Crazy For You
Released: 08.06.85 Highest Chart Position: 2 Weeks on Chart: 15 Total Sales: see reissue
At the time Madonna was chosen to sing the balled intended for the film 'Visionquest', she was still a relatively unknown newcomer having only just signed to Sire Records. However, producers Jon Peters and Peter Guber, and music director Phil Ramone, were aware of her and the buzz she was already creating. Ramone invited her for dinner at his house in Carolwood Records, where she played some of her music videos. Ramone, and the other Warner executives present there, were impressed by her self-possession and fishnet-crucifix style. They accordingly decided to test Madonna's voice in a New York studio. Peters was impressed and assigned Joel Sill, an executive in charge of music at Warner Bros. Pictures, to handle the recording of the two songs for the film. Sill sent the script of the film to Bettis and Lind. After going through the script, Bettis wanted to write a song about the situation, where the main characters – a young boy and a girl boarding at a house – dance together at a nightclub. He elaborated: "We were noodling around and 'Crazy for You' was something that Jon was singing over that section of the song. It was really descriptive of the scene in the film. [...] After that, I was out on vacation out in the desert and [Sill] called and said Phil Ramone was in love with the song and wanted to cut it on Madonna. [Laughing] 'Borderline' was out at that time and I said, 'Excuse me? This is for Madonna? Really? Can she sing a song like this?' Jon and I were surprised at the choice of artist at the time, if you want to know the truth."
John "Jellybean" Benitez was the producer for the song, and it was a challenge for him, as previously he was associated with recording dance-pop songs only. He noted that 'Crazy for You' was an important recording for Madonna, as the song was a ballad and Madonna wanted to prove that she could sing in a different genre of music. However, Warner initially did not want the song to be released as a single, since the release of Visionquest coincided with the release of Madonna's second studio album 'Like a Virgin' and releasing 'Crazy for You' would have distracted attention from the album. In the end, Peters and Guber convinced Warner officials (allegedly after much shouting and protesting having initially been told they would have to let-go of the Madonna tracks) to greenlight the release of the single.
Following up the 'Material Girl' video would have been a daunting, almost impossible prospect - and 'Crazy For You' did not even attempt it. Being an older song, lifted from a previous project, the accompanying music video, such as it was, consisted merely of Madonna's cameo appearance from the Visionquest movie.
The lack of a specific promotional video did not prevent Madonna's first ballad from becoming her second US number one. However, in the UK, while the balled bettered its more iconic predecessors, it stopped just shy at no.2 for one week on the 29th June 1985, kept off the top spot by Sister Sledge with their single 'Frankie'.
John "Jellybean" Benitez was the producer for the song, and it was a challenge for him, as previously he was associated with recording dance-pop songs only. He noted that 'Crazy for You' was an important recording for Madonna, as the song was a ballad and Madonna wanted to prove that she could sing in a different genre of music. However, Warner initially did not want the song to be released as a single, since the release of Visionquest coincided with the release of Madonna's second studio album 'Like a Virgin' and releasing 'Crazy for You' would have distracted attention from the album. In the end, Peters and Guber convinced Warner officials (allegedly after much shouting and protesting having initially been told they would have to let-go of the Madonna tracks) to greenlight the release of the single.
Following up the 'Material Girl' video would have been a daunting, almost impossible prospect - and 'Crazy For You' did not even attempt it. Being an older song, lifted from a previous project, the accompanying music video, such as it was, consisted merely of Madonna's cameo appearance from the Visionquest movie.
The lack of a specific promotional video did not prevent Madonna's first ballad from becoming her second US number one. However, in the UK, while the balled bettered its more iconic predecessors, it stopped just shy at no.2 for one week on the 29th June 1985, kept off the top spot by Sister Sledge with their single 'Frankie'.
UK Variations and Collectables
'Crazy For You' was issued in the UK in standard 7" format only, supplemented with a limited edition 7" shaped picture disc.
In terms of formats, the release is mercifully limited compared to its 'Sire' counterparts. Coming in just the one standard paper picture sleeve, the 7" single was issued with just two variations - the plentiful original on a grey label and a more limited black label top-up often contained within a plain paper sleeve. There is also an Irish pressing which is the rarest 7" variation.
The most interesting item is the first ever picture disc, and a shaped picture disc at that. It remains the most limited and collectable of all the standard 7" picture discs. It's shaped nature has also provided one of the rarest of all Madonna collectables - the uncut picture disc. These uncut picture discs were factory test pressings and were supposed to be destroyed but a very small number were smuggled out. Due to the fact that they were test pressings, they are often of poor quality in terms of the vinyl consistency which frequently went on to become 'tea stained'. However, this could also be a limitation of the materials used at the time as many of the regular shaped picture discs also eventually succumbed to this staining. Whilst the level of staining does affect the value, collectors can take consolation that tea staining is also a guarantee of authenticity. Due to its extreme rarity, even a tea-stained version can fetch £500+ on the rare occasions it comes up for sale while a clean version can sell for £1000+. Interestingly it is also the only uncut disc to pressed on 10" vinyl rather than 12". 'Crazy For You' has not only provided the rarest of all Madonna's uncut discs, it is also the rarest uncut disc ever, as listed by Record Collector's top ten list of rarest picture discs.
