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Marvin Gaye — Trouble Man
Album: Trouble Man
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3657









Released: 1972
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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I come up hard, baby, and that ain't cool!
I didn't make it sugah, playin' by the rules!
I come up hard, babe, but now I'm fine.
I'm shakin' trouble sugah, & movin' down the line.
I come up hard, but that's OK.
'Cause

Trouble Man don't get in my way!!

I come up hard, baby!

I mean fo' real, baby, cuz I'm a Troubled Man!
Gonna keep movin', gonna go to town.
I come up hard, and now I'm gettin' down!
There's only 3 things that's fa sho*:
Taxes, death and trouble

This I know, baby. this I know.
Yeah, you never let it sweat you baby,

whooooo

Got me singin', yeah, yeah, hooo

I come up hard, baby, I had to fight!
To keep my dignity with all my might!
I come up hard, I had to win!
Then start all over. And WIN AGAIN!!
I come up hard, but that's OK!
'Cause Trouble Man don't get in my way

Hey,Hey!

Now I been some places and I seen some faces
I got my connections they take my directions
Don't care what they 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', my protection's all around me

I come up hard, baby
I mean for real, baby
With the Trouble Man
Movin', goin' tight
I come up hard, 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 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 shakin' trouble, sure movin' down the line
Comments (262)add comment
the brutha brings it!
Posted 1 week ago by neotrogg    [ Reply ]
The energy that the song creates is simply immortal
Posted 1 month ago by Denell    [ Reply ]
Shit hot, getting foxy under those bed sheets stuff my friends...
Posted 2 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Geez, look at that, 31 people giving it "1", 39 people giving it "2", 64 giving it "3".  I wonder what kind of lack of taste makes people give it a rating that low.
Posted 3 months ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Off the Richter scale and a clear 10 👍
Posted 7 months ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
The late great MG. Perfection.
Posted 8 months ago by SteveInVa    [ Reply ]
Talk about trouble.  I'm sitting here trying to understand how I originally marked this as a 9.  Sorted now.  
Posted 9 months ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
Can you dig it?!
Posted 9 months ago by xc.farmer.antoine486    [ Reply ]
Listening to this now, and realizing Jimmy Somerville sounds a lot like Marvin.

Very cool, timeless performance.
Posted 10 months ago by Beaker    [ Reply ]
 RabbitEars wrote:

Such a great song... weirdly I became familiar with it by a Joni cover. Here live with the great Brian Blade on drums.



Who KNEW? Thank so much!
Posted 1 year ago by amystone    [ Reply ]
Off the Richter scale and a clear 10 👍
Posted 1 year ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
what a beautiful man.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
I'm hoping 'Happy Man' by Jungle is coming on next...

but no...
Posted 1 year ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
All these years I thought he was saying "I come apart"
Posted 1 year ago by Gromit_42    [ Reply ]
EXCELLENT!!  Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
this is one of the finest songs - period - EVER RECORDED. 
Posted 2 years ago by MavenofMayhem    [ Reply ]
Beautiful Marvin, such a talent taken from this earth too soon
Posted 2 years ago by lgonzale803    [ Reply ]
Such an incredible song, listening to this on a Saturday morning while writing my next science fiction novel, Asteroid City. It's such a perfect song to play in the background while drinking coffee in the morning. 
Posted 2 years ago by TrevorWGoodchild    [ Reply ]
Simply fantastic 👌
Posted 2 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:
GODLIKE!!! ICONIC!!!    Even better NOW in FLAC W/ great phones, amp & DAC! Thank You RP!   

You've gotta tell me what amp/dac and 'phones you're using in your head-fi setup!


Posted 2 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
His music, lyrics, sound, is as current today as it was when this first came out.  The world needs him and his messages so badly today. Miss you, Marvin!
Posted 2 years ago by Elaine2018    [ Reply ]
Smoother & sweeter than a peanut butter & honey sandwich.
Posted 2 years ago by Rockit999    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

He had a helleva bass player on this album and the what's going on album.   



the funk bros. ...see the documentary...brilliant...Motown studio band
Posted 2 years ago by rbrise    [ Reply ]
Outstanding music on Sunday 3/06/2022  
Posted 2 years ago by bennie482    [ Reply ]
 Amesy74 wrote:

Hi all



Hi Amesy74  
Posted 2 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
GODLIKE!!! ICONIC!!!    Even better NOW in FLAC W/ great phones, amp & DAC! Thank You RP!   
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Hi all
Posted 2 years ago by Amesy74    [ Reply ]
...and Berry Gordy was concerned when Marvin wanted to get deeper into socially relevant expressions!
Marvin was Pure Soul and to this day the compassionate voice of "The people"& "Socially Relevant" issues!
Environmentally conscious before it was even as dyer of an issue as it is now! 
Way ahead of his time!
Posted 2 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
 Laptopdog wrote:

How did I live my entire life and never know about this song?



