Stevie Ray Vaughan tragically died on August 27, 1990 in a helicopter accident, having taken the seat that his brother Jimmie Vaughan or some have reported Eric Clapton would have been sitting in. He had a wide range of influences, most notably Lonnie Mack, Albert King, Freddie King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton & Jimi Hendrix.
Only a handful of blues guitarists have had such an impact on the blues genre.
Tell Me
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said tell me, what in the world can be wrong
Woke up this mornin', trouble knockin' at my door
I wonder what's the trouble, great big troubles at my door
I wonder what's the trouble, great big troubles at my door
Yes I'm goin' up to Macon, don't want to be here no more
I'd better forget it, let this trouble pass
Yes I wonder sometime, how long my trouble gonna last
I said goodbye, goodbye baby got to go
I said goodbye, goodbye baby got to go
I ain't hangin' 'round here, worrying where there's trouble no more
Trouble is knockin', trouble is knockin'
Trouble is knockin', trouble is knockin'
Trouble is knockin', can't be where it's at no more
In "Tell Me," Stevie Ray Vaughan sings of the troubles he faces in life. He's wondering what could be wrong and wakes up to find that trouble is knocking at his door. He's not sure what kind of trouble is coming, but he knows that it's causing him great concern. Vaughan then decides to leave town altogether, and head to Macon, where he can start over fresh. He knows that he can't hang around where there is so much trouble and intends to leave it all behind.
The lyrics to this song convey a sense of unease, tension, and restlessness, which is a common theme in blues music. Vaughan's guitar work adds to the song's feel, adding a sense of urgency to his voice. The song's rhythm is simple but effective, with a steady beat that keeps the listener engaged. It's a classic blues sound that Vaughan was known for, and it's part of what made him one of the most influential guitarists of all time.
Overall, "Tell Me" is a song about facing life's challenges head-on and finding a way to deal with them. It's an acknowledgment that troubles will always come, but it's up to us to decide how we're going to deal with them. For Vaughan, that meant leaving town, but for others, it might mean staying and fighting back. The beauty of this song lies in its simplicity and the universality of its message.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now tell me, what in the world can be wrong
I am questioning the reason for this trouble.
I said tell me, what in the world can be wrong
I am repeating my question about the source of the problem.
Woke up this mornin', trouble knockin' at my door
I woke up to find that there is a very obvious problem in my life.
I wonder what's the trouble, great big troubles at my door
I am curious about what kind of trouble has come to knock on my door.
Yes I'm goin' up to Macon, don't want to be here no more
I have decided to leave this place to escape from the current problem.
I'd better forget it, let this trouble pass
It would be best for me to forget about this trouble and wait for it to go away.
Yes I wonder sometime, how long my trouble gonna last
I am uncertain about how long this trouble will persist in my life.
I said goodbye, goodbye baby got to go
I have said farewell to someone, and am leaving this place.
I ain't hangin' 'round here, worrying where there's trouble no more
I will not linger in this place and worry about the problems anymore.
Trouble is knockin', trouble is knockin'
The trouble has returned and is knocking again.
Trouble is knockin', trouble is knockin'
The trouble won't go away and continues to knock.
Trouble is knockin', can't be where it's at no more
I can't continue to stay where the trouble is, and need to move on.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHESTER BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind