He began his adult life as a young preacher in Philadelphia, where he hosted a gospel radio show. In the 1960s, he signed with Atlantic Records and began moving towards more secular music. His first hit was Just Out Of Reach Of My Open Arms, a cover of a country song. Though well-received by both peers and critics, and attaining a few moderate pop and several major R&B hits, Burke never could quite break through into the mainstream as did his contemporaries like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.
Nevertheless, his emotive delivery, polished production, as well as the touches of country and pop sensibility in his music won him admirers and imitators. In 1964 he wrote and recorded Everybody Needs Somebody To Love his most prominent bid for an enduring soul standard. Covered by the Rolling Stones the same year, other well-known versions include one by Wilson Pickett and another a decade and a half later in the 1980 feature film by The Blues Brothers. Burke's biggest hit was a 1969 cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Proud Mary.
His career was to some degree revived in 2002, with the release of the album Don't Give Up On Me, produced by Joe Henry, where he sang songs written specifically for the album by a roster of top-rank artists, including Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits and Joe Henry himself.
He is featured in the 2004 movie Lightning in a Bottle singing Turn on Your Love Light and Down in the Valley.
As of October 2002 Burke was the father of 14 daughters and 7 sons with 64 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Several of his children and grandchildren have had successful careers in various facets of the music industry, though none as much so as their patriarch.
Burke died, arriving at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam where he was supposed to perform with Dutch band De Dijk with whom he recorded an album, entitled Hold on Tight.
Rock icon Mick Jagger performed a tribute to Burke at the 2011 Grammy Awards, laying down Burke's classic hit "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love".
A cover of Everybody Needs Somebody To Love received huge exposure as the music for Amazon's 2019 Christmas commercial.
You're The Kind Of Trouble
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Try to be just as good as gold
Fly right child walk that line
Keep it straight and you'll be just fine
Well, they didn't have to worry
About a thing I'd do
But you're the kind of trouble
People say you can't be tamed
You're in the heart breakers hall of fame
Got 'em all standing in line
Yeah, I can read the warning signs
It's a danger zone
That I'm traveling through
And you're the kind of trouble
I could get into
you're the kind of trouble
That's hard to resist
I'd hate to think about
All the fun I'd miss
I've heard the rumors
And I hope they're true
'Cause you're the kind of trouble
I could get into
don't drink much, cough when I smoke
Ain't many rules that I ever broke
Keep to myself, lead a real quiet life
Don't stay out too late at night
They say I ain't a wild one
But if they only knew
You're the kind of trouble
I could get into
you're the kind of trouble
I could get into
You're the kind of trouble
I could get into
You're the kind of trouble
I could get into
You're the kind of trouble
I could get into
The lyrics of Solomon Burke's song "You're The Kind Of Trouble" speak to the idea of being drawn to someone who is dangerous or may lead to trouble. The song begins with a reflection on the advice given to the singer when he was young, to be good and stay on the right path. He notes that he never caused anyone any worry until the person indicated in the song came into his life. The singer acknowledges that others have warned him about the woman in question, who is known for being untameable and breaking hearts. Nevertheless, he is drawn to her and can read the warning signs. He knows he is in a danger zone, but cannot resist her. Despite being someone who lives a quiet, rule-following life, he understands that she is the kind of trouble he could get into.
The lyrics are relatable for many people who have experienced the draw of someone who is dangerous, unpredictable, or simply outside of their typical norm. The song speaks to the idea of attraction to people who are different from us or have qualities that we may not typically desire, but that can be thrilling and alluring. The use of repetition in the chorus, where the singer repeatedly asserts that the woman is the kind of trouble he could get into, drives home the idea that he understands the risks but is still unable to resist.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young I was told
As a child, I was advised
Try to be just as good as gold
To behave impeccably
Fly right child walk that line
To stay on the correct path
Keep it straight and you'll be just fine
And everything will be okay
Well, they didn't have to worry
They were not concerned
About a thing I'd do
With anything I might do
But you're the kind of trouble
But you have the potential to cause problems
I could get into
That I might choose to engage in
People say you can't be tamed
It is said that you cannot be controlled
You're in the heart breakers hall of fame
You are renowned for breaking hearts
Got 'em all standing in line
People are lining up for you
Yeah, I can read the warning signs
I am aware of the potential danger
It's a danger zone
This is a hazardous situation
That I'm traveling through
That I am currently experiencing
And you're the kind of trouble
And you are the source of the danger
I could get into
That I might choose to engage in
you're the kind of trouble
You have the potential to cause problems
That's hard to resist
That is difficult to turn down
I'd hate to think about
I would not like to imagine
All the fun I'd miss
All the enjoyment I would lose out on
I've heard the rumors
I am aware of the talk
And I hope they're true
And I hope they are accurate
'Cause you're the kind of trouble
Because you have the potential to cause problems
I could get into
That I might choose to engage in
don't drink much, cough when I smoke
I do not consume much alcohol, and I cough when smoking
Ain't many rules that I ever broke
I have not broken many rules
Keep to myself, lead a real quiet life
I keep to myself and have a peaceful existence
Don't stay out too late at night
I do not stay out too late in the evening
They say I ain't a wild one
They say I am not reckless
But if they only knew
But if they knew the truth
You're the kind of trouble
You have the potential to cause problems
I could get into
That I might choose to engage in
you're the kind of trouble
You have the potential to cause problems
I could get into
That I might choose to engage in
You're the kind of trouble
You have the potential to cause problems
I could get into
That I might choose to engage in
You're the kind of trouble
You have the potential to cause problems
I could get into
That I might choose to engage in
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ADAM LOUIS WRIGHT, PAUL KENNERLEY, SHANNON T. WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind