Unveiling the Tale Behind the Melody:
Unearthing the narrative behind Rodney Crowell’s captivating track, “She’s Crazy For Leavin’,” offers a glimpse into the whimsical yet profound facets of the musician’s creative mind. Known for his intricate storytelling within compositions, Crowell possessed a unique ability to blend depth with lightheartedness.
In this instance, Crowell allowed his playful side to steer the ship, giving birth to the third single from the groundbreaking album “Diamonds And Dirt.” Collaborating with his longtime friend and fellow musician, Guy Clark, the duo weaved a musical tapestry that resonates with audiences on various levels.
The inception of this song dates back to a dormant idea harbored by Guy Clark for years. A tune he tinkered with intermittently, yet struggled to crystallize. Fate intervened during the production of Guy’s album “South Coast Of Texas,” as Rodney, now taking on the role of producer, stumbled upon the latent gem – “She’s Crazy For Leavin’.”
A casual suggestion by Crowell to utilize the unfinished composition led to an unexpected partnership between the two artists. In tandem, they chiseled away at the raw material, transforming it into a polished work of art. The song soon found a home in Guy Clark’s album, a testament to the collaborative synergy that had been ignited.
But the journey didn’t end there. “She’s Crazy For Leavin'” found its way into the musical repertoires of John McEuen from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, as well as Steve Wariner. This captivating melody garnered recognition for its undeniable potential. Despite Rodney’s initial reservations, Tony Brown, a producer with keen insight, believed in the track’s allure and pressed forward with the idea of recording it.
Brown’s innovative approach was to capture the essence of the song swiftly, before doubts could cast shadows. The result was a rendition that exudes the energy of a live performance, perfectly aligning with Crowell’s artistic vision. The absence of excessive overdubbing preserved the authenticity of the piece, evoking the sensation of being present in a concert hall.
Rodney Crowell’s “Diamonds And Dirt” stands as a testament to his remarkable prowess. This album etched its name in history by generating an unprecedented five number one singles, an accomplishment unmatched till date. Additionally, it showcases an artist’s exceptional feat of securing four chart-topping hits, all composed and produced by the maestro himself. The fifth single, a cover titled “Above And Beyond,” added a unique layer to the compilation.
In summary, the captivating odyssey that birthed “She’s Crazy For Leavin'” unveils the amalgamation of creativity and camaraderie between Rodney Crowell and Guy Clark. Their synergy, combined with the intuitive production approach, bestowed upon the world a timeless melody that continues to resonate, offering listeners a glimpse into the captivating narrative behind the music.
- Artist: Rodney Crowell
- Released: 1988
- Album: Diamonds & Dirt
Lyrics
Well the bus pulled away
In a roaring black cloud
Well I stood in the road
And Honey I hollered right out loud
Hey darling I love ya.
Hey bus driver woe!
But you can’t stop a women when she’s out of control.
She’s crazy for leaving!
I told her so!
And the boys at the bus stop just said “man, let her go!”
She’s crazy for leaving.
I told her so!
But you can’t stop a women when she’s out of control
So I punched out my truck on a telephone pole!
No. she never looked back she just said “go driver go!”
Well I know I could a caught her
But I ran outta luck!
She was long on to Lufkin by the time they cut me out of my truck
She’s crazy for leaving.
I told her so!
And the boys at the bus stop just said “man, let her go!”
She’s crazy for leaving I told her so.
But you can’t stop a women when she’s out of control.
So I kicked and I cussed that old East Texas road
I throw’d rocks at my truck, which had busted my nose
Ya add insult to injury and what do ya get?
Ya get a bus stop of honkies that don’t ever forget!
She’s crazy for leaving I told her so.
And the bus depot lady just said “Hun, just let her go!”
She’s crazy for leaving I told her so!
But you can’t stop a women when she’s out of control.
No, you can’t stop a women when she’s out of control.
Ya know, she’s probably already to Little Rock.