Crazy from the Heat is a 1985 EP by American rock musician David Lee Roth. His debut solo recording, it was released while Roth was still lead singer for Van Halen, though he parted ways with the band several weeks later and launched a solo career. The EP is certified platinum by the RIAA, having sold more than one million copies in the United States.
Background Crazy from the Heat consists of cover versions of songs of a decidedly dissimilar style from Roth's previous work with Van Halen. The song "Easy Street" was originally recorded by The Edgar Winter Group, while "Coconut Grove" was originally recorded by The Lovin' Spoonful.
The medley of "Just a Gigolo" and "I Ain't Got Nobody" is based on Louis Prima's 1956 medley combining two pre-World War II songs. This version peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, supported by a well-received music video. Roth's version of the well-known Beach Boys' hit "California Girls" peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the same position that the Beach Boys' original rendition reached 20 years prior.
According to the EP's liner notes, the cover picture of Roth was shot in the Seychelle Islands.
Roth used the title of the EP for his 1997 autobiography, Crazy from the Heat, and his future solo song "Goin' Crazy" uses the line "Goin Crazy... from the heat."
Track listing
Personnel David Lee Roth – vocals Dean Parks – guitar on "Coconut Grove" Eddie Martinez – guitars Sid McGinnis – guitars Willie Weeks – bass guitar John Robinson – drums Sammy Figueroa – percussion James Newton Howard – synthesizers on "Coconut Grove" Edgar Winter – keyboards, synthesizer, saxophone and backing vocals on tracks 1, 2 & 3 Brian Mann – synthesizer Carl Wilson – backing vocals on "California Girls" Christopher Cross – backing vocals on "California Girls"
Charts Album Chart (1985)PeakpositionUS Billboard 20015
Singles YearTitleChartPosition1985"California Girls"US Adult Contemporary29US Billboard Hot 1003US Mainstream Rock Tracks3"Easy Street"US Mainstream Rock Tracks14"Medley: Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody"US Mainstream Rock Tracks25US Billboard Hot 10012
Certifications
References
Further reading