Introduction
A cautionary tale about the perils of environmental destruction, disguised as a high-octane rock anthem.
Released in late 1972, “Crazy Horses” marked a dramatic shift for The Osmonds—from squeaky-clean teen idols to a gritty rock outfit. Prior to this track, the family band had been firmly rooted in the bubblegum-pop realm, with their record label guiding song choices. But with “Crazy Horses,” the brothers—particularly Wayne, Merrill, Alan, Jay, Donny, and Virl—began exerting control over their creative direction
The song was born in a rehearsal session, when Wayne stumbled on a heavy, churning riff. Within an hour, a melody emerged, chords were laid down, and lyrics—penned by Alan Osmond—gave voice to an environmental warning. The “crazy horses” symbolize gas-guzzling cars belching fumes into the sky, a metaphor that stood out in pop music at the time
Sonically, “Crazy Horses” is a departure from their earlier efforts. Donny’s organ simulates a horse’s neigh, adding a distinctive psychedelic touch, and Jay takes on the verses with a rawer, more aggressive vocal style, while Merrill handles the high harmonies. The production’s wah-wah guitar intro and hard-driving rhythm made it a heavy-rock anthem that shocked both fans and their record label—initial reactions included label executives asking, “What on earth are you doing?” .
The song’s release triggered an unprecedented level of fan hysteria. In arenas, audience frenzy would halt shows repeatedly—chairs were destroyed, limousines climbed on, and screaming made performances almost deafening . Controversy followed, too; French authorities temporarily banned the track, misinterpreting “smoking up the sky” as an allusion to drugs.
Despite—or perhaps because of—all this—“Crazy Horses” climbed the charts and earned critical respect. It transformed The Osmonds’ public image, leading to invitations to jam with rock greats like Led Zeppelin and even earning praise from Elvis Presley . The track remains a touchstone in their catalog: an eco-conscious, riff-heavy statement of independence that redefined who they were as artists.
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