Crazy Cool


"Crazy Cool" is a song recorded by American recording artist Paula Abdul for her third studio album, Head over Heels. It was written by Peter Lord, V. Jeffrey Smith, and Sandra St. Victor, produced by the former two, and released as the album's second single on August 8, 1995, by Virgin Records. The song was not released in the United Kingdom.

Composition

"Crazy Cool" is performed in the key of C♯/D♭, with a moderate tempo of 88 beats per minute.

Critical reception

Steve Baltin from Cash Box wrote, "The second single from Abdul’s Head Over Heels CD is successful when it follows the same slightly dark ambient tones of “My Love Is For Real”, the record’s first single. However, it loses its way during the overly bubbly chorus. Abdul obviously wanted to try something new on this record. Hopefully she learned the valuable lesson for next time of sticking to one’s own guns." Larry Flick of Billboard magazine responded positively to the track, saying Abdul has developed into "quite the seductress, as evident in her pouty delivery of this song's smoldering words." Reading Eagle, however, offered a more mixed opinion, reviewing that the song lacked the urgent rhythms of previous singles. Gavin Report wrote favorably of the track but regarded it as a downgrade from "My Love Is For Real".

Chart performance

The single reached number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a hit on the dance charts. In Canada the single peaked at number 49 and remained on the chart for 15 weeks.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Crazy Cool" was directed by Matthew Rolston and shot at A&M Studios in Hollywood at the end of July 1995. Originally MTV refused to play the video. In the clip, Abdul holds a black cane on and against herself; she also pours a bottle of beer over her breasts while riding a mechanical bull. Rolston and Abdul claimed that it was simply part of the choreography, but MTV still said they would not play the clip unless it was edited down to a cleaner version. In the end, Rolston and Abdul admitted defeat and made the requested edits.
The "Single Remix Version" was the remix used in the video.

Track listings and formats

US maxi-CD single
  1. "Crazy Cool" – 3:57
  2. "Crazy Cool" – 3:57
  3. "The Choice Is Yours" – 3:56
  4. "Crazy Cool" – 4:00
  5. "Crazy Cool" – 3:47
  6. "Crazy Cool" – 10:08
US CD and cassette single
  1. "Crazy Cool" – 3:57
  2. "Crazy Cool" – 3:57
  3. "The Choice Is Yours" – 3:56
  4. "Crazy Cool" – 3:47
US 12-inch single
  1. "Crazy Cool" – 6:03
  2. "Crazy Cool" – 6:10
  3. "The Choice Is Yours" – 3:57
  4. "Crazy Cool" – 11:28
Official Versions
  • Single Remix Version – 3:56
  • Urban Mix – 4:05
  • Jeep Mix – 3:56
  • Strike's Dub – 6:04
  • Strike Vocal Mix – 6:44
  • Deep Dish's Crazy Cool Remix – 11:28
  • Bad Boy Bill House Mix – 3:47
  • Bad Boy Bill Dub – 4:03
  • Sharam Crazy Journey Mix – 12:39
  • LP Version – 4:42
  • Deep Dish's Crazy Cool Edit – 10:42

    Personnel

Taken from the Head over Heels album booklet.

Release history