A reflection on the chaotic world around us and the desire for peace.
There are certain songs that resonate with you not just for their melody, but for their message, a message that feels more poignant with each passing year. For those of us who came of age with the rock and pop anthems of the ’70s and ’80s, the name Chris Norman is etched into our memories, forever linked with the iconic band Smokie and his solo career’s undeniable hits. While many recall the sweet, harmonious duet “Stumblin’ In” with Suzi Quatro, it’s his more recent work, such as the single “Crazy,” that truly speaks to the tumultuous times we’ve lived through.
Released as a single in late 2023 and then featured on his 2024 album, Junction 55, “Crazy” is not a song you’d find at the top of a mainstream pop chart. Instead, its impact is measured in a more profound way: through the shared feeling of an older generation looking at the world around them and nodding in agreement with every word. This is a song that didn’t climb the Billboard 200, but rather, climbed into the hearts of those who remember a different time, a time when the world seemed less fractured.
The story behind “Crazy” is not a tale of a broken heart or a lost love, but rather a commentary on the state of the world. Chris Norman, a man who has witnessed decades of change, uses his signature gravelly voice to express a shared sense of bewilderment and frustration. The lyrics are a raw and unfiltered reflection on the societal and political turmoil that seems to be a constant companion in our modern era. He sings about the anxieties of the world, from “starvation and depravity” to “woke protesters everywhere” and the constant stream of misinformation. It’s a song that captures the feeling that the world has, for lack of a better word, “gone crazy.” It is this raw and honest assessment that makes the song so relatable to a generation that once believed in a brighter, more stable future.
For many of us, this song evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia for simpler times, before the 24-hour news cycle and the constant digital clamor. It’s a call to reflect, to question, and to find a sense of grounding amidst the madness. The song is a gentle, yet firm, shake of the head, a collective sigh of exasperation that says, “I’m not the only one who feels this way.”
“Crazy” is a testament to the enduring power of music to capture a moment in time, a feeling, and a generation’s perspective. It’s a reminder that even as the world speeds up and becomes more chaotic, there are still artists who are willing to slow down, reflect, and give voice to the unspoken anxieties that we all share. It’s a beautiful, melancholic piece of music that feels like a conversation with an old friend, a shared moment of understanding in a world that often feels incomprehensible.