Their debut album, The Airing of Grievances, was released on the Troubleman Unlimited record label on April 14, 2008 to many positive reviews. The album's loud, heavily distorted guitars are influenced by shoegaze, while the lyrics and song titles are references to various books and other forms of entertainment (such as the album title, from the Seinfeld episode, "The Strike", about Festivus). The Airing of Grievances was reissued on January 20, 2009 on XL Recordings.
The band's second album, The Monitor, was released on March 9, 2010 through XL Recordings to wide critical acclaim, and was cited as one of the best indie albums of the year.
The band has a sizable list of former members, the latest of which, Amy Klein, left the band on October 24, 2011.
Troubleman Unlimited
Titus Andronicus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you gon rob me? There's nothing to take
You better back up off me or I'll give you something, man
I'll give you a piece of the thing that I make
And that's trouble, man
Summertime judge came to bust my bubble, now I got trouble
If the summer should fall, I would fall right along with it into the puddle
Out for someone to function as some kind of buffer
Between me and my ugly side, it's too close to call
Out for anyone but the one love out the hundred
Who could love me for what I am under it all
You see, I used to be my father's son, now I'm howling at the moon
I ain't really trying to bother no one, but I might be soon
And I'll be smelling like an elephant when I come in the room
Because they used to call me "Daddy's Boy"
But now that's "Trouble" to you
My trouble, man, is that I'm too damn stubborn
Like plates in the cupboard, I am stuck in my ways
But a couple of days of vacation would make a significant difference
I'm listening to radio stations from eight states away
In the vacant sub-basement on Main Street
The tasers will spray in my face
And I'll say, "It's a great way to meet people"
Treat 'em like sheep and a sweater they'll make
You see, I used to be the problem child
I'm only my own problem now
Now I find that I'm the same old wise guy they rightly threw out
That's why I find it hard to smile sometimes when I'm in the crowd
Because I used to be the problem child
I used to be the problem child but now I am the Troubleman
I am trouble, man
Nothing but trouble, man
Nothing but trouble, man
I'm nothing but trouble, man
Nothing but trouble, man
Nothing but trouble, man
Nothing but trouble, man
And I am looking for trouble, man
I am looking for trouble, man
I am looking for trouble, man
I am looking for trouble
(Looking for trouble, man)
(Looking for trouble, man)
(Looking for trouble, man)
The lyrics of "Troubleman Unlimited" by Titus Andronicus depict an individual who feels misunderstood and underestimated by others. The first verse addresses someone who tries to take advantage of the singer, but they assert that there is nothing to take from them. They warn the person to back off, threatening to retaliate with their own creation, which they call "trouble." This suggests that the singer possesses something powerful and potentially disruptive, even though it may not be tangible.
The second verse discusses the singer's current state of being in trouble. They mention a judge who has caused their world to crumble, and they find themselves immersed in trouble. The singer imagines a scenario where they fall alongside the crumbling summer, left with only themselves and their sorrows. They long for someone who could serve as a buffer between them and their inner turmoil. They question if anyone could truly love them for who they are underneath their troubled exterior.
In the third verse, the singer reflects on their past. They used to be their father's son, perhaps indicating a sense of security or identity in their family lineage. However, they now find themselves howling at the moon, suggesting a feeling of being detached and disconnected. The singer doesn't want to bother anyone, but they acknowledge that they might unintentionally do so. They describe themselves as smelling like an elephant when entering a room, indicating that they carry the weight of their troubles with them. The phrase "Daddy's Boy" was once used to describe them, but now they are synonymous with trouble.
The final part of the song reveals the singer's self-awareness. They realize that their stubbornness is a significant part of their trouble. Like plates stuck in a cupboard, they are resistant to change. However, they express a longing for a vacation or a break to alleviate their burdens. They listen to radio stations from far away, indicating a desire to escape their present reality. They mention the tasers spraying in their face, a representation of the challenges and dangers they face. Despite the difficulties, they find a strange way of connecting with people through these experiences. The closing lines express their history as a problem child, who was once problematic for others. Now, they have become the embodiment of trouble itself, the self-proclaimed "Troubleman."
