Trouble Man

Marvin Gaye

About Trouble Man

"Trouble Man" is a song composed and written by American recording artist Marvin Gaye released on the Motown subsidiary, Tamla, in November of 1972. The song was the title track and theme of the blaxploitation film of the same name. Relating the song to the travails of the movie's leading character, named "Mister T", and also relating to issues in his private life, Marvin called it one of the most honest recordings he ever made. Gaye played drums and piano on the record as well as performing all the vocals himself, in which he sings most of the song in falsetto while reaching a gospel-styled growl during the bridges of the song. The performances of the song during Marvin's later concerts became one of his highlights during his 1970s and early 1980s tours. The song was also used as two instrumental "theme songs" on the accompanying album, in which Marvin played synthesizers to accompany saxophone solos from his musicians. Marvin also recorded a slightly different version of the song primarily for the movie's opening, in which he sang in both tenor and falsetto. 


Year:
2012
3:51
53 

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I come up hard baby, but now I'm cool
I didn't make it sugar, playin' by the rules
I come up hard baby, but now I'm fine
I'm checkin' trouble sugar, movin' down the line
I come up hard baby, but that's okay
'Cause trouble man, don't get in my way
I come up hard baby, I've been for real
Gonna keep movin', gonna go to town
I come up hard baby, I'm gettin' down
There's only three things that for sure
Taxes, death and trouble
This I know baby, this I know sugar
Girl Ain't gon let it sweat me babe

Got me singin', yeah, yeah, ooh
Come up hard, baby, I had to fight
Took care my business with all my might
I come up hard, come up hard, I had to win
Then start all over and win again
I come up hard but that's okay
'Cause trouble man don't get in my way, hey, hey

I know some places and I seen some faces
I got my connections, they take my directions
What people say, that's okay, they don't bother me, no
I'm ready to make it, don't care 'bout the weather
Don't care 'bout no trouble, got myself together
Laughin', no cryin', my protection's all around me

I come up hard, baby, I've been for real, baby
With the trouble mind, movin', goin' tight
I come up hard, come on, get down
There's only three things for sure
Taxes, death and trouble, oh
This I know, baby, this I've known, baby
Hey now, let it sweat, baby, ooh

All right, baby, ooh
I've come up hard, but now I'm cool
I didn't make it, baby, playin' by the rules
I've come up hard, baby, but now I'm fine
I'm checkin' trouble, sugar, hey, movin' down the line, oh

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Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984), born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., was an American singer-songwriter and musician whose career spanned more than two decades. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., he was the son of a storefront minister of a local Pentecostal church sect and grew up singing gospel in church revivals as a young child. Gaye branched out into secular music as a teenager, joining the doo-wop group The Marquees, after returning from an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, before the group was hired by Harvey Fuqua to be Harvey & The Moonglows. Following the band's separation in 1960, Gaye began working as a session drummer for the Detroit music label, Anna, before signing with Motown Records in 1961, adding an "e" to his s… more »

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Written by: Marvin Gaye

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Music Genre
"Trouble Man" is a song rooted in rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, and funk music, showing Marvin Gaye's multifaceted musical abilities.
Album
The song "Trouble Man" is the title track of Marvin Gaye's 1972 album, also titled "Trouble Man". This album was primarily a film score for the movie of the same name.
Movie Score
"Trouble Man" was written and composed by Gaye as part of his soundtrack for the "Trouble Man" film. Gaye not only provided the vocals for the song but also played the piano.
Chart Performance
"Trouble Man" saw significant success on music charts. The single hit number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a number-one hit on the Billboard Soul Singles chart in early 1973.
Lyrics
The lyrics of "Trouble Man" describe Marvin Gaye's own personal troubles, including his tax problems and struggles with drug addiction.
Critical Response
The song is well-reviewed and respected for its soulful expression. It is often compared favorably to Isaac Hayes' and Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack work.
Pop Culture
"Trouble Man" has been used in various films and TV shows, including "Four Brothers" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
Instrumental Version
An instrumental version of "Trouble Man", called "Main Theme from Trouble Man (2)", was released on the same album as the vocal version.
Creative Control
The "Trouble Man" soundtrack was the first project where Gaye had complete artistic control, and he composed and arranged the entire album.
Music Influence
"Trouble Man" showcased the progressive changes in Gaye's music style that later resulted in the recording of his most lauded work, 'What's Going On'.
Life Performance
Marvin Gaye performed "Trouble Man" at 'Save The Children Concert' in 1972, which was a singular live performance of the song's album. The film of the concert was directed by Stan Lathan.
Social Commentary
While the song serves as a film score, "Trouble Man" also echoes the challenges and troubles of being black in America, establishing a social commentary in its lyrics.

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    Trouble Man

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1973

    Billboard #7


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