"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] | |||
| Released | April 22, 1975 | |||
| Recorded | March 11, 1975 | |||
| Studio | Studio C, Hollywood | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll, Country rock | |||
| Length | 3:02 | |||
| Label | RCA Victor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jerry Chesnut | |||
| Producer(s) | Felton Jarvis | |||
| Elvis Presley singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background and writing edit
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 edit
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 edit
| Chart (1975) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[3] | 35 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4] | 11 |
| US Easy Listening (Billboard)[5] | 42 |
Personnel edit
Sourced from Keith Flynn and RCA session logs.[6]
- Elvis Presley – lead vocals, harmony vocals
- James Burton – lead guitar
- John Wilkinson — electric rhythm guitar
- Charlie Hodge — acoustic rhythm guitar; backing vocals (uncertain)
- Duke Bardwell — bass guitar
- Glen Hardin — piano
- Ron Tutt — drums
- David Briggs – clavinet
- Voice (Donnie Sumner, Sherrill Nielsen, Tim Baty, Thomas Hensley) – backing vocals
Travis Tritt version edit
| "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] | |||
| Released | March 13, 1993 | |||
| Recorded | 1992 | |||
| Genre | Country rock, Rock and roll | |||
| Length | 3:00 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jerry Chesnut | |||
| Producer(s) | Gregg Brown | |||
| Travis Tritt singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
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. It was later featured in the 1996 film Tremors 2: Aftershocks.
Personnel edit
- Sam Bacco – tambourine, percussion
- Mike Brignardello – bass guitar
- Larry Byrom – acoustic guitar, slide guitar
- John Cowan – backing vocals
- Jack Holder – electric guitar
- John Jorgenson – electric guitar
- Billy Livsey – Hammond organ, clavinet
- Dana McVicker – backing vocals
- Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano
- Jimmy Joe Ruggiere – harmonica
- Travis Tritt – vocals
- Steve Turner – drums
- Billy Joe Walker Jr. – electric guitar
- Reggie Young – electric guitar
Critical reception edit
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 edit
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 edit
| 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 edit
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 330. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ "Story Behind the Song: T-R-O-U-B-L-E". Country Weekly. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ "Elvis Presley Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Elvis Presley Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-1993. Record Research. p. 192.
- ^ "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions".
- ^ 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.
