McKenzie played the comb by placing tissue paper over the tines and blowing on it, which produced a sound similar to a kazoo. McKenzie also played the kazoo proper, and occasionally sang. He was a co-founder, with Jack Bland, of the Mound City Blue Blowers, who released a number of titles between 1924 and 1925 and were, for a time, a sensation. At the same time, McKenzie also recorded solo as Red McKenzie & the Candy Kids. In 1928, he fronted a group called McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans for a few sides on Okeh Records. He returned to the Mound City name again in 1929, 1931, and 1935-36.
Beginning in 1931 (no doubt due to the popularity of crooners like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo), he started recording as a singer, processing a very warm crooner style as a solo for Columbia and with Paul Whiteman in 1932. He sang again with the Spirits of Rhythm in 1934 and the Farley-Riley group in 1935. He made two swinging vocal records for Variety in 1937. Between 1939 and 1943 he went into retirement, moving back to his birthplace of St. Louis and working in a brewery, but appeared with Eddie Condon between 1944 to 1947 as a vocalist. Known as heavy drinker, he died of liver cirrhosis in 1948.
The Trouble With Me Is You
Red McKenzie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my vision is ok too
Just look in my eyes and you can see
the trouble with me is you
I haven't got a toothache darling
They are all as good as new
There's only one thing that's wrong with me, oh the trouble with me is you
Now it doesn't take a physician, to analyze my condition
No hot water bottles or powder or pills,
Can ever revive me like your kisses will
I haven't got a heart that's strong dear,
It seems to skip a beat or two
It's all out of cheer, it's natural dear
Cause the trouble with me is you
The lyrics of Red McKenzie's The Trouble With Me Is You are about a man who is perfectly fine physically but has an emotional issue caused by the woman he loves. He starts by clarifying that he's not physically ill, saying "I haven't got a headache darling, and my vision is ok too," but reveals that the issue lies with his emotional state. He tells the person he's singing to that the trouble with him is her, explaining that his eyes alone can convey how he feels. He then goes on to say that he doesn't have any physical ailments, saying "I haven't got a toothache darling, they are all as good as new," but emphasizes that "there's only one thing that's wrong with me, oh the trouble with me is you."
He then goes on to say that he doesn't need a doctor to diagnose him, as the cure for his condition lies with her. He says, "No hot water bottles or powder or pills, can ever revive me like your kisses will." He ends the song by saying that his heart is weak and beats irregularly, but assures her that it's normal for him because the trouble with him is her.
Overall, the lyrics convey a feeling of helplessness and dependency on the person he's singing to, as he acknowledges that he is physically fine but emotionally dependent. The song leaves the impression that the singer is unable to function without the person he loves, which is ultimately where the trouble lies.
Line by Line Meaning
I haven't got a headache darling
I am physically fine.
And my vision is ok too
There's nothing wrong with my eyesight.
Just look in my eyes and you can see
If you pay attention, you'll understand that I'm not the problem.
the trouble with me is you
You are causing issues in our relationship.
I haven't got a toothache darling
All my teeth are healthy.
They are all as good as new
None of my teeth need fixing.
There's only one thing that's wrong with me, oh the trouble with me is you
Despite no physical issues, you are still the root of our relationship problems.
Now it doesn't take a physician, to analyze my condition
You don't need to be a doctor to know something is wrong.
No hot water bottles or powder or pills,
Home remedies and medicine won't help.
Can ever revive me like your kisses will
Only your affection can make me feel better.
I haven't got a heart that's strong dear,
My emotions and feelings are delicate.
It seems to skip a beat or two
My heart reacts to you in unexpected ways.
It's all out of cheer, it's natural dear
It's understandable given our relationship issues.
Cause the trouble with me is you
You are the cause of my emotional distress.
Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.