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

"T-R-O-U-B-L-E" is a song written by Jerry Chesnut and recorded by Elvis Presley in March 1975. It was released as a single, as the A-side, with the B-side "Mr. Songman", through RCA Victor that was taken from his album Today. It is not to be confused with the Leiber and Stoller song "Trouble", that Presley first recorded in July 1958, and which was subsequently recorded by numerous other artists.

"T-R-O-U-B-L-E"
Single by Elvis Presley
from the album Today
B-side"Mr. Songman"[1]
ReleasedApril 22, 1975
RecordedMarch 11, 1975
GenreRock and roll
Length3:02
LabelRCA Victor
Songwriter(s)Jerry Chesnut
Producer(s)Felton Jarvis
Elvis Presley singles chronology
"My Boy" / "Thinking About You"
(1975)		 "T-R-O-U-B-L-E"
(1975)		 "Bringing It Back"
(1975)

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 at various nightclubs as his main 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 characteristics and features, and implies a great sense of trouble (hence the song's hook, "I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E") 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 among other females with characteristics somewhat less appealing than hers.

Chart performance
Chart (1975) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3] 11
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 35
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[5] 42

Personnel

Sourced from Keith Flynn and RCA session logs.[6]

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)[7]
ReleasedMarch 13, 1993
Recorded1992
GenreCountry
Length3:00
LabelWarner Bros. Nashville
Songwriter(s)Jerry Chesnut
Producer(s)Gregg Brown
Travis Tritt singles chronology
"Can I Trust You With My Heart"
(1992)		 "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.

Personnel

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."[8]

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)[9] 17
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[10] 8
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 13

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 330. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  2. "Story Behind the Song: T-R-O-U-B-L-E". Country Weekly. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  3. "Elvis Presley Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  4. "Elvis Presley Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-1993. Record Research. p. 192.
  6. https://keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/750311.html
  7. Whitburn, p. 427
  8. Billboard, November 28, 1992
  9. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 0984." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. June 19, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  10. "Travis Tritt Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  11. "Travis Tritt Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.


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