"U Drive Me Crazy" is the first single taken from American boy band NSYNC's seasonal studio album, The Winter Album, as well as on the UK version of their self-titled debut album. The song was a major hit in Spain, reaching number four on the AFYVE chart and spending five weeks in the top fifteen.
| "U Drive Me Crazy" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by NSYNC | ||||
| from the album The Winter Album and 'N Sync (UK version) | ||||
| Released | September 27, 1998 | |||
| Recorded | 1997 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 3:34 | |||
| Label | Trans Continental, BMG | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bülent Aris, Toni Cottura, Rookee, Jan van der Toorn, G.J.O.R. Rollocks | |||
| Producer(s) | Bülent Aris, Toni Cottura, Rookee | |||
| NSYNC singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Licensed audio | ||||
| "U Drive Me Crazy (Radio Edit)" on YouTube | ||||
Music video
editBackground
editThe video for "U Drive Me Crazy" was released in 1998 outside of the US,[1] and was directed by Lionel C. Martin.[2] Lou Pearlman is briefly seen in the video.[1]
Synopsis
editThe video begins with a montage resembling a TV sitcom opening. The members of NSYNC are introduced in the apartment in a frame freeze; Justin is making a sandwich, Lance is making papier-mâché, JC is playing the guitar, Joey is reading "Girlymag" and Chris is trying to get his dog to pull him on his wagon. Lance sees an advertisement which states that a famous producer by the name of Johnny Correcto (played by their manager Johnny Wright) is looking for a new star.
They drive to the audition where they get rejected at the reception desk. Feeling dejected, the group notices a girl holding a bouquet of flowers and decide on a plan. They return to the hotel dressed as a glam metal band and while Justin distracts the receptionist with the flowers, the rest sneak in and play for Johnny before getting kicked out, dressing as Slash and Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses, as well as members from Twisted Sister.
The NSYNC members are able to figure out where Johnny is and attempt to play for him but are constantly rejected by the producer and the audience present. They arrive to a dinner for international dignitaries and pose as The Jackson 5, show up at a pool party dressed as the Spice Girls, and appear as rappers. The group eventually dance as themselves to the delight of the audience, as Johnny offers them a contract.
Reception
editRolling Stone noted that the video's message was about "being yourself", despite commenting on the absurdities of "dressing up in drag to distract a record executive's secretary or infiltrating a dinner party for world leaders dressed as, more or less, the Jackson 5."[3]
Track listings
edit- "U Drive Me Crazy" (Radio Edit) – 3:34
- "U Drive Me Crazy" (Extended Version) – 4:40
- "U Drive Me Crazy" (2-4 Family 7" Remix) – 3:24
- "U Drive Me Crazy" (Trime'n Delgado 12" Remix) – 5:33
Charts
edit| Chart (1998–1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany (GfK)[4] | 30 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[5] | 29 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | September 27, 1998 | CD single | Sony | [6] |
| Germany | October 2, 1998 | [7] |
References
edit- ^ a b Garner, Glen (September 8, 2016). "#TBT: *NSYNC Does Spice Girls Drag". Out. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
- ^ Young, Sage (November 10, 2018). "*NSYNC's 'Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays' Video Was Supposed To Be "Cheesy," According To Its Director". Bustle. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
- ^ Rolling Stone Staff (August 20, 2013). "'NSync's Music Video Evolution". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
- ^ "'N Sync – U Drive Me Crazy" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ "'N Sync – U Drive Me Crazy". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ "U Drive Me Crazy". Amazon UK. 1998.
- ^ "U Drive Me Crazy". Amazon Germany.