T-R-O-U-B-L-E (song)

"T-R-O-U-B-L-E"
Single by Elvis Presley
from the album Today
B-side "Mr. Songman"[1]
Released April 22, 1975
Format 45 rpm
Recorded March 11, 1975
Genre Country
Length 3:02
Label RCA Victor
Writer(s) Jerry Chesnut
Producer(s) Felton Jarvis
Elvis Presley singles chronology
"Thinking About You"
(1975)		 "T-R-O-U-B-L-E"
(1975)		 "Mr. Songman"
(1975)

"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 dance halls as a source of income, especially during late-night hours. During the middle of his performance at one particular hall, the narrator notices a rather attractive female entering the hall by herself without a guest. The male then begins to boast about the female's obvious quality and features as an attempt to catch her attention.

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"
Single by Travis Tritt
from the album T-R-O-U-B-L-E
B-side "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" (remix)[3]
Released March 13, 1993
Format CD Single
Recorded 1992
Genre Country
Length 3:00
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Jerry Chesnut
Producer(s) Gregg Brown
Travis Tritt singles chronology
"Can I Trust You With My Heart"
(1993)		 "T-R-O-U-B-L-E"
(1993)		 "Looking Out for Number One"
(1993)

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

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 330. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  2. ↑ "Story Behind the Song: T-R-O-U-B-L-E". Country Weekly. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  3. ↑ Whitburn, p. 427
  4. ↑ Billboard, November 28, 1992
  5. ↑ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 0984." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. June 19, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Travis Tritt Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 for Travis Tritt.
  7. ↑ "Travis Tritt Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Travis Tritt.

External links