Redneck Crazy (song) explained

Redneck Crazy
Cover:RedneckCrazy.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Tyler Farr
Album:Redneck Crazy
Recorded:2013
Genre:Country rock
Label:Columbia Nashville
Prev Title:Hello Goodbye
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:Whiskey in My Water
Next Year:2013

"Redneck Crazy" is a song recorded by American country music artist Tyler Farr. Written by Josh Kear, Mark Irwin and Chris Tompkins, it was released in February 2013 as the third single[1] off his debut album, also titled Redneck Crazy, which was released on September 30, 2013.[2] The song is about a man seeing his woman with another man, telling her she broke his heart and made him go 'redneck crazy'. It received mixed reviews from critics oft-put by the overall message in the story.

"Redneck Crazy" peaked at numbers two and three on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts respectively. It also reached number 29 on the Hot 100 chart, giving Farr his only top 40 hit to date. The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and has sold 967,000 units as of November 2013. It achieved similar chart success in Canada, reaching number seven on the Canada Country chart and number 57 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart, and garnered a Gold certification from Music Canada.

An accompanying music video for the song, directed by Jeff Venable, features appearances by fellow country artists Lee Brice and Colt Ford, and Willie Robertson from Duck Dynasty.

Content

The male narrator pursues his cheating significant other upon seeing her with another man, telling her that she has "gone and broke the wrong heart, baby / And drove [him] redneck crazy."[3] This song is set in the key of B-flat major with an approximate tempo of 73 beats per minute and a main chord pattern of Gm7-E-F.[4]

Reception

Critical

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song two and a half stars out of five, writing that "one expects a song with such a name to be a little more fun, but predictable country rock ballad production holds the three-and-a-half minute cut back." Dukes described Farr's performance as "sincere," but added that "he’s let down by an ordinary lyric and unexceptional arrangement."[5] Jon Freeman of Country Weekly praised the song in his review of the album, saying that "it's a bitter, almost scary account of a jilted man stalking his ex and her new guy. It's so messy and human, and it's got a chorus that'll stay with you."[6] Emily Yahr of The Washington Post was critical of the song's message, calling it a "disturbing song" and "glorified stalker anthem".[7] In 2017, Billboard contributor Chuck Dauphin put "Redneck Crazy" at number two on his top 10 list of Farr's best songs.[8]

Commercial

"Redneck Crazy" debuted at number 59 on the U.S. Billboard Country Airplay chart for the week of February 16, 2013.[9] It also debuted at number 50 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of March 9, 2013. On the week of June 15, the song debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 95,[10] peaking at number 29 for the week of September 28,[11] and remained on the chart for twenty weeks.[12] The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 28, 2013. It has sold 967,000 copies in the US as of November 2013.[13]

In Canada, the song debuted at number 94 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart the week of September 14,[14] reached number 57 the week of October 19,[15] and stayed on the chart for ten weeks.[12] It received a gold certification from Music Canada on February 3, 2014.

Music video

The music video was directed by Jeff Venable and premiered in April 2013.[16] It features Lee Brice, Colt Ford, and Duck Dynastys Willie Robertson.[17]

Charts and certifications

Year-end charts

Chart (2013)Position
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[18] 7
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[19] 15

Certifications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Conaway. Alanna. Exclusive: Tyler Farr Breaking Through With "Redneck Crazy"; Talks Upcoming Album. May 23, 2013. Roughstock. April 8, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140116185626/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/exclusive-tyler-farr-breaking-through-with-redneck-crazy-talks-upcoming-album. January 16, 2014.
  2. Web site: Wyland. Sarah. Tyler Farr Celebrates First Top 20 Hit with "Redneck Crazy". June 26, 2013. Great American Country. June 27, 2013.
  3. Web site: Conaway. Alanna. Story Behind The Song: Tyler Farr - "Redneck Crazy". May 23, 2013. Roughstock. April 17, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130814125928/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/story-behind-the-song-tyler-farr-redneck-crazy-. August 14, 2013.
  4. Web site: 'Redneck Crazy' sheet music. 10 September 2013 . MusicNotes.com. September 29, 2013.
  5. News: Dukes. Billy. Tyler Farr, 'Redneck Crazy' – Song Review. May 23, 2013. Taste of Country. January 28, 2013.
  6. Freeman. Jon. 7 October 2013. Redneck Crazy review. Country Weekly. 20. 40. 51. 1074-3235.
  7. News: Yahr . Emily . Essay: 'Redneck Crazy,' a glorified stalker anthem, is a hit. That's unsettling. . . October 14, 2013 . April 30, 2015.
  8. Dauphin. Chuck. Chuck Dauphin. Tyler Farr's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks. Billboard. October 12, 2017. April 19, 2020.
  9. Web site: Morris. Edward. Gary Allan's Set You Free Continues as Top Country Album. https://web.archive.org/web/20130211045110/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1701647/gary-allans-set-you-free-continues-as-top-country-album.jhtml. dead. February 11, 2013. May 23, 2013. Country Music Television. February 9, 2013.
  10. The Hot 100: June 15, 2013. Billboard. May 3, 2018.
  11. The Hot 100: September 28, 2013. Billboard. May 3, 2018.
  12. Web site: Redneck Crazy (song) by Tyler Farr. aCharts.co. May 3, 2018.
  13. Web site: Country Chart News - The Top 30 Digital Singles - November 13, 2013: CMA Awards Drive Sales; Eric Church "The Outsiders" #1; Taylor Swift "Red" #3. Matt Bjorke. November 13, 2013. Roughstock. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140421103627/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/country-chart-news-the-top-30-digital-singles-november-13-2013-cma-awards-drive-sales-eric-church-the-outsiders-1-taylor-swift-red-3. April 21, 2014.
  14. Canadian Hot 100: September 14, 2013. Billboard. August 26, 2018. subscription.
  15. Canadian Hot 100: October 19, 2013. Billboard. August 29, 2018. subscription.
  16. Web site: CMT : Videos : Tyler Farr : Redneck Crazy. https://web.archive.org/web/20130420083507/http://www.cmt.com/videos/tyler-farr/900746/redneck-crazy.jhtml. dead. April 20, 2013. Country Music Television. May 23, 2013.
  17. News: Pacella. Megan. Tyler Farr Calls on Friends in 'Redneck Crazy' Video. May 23, 2013. Taste of Country. April 25, 2013.
  18. Best of 2013: Country Airplay . . . 2013 . December 13, 2013.
  19. Best of 2013: Hot Country Songs . . . 2013 . December 13, 2013.