"John Barleycorn Must Die" is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Traffic, released in July 1970. It was released under the catalog number Island ILPS 9116 in the United Kingdom, United Artists UAS 5504 in the United States, and Polydor 2334 013 in Canada. This album marked the band's comeback after a brief disbandment and became their highest-charting album in the US, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Top LPs chart. It has been certified a gold record by the RIAA.
In addition to the album's success, the single "Empty Pages" spent eight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 74. Although slightly less successful in the UK, the album still reached a respectable number 11 on the UK Albums Chart. "John Barleycorn Must Die" is notable for its blend of rock, jazz, and folk influences, showcasing Traffic's evolving musical style and solidifying their reputation as a leading progressive rock band of the era.
