Ole Man Trouble

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“Ole Man Trouble”
“Ole Man Trouble” cover
Song by Otis Redding
Album Otis Blue
Released August 15, 1965
Format 7" single
Recorded Stax Studios, Memphis, Tennessee: July 1965
Genre Soul
Length 2:25
Label Volt/Atco
V-128
Writer Otis Redding
Producer Steve Cropper
Otis Blue track listing
  1. "Ole Man Trouble"
  2. "Respect"
  3. "A Change Is Gonna Come"
  4. "Down in the Valley"
  5. "I've Been Loving You Too Long"
  6. "Shake"
  7. "My Girl"
  8. "Wonderful World"
  9. "Rock Me Baby"
  10. "Satisfaction"
  11. "You Don't Miss Your Water"

"Ole Man Trouble" is a song by Otis Redding and the first track from his 1965 album Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. It was released as the B-side to his hit single "Respect", the second track from Otis Blue. The song is a sign of Redding's emerging mature and reflective side that was to culminate in his posthumous single "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay". "Ole Man Trouble" was also released on Redding's posthumous album The Dock of the Bay.

As the "Dock of the Bay" represents a search for a place to settle down and find peace or a home, an "Ole Man" is used as a personification for the trouble that can find a person after they have already endured it for some part of their life.


Ole man trouble
Go find you someone else to pick on
I live my life now you see
Ole man trouble
Please stay away from me, now

Oh I look like I'm down in my luck
Please send faith to help pick me up
I've lived this way so many years
Ole man trouble
Please wash away all my fears


Crafted as a blues song with a classic soul melody set to country overtones, "Ole Man Trouble" helped Redding capture the growing white blues/soul market. The song was covered by a group called L.A. Getaway in 1971.





[edit] Chart performance

[edit] "Respect" Chart performance

Year Chart Position
1965 Black Singles Chart #4
1965 Pop Singles Chart #35
1965 Italian Singles Chart #60



[edit] External Links