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Trouble (Elvis Presley song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Trouble'" is a blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, originally performed by Elvis Presley in 1958 and covered by a number of artists in later years.
Background
Elvis Presley performed the song in the 1958 motion picture 'King Creole', and his recording was included on the soundtrack of the same name. "Trouble", featuring Scotty Moore on guitar, was one of only three songs written by Leiber and Stoller for the feature. Presley's performance in the film alludes to Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley. "If you're looking for trouble," he intones, "then look right in my face. Because I'm evil. My middle name is Misery." Music critic Maury Dean suggests that "Trouble," with Presley's "growling snarl," is one of the earliest proto-punk rock songs.Dean, Maury. [https://books.google.com/books?id=lJS4EArRBwoC&lpg=PP1&pg=PT438#v=onepage&q=&f=false 'Rock N Roll Gold Rush: A Singles Un-Cyclopedia'] p. 438.
Ten years later, Presley opened his 1968 comeback special with this number. With dark, moody lighting highlighting his sneer, the sequence alluded to Presley's checkered past and "dangerous" image and served to prove that the singer was still "sexy, surly and downright provocative."Doll, Susan. '[https://books.google.com/books?id=nr0ciqF0g4QC&lpg=PR1&pg=PA154#v=onepage&q=&f=false Understanding Elvis: Southern Roots vs. Star Image]' 1998. p. 154.Doll, Susan. '[https://books.google.com/books?id=hfGZx5KPwjAC&lpg=PT200&num=30&pg=PT200#v=onepage&q=&f=false Elvis for Dummies]' 2009. p. 182. The piece then segued into "Guitar Man" against a "Jailhouse Rock" backdrop featuring male dancers in cells. Presley performed the song several times on tour in the early 1970s and unofficial recordings of these performances have circulated. In 1975, Presley recorded "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" for a single, but this is a completely different song.
The song was included in the musical revue 'Smokey Joe's Cafe'.
Composition
The song uses the same "stop-time" riff as Muddy Waters' 1954 song "Hoochie Coochie Man" written by Willie Dixon. This particular riff is one of the most recognizable lick in blues, and is also heard in Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man" (1955) and Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy" (1955).
Indeed, the key feature of the song is the use of stop time, or pauses in the music, during the first half of the progression. This musical device is commonly heard in New Orleans jazz, when the instrumentation briefly stops, allowing for a short instrumental solo before resuming.
Notable cover versions
*Suzi Quatro covers it on her second album, 'Quatro', released in October 1974.
*A cover version by Gillan peaked at #14 in the UK Singles chart in October 1980.
*A cover version by the jam band Goose from their live show on 11/19/21 at the Belly up in Aspen Colorado
*Actor Austin Butler performed the song in the 2022 film, 'Elvis'.
Usage
Figure skating world champion Javier Fernndez performed part of his Elvis Presley free program to "Trouble" during the 201617 season, when he won his 5th consecutive European Championships gold medal. The program also included sections of "Fever" and "Jailhouse Rock".
American singer, songwriter, and dancer Britney Spears performed part of the first verse during her infamous comeback performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards before segueing into "Gimme More".
References
Category:1958 songs
Category:1975 singles
Category:Amanda Lear songs
Category:Elvis Presley songs
Category:Robbie Williams songs
Category:Songs written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Category:Songs written for films
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