An Unbridled Sonic Stampede
Do you remember a time when your perception of an artist was flipped on its head in a single, jaw-dropping moment? For many of us who came of age in the early 1970s, that moment was hearing The Osmonds’ “Crazy Horses” for the very first time. Before this track, we knew them as the clean-cut, family-friendly hit-makers of bubblegum pop, the wholesome stars behind saccharine anthems like “One Bad Apple.” But then, out of nowhere, they unleashed this raw, snarling beast of a song, a track that felt more at home in the garages of hard rock than on the stages of Saturday morning television. It was a bold, unexpected turn that proved they were far more than just a boy band. It was a musical rebellion wrapped in a social message.
The story behind the song is as compelling as the music itself. Written by three of the brothers—Donny, Alan, and Wayne Osmond—”Crazy Horses” was born out of a genuine concern for the environment. The “crazy horses” in the song are not animals, but a metaphor for the internal combustion engine of automobiles. The lyrics “Crazy horses running wild and free / Crazy horses, they’re not a part of me” are a stark critique of air pollution and the apathetic, destructive nature of our modern, industrialized society. The song’s meaning is a surprisingly sophisticated and emotional plea to wake up to the damage being done to our planet, a message that feels even more relevant today than it did fifty years ago. The distorted, wailing guitar sound, which sounds like the scream of a car engine, was created by an overdriven amplifier and a heavily-filtered organ, a brilliant and creative sonic choice that perfectly captures the song’s theme.
For many of us who remember this era, “Crazy Horses” holds a special place. It was a moment of coming-of-age for a band and a generation. It was the sound of a group breaking free from their mold, a testament to the power of artistic evolution. It was a time when a catchy tune could also carry a meaningful message, a time when a band you thought you knew could surprise you and move you in a way you never expected. It’s a song that proves that even the most polished pop stars can have a rebellious, rock and roll heart.