Crazy Cool

"Crazy Cool" is performed in the key of C♯/D♭, with a moderate tempo of 88 beats per minute.{{Cite web |title=BPM and Key for "Crazy Cool" by Paula Abdul |url=https://songbpm.com/@paula-abdul/crazy-cool |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Song BPM}}

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."{{cite magazine|first=Steve|last=Baltin|title=Pop Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-08-26.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|date=August 26, 1995|page=7|accessdate=November 8, 2022}} 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."{{Cite news |date=August 12, 1995 |editor-last=Flick |editor-first=Larry |title=Single Reviews: Pop |work=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |page=65 |volume=107 |issue=32 |issn=0006-2510}} Reading Eagle however offered a more mixed review, reviewing that the song lacked the urgent rhythms of previous singles.{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1995 |title=Pop Records: Paula Abdul, "Head Over Heels" |work=Reading Eagle |location=Reading, Pennsylvania |page=W21}} Gavin Report wrote favorably of the track but regarded it as a downgrade from "My Love Is For Real".{{Cite news |date=August 4, 1995 |title=A/C Picks |work=Gavin Report |publisher=Miller Freeman Entertainment Group |location=San Francisco, California |page=40 |issue=2066}}

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.{{cn|date=July 2021}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Crazy Cool single {{!}} Paula-Abdul.com |url=https://www.paula-abdul.com/crazy-cool-single.html |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=Paula Abdul Official Fan Site}}{{Cite news |last=Beck |first=Marilyn |last2=Smith |first2=Stacy Jenel |date=July 28, 1995 |title=Abdul in mood for tour |work=Bangor Daily News |location=Bangor, Maine |page=C2 |volume=107 |issue=35}} Originally, MTV said they wouldn't play the video if it wasn't edited into a cleaner version. 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 dance and choreography but MTV still said they would not play the clip unless it was edited. In the end, Rolston and Abdul admitted defeat and edited the video.{{Cite web |url=http://paula-abdul.net/html/article_28.html |title=Paula-Abdul.net | MTV Deems "Crazy Cool" Too Racy for TV |access-date=2004-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040618105352/http://paula-abdul.net/html/article_28.html |archive-date=2004-06-18 |url-status=dead }}

The "Single Remix Version" was the remix being played as the video version.

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US maxi-CD single{{Cite AV media notes |title=Crazy Cool |type=US CD maxi-single liner notes |others=Paula Abdul |publisher=Virgin Records. Captive Records |year=1995 |id=V25H-38512}}

1. "Crazy Cool" (Single Remix Version) – 3:57
2. "Crazy Cool" (Jeep Mix) – 3:57
3. "The Choice Is Yours" (Edit) – 3:56
4. "Crazy Cool" (Urban Mix) – 4:00
5. "Crazy Cool" (Bad Boy Bill House Mix) – 3:47
6. "Crazy Cool" (Deep Dish's Crazy Cool Remix) – 10:08

US CD and cassette single (European CD single swaps tracks two and four){{Cite AV media notes |title=Crazy Cool |type=US CD single liner notes |others=Paula Abdul |publisher=Virgin Records. Captive Records |year=1995 |id=V25F-38510}}{{Cite AV media notes |title=Crazy Cool |type=US cassette single sleeve |others=Paula Abdul |publisher=Virgin Records. Captive Records |year=1995 |id=4KM-38510}}{{Cite AV media notes |title=Crazy Cool |type=European CD maxi-single liner notes |others=Paula Abdul |publisher=Virgin Records. Captive Records |year=1995 |id=VUSCDF 95}}

1. "Crazy Cool" (Single Remix Version) – 3:57
2. "Crazy Cool" (Jeep Mix) – 3:57
3. "The Choice Is Yours" (Edit) – 3:56
4. "Crazy Cool" (Bad Boy Bill House Mix) – 3:47

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US 12-inch single{{Cite AV media notes |title=Crazy Cool |type=US 12-inch single sleeve |others=Paula Abdul |publisher=Virgin Records |year=1995 |id=7243 8 38510 1 0}}

1. "Crazy Cool" (Bad Boy Bill House Mix) – 6:03
2. "Crazy Cool" (Strike's Dub) – 6:10
3. "The Choice Is Yours" (Edit) – 3:57
4. "Crazy Cool" (Deep Dish's Crazy Cool Remix) – 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

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Taken from the Head over Heels album booklet.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Heads over Heels |type=album booklet liner notes |others=Paula Abdul |publisher=Virgin Records. Captive Records |year=1995 |id=40525}}

• Paula Abdul – lead vocals
• Paula Abdul, Sandra St. Victor – background vocals
• V. Jeffrey Smith, Peter Lord – keyboards
• Tracy Wormworth – bass
• Rocky Bryant – drums
• John Andrew Schreiner – synths and vintage keys
• Oliver Leiber – talk box and wah wah guitars

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Category:1995 singles

Category:Paula Abdul songs

Category:Songs written by Sandra St. Victor

Category:Music videos directed by Matthew Rolston

Category:Virgin Records singles

Category:1995 songs