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Crazy Mama
J.J. Cale feat. Leon Russell Lyrics


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Crazy mama, where you been so long?
Crazy mama, where you been so long?
You've been hiding out, I know that's true
Crazy mama, I sure need you
Crazy mama, where you been so long?

Standing on the corner, looking for you, babe
Standing on the corner, looking for you, babe
Lord have mercy, can I see,
that crazy mama coming back to me?
Crazy mama, where you been so long?

Overall Meaning

The song Crazy Mama by J.J. Cale is about a man who is desperately searching for his lover who has been away for a long time. He seems to be missing her terribly and cannot fathom where she could have gone. The repetition of the line 'Crazy mama, where you been so long?' emphasizes the sense of longing and despair that the man feels. He knows that she has been hiding out somewhere, but he cannot determine the reason behind her absence. He makes it clear that he needs her and that she is the only one who can bring him happiness.


The second verse of the song has the singer standing on the corner, awaiting the return of his 'crazy mama'. He seems to be pleading to a higher power, saying 'Lord have mercy, can I see, that crazy mama coming back to me?'. This line brings a sense of vulnerability to the singer, suggesting that he is willing to do whatever it takes to bring his lover back to him.


Overall, the song Crazy Mama is an emotional plea for the return of a loved one. The repetition of the title line and the singer's desperation highlights the power of love and how it can consume and control us.


Line by Line Meaning

Crazy mama, where you been so long?
Asking an emotionally distant partner where they've been


Crazy mama, where you been so long?
Reiterating the previous question to emphasize the absence


You've been hiding out, I know that's true
Accusing the partner of purposely avoiding the singer


Crazy mama, I sure need you
Expressing the importance and dependency on the partner


Standing on the corner, looking for you, babe
Actively searching for the partner in public places


Standing on the corner, looking for you, babe
Repeating the previous line to reiterate the search


Lord have mercy, can I see,
Expressing desperation and imploring for divine intervention


that crazy mama coming back to me?
Hoping for the partner's return despite their actions


Crazy mama, where you been so long?
Concluding the song with a repetition of the first two lines for emphasis




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN J CALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@jesuspv

1979 - JJ CALE & Leon Russell Live at the Paradise Studios, LA
01 - T-Bone Shuffle 0:01
02 - Nowhere To Run 1:22
03 - Cocaine 4:45
04 - Ten Easy Lessons 7:50
05 - Sensitive Kind 12:58
06 - Hands Off Her 16:33
07 - Lou-Easy-Ann 20:14
08 - Going Down 23:04
09 - Corine Corina 28:18
10 - Roll On 32:11
11 - No Sweat 35:38
12 - Crazy Mama 39:30
13 - Fate Of A Fool 42:45
14 - Boilin' Pot 45:51
15 - After Midnight 49:30
16 - T-Bone Shuffle 53:45
17 - T-Bone Backwards 57:54
18 - I got the Same Old Blues 1:01:30
19 - Don't Cry Sister 1:04:30
20 - Set Your Soul Free (Tell me who you are) 1:07:36
21 - Hours a day 1:11:40



@TheRealForrestGeorge

J J Cale --- Vocals & Guitar
Ambrose Campbell --- Congas
Bill Boatman --- Guitar & Bass
Christine Lakeland --- Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Cabaza & Backing Vocals
Jimmy Karstein --- Drums
Larry Bell --- Piano & Vocals
Marty Green --- Saxophone
Nick Rather --- Bass
Pat "Taco" Ryan --- Saxophone
Shamsi Sarumi --- Percussion
Leon Russell --- Hammond B3 Organ & Vocals



All comments from YouTube:

@k98al58

Two Tulsa boys. Legends.

@rod9545

Two proud Tulsans and godfathers of the legendary Tulsa Sound!😊

@cmputrwiz

Righteous!!! Love these guys!!!!!

@IsabellaHale

Years ago..I am guessing mid 70s an ad showed in a local paper: Leon Russell in town doing a gig.. at a local club in DC. We went and there he was..very small crowd. I was in total awe. The venue was so small that some people actually got up and danced. just unreal. those were really the good old days at least for our generation.

@paoloruberti7762

I'm totally agree with you

@ChuckECheeez

I saw Leon Russell at a small-ish club of like 3-400 ppl about 6 months before he died. Even in old age- one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.

@markmoriarty7388

I saw Leon Russell

@jamesmaddock259

I could listen to JJ play guitar all day . A true maestro

@MitchClement-il6iq

After midnight Is cool, smoking a cigg while playing.

@teresapuppo1388

Rilassante, armonioso, dolce❤❤

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