The Philosophy of Modeern Song: Eccentricity is ok – live it, enjoy it

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by Tony Attwood

In this series, I am looking at the songs Bob selected for his book “The Philosophy of Modern Song”, rather than at his interpretation of the songs in the book – although here I think it is easy to see why Bob chose this piece.

I’ve Always Been Crazy” was written and recorded by Waylon Jennings and released in 1978, along with the album of the same name.  It was a number one hit on the country music chart 

One of the things that (as a musician) horrifies me is that a single version of the song was released without the instrumental break.   I know why the record companies did this (to accommodate the wishes of DJs and advertisers) but for me, the music created by the composer and performers IS the music – and not to be messed around with.  I would imagine Bob thinks this way too – hence, he has never compromised on the lengths of his songs.

I’m also currently reading a pre-released edition of “Bob Dylan Things Have Changed” by Ron Rosenbaum, and will be reviewing that here shortly, and I think from reading that it is quite possible to see why Bob would immediately be drawn to any song with this title.  Although I think in terms of real life (as opposed to song lyrics) I would want to argue that the word “crazy” should be replaced by “highly eccentric” – although that has problems with the scan of the lines.

But the point is that to be an artist in today’s society, no matter what the art form, you have to be eccentric.  You have to live your art and love your art, because although Bob and a few others have made as much money as they could ever spend, for most artists this is not the case.   They have the visions that they want to express, but the need to earn enough money to live on, is always there as well, interfering with the amount of time they can spend on their art.

And so in this case, reading that book, thinking about Bob’s various changes of direction in his music and philosophy of life, and now by chance listening to this song, I think I can at once see why Bob empathised with the opening….

I've always been crazy and the trouble that it's put me throughBeen busted for things that I did and I didn't doI can't say I'm proud of all of the things that I've doneBut I can say I've never intentionally hurt anyone

I've always been different with one foot over the lineWinding up somewhere one step ahead or behindIt ain't been so easy but I guess I shouldn't complainI've always been crazy but it's kept me from going insane

At the same time there is also a real bounce and a load of real fun in this music; as a song, it really works.  Listening to it immediately makes me feel good, especially at the moment when my latest medical reports aren’t so good (although I am getting on a bit, so that is to be expected).   In fact the opening of this track reminds me in some way of “Tangled up in Blue”  which Bob played on stage over one thousand six hundred times   I’ll come back to that in a moment.

What does become so noticeable is the very heavy accent of the bass drum in Waylon Jennings piece.   And that, for me, really works.   It is a song based on the standard three chords of so many rock and pop songs, but that works perfectly here.

Just listen to the energy within the song, and at the same time hear the message that says eccentricity is ok, you can be what you like.  And that message is, for me (and I guess for Bob given he chose this song) exactly the message I want to hear.

Beautiful lady, are you sure that you understandThe chances your taking loving a free living manAre you really sure, you really want what you seeBe careful of something that's just what you want it to be

I've always been crazy but it's kept me from going insaneNobody knows if it's something to bless or to blameSo far I ain't found a rhyme or a reason to changeI've always been crazy but it's kept me from going insane

Of course this is not the same song as “Tangled up in blue” in any way, but somehow the message seems to me to be the same.   Different artists and different musical styles of course but still, yes, there is something about the life and the music….

 

The Philosophy of Modern Song

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