You hadn't lived until then.
Posted 3 years ago by djengs    [ Reply ]
"There's only 3 things that's fa sho: Taxes, death and trouble."
So true!

Marvin rocks on.... wish he was still here!
Posted 3 years ago by 3Chords    [ Reply ]
Wow, R&B on rp. Maybe Tower of Power is next!
Posted 3 years ago by todbothom    [ Reply ]
Tapping my toes, snapping my fingers.
Posted 3 years ago by KCgalinMD    [ Reply ]
Such a great song... weirdly I became familiar with it by a Joni cover. Here live with the great Brian Blade on drums.
Posted 3 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
I rate a tenfinity!!!!
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
Absolutley light years ahead of his time.  
Posted 4 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
The epitome of cool.

(I didn't even know there was a movie.)
Posted 4 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
just gave a dollar or two  to these guys who  are busy so many years. Love you guys  ....
lots of love frome the Netherlands.
And  about rasicm:... please people; dont think in groups. just individuals: I love Everybody :-)
cheers paul. NL
Posted 4 years ago by paulozz    [ Reply ]
He had a helleva bass player on this album and the what's going on album.   
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Shot and killed by his own father. Damn. You learn something new every day...
Posted 4 years ago by alexandersmcmillan    [ Reply ]
Quality of this song, exceedes the quality of movie by far..
Posted 4 years ago by jasko    [ Reply ]
How did I live my entire life and never know about this song?
Posted 4 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
 RabbitEars wrote:
Joni does a very respectable cover of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S8SgNy11eI 
 
Thanks, I have never heard that before although I have most of her albums.
It is either my speakers or youtube but her voice sounded terrible in that video. Would love to hear a clear version. Did she record it, other than that live video?
Posted 4 years ago by Canadese    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:


 

Well put!! 11!!

 

I second that!   
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
The trouble man will be troubled next days...
Posted 5 years ago by francesco_insyde    [ Reply ]
Love the Janis Siegel (Manhattan Transfer) cover of this, too!
Posted 5 years ago by radiomao    [ Reply ]
There are certain artists and songs that will always be relevant...this is Da'Man"
Posted 5 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
oh yeeaaaahhhhhhh
Posted 6 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 jambo wrote:
when taken as a whole, trouble man is not just classic rock or a classic. it is a masterpiece of our day.

 

 

Well put!! 11!!

Posted 6 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
when taken as a whole, trouble man is not just classic rock or a classic. it is a masterpiece of our day.
Posted 6 years ago by jambo    [ Reply ]
Great music! More from 70s please :)
Posted 6 years ago by shahin.po    [ Reply ]
The Man! Classic, applies just as well today as it did then!
Posted 6 years ago by mmartinwhite1938    [ Reply ]
 BBoyes wrote:
Trouble Man movie
This song from this movie soundtrack.
This is not the later actor named "Mr T".

 
And it surely isn't the president I call Mr. T. Although he is certainly cold. And he also wears a shitty tie. And he's setting a lot of shit on fire. 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 dragon1952 wrote:
Doesn't Joni Mitchell do a killer version of this song?{#Drunk}
 
I believe that very sentiment may have been previously suggested.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Doesn't Joni Mitchell do a killer version of this song?{#Drunk}
Posted 7 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
Marvin

God imo

(hey BBoyes that crazy ad looks like it was produced by the man's tie manufacturers : P )
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 BBoyes wrote:
What a voice... Could have used him in our high school choir - in which we were short of tenors.

 
and ya coulda used Willie Mays on your baseball team, Jim Brown on Varsity Football and Julius Erving on B Ball
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Trouble Man movie
This song from this movie soundtrack.
This is not the later actor named "Mr T".
Posted 7 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
What a voice... Could have used him in our high school choir - in which we were short of tenors.
Posted 7 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
Pure genius. An all-time great.
Posted 7 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]
Most excellent!
Posted 7 years ago by semolinapilchard    [ Reply ]
Solid 11
Posted 7 years ago by Redpoint    [ Reply ]
Where's the 20 when you need it! 
Posted 8 years ago by JeriF    [ Reply ]
So freakin' soulful.  Chair groovin' 
Posted 8 years ago by kimschoice    [ Reply ]
I'll be 200 and second every positive comment regarding this (genius) artist and his music.
Posted 8 years ago by zedstation    [ Reply ]
timeless in its Superior Super Cool style
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
GOD the Creator Supreme

 
Amen!
Posted 8 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
More please of this genre not enough played or given air time sadly on RP 
Posted 8 years ago by Shotoverplain    [ Reply ]
i saw the movie just because of this song
movie was awful
live and learn
.
still love the song 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Just Wow!
Incredible power behind controlled restraint. Pure genius.
10++
marvin
Posted 8 years ago by jackie0    [ Reply ]
tg3k wrote:
Classic Marvin indeed.

