Johnny $ Dollar - Crazy Eyes

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Review by João Lopes

Crazy Eyes by Johnny $ Dollar: A Rockabilly Gem That Still Kicks Released in 1966 on Dot Records, Crazy Eyes by Johnny $ Dollar is one of those albums that feels like finding a dusty treasure in an old record store. With its raw rockabilly vibes and unpolished charm, it’s not gonna blow you away with studio tricks or overproduction—but that’s kinda the point. Produced by Arthur Smith, this album lets Johnny $ Dollar’s voice and guitar take center stage, delivering a sound that’s as authentic as they come. The title track, “Crazy Eyes,” hits hard right outta the gate. It’s got that classic rockabilly shuffle, driven by Dollar’s twangy vocals and some seriously greasy guitar licks. What makes this song stick? Maybe it’s how Dollar sings about obsession and heartbreak like he means every word—or maybe it’s just the way his guitar solo sneaks up on ya, all sharp and unexpected. Either way, it’s the kind of tune that gets stuck in your head for days. You can almost picture him playing it live, sweat dripping off his brow while the crowd goes wild. Then there’s “Windburn,” which slows things down but doesn’t lose steam. This one’s more about mood than flash, with lyrics that paint vivid pictures of long drives and restless nights. Dollar’s vocals here are softer, almost conversational, like he’s telling you a story over a beer. The melody has this haunting quality that creeps up on you when you least expect it. If “Crazy Eyes” is the party starter, “Windburn” is the after-hours jam where everyone sits around reflecting on life. Credit where it’s due—Johnny $ Dollar wrote these tracks himself, and his fingerprints are all over ‘em. He wasn’t just phoning it in; you can tell he poured his soul into this project. And let’s not forget Arthur Smith’s steady hand behind the boards, keeping everything tight without sucking the life out of the performances. Looking back at Crazy Eyes, it’s wild to think this came out during the height of the British Invasion, when rock music was getting bigger, louder, and flashier. Yet here’s Johnny $ Dollar, sticking to his roots and doing his own thing. Maybe that’s why the album flew under the radar back then—it didn’t fit neatly into any box. But today, it stands out as a reminder of what rock ‘n’ roll used to be before it got too polished. So yeah, give Crazy Eyes a spin if you’re into real-deal rockabilly. Just don’t blame me if you end up humming “Crazy Eyes” while brushing your teeth. Oh, and fun fact? Rumor has it Johnny $ Dollar named himself after a broken cash register. True or not, it fits the vibe perfectly.

Download Johnny $ Dollar - Crazy Eyes
Artist: Johnny $ Dollar
Album: Crazy Eyes

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: johnny-dollar-crazy-eyes.zip
  • MP3 size: 12.4 mb
  • FLAC size: 73.2 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Crazy Eyes2:12
Windburn1:48

Video

Johnny $ Dollar - Windburn

Images

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Catalog Numbers

45-16961

Labels

Dot Records

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 7"
  • 45 RPM
  • Promo

Companies

RoleCompany
Published ByClay Music
Phonographic Copyright (p)Paramount Pictures Corporation

Credits

RoleCredit
ProducerArthur Smith
VocalsJohnny $ Dollar
GuitarJohnny $ Dollar
Written-ByJohnny $ Dollar

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (A Side): MB 21668
  • Matrix / Runout (A Side): 63572-X
  • Matrix / Runout (B Side): MB 21667
  • Matrix / Runout (B Side): 63572

About Johnny $ Dollar

Johnny Dollar (March 8, 1933 in Kilgore, Texas, USA - April 13, 1986) was an American Rockabilly singer, guitarist and songwriter. Member of the KRLD Big D Jamboree and also the WWVA Original Jamboree. He was the son of Creek Indians who had relocated from Oklahoma to East Texas. Johnny attended schools in Kilgore, Fredericksburg, Crab Apple Creek, and Junction. About 1948 he lived with an older brother in Sheridan, Texas, and attended Schreiners Military Academy. At seventeen he joined the Marines and left home permanently. After the service, he worked in the oilfields of West Texas and as a truck driver and lumberyard hand while performing occasional singing jobs. At his own expense, Dollar recorded a single (Walking Away) for D Records in 1952. Then he worked as a deejay in Louisiana and New Mexico. He started a band called the Texas Sons and for a while performed regularly on Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport. He also recorded another single (Lumberjack), on Slim Willetts Winston label. By the late 1950s he was in Dallas and playing rockabilly. With a ready-made stage name, Johnny Dollar got in touch with Ed McLemore, owner and promoter of Big D Jamboree, and became a regular member of the cast. NOTE! For the UK trip-hop / pop-dance producer, please use .

Real Name

    • John Washington Dollar
    • Jr.

Name Vars

  • Dollar
  • J. Dollar
  • Johnny $
  • Johnny $ Dollar
  • Johnny Dollar And The Small Change
  • Johnny Dollard
  • Jonny Dollar

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The 1966 rockabilly album *Crazy Eyes* by Johnny $ Dollar was a true one-man show. Not only did he sing and play guitar, but he also wrote all the tracks, including "Crazy Eyes" and "Windburn." Produced by Arthur Smith, this Dot Records release is a hidden gem from the US rock scene. It’s like Johnny $ Dollar poured his whole soul into this project—writing, playing, and performing every bit of it. Pretty cool, right?