Background
Originally named "Crossroad", it was not until the group and their producer, DJ U-Neek, decided to remake the song that the name was changed. "Crossroad" was originally dedicated to Bone's dead friend Wallace (Wally) Laird III, but after the death of Eazy-E they decided to remake it as "Tha Crossroads". The original song now appears on the edited version of the album, though the European release has the original as track number 8 and the remix as track 18. The song is performed by four of the group's members, (Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone and Wish Bone). The remake contained the line "And I'm askin' the good Lord 'Why?' and sigh It's I, he told me we lived to die" from the original. Bone's lightning fast rhymes are delivered softer than is usual for the group, without profanities and creating a sad and heartfelt effect. With soft instrumentals revolving around a sample of The Isley Brothers' "Make Me Say It Again Girl (Pts. 1 and 2)", the song has a sad yet quick tone to it. After receiving high praise for their song the group decided to make it their third single for their already released album, E. 1999 Eternal.
The song was a smash hit worldwide and reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It has been certified 2x platinum in the United States.
"Tha Crossroads" moved so quickly up the charts after its release in May 1996 that it ranked with the legendary success of the Beatles’ "Can’t Buy Me Love" and Whitney Houston’s "I Will Always Love You".
In 2008, "Tha Crossroads" was ranked number 33 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Read more about this topic: Tha Crossroads
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