About The Song
In October 1976 Bobby Bare entered RCA Victor Studio in Nashville for sessions that would produce his album *Me and McDill*. Self-produced and released by RCA Victor in January 1977 under catalog APL1-2179, the LP paid tribute to songwriter Bob McDill with eleven strong tracks. Among them was the upbeat, self-deprecating novelty number “If You Think I’m Crazy Now (You Should Have Seen Me When I Was a Kid),” a two-minute-and-twenty-one-second track that later appeared as the B-side to the single “Look Who I’m Cheating On Tonight,” issued in February 1977 under catalog PB-10902. The album marked another strong chapter in Bare’s long career of championing intelligent, character-driven material.
Bob McDill, already established as one of Nashville’s top tunesmiths with hits for artists such as Don Williams and Crystal Gayle, crafted the song as a humorous look back at youthful wildness. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who admits he is still pretty crazy but insists his younger self was far worse—staying out all night, starting fights, and generally living life at full throttle. McDill’s clever wordplay and conversational style turned what could have been a simple boast into a light-hearted confession that many listeners could relate to with a knowing smile.
Bare delivered the performance with the warm, relaxed baritone and dry sense of humor that defined much of his best work. His easygoing phrasing made the self-mocking lyrics land naturally, turning the song into a playful barroom anecdote rather than a boastful novelty. The arrangement kept things swinging and straightforward, featuring crisp rhythm guitar, subtle steel, and a lively backing that gave the track an infectious, good-time feel without overpowering Bare’s conversational delivery.
While the A-side “Look Who I’m Cheating On Tonight” climbed to number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, the B-side earned steady airplay and became a favorite among fans who enjoyed Bare’s lighter, more humorous side. The album *Me and McDill* itself was well received and helped keep Bare’s name active during the late 1970s when country music was shifting toward more polished productions. The project showcased his continued commitment to strong songwriting over trends.
Over the years “If You Think I’m Crazy Now (You Should Have Seen Me When I Was a Kid)” has remained a cult favorite on reissues and compilations drawn from Bare’s RCA catalog. It later appeared on Bear Family and Beat Goes On box sets that paired *Me and McDill* with other albums from the period, preserving the original masters for new generations. Fans have long appreciated the song’s self-deprecating charm and its perfect fit with Bare’s laid-back persona.
More than forty-five years after its release, the track continues to entertain listeners with its sharp wit and honest humor. It captures Bobby Bare in fine form during a productive stretch when he was still finding and interpreting distinctive material that suited his storytelling instincts. The song reminds fans why his relaxed delivery and impeccable timing could turn even a light-hearted confession into something genuinely memorable.
What began as one strong cut on a solid McDill tribute album became another example of Bare’s gift for making humorous songs feel completely authentic. It stands as a lively footnote in a career built on both serious narratives and clever novelties, proving once again that country music has always made room for artists willing to laugh at themselves.
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Lyric
I been wired since I can’t remember when
You seen me out most every night with a dissipated grin
All my life I been been ribald, loose and loud now I think I’m finally wearin’ down
I may rock and I may roll I may sleep out in the cold
I can still stay up six days in a row
But I know the things I do don’t compare with the things I did
If you think I’m crazy now should’ve seen me when I was a kid
I been wild I been wasted stoned and stooped
Stayed out nights and started fights and wore out two bar stools
All these years it’s been bedrooms bars and beers
But now the end is finally drawin’ near
I may rock and and may roll