The Story Behind Trouble’s Comin’

Trouble’s Comin’ is a song which seems to have caught the attention of the collective for some reason. And that reason is simple: we know that trouble is comin’! On some deep subconscious level, we all have a sense that, despite the upheaval in the world in recent years, it will likely continue for a while. Recent events with “trade wars” and crashing economies, collapses of “rules based orders” etc. would seem to amplify this sentiment for a lot of people.

This simple blues song however, is not a negative or pessimistic song, as many would believe. ‘Trouble’ can simply mean chaos or uncertainty. This seems unavoidable and different worlds, at different times, seem to cycle through periods of chaos when things are transiting into new eras. Usually a period of stability follows. Usually. But then its upset again. As Leonard Cohen sings in his Anthem:

The war it will be fought again
The holy dove she will be bought again
Bought and sold and bought again
The dove is never free….

And so, what about climate change? Isn’t that what I am referring to when I say: “the oceans are gonna surely rise…”? Well, yes and no. I do believe the earth goes through cyclic upheavals and shifts in weather and conditions. And usually there is destruction before the establishment of new patterns. I think that deep down we know what is coming, because on some level, in our DNA, we might have experienced it before through our ancestors. What is the cause of it though? Is it really flatulent cows and dirty coal? You can decide what the truth is and what the “dark gospel” is.

Either way, we know change is coming. And that is why the tone of the song, in D minor / F major, js overall positive, even if the message may not seem like it. The message is, essentially: Feel it. Get ready. It’s happening. Let's go!