10 Creepy Myths Surrounding Popular Songs

10. Cross Road Blues - Robert Johnson Sells His Soul

There are plenty of stories within the music industry revolving around the devil, particularly the idea that Satan is willing to bestow unholy musical talent upon anyone willing to sell him their soul. One particularly famous example of this is the case of Robert Johnson, the legendary blues musicians who allegedly bartered his soul at a Mississippi crossroads in order to gain his musical abilities.

Naturally, people have looked to Johnson’s seminal ‘Cross Road Blues’ as indication that there’s truth to the story, and many believe the song to be cursed. The track itself contains no such reference to Faustian legend or a satanic exchange, and is predominantly about asking forgiveness from God. But later covers of the song have perpetuated the idea that it possesses uncanny attributes.

Eric Clapton recorded perhaps the most well-known version of Cross Road Blues (simply titles ‘Crossroads’), and both The Allman Brothers Band & Lynyrd Skynyrd released covers of their own.

What links these three artists? They all experienced traumatic bereavements, either involving loved ones (Clapton’s son) or band members (Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist Ronnie Van Zant died in a car crash a year after recording Crossroads) following their covers.