Figured I'd share this photo I took a year or so ago of the marble stoop at at the entrance to Marvin's old recording studio in Hollywood:


I was there installing some artwork for John McClain. Also got to see Marvin's apartment upstairs above the studio. Very cool place with a hidden staircase entrance. 

 
This location was home to Eldorado Studios for many more years than it was originally Marvin's Room. Eldorado moved here in '87 when it was a major LA studio during the "grunge era" until '96 when they moved again to Burbank. 

During that time they recorded artists and albums such as; Jane's Addiction - Nothing Shocking and Alice in Chains - Dirt... Let's just stop here. These 2 albums alone merit a huge amount of respect for Eldorado. These were not just monumental albums of their time that helped usher in new sounds into the mainstream, they forever left their impression on rocks landscape. Teenagers in a hundred years will be busting out these albums and their realities will be rocked. These 2 complete and full albums were works of art and are surely way more significant than the couple of disco tracks Marvin recorded at this location in the 4 years he used this spot as his personal LA playground/crash pad. OK, let's continue... 

Other bands who recorded albums at this location while it was Eldorado:

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Public Image Ltd., Social Distortion,  Offspring, White Zombie,  Anthrax, Meat Puppets, Throwing Muses, Donovan (interesting), etc... so on... 

So... No disrespect to Mr. Gaye in the slightest, but credit needs to given where due and whatever magic and vibes that Marvin left behind here are completely covered by several thick layers of lung chocking grunge, metal and pure knock you on your ass rock sediment. Some very significant music was created in this location, but as much as I love "Got To Give It Up", it doesn't hold a fucking candle to "Rooster" or "Jane Says" or really any other track on either of those albums. 

Now, if we were talking about everything he recorded pre-1975 then I wouldn't have made an argument at all. It would be more like an addendum (AIC and Jane's made cool records here too!). But we're talking about 1975 and after so... there ya go. 
Posted 8 years ago by JasondotG    [ Reply ]
 dragon1952 wrote:

Someone is actually comparing Marvin Gaye to Rap?.....ha fucking ha :^ /

 
The topic was soul music. Marvin is soul. Rap is not.  
Posted 9 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
GOD the Creator Supreme

 
Really? Think much?
I guess not. 
Posted 9 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
GOD the Creator Supreme
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
PERFECT SHIFT FROM ROBBIE

10 for MARVIN - 9 for ROBBIE 
Posted 9 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
A nice appropriate complement to Superfly and Freddie's Dead.

Rap isn't soul music; this is. 



 dragon1952 wrote:

Someone is actually comparing Marvin Gaye to Rap?.....ha fucking ha :^ /

 
No, it doesn't look as if a comparison was being made.  Read it again; the statement seems more like an assertion than a comparison.  
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
joni does a very respectable cover of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S8SgNy11eI 
Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
A nice appropriate complement to Superfly and Freddie's Dead.

Rap isn't soul music; this is. 

 
Someone is actually comparing Marvin Gaye to Rap?.....ha fucking ha :^ /
Posted 9 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
MAN.... this shit is GOOD!
Posted 9 years ago by Ballzak    [ Reply ]
A nice appropriate complement to Superfly and Freddie's Dead.

Rap isn't soul music; this is. 
Posted 9 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]

Dayum!  I've been out of touch for a while — new employer frowns on music streaming at the office.  Tune in today and hear 3 killer, I mean absolute killer tunes in a row.

Marvin epitomized smooth soul.  Still does.


Posted 9 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 nice, well said
kcar wrote:

The cat could bring it. 

 


Posted 10 years ago by rascal    [ Reply ]
There are certain songs that stand-out way above any other!

This is one of them (and I am not a specific Mowtown-lover).

MARVIN is very GAYE!

MARVELLOUS! 
Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
{#Sunny}{#Devil_pimp}One of the BEST, sweet reminder of my Detroit days TY
Posted 10 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
I love Marvin.  I love this song.  I love Marvin's version of the song.

But I love Buddy Guy's version much better. 
Posted 10 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
Classic. 
Posted 10 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
this is the real deal, don't bother me with any of that gangesta / rap crap. this is what it's supposed to be. ah marvin so much lost.............

 
I like u...I mean that from the bottom of my fart!
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Palate cleanser

Thanks
Posted 11 years ago by denbear    [ Reply ]
 Charlie_rijsel wrote:

Doh! Thats Belgian - another country entirely but bravo for getting the right language. My respect for American knowledge of Europe has at least doubled.

