I've Always Been Crazy
Encyclopedia
I've Always Been Crazy is a country
album
by Waylon Jennings
, released on RCA Victor in 1978
. Highlights include the title track and "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand"; these two songs set the tone for the album, which finds Jennings burned out on the outlaw country
movement. Three singles from the album hit the country charts' top ten: the title reached #1 and "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand" peaked at #5, as did "Girl I Can Tell (You're Trying to Work It Out)". "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand" is Jennings' personal statement on the state of the outlaw movement, written after having been detained by the Drug Enforcement Administration
in 1977 for possession of cocaine
and conspiracy to distribute. Jennings was never convicted of the crime due to critical faults in the legal process against him. The medley of Buddy Holly
songs on I've Always Been Crazy had been recorded in 1973 and included on the album This Time. Johnny Cash
's famous "I Walk the Line
" was, in turn, reinterpreted by Jennings as a slow ballad
. After Dreaming My Dreams, Are You Ready for the Country
and Ol' Waylon
, I've Always Been Crazy was Jennings' fourth solo studio album in a row to reach the top of the country charts; the release of his next record, 1979's What Goes Around Comes Around
, would end this successful streak. The record remained at #1 for eight consecutive weeks and stayed on the charts for almost a year. I've Always Been Crazy was reissued in 2004
on RCA Records; the original version had no liner notes
, while those present in the reissue were written by Rich Kienzle.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
, released on RCA Victor in 1978
1978 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1978.-January–April:*January 14 – The Sex Pistols play their final show at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom....
. Highlights include the title track and "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand"; these two songs set the tone for the album, which finds Jennings burned out on the outlaw country
Outlaw country
Outlaw country is a subgenre of country music, most popular during the late 1960s and the 1970s , sometimes referred to as the outlaw movement or simply outlaw music...
movement. Three singles from the album hit the country charts' top ten: the title reached #1 and "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand" peaked at #5, as did "Girl I Can Tell (You're Trying to Work It Out)". "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand" is Jennings' personal statement on the state of the outlaw movement, written after having been detained by the Drug Enforcement Administration
Drug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
in 1977 for possession of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
and conspiracy to distribute. Jennings was never convicted of the crime due to critical faults in the legal process against him. The medley of Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
songs on I've Always Been Crazy had been recorded in 1973 and included on the album This Time. Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
's famous "I Walk the Line
I Walk the Line
"I Walk the Line" is a song written by Johnny Cash and recorded in 1956. It was performed with the help of Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins, two mechanics that his brother introduced him to following his discharge from the Air Force. Cash and his wife, Vivian, were living in Memphis, Tennessee,...
" was, in turn, reinterpreted by Jennings as a slow ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
. After Dreaming My Dreams, Are You Ready for the Country
Are You Ready for the Country
Are You Ready for the Country is an album by Waylon Jennings, released on RCA Victor in 1976. Its title track is a song from Neil Young's seminal 1972 album Harvest...
and Ol' Waylon
Ol' Waylon
Ol' Waylon is an album by Waylon Jennings, released on RCA Victor in 1977. It plays to Jennings' established outlaw country image. The album features one of his signature songs, a track featuring Willie Nelson called "Luckenbach, Texas ", as well as the Neil Diamond song "Sweet Caroline", a version...
, I've Always Been Crazy was Jennings' fourth solo studio album in a row to reach the top of the country charts; the release of his next record, 1979's What Goes Around Comes Around
What Goes Around Comes Around
What Goes Around Comes Around is an album by Waylon Jennings, released on RCA Victor in 1979. Released when the outlaw country movement was already visibly past its prime, it was Jennings' first studio album to feature his distinctive logo on the cover, surrounded by neon and stars; I've Always...
, would end this successful streak. The record remained at #1 for eight consecutive weeks and stayed on the charts for almost a year. I've Always Been Crazy was reissued in 2004
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
on RCA Records; the original version had no liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
, while those present in the reissue were written by Rich Kienzle.
Track listing
- "I"ve Always Been CrazyI've Always Been Crazy (song)"I've Always Been Crazy" is the title track to the 1978 album by Waylon Jennings. "I've Always Been Crazy" was written by Waylon Jennings and became his sixth number one on the country chart as a solo artist...
" (Waylon JenningsWaylon JenningsWaylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
) – 4:12 - "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of HandDon't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand"Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Gone Out of Hand" is a single by American country music artist Waylon Jennings. Released in October 1978, it was the second single from his album I've Always Been Crazy. The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also reached...
" (Jennings) – 3:00 - "Billy" (Tony Joe WhiteTony Joe WhiteTony Joe White is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his 1969 hit "Polk Salad Annie"; "Rainy Night in Georgia", which he wrote but was first made popular by Brook Benton in 1970; and "Steamy Windows", a hit for Tina Turner in 1989...
) – 4:18 - "A Long Time Ago" (Jennings, Shel SilversteinShel SilversteinSheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
) – 2:23 - "As the 'Billy World Turns" (Jennings) – 3:00
- Medley of Buddy Holly Hits: (Jerry AllisonJerry AllisonJ.I. Allison is an American musician, best known for being the drummer for The Crickets and co-writer of their Buddy Holly hit "Peggy Sue"....
, Buddy HollyBuddy HollyCharles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
, Joe B. MauldinJoe B. MauldinJoe Benson Mauldin, Jr. is ranked among the top rock bassists and became a recording engineer at Gold Star Studios, the Los Angeles studio that became the hit factory for Phil Spector, Brian Wilson and other major 1960s rock performers...
, Norman PettyNorman PettyNorman Petty was an American musician, songwriter, and pioneer record producer who helped shape modern popular music, including pop and rock....
) – 6:04- "Well All Right"
- "It's So Easy"
- "Maybe BabyMaybe Baby (song)"Maybe Baby" was originally recorded by The Crickets in 1957. It was written by Norman Petty and Buddy Holly and reached 17th in the US charts but 4th in the UK charts - see Buddy Holly discography...
"
- "I Walk the LineI Walk the Line"I Walk the Line" is a song written by Johnny Cash and recorded in 1956. It was performed with the help of Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins, two mechanics that his brother introduced him to following his discharge from the Air Force. Cash and his wife, Vivian, were living in Memphis, Tennessee,...
" (Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
) – 3:31 - "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down" (Merle HaggardMerle HaggardMerle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
) – 3:31 - "Girl I Can Tell (You're Trying to Work It Out)" (Carter, Jennings) – 2:40
- "Whistlers and Jugglers" (Shel SilversteinShel SilversteinSheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
) – 4:34
Chart performance
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 48 |
| Canadian RPM Country Albums | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Albums | 71 |