☝️ Key Points
- The song is about the control and influence exerted on the singer by other people.
- It emphasizes that Tracy Chapman tries to protect her individual identity and values against money and temptations.
- The devil is portrayed as an ordinary, manipulative person who tries to tell people what they want and need.
- At the crossroads, the singer is faced with the decision of which path to take and whether she will be found by her demons or gods.
- She challenges all demons to return to hell and promises to save her soul and herself.
Interpretation
In the song lyrics "Crossroads" by
Tracy Chapman, it is about how people try to control the singer's life and influence her. She feels pursued by demons and stands at a crossroads to hell. People's hands reach for her from all sides.
People think she has a price for everything and that money rules everything. But Tracy Chapman tries to protect what she carries inside. She lives her life for specific reasons and is not influenced by money and temptations.
The devil is described as something mystical, but Tracy Chapman says that the devil is an ordinary person. He is a fool, a liar, a magician, and a thief. He tries to tell people what they want and what they need.
At the crossroads, she wonders which path to take. Who will find her first, her demons or her gods? People believe they can control her life and that she should make compromises. But she says that all demons should go back to hell and she will save her soul and herself.