When Naomi Judd found herself pregnant, she quickly got married but not to the father of her first child, daughter Christina Ciminella. Christina, born May 30, 1964, became known as Wynonna Judd when the mother-daughter duo stormed the country charts in the 1980s.
After Naomi Judd divorced, she moved from Hollywood, back to Morrill, Ky., with Wynonna and another daughter Ashley. There, she worked as a nurse in a local infirmary. Outside working and school hours, she and the children would sing anything from bluegrass to showbiz standards for their own amusement. However, when Wynonna nurtured aspirations to be a professional entertainer, her mother lent her encouragement, to the extent of moving the family to Nashville in 1979. Naomi's contralto subtly underlined Wynonna's tuneful drawl.
In addition to many performances on Ralph Emery's morning television show, Naomi elicited an audition for RCA Records while tending a hospitalized relation of label producer Brent Maher. With a past that read like a Judith Krantz novel, the Judds -- so the executives considered -- would have more than an even chance in the country market. An exploratory mini-album, which contained proved the executives correct. The single "Had a Dream (From the Heart)" peaked at No. 17 in 1984. Later that year, the Judds scored their first of 14 No. 1 hits with "Mama He's Crazy."
Self-composed songs included Naomi's 1989 composition "Change of Heart," dedicated to her future second husband (and former Elvis Presley backing vocalist) Larry Strickland. Meanwhile, Maher co-wrote hits such as 1985's Grammy-winning "Why Not Me," "Turn It Loose," "Girls Night Out," "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Ol' Days)" and "Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain."
Most Judds records exhibited an acoustic bias and a penchant for star guests that included the Jordanaires on "Don't Be Cruel," Emmylou Harris on "The Sweetest Gift," Mark Knopfler on his "Water of Love" and Bonnie Raitt playing slide guitar on the album Love Can Build a Bridge. In 1988, the pair became the first female country act to found their own booking agency (Pro-Tours), but a chronic hepatitis infection forced Naomi to retire from the concert stage two years later.
The Judds toured America in a series of farewell concerts before Wynonna began her solo career. Wynonna got off to a strong start, as her first two singles both went to #1. Her 1994 single "Girls With Guitars" featured Naomi (as well as Lyle Lovett) on backup vocals.
In 1998, The Judds appeared in a commercial for the retail chain Kmart, singing Wynonna's single "Woman To Woman".
In 1999, Wynonna reunited with her mother for a New Year's Eve concert in Phoenix. The following year, the duo recorded four new tracks for a bonus disc issued with Wynonna's album New Day Dawning, and undertook a multi-city tour. The results were issued as the album Reunion Live. A 2004 single, "Flies On The Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)" was recorded with Naomi; however, the single was credited as "Wynonna with Naomi Judd" instead of "The Judds".
Mama He's Crazy
The Judds Lyrics
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Like you said would come along
He's a sight and so unlike
Any man I've known
I was afraid to let him in
'Cause I'm not the trustin' kind
But now I'm convinced that he's heaven sent
And must be out of his mind
Mama, he's crazy, crazy over me
And in my life is where he says
He always wants to be
I've never been so in love
He beats all I've ever seen
And mama, he's crazy, he's crazy over me
And mama, you've always said
You better look before you leap
But maybe so, but here I go
Lettin' my heart lead me
He thinks I hung the moon and stars
I think he's a livin' dream
Well, there are men, but ones like him
Are few and far between
Mama, he's crazy, crazy over me
And in my life is where he says
He always wants to be
I've never been so in love
He beats all I've ever seen
Mama, he's crazy, he's crazy over me
Oh mama, he's crazy, he's crazy over me
The Judds’ song ‘Mama He’s Crazy’ tells the story of a woman who has found a man whom she believes is heaven sent, despite her initial trust issues. She is overwhelmed by the depth of his love for her and cannot believe that he would want to be with her forever. She describes him as being crazy over her, hence the title of the song. The woman’s mother is someone whom she has always looked up to for guidance, but in this instance, she is taking a leap of faith and following her heart. The lyrics also touch on the fact that men like her new partner are few and far between, indicating that he is a special find.
It is interesting to note that the song was co-written by Kenny O’Dell and Bob Morrison. It was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the United States and was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The Judds’ harmonies are particularly beautiful in this song and their vocals are exceptional.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama, I found someone
I have met someone who I am interested in.
Like you said would come along
This person is who my mother had predicted would come into my life.
He's a sight and so unlike
He stands out and is different in comparison to other men.
Any man I've known
He is unlike any other man I have met in the past.
I was afraid to let him in
I was hesitant to open up to him.
'Cause I'm not the trustin' kind
I am not someone who easily trusts others.
But now I'm convinced that he's heaven sent
I now believe that he must have been sent by a higher power.
And must be out of his mind
He must be crazy to want to be with me.
Mama, he's crazy, crazy over me
He is so infatuated with me that it is almost unbelievable.
And in my life is where he says
He has expressed that he wants to be a part of my life.
He always wants to be
He wants to remain present in my life indefinitely.
I've never been so in love
I have never experienced such intense feelings of love before.
He beats all I've ever seen
He surpasses all past experiences I have had with love.
And mama, you've always said
My mother has always advised me.
You better look before you leap
I should carefully consider my actions before making a decision.
But maybe so, but here I go
I acknowledge my mother's advice but still choose to follow my heart.
Lettin' my heart lead me
I am allowing my feelings to guide my decision-making.
He thinks I hung the moon and stars
He has an extremely high opinion of me and thinks I am amazing.
I think he's a livin' dream
I have an extremely high opinion of him and think he is wonderful.
Well, there are men, but ones like him
There are other men, but he is unique.
Are few and far between
It is rare to come across someone like him.
Oh mama, he's crazy, he's crazy over me
I cannot believe that someone could be so smitten with me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kenny O'dell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind