[3] It was also said to be the first rock and roll recording to be played on national television in the United States (in an episode of Omnibus in 1953).

[6] Haley said in a 1967 interview with Vancouver, British Columbia DJ Red Robinson that he got the idea for the song from hearing popular catchphrases used by teenagers at school dances where he and his band performed.

(the latter also featured in a song called "Go Go Go" by the Treniers which music historian Jim Dawson suggests may have been an influence).

Personnel on the recording included Haley's core Comets members (Lytle, Billy Williamson [steel guitar], and Johnny Grande [piano]), plus session musicians Art Ryerson (lead guitar) and Billy Gussak (drums).

(Miller and Blaine were recruited because of the need to create a rowdy party-like sound during the song's chorus and conclusion.)

Essex Records ran a full-page ad in the April 25, 1953 Billboard magazine stating that the single had sold "over 100,000 in 15 days".

[12] A photo of Bill Haley, Marshall Lytle, Billy Williamson, and Johnny Grande accompanied the ad.

The band also performed the song in the 1961 Mexican film Besito a Papa (1961) directed by José Díaz Morales made by Cinematográfica Filmex S.A. and released on September 14, 1961.

A 45 single was released on Radio Active Gold distributed by Buddah Records produced by Richard Nader.

Ralph Marterie and his Orchestra also had a major hit with their version in 1953 as Mercury 70153, which Cashbox paired with the Bill Haley recording on July 4, 1953, peaking at #11.

[19] Erwin Lehn and Suedfunk-Tanzorchester released a version in 1955 on Deutsche Columbia as EP 21-7518 entitled "Nur Für Tänzer".

In 1991, Chimbo's Revival released the song as a 45 picture sleeve single on High Mountain Records.

A player piano version was recorded by J. Lawrence Cook which was originally issued as QRS 8980 and reissued as part of a 3-song medley entitled "Bill Haley Hits No.

A 1953 advertisement for an appearance by Bill Haley and the Comets at the Hofbrau Hotel in Wildwood, New Jersey noted that the Hamilton Trio danced to "Crazy Man Crazy" on the Your Show of Shows TV program and that Danny Kaye, Ralph Marterie, The Ravens, and the Mellowaires had "jumped" on the song.

Eddie Rivers of Asleep at the Wheel recorded a version in 2013 on the Plain Talkin' Man album.

The Lake Travis Fiddlers featuring Ray Benson recorded a version on the 2016 I Hear You Talkin' album.