Trouble – Elvis Presley
About the song
If you’re looking for trouble, you’ve come to the right place. That’s the opening line of one of Elvis Presley’s most iconic songs, “Trouble”. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, two of the most prolific songwriters of the rock and roll era. They also wrote hits for The Coasters, The Drifters, Ben E. King, and many others.
“Trouble” was first recorded by Elvis Presley in 1958 for his fourth movie, King Creole. The movie was set in New Orleans and featured Presley as a rebellious teenager who gets involved with a gangster and a nightclub singer. The song “Trouble” captured Presley’s defiant attitude and swagger, as he sang about being evil, mean, and ready for a fight. The song also featured a catchy stop-time riff that was borrowed from blues legends Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley.
“Trouble” was one of the highlights of the King Creole soundtrack, which is considered by many critics and fans as one of Presley’s best albums. The song reached #11 on the UK Singles Chart, but did not chart in the US. However, it became a staple of Presley’s live performances in later years, especially during his 1968 comeback special and his 1970s Las Vegas shows.
“Trouble” is a song that showcases Presley’s vocal range, charisma, and versatility. It is also a song that reflects his image as a rebel and a rock and roll pioneer. As music critic Maury Dean wrote, “Trouble” is one of the earliest proto-punk rock songs, with Presley’s “growling snarl” setting the tone for future generations of rockers.
