Crazy Horses

Last updated
"Crazy Horses"
Crazyhorsesmgmsingle.jpg
Single by The Osmonds
from the album Crazy Horses
B-side "That's My Girl"
ReleasedOctober 14, 1972
RecordedJune 23, 1972
Genre
Length2:40
Label MGM
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Osmonds singles chronology
"Hold Her Tight"
(1972)		"Crazy Horses"
(1972)		"Goin' Home"
(1973)

"Crazy Horses" is a song by the Osmonds, the title track from the album of the same name. It was released as the album's second single and reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 [2] and number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. [3] The song is the only hit record from the Osmonds to feature Jay Osmond as lead vocalist. It has since been covered by numerous other performers.

Contents

Recording and content

Singer Merrill Osmond said of the song, "Before that, my brothers and I had been what's now called a boy band: all our songs were chosen for us by the record company. But now, having been successful, we wanted to freak out and make our own music. We were rehearsing in a basement one day when Wayne started playing this heavy rock riff. I came up with a melody and Alan got the chords. Within an hour, we had the song. I had always been the lead singer, but I sang Crazy Horses with Jay. The line "What a show, there they go, smoking up the sky" had to be sung higher, so I did that and Jay did the verses because his voice was growlier, and this track was heavier than anything we’d ever done." Merrill Osmond also added that the record company initially was skeptical the song would be successful but relented when it performed well in the charts (particularly in the United Kingdom, where the song proved to be a breakthrough for the quintet, as well as much of the rest of Europe). [4] "Crazy Horses" also helped open up the band to a male audience that had largely ignored the group until then; Alan once recalled touring to promote the song and, instead of being greeted by screaming girls hoping to hear Donny's teen idol songs, found themselves in front of a raucous crowd of boys and young men, prompting Alan to turn to the rest of the band and tell them, "Cut 'Puppy Love!'" [5]

Jay Osmond said: [4]

The song was recorded at MGM in Hollywood and we added that distinctive "Wah! Wah!" intro sound afterwards. Alan had written the lyrics, which talked about horsepower, and he said: "It's got to sound like a horse somehow". We tried everything, then finally found something on Donny's organ that sounded like a neighing stallion.

Concerning the opening part of the song, Donny said: [6]

It wasn't [a] theremin, it was a Y[C]-30 Yamaha organ with a portamento slide. We had a wall of Marshalls in the studio. It was so loud that you couldn't even walk in the studio, so we had to play the organ from the control room. My brother Alan actually played it on the record. I played it live. But the secret to it was a wah-wah pedal. We opened the wah-wah just enough to get that really harsh kind of a piercing sound, but it was the loudness of the Marshalls that got us that sound. And then we doubled it. That was the secret to that sound.

Donny, the usual co-lead, had no vocal parts because his voice was changing, due to puberty. The record was co-produced by Alan Osmond and Michael Lloyd, who had previously been in the psychedelic rock group The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band.

Jay Osmond said, "'Crazy Horses' was way ahead of its time. It's a song about ecology and the environment: those 'crazy horses, smoking up the sky' are gas-guzzling cars, destroying the planet with their fumes. We shot the record sleeve in a junkyard, surrounded by big old cars." [4] [7]

During some of the live performances, as Jay stepped out front to sing lead, Merrill played the drums while Alan played bass guitar.

Censorship

Sales of the song were prohibited in South Africa, where government censors interpreted the word 'horses' as referring to heroin. [8] [9] [10]

The song was also banned in France when authorities believed the lyric "smoking up the sky" was about drugs. [4]

Appreciation

According to Donny, Ozzy Osbourne once told him that "Crazy Horses" was "one of his favorite rock and roll songs." [11] Alan considered it to be his favorite song to perform. [5]

Chart performance

Chart (1972/1973)Peak
position
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders) [12] 1
Canadian RPM Top Singles [13] 12
Dutch Top 40 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [14] 1
France (IFOP) [15] 1
Irish Singles Chart [16] 17
Swiss Singles Chart [17] 5
UK Singles Chart [3] 2
US Billboard Hot 100 [2] 14

Cover versions

It has been covered by numerous other artists including the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, the Mission, Tank, Lawnmower Deth, Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, the Frames, KMFDM, Electric Six, Pretty Maids, Tigertailz, and Butcher Babies. Westlife covered the song live in 2003, and even performed the song alongside Donny Osmond. English band Pop Will Eat Itself sampled the record on their 1988 single "Def Con One". The song was also covered by Tigertailz on the 2010 live album Bezerk: Live...Burnin' Fuel and by Mat Sinner on the solo album Back to the Bullet 1990. Donny Osmond recorded a new version of the song as a hidden bonus track on his 2002 covers album Somewhere in Time [18] and performs the song frequently on his tours. He did not sing on the original record.

