Crazy

Album: Man Of Colors (1987)
Charted: 38 14
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Many Icehouse songs have lots of pop appeal, with lyrics about a guy who finds himself all mixed up over a girl. In this one, the guy is wondering how a woman could love a man like him, thinking it to be crazy.
  • "Crazy" was the breakout American hit for Icehouse, which formed 10 years earlier in Australia and first tried their luck internationally in 1981 after their debut album, Icehouse, took off in their homeland. Overseas audiences were less receptive, and unlike Men At Work, they didn't build much of a fanbase away from their home turf.

    "Crazy" was the first single from their fifth album, Man Of Colors, and their first to make much impact internationally. It went to #14 in America, leading the way for their next single, "Electric Blue," which reached #7.
  • Many Icehouse songs were written entirely by their lead singer, Iva Davies, but "Crazy" also has contributions from band members Robert Kretschmer and Andy Qunta.
  • Two music videos were made. The Australian version, directed by Mark Joffe, follows Davies on a rather perilous stroll through Sydney's Pyrmont Power Station as explosions, car crashes, and other antics unfold around him. It was shot in one continuous take.

    The US version, directed by John Jopson, explores the theme of romantic obsession. The clip was based on the 1971 thriller Play Misty For Me, which stars Clint Eastwood as a disc jockey who is terrorized by an obsessed fan (Jessica Walter) with an affinity for the jazz standard "Misty." Similarly, Davies acts as a late-night radio host who accepts a call from a mysterious woman (Paris Jefferson) asking, "Can you play 'Crazy' for me?"

Comments: 2

  • Eduardo from San Jose, Costa RicaI agree with you, Jeff, it's an underrated song....What a guitar riff!!! And the lyrics are so real....
  • Jeff from Austin, TxFantastic song! What a chorus! Way underrated.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.