 

Well, the Walloons speak French at any rate, French being just one of three official languages in Belgium.  The others don't count, I suppose, to a Frenchman.
Posted 11 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Too cool....{#Notworthy}
Posted 11 years ago by dw    [ Reply ]
As much as I like Marvin Gaye, this one just grates on my nerves.
Posted 11 years ago by rich95969    [ Reply ]
I wish I was half as cool as this song.  Flutes (and maybe piccolos) in the bridge are a different touch.
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
this is the real deal, don't bother me with any of that gangesta / rap crap. this is what it's supposed to be. ah marvin so much lost.............
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Sweetness on a Sunday morning with hot tea and a nice view through the light drizzle.  Marvin's still cool 40 years after the fact.
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
No time is a bad time for Marvin Gaye. Got sunshine, heat, wine, and a day off.  Yep - it doesn't get much better than this...{#Bounce}
 

Miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
this much i know 10
Posted 11 years ago by CrackerjaxATX    [ Reply ]
 icemang wrote:

Dude, you're French. Every song can't be "Ca Plane Pour Moi", wait in France that's the only song there is...
 
Doh! Thats Belgian - another country entirely but bravo for getting the right language. My respect for American knowledge of Europe has at least doubled.
Posted 11 years ago by Charlie_rijsel    [ Reply ]
the foundation of hip-hop/rap.altho way better, {#Fire} the man was a genius.
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Another reason for gun control in the United Snakes.

What a sad loss the day he died.
 


Posted 11 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Miss you, babe.
Posted 11 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
..the fount for the falsetto-rap movement?..i love me some Gaye (hmmm...no, i won't retract that wording), but only going 7 here..maybe on further listens..
Posted 11 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
 Poacher wrote:

THIS IS THE NEW LANGUAGE OF STINGRAY!!!!!!! YES

I COME ON BOARD.

BUT NOT IF IT IS GAY..............

NO NO! 

 
WHEELCHAIR GRANDMA AND GRANDDAD!
ENDLESS NIGHTMARE!!!!
UNLISENBLE!
Posted 11 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Classic Marvin indeed.

Figured I'd share this photo I took a year or so ago of the marble stoop at at the entrance to Marvin's old recording studio in Hollywood:


I was there installing some artwork for John McClain. Also got to see Marvin's apartment upstairs above the studio. Very cool place with a hidden staircase entrance. 
Posted 12 years ago by tg3k    [ Reply ]
Marvin Gaye in his prime, and I believe his favorite album of his own, but still a little formulaic...
Posted 12 years ago by avatar71    [ Reply ]
 Poacher wrote:

THIS IS THE NEW LANGUAGE OF STINGRAY!!!!!!! YES

I COME ON BOARD.

BUT NOT IF IT IS GAY..............

NO NO! 

 
{#Lol} You missed out the garish colours and oversized fonts, but otherwise that's spot on channelling our resident troll :)
Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Awesome Marvin.
Buddy Guy does an absolutely smokin' version of this song on his Feels Like Rain album.
Posted 12 years ago by BigIslandBlues    [ Reply ]
Now I need to watch "Four Brothers" again... :-)
Posted 12 years ago by rvontha    [ Reply ]
Sublime.
Posted 12 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Nice segue from Fever Ray!
Posted 12 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Yep. True genius.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 ncollingridge wrote:
Peerless and exquisite.
 
The cat could bring it. 


Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 Poacher wrote:

THIS IS THE NEW LANGUAGE OF STINGRAY!!!!!!! YES

I COME ON BOARD.

BUT NOT IF IT IS GAY..............

NO NO! 

 
ARE YOU BONDE WOMEN?  SEND PHOTO. 

Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 Axelito wrote:
1 =>0 .. can't do this? hum... too bad....
 
Dude, you're French. Every song can't be "Ca Plane Pour Moi", wait in France that's the only song there is...
Posted 12 years ago by icemang    [ Reply ]
This may very well be his best song overall - IMHO.
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
One of the coolest things I ever heard when I was a kid, and one of the first things I ever heard when I came upon the magic musical spell that is RP, It's one I enjoy immensely every time I hear it, in spite of its prophetic nature. Nice insight into the brightly-burning soul of this talented man...Groove on, Marvin, and RIP.

Posted 12 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Peerless and exquisite.
Posted 13 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]
It certainly does sound good at 5:45 AM
Like a butter for my brain, soo smooth  {#Meditate}
 

Posted 13 years ago by zanref    [ Reply ]
Blusie, and "funkin" 70's.
 
Posted 13 years ago by jberko    [ Reply ]
Timeless!
Posted 13 years ago by godspeed    [ Reply ]
 BKardon wrote:

Wow, can't imagine giving this a 0.

 
Well, it's certainly not for everyone.  Doesn't do a thing for me.  I keep waiting for the music to start...

Posted 13 years ago by clymbon    [ Reply ]
 Axelito wrote:
1 =>0 .. can't do this? hum... too bad....
 
Wow, can't imagine giving this a 0.

Posted 13 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]