I Wish I Was Crazy Again
Johnny Cash [feat. Waylon Jennings] Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I stopped him and called him by name
I said, "The years haven't changed you
But he said, "Good Lord, how you've changed!"
So we stood there and talked on the corner
And remembered the good times we had
Then he asked if we're happy togetherAnd I only smiled and I said
"Yes, she keeps me off the streets
And she keeps me out of trouble
Sometimes at night, Lord, when I hear the wind
I wish I was crazy again, yes, I wish I was crazy again"
Then we stopped in at a tavern
We had us a round or two
We called ourselves old desperado's, old desperado's
As old friends are likely to do
We sat for a while and remembered
Then he said, "Let's have just one more"
I said, "I'd sure like to join you
But best be goin' on home"
"Yes, she keeps me off the streets
She keeps me off the streets"
The lyrics to Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings's song I Wish I Was Crazy Again tell the story of an encounter between two old friends who reminisce about the good times they had. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of one of the friends who is now in a committed relationship. His friend questions him about his relationship and asks if he is happy, to which the singer responds with a smile and a cryptic reply. He mentions that his partner keeps him off the streets and out of trouble, which seems like a positive thing, but then he confesses that sometimes he wishes he was crazy again. This suggests that the singer feels trapped by his current responsible lifestyle and longs for the carefree days of his youth.
The lyrics are poignant in their portrayal of the conflicting desires of adulthood. The singer has found stability and security in his relationship, but he also yearns for the excitement and unpredictability of his past. The reference to hearing the wind at night suggests that the singer is seeking solace in nature and feeling a sense of restlessness. The fact that he only admits to these feelings when he's had a few drinks with his old friend adds another layer of complexity to the lyrics. It's as if he needs the permission and understanding of someone who knew him from before to express his true feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I met an old friend this morning
I caught up with an old acquaintance today
And I stopped him and called him by name
I got his attention and addressed him directly
I said, "The years haven't changed you
I remarked that time had not altered him
But he said, "Good Lord, how you've changed!"
He observed how much I was different from before
So we stood there and talked on the corner
We chatted together while standing on the street
And remembered the good times we had
We recollected the happy moments we experienced
Then he asked if we're happy together
He inquired about my contentment in a relationship
And I only smiled and I said
I just smiled and gave my response
"Yes, she keeps me off the streets
I rely on her to keep me away from negative influences
And she keeps me out of trouble
She prevents me from engaging in problematic behavior
Sometimes at night, Lord, when I hear the wind
Occasionally during the nights, when I hear the whistling wind
I wish I was crazy again, yes, I wish I was crazy again"
I yearn to be wild and reckless like I used to be
Then we stopped in at a tavern
Later, we entered a pub
We had us a round or two
We drank a couple of beverages
We called ourselves old desperado's, old desperado's
We fancied ourselves as experienced outlaws
As old friends are likely to do
As is common when reuniting with familiar acquaintances
We sat for a while and remembered
We sat down and reminisced for a period
Then he said, "Let's have just one more"
He suggested we indulge in a final drink
I said, "I'd sure like to join you
I expressed a desire to participate with him
But best be goin' on home"
But it's best for me to leave and head home
"Yes, she keeps me off the streets
I reiterated my dependency on her for staying out of trouble
She keeps me off the streets"
I again mentioned that she prevents me from engaging in negative activities
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MCDILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind