The “Crazy” Story of how SEAL Wrote His First Hit

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Watch the full 3-hour interview with exclusive performances here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmicn2qvh6etoMk 00:00 - The Story Behind "Crazy" 04:48 - Performance

[@dyecaster9341]

Blocks. Without Adamski's killer, we'd probably have never heard crazy, and then subsequently KFAR.

[@duetopopulardemand5405]

Most interviews these days are so annoying. The guest is rudely interrupted, barely finishing a response. This was cool.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@dyecaster9341 watch the full interview- this is just a clip. Seal talks about killer and Adamski

[@johngalt1967]

"Use what you have, start where you are, do what you can" - Arthur Ash

[@quogir1]

Actually.

[@dan_kay]

I tried that in the field of brain surgery. Didn't work out. That statement can't be true all the time.

[@bengunns]

Great advice

[@bengunns]

@@dan_kay try it with something else

[@Mygoalisfitness]

@@dan_kay well then you were never a brain surgeon in the first place 😂

[@FulsomeMcGinley]

What’s striking about this ‘interview’, aside from the stunning performance, is that Mason barely speaks and allows Seal the space to explain. Object lesson in just shutting up and making it about the interviewee and not the interviewer. Class.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks 🙏

[@figment-of-mind]

I came here to say the same thing. Truly refreshing to find an interviewer who provides the space for subjects to truly open up.

[@beecee985]

You finging creep

[@shazna90]

that's like the total opposite of jimmy fallon

[@fakshen1973]

I work on an interview show and our lead is learning that less is more too... especially when the interview subject has a rich story.

[@johnparker2636]

This song is over 30 years old - Seals voice is still silky smooth. Just lovely

[@Bornelvibe]

And playing a guitar like a lefty on top of it,,,, damn that's freaky to see for me as a righty! And are not his strings upside down too!!,,,WTH?,,,howcan you play like that?? Are there other famous lefty's?

[@ShawnRakar]

Seal is a good example of how not smoking (not sure if he drinks)can impact your vocal range in the later years of life.

[@scottt6298]

​@natevm7888 you might want to look up a guy named Jimi Hendrix

[@michael_sterling]

@@BornelvibeAlbert King played that way. Babyface does, as well.

[@steev11]

That first Seal album still stands the test of time 34 years later. Masterpiece.

[@grantmullings8245]

Masterpiece indeed.

[@jamessarantis7796]

@@grantmullings8245 Agreed. One of my faves

[@WhizMitchell]

Yes, it is . From time to time I will still listen to it.

[@danieltrochei4544]

It's also a masterclass in production, the effects and grooves created are timeless

[@victorshackapopulus6078]

Yes it does not sound jaded or passe.

[@KyleKalevra]

Man, Seal still has it. That voice…

[@GruvNited]

no matter the arrangement, full blown pop production or a scaled down acoustic session, a good song does it's job!

[@tdz69]

Well said! You can take so many songs from the 80s and strip them down to an acoustic or piano and the brilliance really comes through. It’s like taking off layers of clothes to get to the beauty of the human body.

[@fromthe90s21]

Absolutely. That's a cosmic rule.

[@JoshuaPagan]

Thats why it's a hit!

[@jimmyjagessar749]

​@@tdz69agree 💯🙏❤️🌴🎶✍️

[@joe22589]

It's the singer - not the song

[@cillamoke]

I was 18 when I bought this album. I’m now 51. It’s funny how time flies…

[@gonnahavemesomefun]

Exacly the same age! It was my first 'self influenced' album I bought. I didn't hear it from anyone else, no-one told me to buy it. I just loved his music. Friends even laughed that I, as a white kid, would buy Seal! Nuts. Today it holds such a signifiance for me.

[@TOAST-FACEKILLAH]

I was around 8 and never bought it but I always appreciated seal growing up

[@markhermsen3530]

Seal was massive when I was 18, I'm now 53! Bought the cd, all the clubs were playing Killer with Adamski. Happy times❤

[@sjelliott6660]

​@@markhermsen3530 I was one of those DJs!

[@Time_and_time_again]

I was 17 and I constantly played it on my Walkman! 😊👍

[@jokerfleckcast3196]

Dude has one of the greatest and unique voices ever. Legendary on Adamski's killer!

[@DucatiDave68]

Saw him last year and he still sounds amazing

[@jokerfleckcast3196]

@@DucatiDave68 he sure does! Absolute legend

[@domenicgalata1470]

That was a BIG Tune !!! Good times in those days where a huge shift in music across all genres.

[@mrgood8378]

adamski, seal, dj eren rip- you got the love -candi staton- were regulars at this Sunday night club in London called Solaris

[@sirhc210]

dude whoa! you played Crazy with seal. pretty amazing

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I know!! I’m still in shock

[@jcsk8]

Lifetime achievement!

[@shahidkamal]

This content is free? Just incredible. Brought tears to my eyes. This should be taught in every school. The humility and determination to learn such a varied canon of music before embarking on what would become a glittering career is something we all need to internalise.

[@feralmode]

that's a basic step for mastering any skill. knowledge absorption. deep diving.

[@thebeatnumber]

I thought music was supposed to be haram for followers of the illiterate "prophet"

[@paulfitz6614]

When I was in high school, I was listening to a lot of hair metal, Def Leppard, Skid row etc. A curly haired dude who was always soft spoken and genuinely nice sometimes chatted about music with me. One day he gave me a mix tape and it had Pavement, Sebadoh, Helmet, Pixies and many other bands who were still underground at the time but soon became huge. My mind was blown. Thank you Marcus, wherever you are. SEAL's story reminded me of that happy memory.

[@visualthings]

It is a blessing when we meet such people and we're left wondering "where does he get this impeccable taste and this incredible radar for what is truly good music?"

[@wtfusernamecrap]

Same. Had a friend who was kind enough to send me on an incredibly important musical journey with his mixtapes. Great memories!

[@twistandturn02]

I was DJing in a bar in the 90's, and the manager gave me a copy of his back catalogue of Radiohead. They lay, unlistened for weeks until another friend mentioned he was going to see them live and had a spare ticket. I started listening to see if it'd be something I like, and it grew and grew on me and I went to the gig. Wow! What a band! Flawless live and mind-blowing music too. Thank you, bar guy; I'm sorry, I can't even remember your name.

[@chris-4566]

Seal has one of those voices I could listen to all day long.

[@JustLocal]

Do!

[@JustHenry]

Exactly 👍

[@DigitalAura]

The first CD I ever owned. This is one of the best things I ever purchased in life. Thanks Seal.

[@alisonjones1]

I can’t say how much that song, that album impacted me as a 20+ year old. All the love for Seal

[@BluePhoenix476513]

Damn! He sounds EXACTLY the same as in the 90s. It's amazing.

[@d112cons]

Dude - he LOOKS like he did in the 90s! Great musician.

[@Sleepy8]

He plays a left handed guitar with the strings upside down. That is awesome.

[@stormyandcold]

Never knew he even played. He has the advantage that he can play any right-handed guitar.

[@philthyphil7651]

Thank God, was just starting at his hands to make sure the chord shapes lined up before I asked about it

[@darcebader2126]

I'm confused by that.. why not just turn a right handed guitar upside down? Instead of restringing a left handed guitar? I feel like someone gifted a left handed guitar to him, and he restrung it because he learned guitar upside down.

[@happydude2163]

@@darcebader2126 I think that's what he did, poster got it wrong I think. He couldn't restring the right handed guitars, so he grabbed one and flipped it and continues to play that way. That's how I understood it.

[@mutton_man]

​@@happydude2163poster got it right. What he is using in this video is a left handed guitar. He has put the string on upside.

[@DanFlashes99]

"When I wrote that, I knew I had one" ...not that I have any hit songs but I know that feeling, I'm sure many creative people do. KNOWING you created something of worth, something that pops. Such a great feeling on the rare occasions when it happens

[@deeforty]

Yeah it's a great feeling, it's almost like it was always there , even when you've literally just created it .

[@Telescope1994]

Agree every creative knows when something really sticks

[@madnessbydesignVria]

Art isn't what you make, it's what you release... :)

[@stevegigg6066]

Oh man, Seal still got it, just beautiful

[@gabrielbueno8079]

This is a guy who takes care of his voice! 👏👏👏

[@threepe0]

Something that might be easy to miss is when he says he got his hands on all these albums, he had to work hard for each one, they weren't cheap or accessible like music is now. He fought hard to listen to, let alone make music.

[@apollozero]

Why would they not be cheap or accessible? What is your logic for that? These were classic albums, they had used stores as well. You could also order records from stores? CDs?

[@gerrymufc]

From the interview I'm taking that he couldn't even afford a cheapish right-handed guitar that he could adapt to play left-handed. So the cost of buying all the albums he wanted/needed to listen to might've been quite steep compared to any wage he had coming in.

[@rlmccoy252]

Even CDs were $20 new and $5-$10 used. Vinyl pretty much held its value.

[@youngwt1]

@@apollozeroa second hand cd by the late 90s would have been around £7 when minimum wage was about £3ph to put it in some perspective, and SEAL was earlier than that

[@sameoldblues1970]

⁠@@apollozeroCDs were not cheap back in the 90’s, tapes a little less pricey but to buy music was costly back then not like now were it’s a subscription for £10 a month for everything. One new CD album was at least £10/£12 and for example the Beatles blue double album on CD was something like £30.

[@GaryStockton]

Crazy he plays that guitar upside down. And Crazy was a masterpiece.

[@thac0twenty377]

used to be normal for lefties

[@niteshades_promise]

wait its upside-down? oh its strung upside-down. some lefties do that. thats wild. 🍻

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@niteshades_promise Elizabeth Cotten played guitar like this, and wrote one of the most amazing pieces of all time (freight train) in 1908. Dozens of other songwriters have used the guitar upside down, over the last 100 years, it's unusual but not unique.

[@heatvisuals]

isn’t this how jimmy hendrix played too?

[@althejazzman]

@@heatvisuals No, Hendrix had the thick string nearest him, like a rightie, but the neck pointing the other way. Seal literally learned to play a right-handed guitar flipped over with no modifications. He does now have the luxury of playing proper leftie guitars, but the strings have to be the opposite order to normal. I know leftie guitarists who can play with the strings in either order! It's mad.

[@tofromks]

So rare to have artists with this kind of backstory today. So few young people ever listen to or respect the true singing poets of the past.

[@pineapple8407]

One of my faves, his authenticity is palpable

[@jackprice7828]

Mason how cool to be able to play with Seal! Vocally his ear is incredible, so I can see how that would work for him in song writing.

[@larrynbrook]

I know right?! So happy for mason to be able to play with a leg like seal. That must have been such a thrill 😊

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@jackprice7828 thanks so much! It’s my one claim to fame as a guitar player!

[@TheStudioRats]

Lovely accompaniment Mason! Seal is the MAN!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏

[@joshuapark1749]

What a magical voice. Wow. Awesome guitar playing to you both!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks so much!

[@AdFunk]

I remember hearing Seal for the first time as the vocalist on the new Adamski record "Killer". It was one of those watershed moments. A truly great artist.

[@kentoskentos8428]

Seal’s voice, best ever. Live it recorded, it stays the same.

[@arvindbeeharry8214]

SEAL was the first ever Album I got my Dad to buy me. I was 10 years old. I still listen this now, it never gets old!

[@Jill_SmokeandMirrors]

It is an excellent album. I especially love singing Future Love Paradise and The Beginning at full blast.

[@arvindbeeharry8214]

@@Jill_SmokeandMirrors OMG! Same here. First album I learnt to sing all the words off by heart ❤

[@DeliciousVicious777]

I never knew Seal played a righty upside down as a lefty like me. We're so rare, it's awesome to see others that play like that. Great video!!

[@hamiltonmews]

Interestingly, unlike Hendrix, it's also strung upside down. Mad!

[@johnnier.o.d4746]

i'm a left handed too man .... but for whatever reason,i write with my right hand & play guitar like a right handed person ..... when i started driving (automatic cars) .... i practiced how to drive using both left & right ..... now,i can drive using both legs .....

[@KSTAccountancy]

Ironically that is a left handed guitar that has been strung as a right handed, crazy

[@DeliciousVicious777]

@hamiltonmews that's actually a misconception! Check out some videos and pictures of him playing. He was a true lefty, he just played a right handed guitar, strung true lefty (which I guess still kind of counts) because he thought it looked cool iirc.

[@hamiltonmews]

@@DeliciousVicious777 Yeah, but Hendrix still strung it normally. Seal has the low E string at the bottom here. So he's playing the guitar upside and strumming it in reverse. Really is "Crazy" haha.

[@markward9949]

One of the greatest tracks ever. Amazing to hear it as an acoustic version and that voice - still so emotive and beautiful. X

[@scallywag8788]

Saw Seal in concert at the Zenith in Paris last week. Phenomenal

[@arieslove6144]

Yes seen him at fox theater in Atlanta. Awesome show

[@corkandi]

Two guitars, a legendary vocalist and a song thats as old as my son. Seal is an exceptional musician and his 'mate' is a good interviewer.

[@grxengine6188]

Sometimes you happen on someone who is from your “tribe”. Very inspiring, Seal. This was very emotional for me to watch hearing him tell how he gained an understanding about what it takes to create great music. Not just listening, but studying. VERY relatable.

[@joellebrodeur1015]

Still proves that simple is more effective. It's what you do within that framework to make it evocative. Always thought Seal was overlooked here in the States. He has an amazing voice and a unique style.

[@tdz69]

This album was and is fantastic. So many great songs. Took me back to this time in my life listening.

[@FunnFoto]

Man Audio production on this is crazy. This pure mix is awesome .. Long time fan.. he landed in my life and cemented so many fond memories.

[@geoffredrup9616]

Loved Seal from the first time I heard this. He grew up in the same town as me, Romford. Not seen you duet before, Mason - you should do this at least once on each interview. Have recommended your channel to many friends in the UK. Absolute gold, my friend.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@geoffredrup9616 wow thank you!

[@drew699]

Seal is an Essex man?!!

[@CARfariPark]

The octave change and fortissimo part towards the end just makes the hair on my arms stand on end. Stripped back with the beautiful clean riffs accompanying - still makes this song so great today, over 30 years on! Wow. Inspiring.

[@RICO_SUAVE21]

One of the best of all time!

[@NEVERAGAIN007]

NO MATTER WHAT VERSION!!!! This song never ever never ever gets old!!!!! One of the most magnificent trail blazing songs ever created and the more revisions he does the better it gets. Real Artist right here. SEAL❤️❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@gonnahavemesomefun]

I fell in love with my first girlfriend to this album. That feeling is locked inside the album whenever I hear it. Thank you Seal. Your words inspired two kids in the 90s.

[@emorsi]

Seal was one of the first voices I thought so unique, so good that I would ever be considered as an amateur (I am singing myself in a band). The real professionals like Seal are just on another level.

[@marklarsen8126]

That voice, still amazing. Got to see him live in the 90s - one of the best vocalists ever. Now I want some new music from him!

[@Zephyr653]

Absolute banger from Seal that ages beautifully. His debut album was gold. Wish that he would continue writing with this emotion.

[@bilko6652]

Massive respect for Seal, a true gent and obscenely talented! Love his voice, his first self titled album is a masterpiece. In my top ten always!

[@zylascope]

I've been playing guitar the right way up all this time. I need to try playing it upside down. Awesome singer, awesome song, and awesome albums.

[@azharkhan8796]

Human Being is one of the greatest albums of our era.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Be sure to watch the full 3 hour interview linked in the description. We talk about it a lot and perform some songs on it as well.

[@bolder2009]

It really is!

[@Jeff_Brannon]

Seal has an amazing presence and voice

[@thelunaticsings]

Very tastefully accompanied there Mason. Sounded great.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@thelunaticsings wow, thank you!

[@ericgelders]

Yeah agree, beautiful additional fills - I'm getting goosebumps from this rendition, beautiful

[@vintagesoul73911]

Great little hammer on fill at the very end to finish it off, after "love, love, love" 🎸

[@MarlonKingShow]

Really likes this, nice interview and performance, something that is usually missing on YT, as you have to search the two things separately due to the short form style content.

[@sinord5288]

One of my favourite artists of all time.

[@Guitar6ty]

Back in the 1980s a band called "The Pop Group" had a hit with a record called thief of fire it used just 1 chord for the whole song but still managed to be a great tune and sound great.

[@oov55]

I remember SEAL... you certainly didn't know much about guitar playing....but... the track was stunning, and quite rightly, you were applauded. Banging tune, even today

[@162tsb7]

Seal and Terence Trent D'Arby are the 2 most underrated solo artists of that time. By the way, Killer by Adamski feat Seal is an all time classic too this guy is class.

[@bolder2009]

TTD acknowledged the significance of the emergence of Seal in the early 90s in an interview with Arsenio.

[@johnbenevoli2066]

Beautiful story, touching tune, amazing concept, and an exceptional human being..really feelin the love bro!!!❤❤❤

[@martinlawrence8427]

What a rare treat…awesome! 🙌

[@rellis881]

seall has never been one of my favorite artists, I'd like them but I've never really cared one way or another, so I don't understand what's going on but listening to him explain, and being so candid and honest about his process originally, gave me chills. there's something that just changed in me when it comes to him I always looked at him kind of kind of poppy kind of mediocre middle of the road. I realize that I couldn't have been further from reality and thinking that. wow, here is a man that actually was given what he considered a template as far as a cassette tape of artists to listen to and in that moment he literally matured as a musician, in the fact that he knew that he would need to study he would need to learn he would have to put himself really into it and he did and then another person the guy who owned the studio taught him about the a chord and the e chord and he didn't wait to build on that repertoire of courts he took those two cords and he wrote a hit song not just any hit song a song that to this day is a staple for other artists that song changed music in some ways other artists became famous off of doing that song, Gnarls Barkley, I've heard women do it, that song is so iconic and to learn how he wrote it is amazing. I actually owe the universe and apology this man is not mediocre He's never been middle of the road. I'm actually embarrassed that I thought that. thank you for this

[@frimocologne]

Seal is one of a few artists on my bucket list I would like to see live. Hopefully he is going to come to Germany one time :)

[@mougabo]

simplicity with so much details..... loved it

[@steven_scattergood]

Absolutely magnificent and still a total classic song. Sounds phenomenal.🇦🇺👍

[@LukeMcdonald10]

Oh my God, so powerful, what a story. Seal is really f'kn cool 🙌🙏

[@MusicUnLtd.]

Beautiful accompaniment by the guitarist - very melodic!

[@gangoffour6690]

I have loved this song from the first time I heard it and still do to this day. Just found your channel this morning. ✌

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Welcome aboard!

[@christianboutot]

A real and pure artist and that is all ❤❤❤❤

[@behrampatel4872]

WOOOO what a voice starting @4:47 . Relivin times from all those years ago. My god I miss those tunes and days. Stay forever SEAL. love b

[@ericgelders]

I really liked 'Killer' from Adamski, loved Seal's vocals and the sound of that track. But when I heard 'Crazy' from the man himself (with brilliant ZTT production), I was blown away, brilliant song to this day! As a left hander, I used to take other's right-hand guitar and play the same way Seal does, the same A and E major chords 😄

[@zerocows]

Simply beautiful! Seal and "Newborn Friend" was a huge inspiration to our founder back in the day as a pro athlete agent/producer.💙

[@martinwilliams9098]

He’s got a fantastic voice,a great artist

[@sjelliott6660]

One of the best moments of my life was seeing Seal perform in Houston around 2006 from the 3rd row.

[@rivitheadlab2523]

Thanks for this video! I wanted the story of him making the song. I love stuff like this!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad you enjoyed it! Be sure to watch the full three hour interview linked in the description.