In 1995, the electronic music group Utah Saints released a remixed version of the song, which reached number 50 on the UK Singles Chart. This version was reissued in 1999 and peaked at number 34.

Revolution 409 (which in reality was American band Redd Kross) covered the song on the SST Records 1989 compilation The Melting Pot.

Pere Ubu covered the song on their album Trouble on Big Beat Street in 2023. [19]

The Dictators released a cover version in 2023. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donny Osmond</span> American singer, dancer, actor, television host (b. 1957)

Donald Clark Osmond is an American singer, dancer, actor, television host and former teen idol. He first gained fame performing with four of his elder brothers as the Osmonds, earning several top ten hits and gold albums. In the early 1970s, Osmond began a solo career, earning several additional top ten songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Osmonds</span> American family music group

The Osmonds were an American family music group who reached the height of their fame in the early to mid-1970s. The group had its best-known configurations as a quartet and a quintet. The group has consisted of siblings who are all members of a family of musicians from Ogden, Utah, and have been in the public eye since the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Osmond</span> American singer and musician (born 1949)

Alan Ralph Osmond is an American former singer and musician. He is best known for being a member of the family musical group The Osmonds. At the time, Alan and his brothers were performing as the Osmond Brothers Boys' Quartet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Osmond</span> American singer (born 1963)

James Arthur Osmond is an American singer and businessman. He is the youngest member of the sibling musical group the Osmonds. As a solo artist, Osmond has accumulated six gold records, one platinum record, and two gold albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)</span> 1974 single by Reunion

"Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)" is a 1974 patter song written by Norman Dolph (lyrics) and Paul DiFranco (music). It was recorded by an ad hoc group of studio musicians called Reunion, with Joey Levine as lead singer. The lyrics are a fast patter recitation of the names of 1950s,1960s, and 1970s disc jockeys, musicians, songwriters, record labels, song titles and lyrics, broken only by the chorus, similar to the way the song "I've Been Everywhere" listed place names. Levine had previously been lead singer and co-writer of bubblegum music hits "Yummy Yummy Yummy" and "Chewy Chewy" by the Ohio Express. "Life Is a Rock" peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Osmond</span> American musician (born 1955)

Jay Wesley Osmond is an American musician. He is a member of the Osmond family of performers. He wrote the story to the 2022 musical The Osmonds, a musical based on the life and music of the family. The musical was shown around the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2022, after being previously postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">After the Love Has Gone</span> 1979 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"After the Love Has Gone" is a song by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1979 as the second single from their ninth studio album I Am on ARC/Columbia Records. The song reached No. 2 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, No. 3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. "After the Love Has Gone" was certified gold in the US by the RIAA and silver in the UK by the BPI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tigertailz</span> Welsh glam metal band from Cardiff

Tigertailz are a Welsh glam metal band from Cardiff. Their 1990 album Bezerk made the Top 40 on the UK Albums Chart and contained the hit singles "Love Bomb Baby" and "Heaven". The band reformed in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merrill Osmond</span> American musician (born 1953)

Merrill Davis Osmond is an American musician. He is best known for being the lead vocalist and bassist of the family music group The Osmonds and The Osmond Brothers, as well as an occasional solo artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Bad Apple</span> 1970 single by the Osmonds

"One Bad Apple" is a song by the Osmonds, released as a single on November 14, 1970. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 2, 1971. It hit the top of the chart on February 13, 1971 and stayed there for five weeks. It also reached No. 6 on the R&B chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 4 song for 1971. Both "One Bad Apple" and the Donny Osmond-credited single "Sweet and Innocent" are on the 1970 album Osmonds. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on February 4, 1971.

<i>The Penthouse Tapes</i> 1976 studio album by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

The Penthouse Tapes is the fifth studio album by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Unlike previous releases comprising predominantly original compositions.The Penthouse Tapes consists largely of covers, ranging from The Osmonds' "Crazy Horses" and Alice Cooper's "School's Out" to Lead Belly's "Goodnight Irene". Of the three originals, "I Wanna Have You Back" and "Jungle Jenny" open side one; a third, "Say You're Mine", was written by Alex Harvey and appears on side two. The album was released in 1976 on Vertigo Records.

<i>Magic of Christmas</i> (Marie Osmond album) 2007 studio album by Marie Osmond

Magic of Christmas is a holiday album released in 2007 by American country music singer, Marie Osmond. It was Osmond's first studio album since 1989's Steppin' Stone, as well as her first Christmas album.

