British performer Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel, performing under the pseudonym Seal, attracted the attention of the public, barely appearing on stage. Together with DJ and producer Adamski, he recorded the track Killer, making his debut as a vocalist. Then Seal released the album Seal, and the first single from it was the composition Crazy, which became a major hit and brought him worldwide fame.
The story and meaning of the song Crazy – Seal
Seal wrote the lyrics to Crazy in 1990, inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing, and other iconic events of the late eighties and early nineties. He later recalled:
I felt that the culmination of this period had come. I felt like the world is changing and something profound is happening… And we just can’t survive if we don’t get a little crazy.
Genius.com
As is often the case, many saw references to drugs in the song. We did not meet the author’s comments on this issue.
The music was composed by composer Guy Sigsworth, known for his fruitful collaboration with Britney Spears, Madonna and other stars.
Recording and release
The track was recorded at London’s Sarm West Studios with producer Trevor Horn over the course of two months. Trevor later recalled:
Recording Crazy wasn’t easy because we were aiming high.
The Guardian, 2014
In November 1990, Crazy was released as the first single from the Seal album in the UK. American listeners were able to buy the single only in May 1991.
The song peaked at number two on the UK charts and peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The composition topped the charts in Belgium, Holland, Sweden and Switzerland. In addition, she reached the top of the Eurochart Hot 100.
For the song Crazy Seal was awarded the Ivor Novello and BRIT Award.
Video of Crazy – Seal
Now let’s watch the online video for the song Crazy.
Cover versions
Subsequently, Crazy was recorded by many famous musicians, including Alanis Morissette. The popular singer performed a song for a Gap commercial in 2005. She later recounted:
This is a song that I was obsessed with as a teenager. When I was doing the Gap campaign, the brand kindly suggested that I make a list of my favorite songs. Crazy was one of the first ones I chose because it brings back memories of my youth. The main line “You’re never going to survive unless you get a little crazy” is for me one of the simplest and at the same time the most thoughtful statements. When I was about to record a cover version of the song, Seal and I exchanged pleasant e-mails.
Songwriter Universe
Watch the video for Crazy Alanis Morissette.
Interesting Facts
- Crazy is featured on the soundtracks of many films and TV shows, including The Devil Wears Prada, Beverly Hills, and Baywatch.
Crazy Lyrics by Seal
In a church by the face
He talks about the people going under
Only child know
A man decides after seventy years
That what he goes there for is to unlock the door
While those around him criticize and sleep
And through a fractal on that breaking wall
I see you my friend and touch your face again
Miracles will happen as we trip
chorus:
But we’re never gonna survive unless
We get a little crazy
No we’re never gonna survive unless
We are a little crazy
Crazy are the people walking through my head
One of them got a gun to shoot the other one
And yet together they were friends at school
Get it, get it, get it, yeah!
If all were there when we first took the pill
Then maybe then maybe then maybe then maybe
Miracles will happen as we speak
Chorus
Oh darling
In a sky full of people only some want to fly
Isn’t that crazy
In a world full of people only some want to fly
Isn’t that crazy
Crazy
In a heaven of people there’s only some want to fly
Ain’t that crazy
Oh babe, oh darlin’
In a world full of people there’s only some want to fly
Isn’t that crazy
Isn’t that crazy
Isn’t that crazy
Isn’t that crazy
- Probably an allusion to Mikhail Gorbachev’s historic visit to the Vatican to meet with the Pope in 1989.
- A clear reference to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
