About The Song
On September 26, 1978, Waylon Jennings set his third sales record. His album “I’ve Always Been Crazy” became only the second country album to “ship gold,” meaning that 500,000 copies were ordered before it ever went to market (the first had been Jennings’ album, “Ol’ Waylon,” the previous year). “Wanted: The Outlaws” (with Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser) had been the first Nashville album certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America when the organization introduced that award in 1976 recognizing million-selling albums.
By the time the “I’ve Always Been Crazy” album was released, the title track had already spent three weeks atop Billboard’s country singles chart beginning September 9, 1978.
According to Waylon, “I’ve Always Been Crazy” started out as a little waltz, believe it or not, but he ended up recording the tune as an upbeat, up-tempo rocker. At the session, Jennings had dipped into his stash of drugs and got himself “really messed up” (his words), causing “I’ve Always Been Crazy” to come out a whole lot differently! Makes a person wonder what the song would have sounded like as a waltz, as Waylon first intended. It probably wouldn’t have been near as big of a hit!
In the new version of “I’ve Always Been Crazy,” although high on drugs, Waylon came up with what he considered to be the most profound lyrics of any song he ever wrote, including his all-time favorite line – “I’ve never intentionally hurt anyone.”
One person who might disagree, though, was the trumpet player who added a few choice fills during the record’s fade out. Before editing, the initial track was over eight minutes long. Waylon had the poor guy play it all the way through, then play it all the way through in harmony! When the session was finished, the trumpet player’s lips were badly swollen. He left the studio and Waylon never saw him again. Probably a good thing because, after all the hard work he did, only a few seconds of it ended up being used on the record!
Video
Lyrics
I’ve always been crazy and the trouble that it’s put me through
Been busted for things that I did and I didn’t do
I can’t say I’m proud of all of the things that I’ve done
But I can say I’ve never intentionally hurt anyone
I’ve always been different with one foot over the line
Winding up somewhere one step ahead or behind
It ain’t been so easy but I guess I shouldn’t complain
I’ve always been crazy but it’s kept me from going insane
Beautiful lady, are you sure that you understand
The chances your taking loving a free living man
Are you really sure, you really want what you see
Be careful of something that’s just what you want it to be
I’ve always been crazy but it’s kept me from going insane
Nobody knows if it’s something to bless or to blame
So far I ain’t found a rhyme or a reason to change
I’ve always been crazy but it’s kept me from going insane