After a brief spell in the US Army, Vinton was signed to Epic Records in 1960 as a bandleader: "A Young Man With a Big Band." Two albums and several singles were not successful however, and with Epic ready to pull the plug, Vinton found his first hit single literally sitting in a reject pile. The song was titled "Roses Are Red (My Love)." It spent four weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Arguably, his most famous song is 1963's "Blue Velvet" that also went to No.1. 23 years later, David Lynch named his movie Blue Velvet after the song. In 1964, Vinton had two #1 hits, "There! I've Said It Again" and "Mr. Lonely", the latter now being the basis for Akon's hit "Lonely."
In the 1970s, the "Polish Prince" continued to hit the Top 40, notably with "Ev'ry Day of My Life" and "Sealed With a Kiss" in 1972. That same year, Epic Records decided to end its relationship with Vinton and ended his recording contract. Undeterred, Vinton spent $50,000 of his own money on a self-written song sung partially in Polish: "My Melody of Love." After Vinton was turned down by 7 major labels, ABC Records bought Vinton's idea, and the result was a multi-million selling single that hit #1 on the AC charts in 1974. A gold album, Melodies of Love, followed as well as a successful half-hour variety show "The Bobby Vinton Show" (which aired from 1975 to 1978). He also starred in two John Wayne movies: Big Jake and The Train Robbers.
In the course of his career, Vinton has sold over 75 million records (singles, albums, compilation inclusions, etc) and is still performing on tour and at the Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet Theatre in Branson, Missouri.
Trouble Is My Middle Name
Bobby Vinton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not your kind of guy, little girl
I'll only make you cry, little girl
Trouble (trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble) is my middle name
Each kiss, little girl, is sweet, little girl
They sweep me off my feet, little girl
But no more must our lips meet, little girl
I'm just a born wanderer driftin' by one day
Each place that I've been, heartbreak moved in
So I'll move on my way
In time, little girl, you'll find, little girl
I've been really kind, little girl
Not changing your name to mine, little girl
Trouble (trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble) is my middle name
Not changing your name to mine, little girl
Trouble (trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble) is my middle name
Oh, trouble (trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble) is my middle name
FADE
Yes, trouble (trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble) is my middle name
Bobby Vinton's song, "Trouble Is My Middle Name" is a story about a man who tells a girl that he is trouble and that he will only bring heartache into her life. The song begins with the singer saying goodbye to the girl, explaining that he's not good for her and that he'll only make her cry. He then states that trouble is his middle name, emphasizing that he is a person who should definitely be avoided.
In the chorus, the singer explains that each kiss is sweet, but that they must now be separated because he is not good for her. He paints a picture of himself as a born wanderer, who brings heartbreak wherever he goes. Yet he remains hopeful that one day the girl will look back on him fondly, knowing that he had been kind to her. He ends the song reiterating that his middle name is trouble and that she should not think of changing her name to his.
The song is heartbreaking but also empowering as it speaks to the idea of self-awareness and honesty. The singer doesn't try to manipulate or persuade the girl, but instead warns her of the risk of getting involved with him. One can also interpret the song as a reflection of the singer's self-esteem issues and his belief that he is unworthy of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, little girl, goodbye, little girl
I am not interested in you and we should part ways.
I'm not your kind of guy, little girl
We are not compatible and should not pursue a relationship.
I'll only make you cry, little girl
I will cause you pain and heartbreak if we continue to see each other.
Each kiss, little girl, is sweet, little girl
Our moments together are enjoyable and attractive.
They sweep me off my feet, little girl
I am enticed by the passion we share in those moments.
But no more must our lips meet, little girl
We must bring an end to our romantic encounters.
I'm just a born wanderer driftin' by one day
I am a free spirit with a penchant for moving on from place to place.
Each place that I've been, heartbreak moved in
Every place I have ever visited has brought me heartache.
So I'll move on my way
I will continue to journey to new places.
In time, little girl, you'll find, little girl
Eventually, you will come to realize something important.
I've been really kind, little girl
I have treated you with respect despite our differences.
Not changing your name to mine, little girl
We will not share a future together.
Oh, trouble (trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble) is my middle name
I am a man who brings drama and turmoil to those around him.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN GLUCK JR, JOHN, JR. GLUCK, NEVAL ABOU NADAR, NEVAL ABOU NADER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jovem Gordo
Let's be honest, you are here from TEOTFW ☠
Utsab Mukherjee
Yeah
meow
Am I late ?
Duong Han Tra
Yesssss
Hoorain Fatima
Yeahh😂😂
Slap Slap
noooooooooo
Kevin Aitken
They don't make music like this anymore. Truely beautiful
Adam Classic
Thanks EOTFW for showing young people what REAL MUSIC is!!!
50s and early 60s best music ever!!!
Chickennuggetpaw 469
That’s entirely subjective. While I do like a lot of older music, I’ve found there are just as many musical talents in this day and age. Music hasn’t gotten worse or anything, it’s just changed somewhat. But there are a lot of songs from nowadays that (although they don’t have the same sound as music from the 50’s and 60’s) are truly very good. Honestly you’re missing out.
Akshay Kumar Jha
I am pretty young but I didn't come here for the series. I just love this song.