jimi Hendrix Experience
from the album Electric Ladyland
B-side	"Gypsy Eyes"
Released	November 18, 1968 (1968-11-18) (US) April 4, 1969 (UK)
Recorded	December 20–21, 1967
Studio	Olympic, London
Genre	Psychedelic funk
Length	2:18
Label	Reprise (US) Track (UK)
Songwriter(s)	Jimi Hendrix
Producer(s)	Jimi Hendrix
Official audio
"Crosstown Traffic " on YouTube

"Crosstown Traffic" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience for their third album, Electric Ladyland (1968). It was released as a single after "All Along the Watchtower", reaching number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 37 on the UK Singles Chart.

Background

This recording features the full line-up of the Experience with Hendrix on guitar and vocals, Noel Redding on bass guitar, and Mitch Mitchell on drums, in contrast to many other songs on the album which featured guest musicians. Hendrix also plays a makeshift kazoo made with a comb and tissue paper in tandem at points with his lead guitar, and backing vocals are performed by Redding along with Dave Mason. With its hard rock riff, the song mixes elements of blues and acid rock.

Reception

Billboard described the single as a "pulsating swinger" that "will make a powerful chart dent." Cash Box described it as an "explosive session" with "massive instrumental impact and a heavy vocal." Record World said that "it shakes with excitement."

References

1. Dave, Moskowitz (2010). The Words and Music of Jimi Hendrix. ABC-CLIO. p. 43.
2. From the original US Reprise Records single
3. The Jimi Hendrix Experience in the UK Charts, The Official Charts.
4. The Album. ABC-CLIO. 17 October 2012. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-313-37906-2.
5. Patricia Romanowski Bashe; Patricia Romanowski; Holly George-Warren; Jon Pareles (1995). The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. Fireside. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-684-81044-7.
6. "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. November 23, 1968. p. 83. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
7. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. November 23, 1968. p. 22. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
8. "Single Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. November 30, 1968. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

• 1968 songs
• 1968 singles
• The Jimi Hendrix Experience songs
• Songs about New York City
• Songs written by Jimi Hendrix
• Reprise Records singles
• Track Records singles
• Song recordings produced by Jimi Hendrix