ROCK MOMENT – Stevie Ray Vaughan ‘Crossfire’

When Stevie Ray Vaughan released In Step in June 1989, it marked both a personal and professional rebirth. After years of struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, Vaughan had completed rehab in 1986 and returned with a renewed sense of clarity. The album’s title symbolized his sobriety—he was literally “in step” with a healthier, more focused life. Among its standout tracks was Crossfire, a song that captured both his fiery guitar work and the renewed energy of his band, Double Trouble.

Interestingly, Crossfire was the only song on In Step that Vaughan himself didn’t co-write. The tune came from two members of his backing band—keyboardist Reese Wynans and bassist Tommy Shannon. Inspired by the social struggles and pressures they witnessed in everyday life, the lyrics describe being caught in the chaos of modern society, stuck in the “crossfire” of poverty, greed, and conflict. Stevie connected instantly with the message, and with his searing vocals and masterful guitar lines, he made the song his own.

Released as a single in late 1989, Crossfire became Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble’s only song to hit number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. It was proof that Vaughan could channel his blues roots into a format that resonated with mainstream rock audiences while still staying true to his musical identity.

Sadly, just a year after In Step’s release, Vaughan’s life was cut short in a tragic helicopter crash in August 1990. But Crossfire remains one of the defining statements of his career—a song that blends blistering Texas blues with social commentary, showcasing an artist at the peak of his powers, and finally, at peace with himself.