Overall, "Troubleman Unlimited" delves into the singer's struggle with being misunderstood, their desire for love and understanding, and the recognition of their own troublesome nature. They navigate these themes with self-awareness and explore the complexities of their identity and the impact it has on their interactions with others.
Line by Line Meaning
You tryna rob me but I ain't got nothing, man
How you gon rob me? There's nothing to take
You better back up off me or I'll give you something, man
I'll give you a piece of the thing that I make
And that's trouble, man
And that's trouble, man
Summertime judge came to bust my bubble, now I got trouble
If the summer should fall, I would fall right along with it into the puddle
With nothing for company but leaves as I bawl
With nothing for company but leaves as I cry
Out for someone to function as some kind of buffer
Out for someone to serve as a shield or protector
Between me and my ugly side, it's too close to call
Between me and my dark or negative aspects, the line is blurred
Out for anyone but the one love out the hundred
Out for anyone except the rare person who truly loves me
Who could love me for what I am under it all
Who could love me for who I truly am beneath the surface
You see, I used to be my father's son, now I'm howling at the moon
You see, I used to follow my father's footsteps, but now I'm lost and restless
I ain't really trying to bother no one, but I might be soon
I'm not intentionally causing trouble, but it may happen unintentionally
And I'll be smelling like an elephant when I come in the room
I'll have an undeniable presence or aura when I enter a space
Because they used to call me 'Daddy's Boy'
Because I was once seen as my father's favorite
But now that's 'Trouble' to you
But now that's how I'm seen by others, as trouble
My trouble, man, is that I'm too damn stubborn
My problem, man, is that I'm extremely resistant to change
Like plates in the cupboard, I am stuck in my ways
Like plates in the cupboard, I refuse to adapt or evolve
But a couple of days of vacation would make a significant difference
But a short break would have a noticeable impact on me
I'm listening to radio stations from eight states away
I'm seeking solace or escape through distant radio channels
In the vacant sub-basement on Main Street
In the empty underground chamber beneath the central street
The tasers will spray in my face
The electric shocks will be directed towards me
And I'll say, 'It's a great way to meet people'
And I'll sarcastically remark, 'Getting tased is a wonderful way to form connections with others'
Treat 'em like sheep and a sweater they'll make
Manipulate or control them like sheep, and they'll be compliant and obedient
I used to be the problem child
I used to be the troublesome or rebellious child
I'm only my own problem now
Now I'm only causing problems for myself
Now I find that I'm the same old wise guy they rightly threw out
Now I realize that I'm still the same obnoxious person they rightfully rejected
That's why I find it hard to smile sometimes when I'm in the crowd
That's why I struggle to show genuine happiness when I'm surrounded by people
Because I used to be the problem child
Because I used to be the troublesome or rebellious child
I used to be the problem child but now I am the Troubleman
I used to be the troublesome one, but now I represent trouble itself
I am trouble, man
I am trouble, man
Nothing but trouble, man
Nothing but trouble, man
I'm nothing but trouble, man
I am nothing but trouble, man
I am looking for trouble, man
I am actively seeking trouble, man
Lyrics © AUDIAM, INC
Written by: Patrick Stickles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Feathers15
Feeling some Springsteen vibes here. Digging it.
Jason B
The boys killing it
Joe Gerard
This is an absolute JAM
Ben Arnao
Fuck yea, Titus never disappoints. Banger after banger
vanessa helsen
Love the song, you think you could also start including the lyrics in the description? Can’t wait to see you in Seattle.
R. Reynolds
Titus bringing heat in 2019.
Say it Ain’t so
He makes facial hair damn sexy...his voice is almost feral. I love it!
Phil Sheppard
Liam's face while he's shredding that epic solo is like: "fuck this is an epic solo"
Jenni Bee
good sound ....... sounds good ...... ummhm, foot-tapping, head boppin' ......
C M
Am I the only one that wants a Stack tv show? Come on, let's make that happen. Every episode needs 2Guys Rapping, tho. Has to happen.