About the song
In 1978, country music outlaw Waylon Jennings released“I is
At its heart, “I’ve Always Been Crazy” is Jennings owning up to his rebellious spirit. He doesn’t apologize for his past mistakes or the way he’s lived. Instead, he leans into it, turning his flaws into badges of honor. Lines like “I’ve always been crazy but it’s kept me from going insane” strike a chord because they speak to a deeper truth: sometimes, breaking the rules is the only way to survive.
This song arrived at a time when Jennings was riding high as a leader of the Outlaw Country movement—a group of artists who rejected the polished Nashville sound in favor of raw, real music that told the truth. Waylon didn’t just sing about living wild; he lived it. Drugs, arrests, clashes with the music industry—he’d been through it all. And yet, through it all, his music remained powerfully grounded in authenticity.
“I’ve Always Been Crazy” resonated with fans who were tired of fake smiles and clean-cut conformity. It said what many were afraid to admit: being “crazy” isn’t always a curse. Sometimes, it’s what keeps you real. That’s what made the song so timeless. It’s not just about Waylon’s life—it’s about anyone who’s ever felt out of step with the world and dared to keep marching anyway.
More than four decades later, the song still feels fresh, raw, and true. Waylon Jennings may be gone, but his fearless spirit lives on in every word of this unforgettable track.
