Sheryl Crow interview - The Heartbeat of a Songbird with three decades of music

The singer-songwriter, now 63 years old, has a witty and articulate demeanor that is refreshing and authentic. She has opinions on a wide range of topics, from gun control and climate change to military conflict and the Presidential election. As we talk, it’s clear that she is not afraid to stand up and be counted.

Table of Contents

Early Life and Influences

Born on February 11, 1962, in Kennett, Missouri, Sheryl Crow was an overachieving middle child who excelled in school and athletics. Her parents, both musical, played together in a swing band on the weekends. Her father, a conservative, was a lawyer who valued the judicial system, while her mother, a liberal activist, was involved in social justice causes. This dichotomy had a profound impact on Crow’s upbringing and worldview.

Growing up, Crow was fascinated by music and began playing piano at a young age. Her parents would have friends over and ask her to play songs by James Taylor and Paul McCartney. Her first bit of censorship came from her father, who was upset when she played My Love by Paul McCartney. This experience taught her that music could be a powerful tool for self-expression.

College and Early Music Career

After graduating from high school, Crow attended the University of Missouri, where she began playing keyboards in bands. She was noticed more for her talent and eventually landed a gig as a music teacher. However, she never felt like she fit in with the classical music scene. Her college professor told her that she would never be a great classical pianist because she could play pieces by ear.

Crow worked as a music teacher and gigged on the weekends while recording jingles for advertising campaigns. In 1987, she joined Michael Jackson’s Bad tour as a backing vocalist. This experience was a turning point for her, as she realized that she wanted to make a career out of music on her own terms.

Los Angeles and the Rise to Fame

In the late 1980s, Crow moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming a singer-songwriter. She was determined to shop her material around and make it big. She fell in with a West Coast songwriting collective who performed on her debut solo album Tuesday Night Music Club (1993).

The album was initially shelved by A&M Records, but Crow convinced them to eat the $400,000 they had spent on the project. She used this time to regroup and eventually released the album to critical acclaim.

Tuesday Night Music Club

Tuesday Night Music Club was a game-changer for Crow. The album featured hits like All I Wanna Do and Strong Enough, which catapulted her to stardom. The album’s success led to two years of touring worldwide, during which time she struggled with the pressures of fame.

Looking back on that period, Crow acknowledges that it was an arduous time. She was constantly on the road, playing shows in places like Colorado and France. The experience took a toll on her mentally and physically.

Sheryl Crow: The Artist

Crow’s subsequent albums, including Sheryl Crow (1996) and The Globe Sessions (1998), cemented her status as a rock superstar. She continued to release hit albums throughout the early 2000s.

C’mon C’mon and Wildflower

In 2002, Crow released her third album, “C’mon C’mon,” which featured the hit singles “Soak Up the Sun” and “C’mon C’mon.” The album was a commercial success, selling over 2 million copies in the United States.

Crow’s next album, “Wildflower,” was released in 2005. The album featured a more stripped-down and introspective sound than her previous work, and it received critical acclaim from many music critics. The album also spawned the hit singles “Good Is Good” and “Chances Are.”

Detours and Beyond

In 2008, Crow released her fifth album, “Detours,” which featured the hit single “Summer Rain.” The album was a departure from her previous work, with many of the songs featuring a more rock-oriented sound.

In 2010, Crow released her sixth album, “100 Miles from Memphis,” which featured a more country-influenced sound. The album received critical acclaim from many music critics.

However, as she gained more fame, Crow also faced criticism for her political views. Her second album caused controversy due to a line from Love Is A Good Thing that referenced gun violence and Walmart discount stores.

Crow believes that artists have no duty to speak up politically but rather should use their platform to express their opinions honestly. She misses the days when artists like Buffalo Springfield and Marvin Gaye wrote songs that tackled important social issues without worrying about losing fans.

Here is the full discography of Sheryl Crow:

Studio Albums

Tuesday Night Music Club (1993)
The Globe Sessions (1998)
C’mon, C’mon (2002)
Wildflower (2005)
Detours (2008)
100 Miles from Memphis (2010)
Feels Like Home (2013)
Be Myself (2017)
Threads (2019) – featuring collaborations with artists such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Chris Stapleton

Live Albums

Sheryl Crow and Friends: Live from Central Park (1997) – live album and concert film featuring performances with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and others
Live at the Riverfront (2003) – live album featuring performances from her 2002-2003 tour
Home for Christmas: Live from the Beacon Theatre (2008) – live album featuring performances from her 2008 Christmas tour

Compilations

The Very Best of Sheryl Crow (2004) – greatest hits compilation
Playlist: The Very Best of Sheryl Crow (2010) – greatest hits compilation

Singles

“Leaving Las Vegas” (1992)
“All I Wanna Do” (1993)
“Strong Enough” (1994)
“Can’t Cry Anymore” (1994)
“The Difficult Kind” (1996)
“If It Makes You Happy” (1996)
“A Change Would Do You Good” (1997)
“Soak Up the Sun” (2002)
“C’mon, C’mon” (2002)
“Light in Your Eyes” (2003)
“Good Is Good” (2005)
“Chances Are” (2005)
“Love Is Free” (2008)
“Summer Rain” (2010)
“Easy” (2013)
“Feels Like Home” (2013)
“Would You Lie to Me?” (2017)

The Current Music Landscape

Today, Crow is concerned about the state of the music industry. She believes that most pop music is focused on sex and partying rather than meaningful storytelling. She misses the days when artists like Buffalo Springfield and Marvin Gaye wrote songs that tackled important social issues.

Despite these concerns, Crow remains committed to using her music as a platform for self-expression and social commentary. She continues to tour and release new music, always staying true to her artistic vision.

Jukebox Favorites

When asked which tracks from her early albums would make it onto her jukebox, Crow mentions obscure songs like My Favourite Mistake and Riverwide. These songs are personal favorites that showcase her unique blend of Appalachian folk and Zeppelin-inspired rock.

From Tornado Alley to Nashville

Crow’s upbringing in rural Missouri had a profound impact on her music. Growing up in Tornado Alley meant that she learned to adapt quickly to unexpected situations. When asked about her favorite memories from childhood, she fondly recalls building forts with her siblings during tornado drills.

After leaving Missouri for Los Angeles, Crow struggled to find her place in the city’s competitive music scene. However, she eventually found solace in Nashville’s country-rock community.

Nashville’s Country-Rock Scene

In Nashville’s country-rock scene, Crow found kindred spirits who shared her passion for storytelling through music. Artists like Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell became mentors and friends who helped shape her songwriting style.

Crow’s time in Nashville also led to collaborations with other musicians like Vince Gill and Willie Nelson. Her work with these artists helped refine her country-rock sound and cemented her place as one of the genre’s leading voices.

Personal Life

In addition to her music career, Crow has been open about her personal struggles with depression and anxiety. She has spoken candidly about how these experiences have affected her relationships and overall well-being.

Crow has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts throughout her career. She has worked with organizations like the ASPCA and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to support animal welfare and children’s healthcare initiatives.

The Power of Music

Throughout our conversation, it becomes clear that music has always been a source of solace for Crow. She credits music with helping her cope with personal struggles and find meaning in times of uncertainty.

For Crow, music is not just about entertainment but also about connection and community-building. She believes that artists have a responsibility to use their platform to bring people together and inspire positive change.

Legacy

Sheryl Crow is widely regarded as one of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time. Her unique blend of rock, pop, country, and folk styles has resonated with fans around the world. Her commitment to philanthropy and environmental activism has also made her a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

Despite her many successes, Crow remains humble and grounded. She continues to tour and release new music, inspiring fans of all ages with her passion for music and her dedication to making a positive impact on the world.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our conversation with Sheryl Crow, it’s clear that this iconic artist has lived a life filled with battles fought and won, hardships overcome, and hopes realized. From her humble beginnings in rural Missouri to her rise as a rock superstar, Crow has remained true to herself and her art.

As we look back on our conversation, it’s clear that Sheryl Crow’s story is one of resilience and determination. Despite facing countless challenges throughout her career, she has remained committed to using her music as a platform for self-expression and social commentary.

As we part ways with Sheryl Crow, we are reminded of the power of music to inspire hope and change in ourselves and others.