'Crazy For You' is also notable as it is the only standard single not issued in a 12" format in the UK. This is probably due to being a balled which did not lend itself to an extended remix although European 12" pressings do exist backed with other tracks from the soundtrack album. Apparently, Geffin did intend to issue a 12" single with the other Madonna track recorded on its label i.e. 'Gambler', as a bonus track. However, no doubt due to Madonna's phenomenal and sudden success, it was decided to hold 'Gambler' back for its own separate release. Perhaps the addition of a bonus track might have provided the push needed to propel 'Crazy For You' to the top spot in the UK, instead it remains Madonna's best selling track to peak at No.2 being her fourth best selling single to date in the UK.
There is no question as to the centrepiece item for this release - it has to be the uncut picture disc, the rarest of all picture discs according to Record Collector.
In terms of formats, the release is mercifully limited compared to its 'Sire' counterparts. Coming in just the one standard paper picture sleeve, the 7" single was issued with just two variations - the plentiful original on a grey label and a more limited black label top-up often contained within a plain paper sleeve. There is also an Irish pressing which is the rarest 7" variation.
The most interesting item is the first ever picture disc, and a shaped picture disc at that. It remains the most limited and collectable of all the standard 7" picture discs. It's shaped nature has also provided one of the rarest of all Madonna collectables - the uncut picture disc. These uncut picture discs were factory test pressings and were supposed to be destroyed but a very small number were smuggled out. Due to the fact that they were test pressings, they are often of poor quality in terms of the vinyl consistency which frequently went on to become 'tea stained'. However, this could also be a limitation of the materials used at the time as many of the regular shaped picture discs also eventually succumbed to this staining. Whilst the level of staining does affect the value, collectors can take consolation that tea staining is also a guarantee of authenticity. Due to its extreme rarity, even a tea-stained version can fetch £500+ on the rare occasions it comes up for sale while a clean version can sell for £1000+. Interestingly it is also the only uncut disc to pressed on 10" vinyl rather than 12". 'Crazy For You' has not only provided the rarest of all Madonna's uncut discs, it is also the rarest uncut disc ever, as listed by Record Collector's top ten list of rarest picture discs.
'Crazy For You' is also notable as it is the only standard single not issued in a 12" format in the UK. This is probably due to being a balled which did not lend itself to an extended remix although European 12" pressings do exist backed with other tracks from the soundtrack album. Apparently, Geffin did intend to issue a 12" single with the other Madonna track recorded on its label i.e. 'Gambler', as a bonus track. However, no doubt due to Madonna's phenomenal and sudden success, it was decided to hold 'Gambler' back for its own separate release. Perhaps the addition of a bonus track might have provided the push needed to propel 'Crazy For You' to the top spot in the UK, instead it remains Madonna's best selling track to peak at No.2 being her fourth best selling single to date in the UK.
There is no question as to the centrepiece item for this release - it has to be the uncut picture disc, the rarest of all picture discs according to Record Collector.
Promotional Items
Music-based promotional items appear to be non-existent although there is an extremely rare 12"x12" display flat used to promote 'Her First Ever Picture Disc'. Collectors can expect to pay £50+ for this item on the rare occasion it is offered for sale.
More affordable are the promotional adverts which Geffen placed in both 'Smash Hits' and, for the first time, 'No.1' magazine. 'Crazy For You' also has the rare distinction of having three alternative promotional adverts (along with 'Lucky Star' and 'Like A Prayer').
ALL PROMOTIONAL ITEMS CAN BE VIEWED IN THE PROMO SECTION - FOR ITEMS RELATING TO THIS RELEASE CLICK HERE
More affordable are the promotional adverts which Geffen placed in both 'Smash Hits' and, for the first time, 'No.1' magazine. 'Crazy For You' also has the rare distinction of having three alternative promotional adverts (along with 'Lucky Star' and 'Like A Prayer').
ALL PROMOTIONAL ITEMS CAN BE VIEWED IN THE PROMO SECTION - FOR ITEMS RELATING TO THIS RELEASE CLICK HERE
7" Single - standard release
7" Single - Alternative black label
7" Single - Limited edition shaped picture disc in sleeve
10" Single - Uncut picture disc test pressing (with tea staining)
7" Single - Irish pressing
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© madonna-decade 2013
© madonna-decade 2013