[@rivitheadlab2523]

@@VertexEffectsInc Will do!

[@thomasmcdonald3196]

Everytime i hear this song on the radio, instant goosebumps and volume goes up... Timeless❤️

[@fortissimoX]

I find these kind of stories very inspiring... Thanks for sharing!

[@jimmyjagessar749]

Agree 💯

[@barrybr1]

I haven't listened to the Seal album for so many years now.......the cassette was always on play in my car. Every song was a belter. Loved this version and the classy accompaniment, very understated

[@mstargate12]

That man has some pipes on him. Wonderful.

[@losttapes1705]

It was more than the song. It was his beautiful voice. Awesome.

[@TheMediaMachine]

This is by far one of best interviews I have watched and heard because he lets Seal talk, without interruptions and trying to prevent him to finish what he is saying. Many interrupt and it's annoying because they stop the flow of what the artist is saying and then it just changes direction and I wanted to hear the finish of what the artist was trying to say. Because of that I learned a lot from what Seal was saying. Made a huge difference for me. Great interview.

[@kimberlycaintv]

His voice is so lush. Love the quality of it. "Crazy" has always been on my favorite songs list. Thanks for this.

[@welkerroad]

So good! Inspiring. Maybe one day, I’ll get to do an interview like this too.

[@fordhammie]

This channel is #1 ❤ so many arrists and stories! 😊

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@fordhammie 🙏🙏🙏

[@bcgambit80]

I still get the same feeling in my soul when I hear this song now, as I did when it came out on the radio when I was 11.

[@daniellogan8825]

Absolutely love this song!! Mr Seal , this song is just ... something.. I have your station on Pandora because of this song.. Way to go sir 👏

[@denislemay400]

Wow, been listening to his music since Seal 1 and I'll never gonna get tired of his voice, he is a magistral performer even in downscale event!

[@meupequenomundo]

One of my favorite songs ever! I just never get tired of it.

[@TyCorr]

I love Seal. I was a wee kid in high school. His harmonic ability blew me away. I got burned out as the radio played it to death. For very good reason. After a break i heard it and got blown away over again. Amazing amazing

[@stewartking4928]

I met seal when he came to my shop front asking for directions. Super lovely bloke. Tall fucker too. Nice guy.

[@sanozfamily]

Wow! Amazing! One of my all time favorites and what a great rendition of that song! Thank you!

[@rmariacarlson]

Such raw talent and so timeless!!! I remember being so moved by this in college. Hearing it with fresh nuance and context has now got me singing again after feeling somewhat numb in life. Magic. Thank you.

[@danares75]

What a wonderful, soothing and tranquilising voice he STILL has! Only a heart of stone will be untouched by this.

[@frankf7563]

Crazy to play the guitar like that

[@ericgelders]

The only thing where being left-handedness is a bit of a disadvantage, but that can eventually be overcome!

[@musiqsoundsproductions]

Not for us lefties haha.

[@JCL-n7y]

TYVM this was awesome his vocals are just brilliant. I'm 75 now and still love it.

[@R1PPA-C]

Seal I & II have been two of my most favourite albums since I was a young teen, out of all the genres I listen to those two albums never leave my side! Remarkable music

[@halsinden]

man. goosebumps still after all these years.

[@HammersChatForum]

What a wonderful treat at the end. Thank you

[@michellejames4493]

Lovely interview👏🏻🤩 refreshing to see an interviewer let the artist speak without interruption… bravo!👏🏻🙏🥰

[@ST-xg3gy]

Great interview, thank you! 🙏✌️

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad you enjoyed it! Be sure to watch the full three hour interview linked in the description.

[@SausagefingersMcGee]

Good stuff, I've been doing an acc version of this song for years. Interesting to know Seal does it in a similar way. Thank you Mr. Seal for making such a cool song for us to enjoy. Love Love Love

[@GoGoTwice]

That voice…unique, unmistakeable and flawless

[@cristianv1078]

Let’s give more likes to this great program!!! very enjoyable is a paradise for musicians, guitar players, bass players and any person who appreciates real music and talent…