About the song
Ah, Conway Twitty – a name synonymous with smooth baritone vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and a career that transcended country music boundaries. Today, we delve into one of his earlier recordings, a track that showcases both his soulful voice and the enduring themes of country music: Trouble In Mind.
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Released in 1958, Trouble In Mind predates Twitty’s iconic pairing with Loretta Lynn, but it already lays the groundwork for the emotional depth he would become known for. The song is a prime example of the honky-tonk style, a subgenre of country music that emerged in the mid-20th century. Characterized by its driving rhythm, prominent steel guitar, and focus on relatable themes of heartbreak, loneliness, and working-class struggles, honky-tonk perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the post-war era.
Trouble In Mind isn’t a tale of dramatic woe, but rather a relatable portrayal of a man down on his luck. The opening line, “Trouble in mind, I’m blue,” sets the melancholic tone, but there’s a flicker of resilience too. The lyrics speak of a love lost, financial hardship (“life worth living, I feel like I could die”), and the ever-present temptation to escape with a bottle (“late my head, my head on some railroad line”).
However, beneath the surface of despair lies a glimmer of hope. The repeated line, “Always for the sun’s gonna shine in my back door someday,” speaks to the unwavering optimism often found in country music. Twitty’s strong, emotive vocals deliver this line with a touch of defiance, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, there’s always a chance for things to turn around.
Trouble In Mind might not be one of Twitty’s biggest hits, but it’s a significant piece in his musical legacy. It showcases his talent for conveying raw emotion within the framework of the honky-tonk genre. This song is a time capsule, transporting listeners back to a specific era in country music while remaining relatable thanks to its timeless themes of hardship and hope. So, put on your boots, pour yourself a glass of something sweet, and let Conway Twitty’s Trouble In Mind take you on a journey through the heart of country music.
Video
Lyrics
“Trouble In Mind”
But I won’t be blue always
‘Cause the sun’s gonna shine in
My back door someday.
Trouble in mind that’s true
I have almost lost my mind
Life ain’t worth living,
I feel like dying sometimes.
I’m gonna lay my head
On some lonesome railroad line
Let that two nineteen special
Ease my troubled mind.
Trouble in mind, I’m blue,
My poor heart is beating slow.
Never had so much trouble
In all my life before, oh yeah.
Trouble in mind I’m blue
But I won’t be blue always
‘Cause the sun’s gonna shine in
My back door someday.
Trouble in mind that’s true
I have almost lost my mind,
But Life ain’t worth living,
Until I die sometime…