“Crazy” by Patsy Cline

This week for Song Lyric Sunday, Jim Adams has prompted us with songs with the word Crazy in the title or in the song.

I chose “Crazy” by Patsy Cline. Willie Nelson wrote this epic tune in 1961 with the help of a friend named Oliver English. It was originally titled “Stupid” and Nelson changed it after performing the song at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and getting a “not so nice” reaction by the fans. Nelson would put his version of the song on the jukebox at Tootsie’s. According to an interview by Nelson, Cline’s husband, Charlie Dick heard it and wanted Patsy to hear it. Charlie convinced Willie (both stumbling drunk), to take it to Patsy. Patsy said she “couldn’t sing that” when hearing it the first time. Her producer, Owen Bradley, loved the song and changed the arrangement into a ballad which she recorded. This song was originally written for country music artist Billy Walker who turned it down. Patsy Cline almost turned it down too.

“Crazy” was such a crossover hit and many artists have covered it throughout the years. Patsy Cline’s version is the most iconic reaching #2 on the Country Charts in 1962. “Crazy” was a follow-up song after her hit “I Fall to Pieces”. Patsy Cline was killed in an airplane crash on March 5, 1963.

Crazy
I'm crazy for feeling so lonely
I'm crazy
Crazy for feeling so blue
I knew
You'd love me as long as you wanted
And then some day
You'd leave me for somebody new
Worry
Why do I let myself worry?
Wondering
What in the world did I do...
Oh, crazy
For thinking that my love could hold you...
I'm crazy for trying
And crazy for crying
And I'm crazy for loving you
Crazy
For thinking that my love could hold you...
I'm crazy for trying
And crazy for crying
And I'm crazy for loving
You...
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Willie Nelson / Willie Nelson
Crazy lyrics © Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Blue Mountain Music Ltd., Hoochie Coochie Music, Sony Atv Tree Publishing, Sony Atv Music Publishing France, Hill & Range Songs, Bug Music O/B/o Hoochie Coochie Music, WB Music Corp. O/B/o Caledonia Soul Music, WB MUSIC CORP, CHRYSALIS MUSIC OBO CHRYSALIS MUSIC LTD UK, CAYMAN MUSIC OBO BSI ENTERPRISES

Lisa Coleman

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46 responses to ““Crazy” by Patsy Cline”

  1. Such a beautiful and classic song. This song was unmistakeable destined to be recorded by Patsy. Such an evocative song.

  3. I never heard the Willie Nelson version before and I love the pedal steel guitar in it. Great job on the research that you provides on this song Lisa.

  8. This is THE SONG when I think of “Crazy”. When posted the prompt, I kept hearing this song in my head. It is such a CLASSIC. Thanks for talking about the song. Happy New Year! 明けましておめでとうございます。

  10. My choice too, as who hasn’t been made to feel crazy over love at least once.My post is a story of sorts- a portrait if you will of some of the ways people handle it. Excellent choice.

  14. This New Year I wish you, my friend, to have delightful little surprises, the sunshine of happiness, moonbeam of peace, and oodles of love.

  17. Thank you for the history about “Crazy” — how it was almost rejected and then evolved — with lyric and tempos changes — into the classic song we all know and love. As a songwriter myself, I am grateful to be reminded that the creative path usually includes many twists and turns… Both Willie and Patsy are great gifts to our popular culture. The songs Willie has written AND the wonderful non-profit, FARM AID, which he helped to found and continues to help to run are truly inspirational. I have been watching the Ken Burns series about country music, too, and share the bittersweet question articulated in many of your comments above — what else might Patsy have accomplished if she had been able to live longer? Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

  19. Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson are giants in my mind and this song ‘Crazy’ is just as beautiful today as it was the first time I heard it 💕
    Thank you for your ‘Follow’ on my Blog – appreciate it! 😀

    • Hi Darlene. Patsy was one in a million. We are well. Social distancing ourselves but going birding in an unpopulated area. Hope you are good through all of this. 😊

  21. I like this song a lot. I have a playlist with this and a whole slew of oldies like it. I didn’t know any of the background to the song. Thanks for that. Tommy Edwards, Nat King Cole, Barbara Lewis, Skeeter Davis, Andy Williams, Herp Albert, Dionne Warwick, Brenda Lee et al. All great stuff! Today’s music is mostly sandpaper on your brain compared to that.

    • I absolutely agree. I’ve got the 50’s station on right now while I sit here going through my WP. Patsy and Elvis are probably my top 2 of all time but I love all music. Even some today, but not much. 😊

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