From a first single in 1979, the group successfully combined a pop rock and power pop (and sometimes, a blues rock) influenced backing with harmony side-vocals and Lewis' strident voice, and the band had numerous hit songs during the 1980s and early 1990s. These include "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time" (both of which were featured in the film "Back to the Future"), "I Want a New Drug", "Doin' It All (For My Baby)", "Do You Believe in Love?" "Hip to Be Square", "Stuck With You", and "Jacob's Ladder". Huey Lewis shared three Grammy awards, an American Music Award, and a People's Choice Award along with several artists for his role singing the 1985 charity song "We Are the World" as well.
=Albums=
Huey Lewis & the News (1980)
Picture This (1982) [#13 U.S. Gold]
Sports (1983) [#1 U.S. 7x Platinum]
Back to the Future Soundtrack (1985) [Gold]
Fore! (1986) [#1 U.S. 3x Platinum]
Small World (1988) [#11 U.S. Platinum]
Hard at Play (1991) [#27 U.S. Gold]
The Heart of Rock & Roll - The Best of Huey Lewis and The News (1992)
Four Chords & Several Years Ago (1994) [#55 U.S.]
Time Flies: The Best of Huey Lewis and the News (1996) [#185 U.S.]
Plan B (2001) [#165 U.S.]
Live at 25 (2005)
Greatest Hits & Videos (2006) [#70 U.S.]
www.hueylewisandthenews.com
Trouble in Paradise
Huey Lewis & The News Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plenty of lines but nothing to say, he said, "I
Seen this movie and it don't end nice"
Looks like trouble in paradise
He used to be cool, he used to laugh a lot
Down at The Brother's in the parking lot
Now he's sick and he's scared and he's paying the price
Trouble in paradise
(Trouble in paradise)
Mama said he always was so nice
Trouble in paradise
American son, he's not very old
An American dream that's never been sold
The smile on his face is his last disguise
We've got trouble in paradise
There's a scream inside that shouts, "here I am"
Some people say we got to do all we can
Me, I don't know, you see, I've been there myself once or twice
Trouble in paradise
(Trouble in paradise)
Mama said he always was so nice
Trouble in paradise
I'm in trouble, I'm in trouble
(Trouble in paradise)
Mama said he always was so nice
(Trouble in paradise)
I'm in trouble, I'm in trouble
(Trouble in paradise)
(Trouble in paradise)
(Trouble in paradise)
(Trouble in paradise)
(Trouble in paradise)
The lyrics to “Trouble in Paradise” expound on the theme of disillusionment and unfulfilled expectations. The singer, Billy, has returned home from L.A. after pursuing the dream of living the high life to ultimately find out that it's not what he expected it to be. He has plenty of stories to tell, but nothing meaningful to say- he’s just going through the motions. The chorus speaks to the overarching message of the song, that despite the seemingly perfect life he had pursued and the façade he had created for himself, there's trouble in paradise. Billy used to be happy and carefree, always laughing and enjoying life. But his time in L.A., where he may have been exposed to more than he was prepared for, has taken its toll on him. He's no longer cool, and he's now sick, scared, and paying the price for his choices.
The song takes on a broader perspective when it shifts to talk about the “American son,” who's never been sold the American Dream, which Billy pursued relentlessly. The “smile on his face” is his last disguise, signifying that even he, an innocent in this world of the materialism and excess that has taken hold of America, has begun to employ a façade that hides the truth of his situation. The scream inside that shouts, “here I am” is a call for authenticity, but some say that we must do whatever it takes to make it to the top, even if it means hiding behind a mask. The final repetition of the chorus is modified to include, “I'm in trouble, I'm in trouble,” perhaps indicating that the singer himself is experiencing his own form of trouble in paradise, and can relate to Billy’s situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Billy's home, he just back from L.A.
Billy has recently returned home from Los Angeles.
Plenty of lines but nothing to say, he said, "I Seen this movie and it don't end nice"
Billy has a lot of experiences, but he feels like he has nothing to share with others. He mentions seeing a movie with a tragic ending.
Looks like trouble in paradise
Things seem to be going wrong in this usually happy place, as implied by the phrase 'trouble in paradise.'
He used to be cool, he used to laugh a lot Down at The Brother's in the parking lot
Billy used to be fun and happy, hanging out with friends at a local spot known as 'The Brother's.'
Now he's sick and he's scared and he's paying the price
Billy has become ill and afraid, possibly due to his past actions, and is now dealing with the consequences.
(Trouble in paradise) Mama said he always was so nice
Despite Billy's current issues, his mother remembers him as a kind person.
American son, he's not very old An American dream that's never been sold The smile on his face is his last disguise
Billy is a young man with potential, but he has never achieved his dreams. He puts on a facade of happiness that disguises his internal struggles.
We've got trouble in paradise
There are serious issues in this once-happy place, as implied by the phrase 'trouble in paradise.'
There's a scream inside that shouts, "here I am" Some people say we got to do all we can Me, I don't know, you see, I've been there myself once or twice
Billy feels like he has an inner voice that is calling out for help, but he is unsure of what to do about it. He admits to having had similar struggles in the past.
I'm in trouble, I'm in trouble
Billy is experiencing serious issues and is in need of help.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARIO CIPOLLINA, JOHN VICTOR COLLA, WILLIAM SCOTT GIBSON, CHRISTOPHER JOHN HAYES, SEAN THOMAS HOPPER, HUEY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielolson5378
I just can't get enough of Marc Russo's alto sax! He really blows the crap out of his sax it's such a killer solo!! Great song as well!
@locovel10
Word! I have a friend who is an accomplished saxophonist who turned me on to the Yellowjackets after i showed him this. That's when i first learned about altissimos and how well Russo could play them!👏🤙
@andrewhutton3565
Yeah man, his notes are perfect 🤘
@TheBoondoggler
Best sax solo in rock n roll history, period.
@Dakjams
TheBoondoggler Stealy Dan has got some awfully tasty solos on FM and Deacon Blues, but damn these guys are kicking all kinds of ass in this song.
@indianahoosiersfan1970
DAK454 Isn't that the truth ;)
@joel8583
Hell yea, for sure!!
@angelaholmesnb8267
night and day Tay Charles
@skillonaire
No one can argue... Many years watching this vid, I still think about Marc Russo's solo on the Sax! Jesus...
@JeremiahRocker
I am very proud to say I am 19, living in a generation filled with people who are obsessed with rap music and come in the middle of it all, blasting this song on my car stereo!