Born in Baltimore, Turner was first taught piano by his mother when he was five. He moved to New York around 1925 and enjoyed much popularity among musicians in Harlem, working with June Clark (1927-1928), Benny Carter (1929), and Louis Armstrong (1930). He accompanied the singer Adelaide Hall in a piano duo with Alex Hill and then with Francis Carter; he and Carter toured Europe with Hall in 1931. Turner performed as a soloist throughout Europe until 1939, and then in the USA. After working as a member of an army band led by Sy Oliver (1944-1945) and with Rex Stewart (1946) he returned to Europe and played in Hungary (1948) and Switzerland (1949-1962). He then settled in Paris, where from 1962 he held a residency at La Calvados; he also performed in Great Britain, Switzerland, and the USA. Turner was influenced mainly by James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Art Tatum, and Erroll Garner.
You're Driving Me Crazy
Joe Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What did I do, what did I do to you?
My tears for you
Makes everything kinda hazy
Clouding, clouding the the skies of blue
How true
Were the friends who were near me to cheer me when I needed you
Were the kind to hurt me, desert me when I needed you
Say you, driving me crazy
What did I do, what did I do to you?
Well, you, driving me crazy
What did I do, what did I do to you?
My tears for you
Makin' everything kinda hazy
Hiding the clouds, hiding the clouds of blue
How true
Were the friends who were near me to cheer me when I needed you
Oh, but you
Were the kind to hurt me, desert me when I needed you
Say you, driving me crazy
What did I do, what did I do to you?
In this song, Joe Turner is addressing a person who is driving him crazy, asking them what he did to deserve such treatment. He describes how his tears cloud his vision and make everything seem hazy, even the blue skies. Turner then reflects on the support he received from his friends during his time of need but notes the absence of the person he is addressing. He accuses them of being one to hurt and desert him when he needed them the most. Turner ends the song by repeating the question of what he did to deserve such treatment.
It is clear that Turner is feeling hurt and confused by the actions of this person, as they have seemingly mistreated him despite his goodwill towards them. The use of the phrase "driving me crazy" is fitting because Turner is expressing a sense of exasperation at the situation, as if he cannot understand why this person would treat him in such a way.
Overall, the song captures the pain of being mistreated by someone who was once close to you, and the confusion that often accompanies such a situation. Through his lyrics and emotive performance, Turner succeeds in conveying the raw emotion of the experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you, driving me crazy
The subject of the song, 'you', is causing the singer to experience extreme frustration and distress.
What did I do, what did I do to you?
The singer is confused as to why 'you' is causing them so much pain and is questioning their actions or behavior that could have contributed to this situation.
My tears for you
The singer is crying over the pain that 'you' has caused them.
Makes everything kinda hazy
The emotional distress caused by 'you' is affecting the singer's perception of reality and causing confusion.
Clouding, clouding the skies of blue
The distress caused by 'you' is causing the singer's normally clear and positive outlook to become obscured by negativity and pessimism.
How true
The singer is reflecting on the reliability and loyalty of their friends who have been there for them when 'you' has not.
Were the friends who were near me to cheer me when I needed you
The singer is grateful for the support of their friends who have been there for them during the difficult time caused by 'you'.
Oh, but you
The singer is acknowledging the individual impact of 'you' in their life and the harm 'you' has caused them.
Were the kind to hurt me, desert me when I needed you
The singer is describing how 'you' has acted unfairly and caused them to feel abandoned and hurt when they needed support the most.
Say you, driving me crazy
The repetition of this line emphasizes the intensity of the frustration and anger the singer feels towards 'you' throughout the song.
What did I do, what did I do to you?
The singer is reiterating their confusion as to why 'you' is causing them so much pain and is questioning their actions or behavior that could have contributed to this situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Walter Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mad Musicologist
This one was on a lp in my dad's sideboard. I was a kid when I heard it.
Good memory.
Thomas .Hennessey
Always knew that Moten Swing was based on the chords of You're Driving Me Crazy but I'd never heard anybody sing the lyrics over the Moten Swing lines. This is very neat.
CALVIN DICKERSON
I heard Mel Torme sing it once on a television program. I'm glad I found this version.
Thomas .Hennessey
@CALVIN DICKERSON I bet that was fun. Torme was a very jazz focussed singer although he didn"t always get to show that..
Roxanne Kilby
Very cool! Thank you Jackie.
Ken Guido
Hi Roxanne!! ')
Milewskige
Moten Swing!
Milewskige
Moten Swing - Count Basie!
Kerkopes
any one know what year? thx
Jean-Jacques Dauben
1956