Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.
In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.
Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
Trouble / Guitar Man
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You came to the right place
If you're looking for trouble
Just look right in my face
I was born standing up
And talking back
My daddy was a green-eyed mountain jack
Well I'm evil, so don't you mess around with me
I've never looked for trouble
But I've never ran
I don't take no orders
From no kind of man
I'm only made out
Of flesh, blood and bone
But if you're gonna start a rumble
Don't you try it on alone
Because I'm evil, my middle name is misery
Well I'm evil, so don't you mess around with me
I'm evil, evil, evil, as can be
I'm evil, evil, evil, as can be
So don't mess around, don't mess around
Don't mess around with me
I'm evil, I'm evil, evil, evil
So don't mess around, don't mess around with me
I'm evil, I tell you I'm evil
So don't mess around with me
Yeah!
Elvis Presley's song "Trouble / Guitar Man" is a confident and boastful expression of the singer's rebellious and dangerous persona. The lyrics warn anyone who crosses his path that they are in for trouble. He proclaims his tough nature by stating that he was born standing up and talking back, and that his father was a mountain jack. He proudly claims that he is made of flesh, blood, and bone, but that he is also evil with a middle name of misery.
Elvis's taunts are directed towards anyone who thinks they can challenge him. He insists that he does not take orders from anyone, especially not from a man. The repeated phrase "Don't mess around with me" emphasizes the serious consequences that await anyone who underestimates him. Elvis's confidence is evident throughout the song, as he proclaims that he has never looked for trouble, but he has never backed down from it either.
Overall, Elvis Presley's "Trouble / Guitar Man" is a declaration of his toughness and willingness to stand up for himself. It is a classic example of his confident persona that made him a music icon in his time and continues to make him a legend today.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're looking for trouble
If you're seeking problems or conflict,
You came to the right place
You've come to the correct location or person.
If you're looking for trouble
If you're seeking problems or conflict,
Just look right in my face
Simply confront me openly and directly.
I was born standing up
From birth, I was unyielding and self-assured.
And talking back
And able to respond assertively to others.
My daddy was a green-eyed mountain jack
My father was a tough, rugged, and independent man.
Because I'm evil, my middle name is misery
Due to my inherently wicked nature, my existence is synonymous with suffering.
Well I'm evil, so don't you mess around with me
I am malevolent and dangerous, so do not provoke or antagonize me.
I've never looked for trouble
I have never intentionally sought out confrontations.
But I've never ran
However, I have never fled from a threat.
I don't take no orders
I do not tolerate being told what to do or manipulated by others.
From no kind of man
Regardless of who they are or what authority they may hold.
I'm only made out
I am composed solely
Of flesh, blood and bone
Of physical matter and matter of fact.
But if you're gonna start a rumble
However, if you seek to initiate a conflict or violent altercation,
Don't you try it on alone
Do not attempt it by yourself because you will regret it.
Because I'm evil, my middle name is misery
Due to my inherently wicked nature, my existence is synonymous with suffering.
Well I'm evil, so don't you mess around with me
I am malevolent and dangerous, so do not provoke or antagonize me.
I'm evil, evil, evil, as can be
I am extremely malevolent and dangerous.
I'm evil, evil, evil, as can be
I am extremely malevolent and dangerous.
So don't mess around, don't mess around
Do not provoke or antagonize me.
Don't mess around with me
Do not provoke or antagonize me.
I'm evil, I'm evil, evil, evil
I am extremely malevolent and dangerous.
So don't mess around, don't mess around with me
Do not provoke or antagonize me.
I'm evil, I tell you I'm evil
I am extremely malevolent and dangerous.
So don't mess around with me
Do not provoke or antagonize me.
Yeah!
An expression of excitement or confidence in one's ability to handle a situation.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Jerry Reed Hubbard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronald D
What a showman. There's people who make great music. He made music great.
KingCrimson
True!
Brad rawsner
Showman?
Try artist dummy
Those critically acclaimed studio recordings are second to none.
The soul depth and diversity are second to none.
The actual studio recordings reveal elvis's soul and artistry in the studio.
jainam udani
+Brad rawsner... he was a great showman... and artist too... but look at his swagger in live performances... the fact that you ignore that is funny...
Brad rawsner
@jainam udani
I don't ignore that
I like his showmanship.
BUT, his artistry in the recording studio, was ICONIC.
The critically acclaimed studio recordings are what defines you as an artist.
That's your body of work.
Showman are showman. But what makes you truly timeless and great, is the critically acclaimed body of work that you leave behind.
jainam udani
+Brad rawsner... ok... sorry for goin’ down too hard on you... it’s just that there are too many haters we gotta deal with... I went through almost all comeback videos trying to knock sense into the haters... no hard feelings, right?... sure hope so... peace and love...
deboisblanc
One thing Elvis learned making all those movies was how to make the camera love him and this enhanced his stage presence even more. Saw him in concert twice, just amazing.
Digger Damian
You lucky person wow
K. Tinder
I saw him once in concert. I wasn't suppose to but ran to the stage. He walked from each end, to the center and the other end of that stage. I got about 10-15 ft from him. I may have been too far off the ground at that point, but as he walked(singing throughput) towards where I stood looking up at him, I thought by he actually looked Mr in the eye. I was too young, but the older ladies he'd kiss or take a handkerchief. He was stunning. I've seen a lot of great performers, but none ever have come close to Elvis.
Paul Dark
Lucky you!