Trouble man by marvin gaye

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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 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.

I-I-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, babe, but that's okay 'cause

Trouble man, don't get in my way

I come up hard, baby, I've been for real, baby

Gonna keep movin', gonna go to town

I come up hard, but mama, I'm gettin' down

There's only three things, that's for sure

Taxes, death, and trouble, oh

This I know, baby, this I know, sugar

Yeah, ain't gon' let it sweat me, babe

Got me singin', yeah yeah

I had to fight, took care of my business

With all my might, I come up hard, hard, 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've seen some faces

I've got good connections, they dig my directions

When people say, "That's okay", they don't bother me none

I'm ready to make it, don't care what the weather

Don't care 'bout no trouble, got myself together

I feel a kind of protection that's all around

I come up hard, baby, I've been for real, baby

Movin', goin' tight

I come up hard, how come I'm gettin' down?

There's only three things for sure

Taxes, death, and trouble

Ain't gon' let it sweat me, babe

Woo, I come up hard, but now I'm cool

I didn't make it, baby, playin' by the rules

Come up hard, baby, now I'm fine

I'm checking trouble, sure, hey, movin' down the line

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.

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.

I've come of heart, baby, but now I'm cool
I didn't make it surely, playin' by the rules
I've come of heart, baby, but now I'm fine
I'm checkin' trouble, sure movin' down the line
I've come of heart, baby, but that's OK
'Cause Trouble Man don't get in my way
I've come of heart, baby
I've been for real, baby
Gonna keep movin', gonna roll to town
I've come of heart, come on, get down
There's only 3 things for sure:
Taxes, death and trouble
This I know, baby, this I know, child
Yeah, let the sweat through you, baby
Get me singin', yeah, yeah, ooo
I've come of heart, baby, I had to fight
Took him on madness with all my might
I've come of heart, I had to win
Then start all over and then again
I've come of heart, but that's OK
'Cause Trouble Man don't get in my way
I've heard some places and I've seen some places
I've never had tensions, I give my directions
When people say; that's OK, they don't bother me
I'm ready to make it, don't care 'bout the weather
Don't care 'bout no trouble, got myself together
No laughin', no cryin', protection's all around me
I've come of heart, baby
I've been for real, baby
With the Trouble Man
Movin', goin' tight
I've come of heart, come on, get down
There's only 3 things for sure:
Taxes, death and trouble
This I know, baby, baby
This I know, baby, baby
Hey now, let it sweat, baby
I've come of heart, but now I'm cool
I didn't make it, baby, playin' by the rules
I've come of heart, baby, but now I'm fine
I'm checkin' trouble, sure movin' down the line

Trouble Man

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".

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.