About The Song
In the vast landscape of country music, there are songs that make you tap your feet, songs that tug at your heartstrings, and then there are songs that paint vivid pictures with their lyrics and melodies, transporting you to another time and place. Travis Tritt’s “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” falls into the latter category, a timeless classic that has resonated with listeners for decades.
Released in 1992 as the title track of Tritt’s third studio album, “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” is a country anthem for the weary heart, a tale of a man who encounters a woman who spells nothing but trouble. From the moment he lays eyes on her, the narrator knows she’s trouble, but he’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame. He can’t resist her allure, even though he knows she’s going to bring him nothing but heartache.
The song’s opening lines perfectly capture the narrator’s predicament:
“Well, I play an old guitar from a nine till a half past one I’m just tryin’ to make a livin’ watchin’ everybody else havin’ fun Well, I don’t miss much if it happens on a dance hall floor Mercy, look what just walked through that door”
With these simple yet evocative lyrics, Tritt paints a picture of a lonely musician working late into the night, seeking solace in his music. But then she enters, the embodiment of trouble, and his world is turned upside down.
The chorus is a declaration of the narrator’s awareness of the trouble that awaits him, yet he’s powerless to resist:
“T-R-O-U-B-L-E Tell me what in the world You doin’ A-L-O-N-E Yeah, say hey, good L double O-K-I-N-G Well, I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E…”
Tritt’s vocals are raw and emotional, perfectly conveying the narrator’s mix of desire and apprehension. The music is equally compelling, with a driving beat and a twangy guitar riff that underscores the song’s urgency.
“T-R-O-U-B-L-E” is more than just a catchy song; it’s a story that we can all relate to. We’ve all been drawn to the wrong person, the one who spells nothing but trouble, yet we can’t help but fall for their charms. Tritt’s song captures this universal experience with honesty and poignancy, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners today.
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Lyric
Well I play an old guitar from nine till half past oneI’m just tryin’ to make a livin’ watching everybody else havin’ funWell I don’t miss much if it happens on a dancehall floorMercy look what just walked through that doorWell hello T-R-O-U-B-L-ETell me what in the worldYou doin’ A-L-O-N-EYeah say “hey” good L-double-O-K-I-N-GWell I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-EI was a little bitty baby when my papa hit the skidsMama had a time tryin’ to raise nine kidsShe told me not to stare cause it was impoliteShe did the best she could to try to raise me right‘Cause mama never told me ’bout nothin’ like Y-O-UBet your mama musta been another good lookin’ honey tooHey good L-double-O-K-I-N-GWell I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-EWell a sweet talkin’, sexy walkin’, honky tonkin’ babyThe men are gonna love ya and the woman gonna hate yaRemindin’ them of everything they’re never gonna beMay be the beginning of a world war three‘Cause the world ain’t ready for nothing like Y-O-UI bet your mama musta been another good lookin’ mama tooHey say “hey” good L-double-O-K-I-N-GWell I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-EI said heyI said heyI said heyI said heyI said heyI smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E