Every New Zealand #1 single…
10
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Topped the NZ chart: for 7 weeks from 29 May 2006.
Producer Danger Mouse and vocalist CeeLo Green were already well known before they released their first single as Gnarls Barkley. CeeLo Green formed the Atlanta hip-hop group Goodie Mob as a teenager in 1991. Danger Mouse came to prominence with The Grey Album, which combined Jay-Z’s Black Album with The Beatles’ White Album.
‘Crazy’ was Gnarls Barkley’s first single. It’s unique, built around a sample from the song ‘Last Men Standing’ the 1968 Spaghetti Western Django.
Green adds a soulful, malleable vocal over the top.
“Is it true that Cee-Lo recorded the vocals for “Crazy” in just one take?”
“Yeah. He had the words written on paper, and what you hear on the album was the first time he ever tried singing it. He went in and gave it a shot, really just to see what it would sound like. We just kept it because it sounded great.”Danger Mouse with journalist Stephen Mooallem
‘Crazy’ has deservedly been recognised as a classic. In late 2009, Rolling Stone magazine voted ‘Crazy’ as the best song of its decade. It was New Zealand’s 500th number-one single, and the highest-selling single in New Zealand in 2006.
Gnarls Barkley haven’t been prolific – they announced a third album in 2013, which still hasn’t been released.
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While musically speaking “Crazy” is a bit of a stretch for me, I can’t deny there’s something seductive about this song. It’s catchy and Cee-Lo Green’s vocals are pretty neat. This man can sing! It also helps Cee-Lo seems to be a cool dude. I really liked him as a coach on “The Voice” when I still watched the singing competition reality TV show.
You’ve probably heard some of Danger Mouse’s productions too – he’s worked with The Black Keys, Norah Jones, and Beck.
One of those songs that I remember exactly the first time I heard it. One of the best of the 2000s for sure!
Yeah, I wasn’t sure how many 10s I’d hand out in the 21st century, but this was an obvious one.
I remewmber this one and yes…his voice is great and adds a lot.
I like that story about how he’d never sung the words before and nailed it first take.
Yea…with this that is quite something. I tend to like some of Green’s music….I really “Forget You” or it’s other name.