Shortly before his father's death in a 1973 plane crash, Croce's family moved west to San Diego, California, where his mother, Ingrid, raised him.
At the age of four, Croce was completely blinded, as the result of a brain tumor. Between the ages of four and ten, Croce gradually regained vision in his left eye. It was during this difficult time in Croce's life that he began to play the piano. "I learned to play music by listening and playing along to the radio and to records..." Croce says, "At some point I was given the music of Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder as inspiration, which it was, and has been ever since."
Croce's first paying gig was at the age of 12, when he was paid $20 to perform at a Bat-Mitzvah party. By the age of 16, Croce was performing regularly at San Diego nightclubs, as a sideman and band leader. Croce reflects, "I was into every kind of music... you might say I was unfocused, but I consider an eclectic taste in music to be the foundation of versatility." Croce's house burned down when he was age 15.
Ron Goldstein and Peter Bauman of Private Music signed Croce to his first record deal at age 19. He recorded two CDs for Private Music: his self-titled debut, "A.J. Croce," produced by T-Bone Burnett and John Simon, and "That's Me In The Bar," produced by Jim Keltner, and featuring artists such as Ry Cooder, David Hidalgo, and Keltner himself.
Croce's third release, "Fit To Serve," was recorded in Memphis, and produced by Jim Gaines, who had previously produced Van Morrison, Santana, and The Steve Miller Band. Croce then took a musical turn with the release of his album Transit. He explained, "I had been playing blues-based music for a long time, and I was ready to try something new." Transit was compared by critics to the work of John Lennon, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, and Van Morrison. Glen Starkey of New Times labeled Croce "a song crafter of the first order."
A fifth CD, titled "Adrian James Croce" was released in the summer of 2004, and a sixth CD, Cantos, in 2006.
Croce has performed as an opening act for artists such as Carlos Santana, Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, James Brown, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Earth, Wind and Fire and Ray Charles. He has also performed on such national venues as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Austin City Limits.
Hung Up
A.J. Croce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
How come do governments attack?
How come you won't call me back?
How come the dollar's king?
How come it?s everything?
How come the phone won't ring?
How come there's so much crime?
How come you never try
you've got my number, you know just what to do
You've got the answer too
I tried and tried but I never make it through
I'm just hung up on you
How come God lost control?
How come the human soul?
How come a line won't toll?
How come the funeral pyre?
How come the forest fire?
How come you never wire?
How come is man so vile?
How can he reconcile?
How come you just won't dial?
you've got my number, you know just what to do
You've got the answer too
I tried and tried but I never make it through
I'm just hung up on you, I'm just hung up on you
Oh, let your fingers do the walking
I?ll listen close to what you say
I've got a mind to speak but you can do the talking
I know you want to anyway
you've got my number, you know just what to do
You've got the answer too
I tried and tried but I never make it through
I'm just hung up on you, I'm just hung up on you
I'm just hung up on, up on, up on you
The lyrics to A.J. Croce's "Hung Up" seem to express frustration and confusion about the state of the world and personal relationships. The song asks a series of questions about various issues such as politics, the economy, and society, but they all seem to be connected by a common theme of feeling disconnected and hung up on someone or something.
The first verse mentions the way the world is off track and how governments seem to be attacking instead of helping. The last line of the verse asks why someone won't call back, perhaps implying a personal relationship issue. The second verse continues with a discussion of money, crime, and lack of effort in personal relationships. The chorus repeats the line "you've got my number, you know just what to do," suggesting that the singer is waiting for someone else to take action or reach out.
The second half of the song asks even more questions, including about religion, nature, and human morality. The bridge provides a possible solution, with the singer offering to listen to what the other person has to say and allowing them to take control of the conversation.
Overall, the song seems to express a mix of anger and resignation, with the singer feeling overwhelmed and stuck but still hoping for some kind of resolution or connection.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adrian Croce
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Craane
How come this guy has no 3 million views? One of the best singers i ever heard...
tremkl
Just discovering you and your career. Really blown away by your range. Every song I listen to sounds like it’s from a completely different artist, but they’re all excellent.
house☆cat
Great song & great music, love it!💯
Larry Pellegrino
GREAT SONG, AJ!!! I LOVE IT!
Kathy Tweedy
I just saw him in person. He is great. And what a genius on the piano.
Jeanette Fina
How incredible that he is performing in Tokyo! He is an amazing artist and an equally amazing person.
cuttinupthecarpet
love AJ . very talented musician
mditt7
love your gift AJ. love your soul
Jo Popowick
Great song AJ
桜木莉々
好きな曲です。