Bazzi's just released his latest single, Crazy, and it's a poignant look at the state of the world currently. 2020 has been a historical year, and Bazzi is trying to make sense of it all through his music.
Speaking to Vman about the track, Bazzi says he wanted to "make a song that mirrored the way I thnk the world feels". He's used the time spent in self-isolation to continue to write music, and it's cathartic for him to be able to put what he's feeling into music.
Crazy is a short jolt of energy, with a beat that makes you want to move. Bazzi's feeling his way through the world, and his playful vocals hide some very important questions - when did everything get turned upside down?
To celebrate the release of the single, we've taken a look at some of our favourite tracks with Crazy in the title, and what makes them so great.
Britney Spears - (You Drive Me) Crazy
Britney Spears' (You Drive Me) Crazy is off her debut album ...Baby One More Time, and is one of the reasons she's considered one of the best popstars of all time. It's similar to the other singles from her debut album, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
(You Drive Me) Crazy is a great reminder of just how much star power Britney had at the time of the release of her debut album. There's a lot of the current generation of popstars that have taken influence from Britney, from vocals to choreography, and it's pretty clear to see why. Put on (You Drive Me) Crazy at a party in the near future, and you'll definitely start a singalong.
Beyoncé (feat Jay-Z) - Crazy In Love
Crazy In Love is one of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's collaborations, and it helped to launch her solo career. It was voted NME's track of the decade back in 2009, and if you can find a more memorable pop song from that decade, we'd love to hear it.
Bey's vocals on the track are undoubtedly the star, but every element works together - from the horns to the drums and everything in between. Once you hear Jay-Z's intro, you know exactly what song you're listening to, and it's four minutes of pure pop goodness.
Future - Codeine Crazy
It only recently made its way to streaming services, but Codeine Crazy helped to redefine Future as a musician. Coming off his mixtape Monster, it's a moment of lucidity in what is a mixtape full of rage and denial, and is Future at his very, very best.
In many ways, there's no Mask Off without Codeine Crazy, because up until this point, Future had squandered a lot of the potential trap fans thought he had. Monster, and Codeine Crazy in particular, saw him return to his roots, a move that would hold him in good stead going forward.
It's close to six minutes of some of the very best trap music you're likely to hear, and it's a shame it took so long for it to be available to a wider audience - but if you're a Future fan, have a listen to what got him back on track.
Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Queen's Crazy Little Thing Called Love is one of their most enduring tracks, but it was also one of their easiest to write. Speaking about the track to Melody Maker back in 1981, lead singer Freddie Mercury said it came together in a matter of minutes.
“'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' took me five or 10 minutes," Freddie said. "I did that on the guitar, which I can’t play for nuts, and in one way it was quite a good thing, because I was restricted, knowing only a few chords."
The band described it as a tribute to Elvis Presley, and the rock sounds of the 50s. It became the band's first No.1 single in the US, and remains one of the best songs the band ever released - sometimes, inspiration strikes at the perfect moment.
Nothing But Thieves - Is Everybody Going Crazy?
Is Everybody Going Crazy? was the first track we heard from Nothing But Thieves since 2018, and feels like a very apt question given the current state of the world. It's full of swagger and sass, with a poppy hook that is reminiscent of the best of Britpop.
Speaking about the track, the band says, “There is a quiet sadness about the verses. The character in the song doesn’t understand the world around themselves or relate to the people in it. What they once thought were the principles or morals they were meant to follow no longer seem to apply. Others seem to revel in the lunacy." In 2020, the rules seem to have changed - and Nothing But Thieves are trying their best to make sense of it.
Madonna - Crazy For You
Crazy For You started out as a track that Madonna recorded for the 1985 film Vision Quest, but soon took on a life of its own. It was a showcase of Madonna's vocal ability - and she recorded all the vocals in a single take.
Up until the release of Crazy For You, fans were expecting each of her releases to be upbeat dance songs. However, the narrative changed once Crazy For You came out, because it was a ballad that stretched Madonna to her limits - and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance along the way.
Bebe Rexha - I'm Gonna Show You Crazy
Bebe Rexha's I'm Gonna Show You Crazy is a look at how hard it is to maintain a perfect image, and why it's important to be yourself. If you're wanting to truly be happy, then coming to terms with what makes you you is the best thing you can do.
It comes off her debut EP I Don't Wanna Grow Up, released back in 2015, and was one of the reasons fans thought she had star potential - which she's more than lived up to. The music video is just as impressive as the song, and you'll walk away from the song with a renewed feeling of self-acceptance.
