Marvin Gaye – Trouble Man: A Soulful Exploration of Urban Grit
In the vast landscape of American soul music, Marvin Gaye stands as a towering figure. Among his many iconic recordings, Trouble Man stands out as a landmark achievement, a song that seamlessly blends soulful intimacy with the gritty realism of the blaxploitation era.
Background
Released in 1972, Trouble Man served as the title track for the film of the same name.
The blaxploitation genre, a controversial yet commercially successful movement in 1970s cinema, often depicted the struggles and triumphs of African Americans navigating the harsh realities of urban life.
The song’s narrative follows a private detective named John Shaft, played by actor Richard Roundtree in the film. Shaft, a tough yet principled character, embodies the archetype of the blaxploitation hero.
The lyrics, co-written by Gaye himself, delve into Shaft’s internal world, exploring his cynicism towards a corrupt system yet highlighting his unwavering sense of justice.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
I come up hard baby, but now I’m coolI didn’t make it sugar, playin’ by the rulesI come up hard baby, but now I’m fineI’m checkin’ trouble sugar, movin’ down the lineI come up hard baby, but that’s okay‘Cause Trouble Man, don’t get in my wayI come up hard baby, I’ve been for real, babyGonna keep movin’, gonna go to townI come up hard, I come up gettin’ downThere’s only three things that’s for sureTaxes, death and trouble, ohThis I know, baby, this I know, sugarGirl, ain’t gon’ let it sweat me, babeGot me singin’, yeah, yeahWooCome up hard, baby, I had to fightTook care my business with all my mightI come off har- come-off-hard, I had to winThen start all over and win againI come up hard but that’s okay‘Cause Trouble Man don’t get in my way, hey, heyI know some places and I’ve seen some facesI got good connections, they take my directionsWhat people say, that’s okay, they don’t bother me, noI’m ready to make it, don’t care what the weatherDon’t care ’bout no trouble, got myself togetherI feel the kind of protection that’s all around me