Born James Alan Hull in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne on 20th February1945, he became a member of the band The Chosen Few alongside keyboard player Mick Gallagher in 1962. He supported himself one year by working as a nurse at a mental hospital while appearing as a folk singer and guitarist in local clubs before helping to form Brethren and Downtown Faction, which evolved into Lindisfarne in 1970. He also released a one-off solo single, "We Can Swing Together", which was re-recorded with the group on their first album, Nicely Out of Tune, and became a regular favourite in their stage performances.
As the group's most prolific songwriter and joint lead vocalist, Hull came to be regarded as its leader. In 1972, dissatisfied with the sound and critical reception of their third album Dingly Dell, he considered leaving the group, but instead he and joint lead vocalist Ray "Jacka" Jackson formed a new six-piece Lindisfarne the following year, leaving the three other original members to form Jack the Lad. He also released a first solo album, Pipedream, in the same year, and published a book of poems, Mocking Horse.
Lindisfarne disbanded in 1975, and Hull released a second solo album, Squire, then formed the short-lived Radiator, which also included drummer Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne and Jack the Lad. At the end of 1977 the original line-up of Lindisfarne reformed after a well-received Christmas show at the Newcastle City Hall which was broadcast on local radio. Thereafter he combined his musical career as front man of the group with a solo career. He was also a staunch Labour Party activist.
In 1994, he recorded Back to Basics, a live all-acoustic survey of the best of his songwriting from 1970 onwards. On 17th November 1995 whilst working on a new album, Statues & Liberties, Hull died suddenly of a heart thrombosis, at the age of fifty.
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Alan Hull Lyrics
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Wonder what's going down in your crazy head
If I ever get to tell you the things I've had to have
But when I get to hell, you'll be right there by my side.
You took my brains and your sister might ....... told them
You took my wings, throw away while you wore them
Even had to ...... to have my children you bore them for me
It makes me love you the more each day
Makes me want to to stay
Crazy woman and I'm crazy too
Crazy over you.
We've got our differences, Lord, I know that's true
There's no one else on earth, .................
Some say you're crazy, other's disagree
But in my crazy head, you are the only one for me.
I want to love you the more each day
I really want you to stay
Crazy woman and I'm crazy too
Oh, crazy over you.
Crazy woman and I'm crazy too
Oh, crazy over you.
Crazy woman and I'm crazy too
Crazy over you.
The song "Crazy Woman" by Alan Hull is a love song that explores the complexities of a relationship between two people who are both a little bit crazy. The song starts by describing the woman as someone who spends all day in bed and wonders what's going on in her head. The singer admits that he has had to endure some difficult things in the relationship, but despite it all, he loves her more each day. He even suggests that if he ever goes to hell, she'll be right there with him.
The second verse describes how the woman has taken things from the singer, including his brains and his wings, but he loves her anyway. He acknowledges that she had to suffer to bear his children, but he still wonders what their relationship is really based on. Despite their differences, he believes that they are meant to be together and that she is the only one for him.
The chorus repeats the phrase "crazy woman and I'm crazy too, crazy over you" several times, emphasizing the intensity of their love and their shared sense of madness.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the power of love and the way it can transcend all obstacles, including mental illness and other challenges. It celebrates the idea that sometimes the things that make us different are what make us perfect for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Crazy woman, lying all day in bed
Addressing a woman who seemingly spends all day in bed due to mental instability or depression
Wonder what's going down in your crazy head
Curious about the thoughts and emotions that may be consuming the woman's mind
If I ever get to tell you the things I've had to have
Expressing a desire to share personal experiences with the woman in the future
But when I get to hell, you'll be right there by my side.
A playful and somewhat ominous reference to the intense connection between the two
You took my brains and your sister might ....... told them
Sarcastic comment about the woman taking away his intelligence and using it against him
You took my wings, throw away while you wore them
Metaphor for the woman taking away his ability to fly, or achieve his goals and aspirations, while she excelled
Even had to ...... to have my children you bore them for me
Suggesting that the woman bore his children while he did not contribute as much toward raising them
Now what can it be ?
Questioning the woman's motives and actions
It makes me love you the more each day
Despite their differences, he grows more and more infatuated with the woman
Makes me want to to stay
Desire to continue their relationship and not give up on one another
We've got our differences, Lord, I know that's true
Acknowledging that they have conflicting personalities and beliefs
There's no one else on earth, ..................
Asserting that despite their disagreements, he could not imagine loving anyone else as much as he loves this woman
Some say you're crazy, other's disagree
Commenting on the woman's polarizing reputation and how some people see her as mental unstable while others do not
But in my crazy head, you are the only one for me.
Underscoring his intense love and devotion to the woman
I want to love you the more each day
An earnest desire to continue growing closer to the woman
I really want you to stay
Not wanting their relationship to end or fall apart
Crazy woman and I'm crazy too
Reaffirming the pair's shared emotional and mental instability
Oh, crazy over you.
Emphasizing how intensely in love he is with the woman
Contributed by Claire A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.