Back in 1985, David Lee Roth was working on a feature film called “Crazy From the Heat” which of course was the same title as his debut E.P. David had written the screenplay and actually received funding from CBS Theatrical Films for $10m. David left the band to purse this, but in November of 1985, CBS pulled the funding and the film was shut down to never be made. David was undaunted and kept pushing forward. Taking the songs he had written for the movie and putting them towards his debut album ‘Eat ‘Em and Smile’. The title track to the movie and one of the song son this album was “Goin’ Crazy!”.

The song was written by David Lee Roth and Steve Vai and was released as single in September 1986. The song did get massive play on MTV as I remember it vividly. The song only went to #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Rock Chart. Not as good as you would’ve thought based on the videoplay on MTV. The version of the single I have is a Promo copy as it says on the label below…”Promotion Not For Sale”. But the B-Side was not on the English speaking album as it is the same song, but in Spanish and called “Loco Del Calor!”. And that is because David Lee Roth also recorded and released the album in Spanish.

A-SIDE:

“Goin’ Crazy” was a fun, playful song as heard with Steve Vai’s guitars as it sounds like he is having a blast just wankering around with the great things he can do. The song felt more pop rock than hard rock, but that doesn’t detract from the song at all, in fact, I think it is a great piece and the sound fits the title. There is the line in the song “Crazy From the Heat” that was not in reference to the debut E.P., but the movie title they were working on at the time.

The song feels like a party and the drums to me (from Gregg Bissonette) give it a whole island vibe too, like I’m on the beach partying hard and to help with that sound is Billy Sheehan on bass thumping away. If you listen closely there is also some great keyboards that only enhance the sound. But as always, David Lee Roth is the star with his over-confident, peacock strutting vocals. All his unusual noises and screams that only add to the flavor that is Dave. Overall, a fantastic song that will put you in a good mood and ready to have a good time. Time to get crazy boys!!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=tmCU_QtSzWI%3Fsi%3DGxSe8OmaWBqAvzNJ

B-SIDE:

The B-Side, as I said earlier, is the Spanish version of the song called “Loco Del Calor!”. Yes, Dave did a Spanish version of the entire album thanks to the brilliant decision of Billy Sheehan who thought since there were so many Spanish speaking kids in the prime music buying age, that it would be a brilliant move. Well, it wasn’t as they looked it as Gringo Spanish and they didn’t buy it…literally…didn’t buy it. The song is no different, musically then the English version with the exception of Dave singing in Spanish. He had a Spanish tutor on set to help him with the phrasing. So, musically still fun, but vocally for us English only speaking people, not as fun.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=k21BOaJQf8k%3Fsi%3DRKOyGjMrZljKBeC2

And there you have it, our walk through the Promo Single for David Lee Roth’s single “Goin’ Crazy!”. It is an interesting release with the Spanish version especially since I didn’t buy the Spanish version of the album so I didn’t have this track. Glad to add it to the collection. Thanks for hanging around and we will see you will soon. Goodbye friends or should I say…Adios Amigos!!