She is the daughte… Read Full Bio ↴Alice Russell (b. 1975) is a British soul singer.
She is the daughter of an organist, and grew up in Framlingham in Suffolk. At the age of nine, following in her father's and sisters' musical footsteps, Russell began taking lessons on cello, and sang in choirs, before studying art and music in Brighton from 1994.
As well as the classical influences of her father, and formal music lessons, Russell listened to gospel music and soul artists such as Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin from an early age, which played a big part in the shaping of her style. Other artists such as Minnie Ripperton, Eva Cassidy, Chaka Khan, and Jill Scott are listed by Russell as influences.
She began making a name for herself in the early 2000s, contributing to recordings by Bah Samba, Quantic, TM Juke, Kushti and Nostalgia 77. Her work with Bah Samba sees Russell fusing Latin sounds with tinges of house, jazz and funk, whereas her material with the band Kushti involved a more laid back, hip-hop and soul inspired sound. Her debut album, Under the Munka Moon (2004), was an amalgamation of various singles, remixes, and collaborations.
It was followed by My Favourite Letters in 2005, her debut studio album, created in collaboration with co-writer, producer, and guitarist Alex Cowan (a.k.a. TM Juke). Her third release, Under the Munka Moon II (2006), compiled her most recent collaborations, remixes, and cover versions, including her popular interpretation of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army. The Alice Russell – Live in Paris DVD also came out in 2006.
Russell and TM Juke have been touring together since 2006 in the U.K, Europe, Australia, the U.S., and other countries. In summer 2006, Grant Marshall (a.k.a. Daddy G of Massive Attack) asked Russell to play the main stage at The Big Chill music festival. Russell has also supported Lonnie Liston Smith, Femi Kuti and De La Soul, and has appeared on the bill with Amy Winehouse for the British showcase at the Midem Music Conference in Cannes 2007.
Crazy
Alice Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that place
Even your emotions have an echo in so much space
And when you're out there without care
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly
And I hope that you are
Having the time of your life
But think twice
That's my only advice
Come on now, who do you
Who do you, who do you, who do you think you are?
Ha ha ha, bless your soul
You really think you're in control?
Well, I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
Just like me
My heroes had the heart
To lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember
Is thinking, I want to be like them
Ever since I was little
Ever since I was little
It looked like fun
And it's no coincidence I've come
And I can die when I'm done
But maybe I'm crazy
Maybe you're crazy
Maybe we're crazy
Probably
The lyrics to Alice Russell's "Crazy" tell a story about a person who is reflecting on their past experiences and how they may have seemed to others. The initial lines of the song reminisce on a time when they felt detached from reality and in a state of madness. The singer even goes on to describe the comfort that they found in this state, as something was "pleasant about that place". The line, "Even your emotions have an echo," implies that the character was not just feeling crazy, but also feeling a strong emotional intensity that resonated with them.
The chorus of the song poses the question, "Does that make me crazy?" and offers the answer, "Possibly". The character then switches to second person addressing an unnamed "you" and urges them to reconsider their choices, implying that perhaps they too are experiencing some similar madness. The line "come on now, who do you think you are?" suggests that this person needs to reexamine their sense of control over their life.
The second verse contrasts the story of the singer with their heroes who were fearless and unafraid to take risks. The last line of the song, "Probably," leaves the question of whether or not the singer is truly crazy or if it's all just a matter of perception. Taken together, the song explores the complexities of mental health and how it can be perceived as both frightening and liberating.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember when, I remember
I recall a specific moment
I remember when I lost my mind
I remember a time when I felt insane
There was something so pleasant about that place
That place had a comfortable familiarity
Even your emotions have an echo in so much space
The impact of your feelings spreads far and wide
And when you're out there without care
When you're carefree and reckless
Yeah, I was out of touch
I was disconnected, not in the know
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
It wasn't a lack of knowledge
I just knew too much
It was an excess of knowledge
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me appear disturbed?
Does that make me crazy?
Could my behavior be perceived as irrational?
Does that make me crazy?
Do my actions suggest instability?
Possibly
Perhaps
And I hope that you are
I wish for your happiness
Having the time of your life
Enjoying your existence to the fullest
But think twice
Consider the consequences
That's my only advice
That's all the guidance I can provide
Come on now, who do you
Seriously, who do you think you are?
Who do you, who do you, who do you think you are?
Repeating the previous question for emphasis
Ha ha ha, bless your soul
Sarcastic laughter, acknowledging naivete
You really think you're in control?
Do you honestly believe you have authority?
Well, I think you're crazy
In my opinion, you're unhinged
I think you're crazy
I believe you're irrational
I think you're crazy
I feel you exhibit signs of instability
Just like me
As do I
My heroes had the heart
My role models were courageous
To lose their lives out on a limb
They risked everything in pursuit of their dreams
And all I remember
What sticks with me most is
Is thinking, I want to be like them
I aspire to emulate them
Ever since I was little
Since I was a child
It looked like fun
It appeared enjoyable
And it's no coincidence I've come
It's not a fluke that I'm here
And I can die when I'm done
I am willing to give my all
But maybe I'm crazy
Perhaps I'm unstable
Maybe you're crazy
Perhaps you're irrational
Maybe we're crazy
Perhaps we both exhibit signs of instability
Probably
Most likely
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew James Cooper, Obrie III Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brijit Reed
I just don't understand why artists of this caliber aren't the ones who are winning Grammys. She's outstanding!
John VW
+Brijit Reed besides talent, the music biz is people, connections, blood, marketing, bullshit, deals, sweat, promoters, music companies, tears, luck, timing, personal issues, etc
Brijit Reed
+John VW I know. I live in LA and a lot of my friends are musicians. There's still no valid explanation for why someone like Beyonce is a huge star and Alice Russell is unknown.
Professor Firefly
+Brijit Reed so true...too many good artists and groups out there that need to be discovered...
Brijit Reed
Big Money decides who gets to be famous and who doesn't-- which means real talent rarely matters anymore. Got a "look"? Got Autotune? Savvy at social networking? Can you get millions of brainless followers? Here's your record deal! Just sign right here... (Lightning strikes in the distance as the Devil hands you a pen, licking his lips in anticipation... )
koolkatkimina
To be fair Beyonce can actually sing and she is a fantastic performer as well as being a very attractive woman. I don't think she's that overrated... Britney Spears and Rihanna however... Britney can perform but she can't sing and doesn't get invovled with songwriting so much.. Rihanna is a bit better at singing now but she's still pretty average and not an exceptional performer.
diverdave3
This woman has an amazing voice, why isn't she in the charts, she is better by miles than a lot of the female singers today.
Robert Stephenson
This is a helluva a song, but... as to why she's not so famous, well, there's Lizzo, St Vincent, Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Wet Leg, etc.
frankiecrocker
My God, she's giving me goosebumps. 😍
Thom Fitzberger
Just heard this for the first time and I can only say WOW
A voice like that rips a hole in your soul and lets the music flood in