Trouble (American Authors song)

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"Trouble"
Promotional single by American Authors
from the album Oh, What a Life
ReleasedFebruary 18, 2014 (2014-02-18)
Recorded2012–13
GenreFolk rock
Length3:15
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Aaron Accetta
  • Shep Goodman

"Trouble" is a song by American pop rock band American Authors. The song was written by band members Zachary Barnett, David Rublin, Matthew Sanchez and James Shelley with producers Aaron Accetta and Shep Goodman and originally recorded for the band's debut studio album Oh, What a Life, appearing as the fifth track on the album. The track was released by Mercury Records and Island Records as a promotional single on February 18, 2014.

Composition[edit]

"Trouble" has been described as a folk rock song, borrowing musical elements from Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.[1] Driven by the banjo as the lead instrument in the song, the track makes use of the voices of all four band members to create a crowd-like cheer that is used in the song's chorus and latter verses, an effect similar to the one used in "Best Day of My Life".[2]

Reception[edit]

The song was well-received by some critics. Justin Stanford of music website Indie Trendsetters wrote that "It isn’t massive like "Best Day of My Life" but it is nice and low key, a little more intimate and personal. No doubt it is a buildup to something huge in their new album".[2] Anna Murphy of music website Earmilk also wrote positively of the song, stating "this song will be a hit. Enjoy it in its first fresh week before it's making the rounds on syndicated airwaves & your little sister's surround sound".[1]

The line "I knew she was trouble from the first kiss" indirectly refers to Taylor Swift's 2012 smash hit "I Knew You Were Trouble".[citation needed]

Track listing[edit]

Digital download
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Trouble"
  • Accetta
  • Goodman
3:15

Personnel[edit]

Adapted from Oh, What a Life liner notes.[3]

Charts[edit]

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[4] 44

Release history[edit]

Country Date Format Label
United Kingdom[5] February 18, 2014 Digital download Island
United States[6] Mercury

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Murphy, Anna (20 February 2014). "Listen to American Authors' "Trouble" before it tops the charts". Earmilk. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b Stanford, Justin. "American Authors – Trouble". Indie Trendsetters. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  3. ^ Oh, What a Life (liner notes). American Authors. Mercury Records. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ "American Authors Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  5. ^ "Trouble". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  6. ^ "Trouble". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 5, 2014.