Originally, each Verse/Chorus was to written from a different band members perspective... With three characters in total, I wanted each of them to be whinging and bitching about each other in a harsh but slightly comically way.
Band breakups are a funny (well not FUNNY) thing. What I mean is; when a band implodes it is really upsetting because through hours crafting songs, rehearsing, performing, drinking and spending exorbitant amounts of time together you create this real bond and sense of togetherness. In short, when it's good it's incredible, when it's bad... it's, well... it's pretty bad. I wanted to capture this in song, but with a sight tongue and cheek edge to it.
After spending months getting nowhere with the song I decided for practical reasons to pare the concept back, having just one character. I felt the most interesting character by far was the lead singer. In short she's been a total cow to her band mates, but she shrugs it off like it's no big deal and continues to suggest and they come back and play music with her again.
Once there was just one character to deal with the song really start taking shape. The song, up to this point had been a 6/8 country barroom ballad type feel, but I decided to change it up to a rockabilly 4/4 type feel to match the vibe of the lyrics and kick the song along at a faster pace.
A few weeks later, I found myself getting lost and bogged down in the final lyric details, this was when I got some input from Justin Bernasconi and Chester Cooney who made some cracking suggestions which helped lock down some choices and finish the song.
From the get-go I started writing 'How Crazy I've Been' thinking "wouldn't be amazing if Dolly Parton sang this song"... reality kicked in once it was finished, I would have to be the singer.
Thanks for reading... lyrics are below.
HOW CRAZY I'VE BEEN - LYRICS
I saw a picture, three of us singin’
Back when we used to be friends
Songs and the whiskey never stopped flowin’
Till the sun came up again
Feelin’ so low drivin’ the highway
Wishin’ that you’d stayed, cause
Nothing compares to that good time feelin’
When we used to play
You’ve both forgotten the magic that happens
Right up there up on the stage
I wish you’d remember what you’re both missin’
And what we’re throwin’ away
It doesn’t matter if I stole your lover
Write it down in a song, cause
Fans who love country, love all the heartache
It’s what keeps em comin’ along
Nobody cares that you don’t like me
No one cares you’re mad
You don’t have the guts to go it alone or
Make it without my band
You’ve both forgotten the magic that happened
Night after night on the stage
I wish you’d remember the high times you’re missin’
And what you’re throwin’ away
Cowboys can solve all their trouble
With beer at the end of the night but
Women like us never forget those
Shit things you said in a fight
I’ve been pretending it’s not my problem
I stabbed you in the back
I shoulda known all those years ago
Not to treat you like crap
With rose coloured glasses I looked back across
Those years we spent on the stage
If only I’d seen how crazy I’d been
You wouldn’t be walkin’ away