Crazy Train
Lee Kerslake Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

All aboard ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay

Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate

Mental wounds not healing
Life's a bitter shame
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

Let's go
I've listened to preachers
I've listened to fools
I've watched all the dropouts
Who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it and you live the role

Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me insane
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

I know that things are going wrong for me
You gotta listen to my words, yeah

Heirs of a cold war
That's what we've become
Inheriting troubles I'm mentally numb
Crazy, I just cannot bear
I'm living with something' that just isn't fair

Mental wounds not healing
Who and what's to blame
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train





(Ha ha ha, bitch!)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lee Kerslake's song "Crazy Train" speak to the madness and chaos of modern society. The opening lines, "Crazy, but that's how it goes / Millions of people living as foes" set the tone for the song's commentary on the conflicts and divisions that exist in the world. The chorus, "I'm going off the rails on a crazy train" speaks to the feeling of being overwhelmed and out of control in the midst of this chaos.


The second verse of the song is particularly biting, with lines like "One person conditioned to rule and control / The media sells it and you live the role" calling out the ways in which those in power use the media to manipulate and control the masses. The final verse turns inward, with Kerslake singing about the personal toll of this madness and the way it can drive individuals to madness.


Overall, "Crazy Train" is a powerful commentary on the state of the world, with Kerslake's lyrics speaking to the frustration and hopelessness many feel in the face of societal problems and conflicts.


Line by Line Meaning

All aboard ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
With a manic laugh, Lee Kerslake invites us onto the rollercoaster ride that is his song.


Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay
In this non-verbal expression, Lee Kerslake signals the intensity of the experience ahead.


Crazy, but that's how it goes
Lee Kerslake acknowledges that life can be chaotic and unpredictable.


Millions of people living as foes
He points out that society is often divided into groups who see each other as enemies.


Maybe it's not too late
Despite this, Lee Kerslake suggests it is still possible to turn things around and choose love over hate.


To learn how to love
The key to this transformation is to cultivate a spirit of love for others.


And forget how to hate
By releasing the negative feelings of hatred and bitterness, we can embrace a happier life.


Mental wounds not healing
Lee Kerslake admits he is still grappling with emotional scars from his past experiences.


Life's a bitter shame
The pain and cruelty of life can leave us feeling disillusioned and frustrated.


I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
This famous refrain represents Lee Kerslake's acknowledgment that he is losing control of his emotions and sanity, much like a train that has come off its tracks.


I've listened to preachers
Lee Kerslake has tried seeking guidance from religious leaders.


I've listened to fools
He has also sought advice from people who have little real wisdom.


I've watched all the dropouts
He has observed people who have given up on society's expectations and created their own rules.


One person conditioned to rule and control
Lee Kerslake recognizes that society is often set up to give power and control to just one person or group.


The media sells it and you live the role
He points out that the media perpetuates this dynamic, and people often end up playing the assigned roles without questioning them.


Mental wounds still screaming
Despite all his attempts, Lee Kerslake's emotional pain is still overpowering him.


Driving me insane
He is struggling to maintain his grip on reality.


I know that things are going wrong for me
Lee Kerslake is aware that his life is not going as he would like it to.


You gotta listen to my words, yeah
He implores his audience to pay close attention to what he is saying and how he is feeling.


Heirs of a cold war
Lee Kerslake sees us as the descendants of a previous generation who fought a major ideological war.


That's what we've become
He suggests that society is still stuck in a cold war mentality, with different groups clashing against each other.


Inheriting troubles I'm mentally numb
The problems of the previous generation have been passed on to us, leaving us feeling emotionally dead inside.


Crazy, I just cannot bear
Lee Kerslake is admitting that the world's problems are too much for him to handle.


I'm living with something' that just isn't fair
He feels that he has been dealt an unjust hand in life.


Who and what's to blame
He is grappling with the issue of responsibility for his emotional turmoil.


I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
Once again, Lee Kerslake acknowledges that he is losing his grip on reality and his emotions are spiraling out of control.


(Ha ha ha, bitch!)
This final, exultant laugh represents Lee Kerslake's sense of release as he lets go of the pain and chaos and surrenders to the wild ride of life.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@ilcorvo4633

Lee was a fantastic musician. Most people can’t play the drums at all, let alone when they’re in extremely ill health. Lee, thank you for the brilliant drumming. You will never be forgotten.

@elliottellis6849

instablaster.

@jerrydearman4679

My mum bought Lee's house in 1977 & he ended up not moving out for a year. So many memories. RIP big fella.

@slowemm

Hope he paid rent

@kurthurley

Lee Kerslake is a legend. Rightfully due respect and accolade. His work speaks for itself. Lee will be sorely missed. RIP, Lee.

@acegibson9533

After the first two bars of Lee playing you can tell that this is the guy that recorded the drums tracks for Crazy Train. I've listened to Crazy Train a million times and that is defintely him.

@onerandombruh

The guy had the chops till the very end, a true master, indeed.

@mafiosino

Bless him! Over the mountain is one of the greatest opening drum intro in history. Rip Lee

@carlosalmeida2205

A very underrated drummer!!! R.I.P. Lee! My eternal respect and admiration!

@Toolmybass

There's 6 year olds playing Over the Mountain on YouTube.

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