Cat Stevens – Trouble

Know something about this song or lyrics? Add it to our wiki.
Send "Trouble" Ringtone to Cell

Due to a publisher block, we are not authorized to display these lyrics.

Send "Trouble" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by H-bomb

Track duration: 02:49


Trouble song meanings
Add your thoughts

29 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    My Interpretation:Trouble was written by Cat Stevens when he was on what thought was going to be his deathbed so no one is ever going to top his performance of this song. But as we are allowed to listen to music no matter what condition we are in this song can be for not just for the dying, but also for the abused, depressed, melancholy or suicidal. This song is about all forms of trouble which is why it speaks to so many. (Loves to Harold & Maud!)
    Flagged Triskellionon February 12, 2012   Link
  • -1
    My Interpretation:Go to the top of the class librangirl!! This song is about Cat Stevens personal battle with tuberculosis which nearly killed him. ('Trouble' being a euphemism for TB). This is well documented on Wikipedia and the Yusuf Islam website. I have a problem with cover versions of this type of song they are so personal they really should be left alone. Elliot Smith's cover was apparently the last song he recorded before he died (suicide?) Cat Stevens was fighting for his life and wanted to live, Elliot Smith was a depressive who wanted to die. Therefore the true meaning of the song has been hijacked for all the wrong reasons. I've heard the Elliot Smith version and I thought it was dreadful. He may have plenty of talent but this is one song he possibly introverted on before his death, if that is the case he's misunderstood the concept of the song. Not a good reason to die really!
    Flagged sweetbunson March 26, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:This song reminds me of a friend of mine who I eventually ditched after 15 years of knowing. The reason being he was always bringing me down and giving me a negative perspective on things both people & the world and I'd finally had enough of it.

    I'm sure the song literally means something different (someone mentioned Tuberculosis) but as it's quite lyrically general I hope you can see that it could be open to many interpretations. As it is the words fit almost line for line for what I was feeling and so that's what it means to me.
    Flag sivagishon March 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:@ III

    Its definitely about his Tuberculous illness from interviews.

    I think all the references to "her" are in relation to his OTT lifestyle
    Flag Flyeireon December 03, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:could trouble be a girl who cat dug but then realized she was just "trouble" for him... he drunk her wine meaning he fell for her. and now he sees how she truly is and just is saying leave me be... coz in a way he still likes her, but knows shes no good sooooo hes like pleading for her to just go... he doesn't have time to waste on her. asking her to see the pain she's causing and bail...
    Flag IIIon October 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:first of all, elliott smith is one of the most amazing singer/songwriters ever, period. He (in my opinion) was THE best to emerge out of the late 90's. who was better, really? he was brilliant and almost every single song he has made connects with me on some level. i just felt i had to say that.

    as for this song, this song is genius. i just found out this was originally a cat stevens song after being in love with Elliott's version for so long. I almost like this one better (because it's the original and all due credit should be paid to the original composer). BUT i can't lie, Elliott hits this home just a little more that cat. this isn't the first time he's gave a genius artist a run for their money on THEIR song either. See Jealous Guy by Elliott, it's better than John Lennon's. Seriously.
    Flag mcflyguy42on May 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Cat Stevens is great.
    Trouble was created for the purpose of connecting with the audiences' hearts.
    This song hits home for many

    It really depends on who you are to what "trouble" refers to.
    Basically I think it could be saying "all my problems are stressing me out so much that I feel like it could probably kill me"

    "Trouble" could also be death.
    --The last verse, substitute death in wherever it says trouble and see how it reads then.
    Flag xmusicxchickxon December 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is playing in the end of the movie "Harold & Maude" when Maude dies. Whenever I hear it, it reminds me of that scene and just breaks my heart, because the scene is so emotional and Harold is so upset and crying over her death...I'm pretty sure he wrote this song for that movie. He also wrote the song "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out" for "Harold & Maude."
    Flag queenjaneapproxon August 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"Elliott Smith sucks."
    Are you kidding me? He happens to me one fo the most, if not THE most, talented song-writers of his generation. You made yourself a fool just now.
    Flag BIZITCHUMTITZ!on October 06, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:When he sings,
    "I've seen your eyes
    and I can see death's disguise
    Hangin' on me
    Hangin' on me"
    It literally makes my stomach hurt with the emotion that he sings it with
    Flag DeadHazzyon August 14, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain