About The Song
“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is a cover of the 1979 Queen song written by Freddie Mercury, reinterpreted by American country music artist Dwight Yoakam. It was released in April 1999 as the lead single from his compilation album Last Chance for a Thousand Years: Dwight Yoakam’s Greatest Hits from the 90’s on Reprise Records. The track peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and No. 65 on its debut week, showcasing Yoakam’s ability to blend country with rockabilly.
The song was recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles, produced by Pete Anderson, with Yoakam’s twangy vocals leading a lively arrangement. The track runs 2:23 and features a fusion of country rhythms and rock influences, with Anderson’s guitar work adding a distinctive edge, adapting Mercury’s original to suit Yoakam’s style.
The lyrics retain Mercury’s playful take on love’s unpredictability, with lines like “This thing called love, I just can’t handle it.” Yoakam infused the song with a country twist, reflecting his admiration for rockabilly and early rock influences, making it a natural fit for his catalog while paying homage to Queen’s classic.
The music video, directed by Yoakam himself, premiered in 1999 and features him performing with a retro aesthetic, aligning with the song’s upbeat energy. It also appeared in a Gap clothing commercial, boosting its visibility, and was later included in the 2006 film The Break-Up starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston.
Upon release, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” achieved moderate success, contributing to the album’s gold certification. The compilation, released in 1999, compiled Yoakam’s hits from the 1990s, and this cover stood out for its cross-genre appeal, appealing to both country and rock audiences.
Yoakam, born on October 23, 1956, in Pikeville, Kentucky, promoted the single with live performances and TV appearances. Known for his neotraditional country sound, this cover highlighted his versatility, building on his earlier hits like “Little Ways” and “Guitars, Cadillacs.”
The song remains a fan favorite, often featured in Yoakam’s live sets and country music retrospectives, appreciated for its spirited reinterpretation of a rock classic.
Video
Lyric
This thing called love, I just can’t handle it
This thing called love, I must get round to it
I ain’t ready
Crazy little thing called loveThis thing (this thing) called love (called love)
It cries (like a baby) in a cradle all night
It swings, it jives
It shakes all over like a jellyfish
I kinda like it
Crazy little thing called loveThere goes my baby
She knows how to rock ‘n’ roll
She drives me crazy
She gives me hot and cold fever
Then she leaves me in a cool, cool sweatI gotta be cool, relax, get hip
And get on my tracks
Take a back seat, hitch-hike
And take a long ride on my motorbike
Until I’m ready
Crazy little thing called loveI gotta be cool, relax, get hip
And get on my tracks
Take a back seat (ah hum), hitch-hike (ah hum)
And take a long ride on my motorbike
Until I’m ready (ready Freddie)
Crazy little thing called loveThis thing called love, I just can’t handle it
This thing called love, I must get round to it
I ain’t ready
Crazy little thing called love
Crazy little thing called love
Crazy little thing called love
Crazy little thing called love