<i>Crazy Horses</i> (album) 1972 studio album by The Osmonds

Crazy Horses is the fourth studio album by the American singing group The Osmonds, released in 1972. It entered the Billboard Top LPs chart on October 14, where it reached number 14 on December 23, 1972. Two singles were released in support of the album, "Hold Her Tight" and "Crazy Horses", both of which reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on January 24, 1973.

<i>Osmondmania!</i> 2003 compilation album by The Osmonds

Osmondmania! is a compilation album by The Osmonds released in 2003. It contains hit songs from The Osmonds as well as Donny's solo hits, Marie's solo hits and Donny & Marie's duet hits. Although Jimmy Osmond appears on the album cover, none of his material was featured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Can Make It Together</span> 1972 song performed by Steve and Eydie

"We Can Make it Together" is a song written by Alan Osmond, Merrill Osmond, and Wayne Osmond and performed by Steve and Eydie featuring The Osmonds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me In (The Osmonds song)</span> 1973 single by The Osmonds

"Let Me In" is a song written by Alan Osmond, Merrill Osmond, and Wayne Osmond and performed by The Osmonds. It was featured on their 1973 album, The Plan. The song was produced by Alan Osmond.

<i>The Plan</i> (The Osmonds album) 1973 studio album by The Osmonds

The Plan is the fifth studio album by The Osmonds, released in 1973. The album contains songs that are about the Mormon faith; its name derives from the Plan of Salvation, a key tenet of the Mormon faith. It reached number 58 on the Billboard Top LPs chart. Two of the album's singles, "Goin' Home" and "Let Me In", both peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's third single, "Movie Man", did not chart.

<i>Love Me for a Reason</i> (album) 1974 studio album by The Osmonds

Love Me for a Reason is the sixth studio album by The Osmonds, released in 1974. The album peaked at No. 47 on the Billboard Top LPs chart. Two singles were released from the album: the title track "Love Me for a Reason" and "Having a Party".

"Having a Party" is a song written by Bobby Massey and H. B. Barnum and originally recorded by the Osmonds. It was included as the opening track on their Love Me for a Reason album.

<i>The Osmonds</i> (musical) 2021 jukebox musical

The Osmonds is a musical based on the life and music of The Osmonds. The musical's story is by Jay Osmond and features a book by Julian Bigg and Shaun Kerrison.

References

  1. ↑ Smay, David (2001). "A Brief History of Boy Bands". In Cooper, Kim; Smay, David (eds.). Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth. Los Angeles: Feral House. p. 37.
  2. 1 2 "The Osmonds > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". AllMusic.
  3. 1 2 "The Official Charts Company - The Osmonds - Crazy Horses". Official Charts . Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Simpson, Dave (2017-01-23). "The Osmonds: how we made Crazy Horses". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  5. 1 2 LIVING, FRESH (2024-09-24). "Alan Osmond shares his life story in new book 'One Way Ticket'". KUTV. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  6. ↑ Prato, Greg (2021-09-23). "Donny Osmond: Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  7. ↑ "Crazy Horses by The Osmonds Songfacts" . Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  8. ↑ DeYoung, Bill (2004-01-16). "After 47 years, Osmonds still squeaky-clean". DeseretNews.com. Deseret News Publishing Company. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  9. ↑ Jon, Kutner; Leigh, Spencer (2010). 1,000 UK Number One Hits. London: Music Sales. p. 324. ISBN   9780857123602. OCLC   978493833.
  10. ↑ "Big Hits: TOTP 1964 to 1975". Top of the Pops. 2011-04-01. 69 minutes in. BBC. BBC Four. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
  11. ↑ Prato, Greg (2021-09-23). "Donny Osmond: Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  12. ↑ The Osmonds, "Crazy Horses" Belgian Chart Position Retrieved February 21, 2015
  13. ↑ "RPM Volume 18 No. 16, December 02 1972". Archived from the original on 1 September 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  14. ↑ "The Osmonds – Crazy Horses" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  15. ↑ "InfoDisc : Tout les Titres N° 1 des 70's". Archived from the original on 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  16. ↑ "irishcharts.ie search results". Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  17. ↑ "The Osmonds - Crazy Horses - hitparade.ch" (in German). Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  18. ↑ "Donny Osmond". Ink19.com. Retrieved 13 December 2002.
  19. ↑ "Pere Ubu Trouble on Big Beat Street".
  20. ↑ "Legendary Punk Band The Dictators Debut New Video for "Crazy Horses"". 30 June 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.