Double Trouble
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Lyrics


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[Chorus:]
Lay awake at night,
Oh so low, just so troubled.
Can't get a job,
Laid off and I'm having double trouble.

Hey hey, to make you've got to try.
Baby, that's no lie.
Some of this generation is millionaires,
I can't even keep decent clothes to wear.

Laugh at me walking,
And I have no place to go.
Bad luck and trouble has taken me
I have no money to show.





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "Double Trouble" by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band is about the hardships of unemployment and poverty faced by the singer. The chorus highlights the difficulties of being jobless and struggling financially, leading to sleepless nights and constant worry. The lines "Can't get a job, Laid off and I'm having double trouble" emphasize the extent of the singer's predicament as they have not only lost their job but also struggling to make ends meet.


The second stanza expresses the frustration of the singer at the wealth disparity prevalent in the generation, as some people have enough money to be millionaires while others can't afford basic necessities. The phrase "I can't even keep decent clothes to wear" highlights the financial struggles of the singer. The last two lines of this stanza suggest that the singer is constantly ridiculed, look down upon by other people who have not faced the same struggles.


The third stanza is a reflection of how the singer has been relegated to an inferior social status due to poverty. People who used to be friendly with the singer now mock them as they walk by. The lines "Bad luck and trouble have taken me, I have no money to show" is a testament to how quickly life's circumstances can take a turn for the worse.


Overall, "Double Trouble" is a poignant commentary on the struggles of poverty and unemployment, highlighting the harsh reality of life for those unfortunate enough to experience it.


Line by Line Meaning

Lay awake at night,
I cannot sleep at night,


Oh so low, just so troubled.
I am feeling very depressed and worried.


Can't get a job,
I am unable to find employment,


Laid off and I'm having double trouble.
Not only am I laid off but I am also facing other hardships in my life.


Hey hey, to make you've got to try.
You need to put in effort to achieve your goals.


Baby, that's no lie.
This is a true statement.


Some of this generation is millionaires,
Some people from my generation have become very wealthy.


I can't even keep decent clothes to wear.
I cannot afford to buy nice clothes.


Laugh at me walking,
People are mocking me as I walk down the street.


And I have no place to go.
I am homeless and do not have anywhere to live.


Bad luck and trouble has taken me
I am facing difficult circumstances due to misfortune and problems.


I have no money to show.
I do not have any money to my name.


[Chorus]




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Otis Rush

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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