T-R-O-U-B-L-E (song)
| "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Mr. Songman"[1] |
"T-R-O-U-B-L-E" is a song written by Jerry Chesnut and recorded by Elvis Presley in 1975. It is a different song than "Trouble", a song Presley first recorded in 1958.
Background and writing
Jerry Chesnut wrote the song in 1975, taking inspiration from a singer and pianist named Little David Wilkins. He said that, when writing the title, he thought of a woman walking through the door and causing trouble; he added that he spelled out the word "trouble", then the words "alone" and "looking", and found that they rhymed when spelled out.[2]
Content
The male narrator is a musician who performs various nightclubs as a source of income, especially during late-night hours. During a performance at one particular club, the narrator notices a rather attractive young female entering the club by herself. The narrator concurrently begins to boast about the female's obvious quality and features, and implies a great sense of trouble that the female could cause as a result, such as bringing her attractiveness to the attention of males that notice or approach her, and subsequently inflicting jealousy amongst other females with features and overall quality somewhat less than attractive than hers.
Chart performance
| Chart (1975) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 11 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 35 |
Travis Tritt version
| "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" (remix)[3] |
This song was recorded in 1992 by American country music singer Travis Tritt. It was the third single released from his 1992 album of the same name. It peaked at #13 in the United States, and #17 in Canada.
Critical reception
Geoffrey Himes, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that Tritt transforms it with "boogie-woogie piano, slide guitar and super-fast tempo into a bar romp reminiscent of Little Feat."[4]
Music video
The music video was directed by Jack Cole. It features Tritt singing the song on a stage surrounded by a huge crowd. Later, he jumps into the crowd to look for a certain girl.
Charts
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] | 17 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[6] | 8 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] | 13 |
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 330. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- ^ "Story Behind the Song: T-R-O-U-B-L-E". Country Weekly. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ Whitburn, p. 427
- ^ Billboard, November 28, 1992
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 0984." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. June 19, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
- ^ "Travis Tritt Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Travis Tritt Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
External links
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