In 2004, Dennen released his first self-titled album, Brett Dennen. His second album was So Much More, which includes the singles "Ain't No Reason", "She's Mine", and "Darlin' Do Not Fear". A few songs charted as iTunes top downloads in the days following the album's release in November 2006. [1] Dennen also contributed a cover of "Private Life" to the 2006 tribute album Drink To Bones That Turn To Dust: A Toast To Oingo Boingo.
Dennen's music has been featured in several television shows, including"Roadtrip Nation" on PBS, Grey's Anatomy, the House episode "Family", The Unit episode "Freefall", and the Scrubs episode "My No Good Reason". In addition to television series, Dennen's music has also been used in national advertising campaigns for companies such as Hilton Hotels.
He has toured extensively across the U.S. with his band (including drummer Randy Schwartz), supporting such musicians as John Mayer and guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela. As of fall 2007, he is currently touring with Guster and singer-songwriters Meiko and Joshua James.
Dennen has been a part of The Mosaic Project, San Francisco Bay Area based nonprofit, since its inception. The Mosaic Project works towards a peaceful future by uniting young children of diverse backgrounds, providing them with essential skills to thrive in an increasingly diverse society, and empowering them to strive for peace. As The Mosaic Project's Resident Rock Star, Dennen created an original musical curriculum for the program, which they released as an album called Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World, in 2003. It won a Children's Music Web 2004 Award and a Parent's Choice 2004 Approved Award.
In November, 2007, Dennen was named as one of Rolling Stone Magazine's "10 Artists To Watch."
Discography
* Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World (2003)
* Brett Dennen (2004)
* So Much More (2006)
* Hope for the Hopeless (2008)
Make You Crazy
Brett Dennen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Free yourself, to see yourself
When all around you there are lies just to get you
Spies just to get you, to buy so they can get you?
There are cameras in the sky, lasers in our living rooms
There are wolves watching wearing sheep's costumes
It's enough to make you mad
It's enough to make you go crazy (whoa)
And I'm amazed I haven't yet
Isn't it a shame the way we cheat each other
Treat each other, beat each other?
It's a shame the way we use one other, abuse one another
And screw one another, it's true
They will lock you up in prison but they won't call it slavery
There are stolen children raised and trained in armies
It's enough to make you go crazy (whoa)
It's enough to make you mad
It's enough to make you go crazy (whoa)
And I'm amazed I haven't yet
Don't hesitate to speak your mind (speak your mind)
Never hesitate to speak your heart (speak your heart)
They'll call you crazy when you speak your mind (when you speak your mind)
So never, never hesitate (never hesitate)
'Cause it's enough to make you go crazy (whoa)
It's enough to make you mad
It's enough to make you go crazy (whoa)
And I'm amazed I haven't yet
Na sol them go lock you for prison?
Na sol them go beat you for prison?
Them no go call am slavery?
Na him them make me vex?
Na sol them go lock you for prison?
Na sol them go beat you for prison?
Na him they make me vex?
Na him they make me craze?
It's enough to make you go crazy (whoa)
It's enough to make you mad
It's enough to make you go crazy (whoa)
And I'd be crazy not to care
Brett Dennen's song Make You Crazy portrays the challenges of being oneself in a world where people become puppets to societal norms and expectations. In the first verse, Dennen points out the lies and spies that surround us, waiting for an opportunity to control us through consumerism. He further sings about the pervasive presence of modern-day technology like cameras and lasers that jeopardize our privacy. The wolves in sheep's clothing metaphor refers to people who could deceive us and harm us behind their facade.
In the second verse, Dennen highlights how in a world filled with cheating, beating, and abusing each other, we can become prisoners to societal norms. Dennen posits that slavery is still prevalent in some forms, but people have turned a blind eye to this. Children who are stolen or kidnapped and trained in armies are another example of how people are manipulated for nefarious purposes.
The chorus, sang with a whoa whoa tone, underscores that the intensity of society's negative influence over our thoughts and actions can lead to madness. However, Dennen suggests that speaking our mind and heart without hesitation and standing up for what is right can help overcome these challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
You know it's hard to be yourself
It's difficult to stay true to yourself
Free yourself, to see yourself
Become free and enlightened
When all around you there are lies just to get you
People will lie to deceive you
Spies just to get you, to buy so they can get you?
People will spy on you and deceive you to make money
There are cameras in the sky, lasers in our living rooms
Surveillance is everywhere
There are wolves watching wearing sheep's costumes
People are not always who they appear to be
It's enough to make you go crazy (whoa)
It's overwhelming and could drive you insane
It's enough to make you mad
It could make you angry
Isn't it a shame the way we cheat each other
It's shameful how we deceive each other
Treat each other, beat each other?
People will mistreat and abuse each other
It's a shame the way we use one other, abuse one another
People will exploit and harm each other
And screw one another, it's true
People will take advantage of each other
They will lock you up in prison but they won't call it slavery
People will imprison you without just cause
There are stolen children raised and trained in armies
Children are abducted and forced to serve in armies
Don't hesitate to speak your mind (speak your mind)
Speak your thoughts openly
Never hesitate to speak your heart (speak your heart)
Speak your feelings honestly
They'll call you crazy when you speak your mind (when you speak your mind)
People will label you as insane for speaking your thoughts
So never, never hesitate (never hesitate)
Always speak out, no matter the consequences
And I'd be crazy not to care
I would be insane if I didn't care about these issues
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Brett Dennen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
•*LaurenOlivia*•
I heard this song when it first came out and haven’t heard it since!!! Memory unlocked !!! Thank you
jburrd67
Brett, I've been listening to you for years now (since I first saw or heard you back in '07 or '08) and I'm 50yrs young!
I cannot believe you are not better known and more widely recognized & appreciated. You have a brilliant list of wonderfully written songs and I think I have them all! Rhanks for you gift of music and keep it up! 🎶💛🎶
Mixey
Some amazing classic songs bring back some unforgettable memories
Sounds crazy
debb17055
It's been one of my favorites for a while now. I recorded the show "Castle" last week and it played towards the end of the show. It tied in nicely with the storyline, and the next song played was by Joshua Radin! Hello, what's not to like here? You've got Nathan Fillion, good story line, and great tunes to boot.
magiclover19
This music is so nice sounding. It goes with the flow. I can actually relax.
santamara
Awesome song! Amazing talent! I love him!!
Krisztina Csiki
fantastic song, ever since I've heard it it always make me smile- so GOOD. I read in the comments that people are complaining about Brett's looks? whoah. messed up generation grown up on supermodels and fake beauty. I love his looks, he looks like a pixie. amazing. :)
Danielle Van Lopik
Love this song!
Peter Vasta
Brett has such a cooool voice! this song is amazing
ambervisions
Love this song! Great to see a local artist doing so well!