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10,000 Maniacs — Trouble Me
Album: Blind Man's Zoo
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1879









Released: 1989
Length: 3:10
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Trouble me, disturb me with all your cares and your worries.
Trouble me on the days when you feel spent.
Why let your shoulders bend underneath this burden when my back is sturdy and strong?
Trouble me.

Speak to me, don't mislead me, the calm I feel means a storm is swelling;
there's no telling where it starts or how it ends.
Speak to me, why are you building this thick brick wall to defend me when your silence is my greatest fear?
Why let your shoulders bend underneath this burden when my back is sturdy and strong?
Speak to me.

Let me have a look inside these eyes while I'm learning.
Please don't hide them just because of tears.
Let me send you off to sleep with a "There, there, now stop your turning and tossing."
Let me know where the hurt is and how to heal.

Spare me? Don't spare me anything troubling.
Trouble me, disturb me with all your cares and your worries.
Speak to me and let our words build a shelter from the storm.
Lastly, let me know what I can mend.
There's more, honestly, than my sweet friend, you can see.
Trust is what I'm offering if you trouble me.
Comments (75)add comment
Written by Natalie at age 25... amazing complexity and depth for such a young musician.
Posted 3 months ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
The wonderful Natalie Merchant.
Posted 4 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 sajitjacob wrote:
Oh god, "Strong Enough" followed by "Trouble Me". 
Christ it's dusty in here, koff koff.  now it's raining too


i want one.
Posted 11 months ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
This is good Natalie.
Posted 1 year ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:




It is only natural that I would have a great knowledge of sheep, being descended from Scottish sheep... uh, knowers.



bah-bah 
Posted 1 year ago by cosmicjoe54    [ Reply ]
 DavidRod wrote:

Can you believe I knew this song and now it reminds me another group: River City People.. I love both of them anyway. 



YES! As soon as I read this I heard it. Plus, River City People weren't exactly widely known. Thanks for making the connection for me.
Posted 2 years ago by bctreefarmer    [ Reply ]
This song was my introduction to NM and 10,000 Maniacs.  Such a great tune for its warmth and honesty.

The fact that it follows "Under Pressure" makes for a great shot of smile-inducing endorphins today - thanks RP!  
Posted 2 years ago by SpencerAR    [ Reply ]
trouble me too
Posted 2 years ago by rogyus    [ Reply ]
Never get tired of having this come around. Should have been a hit. Hard as some of us tried we could not rally enough of the "taste-makers" to have it breakout. 
Posted 2 years ago by rob.sides    [ Reply ]
Can you believe I knew this song and now it reminds me another group: River City People.. I love both of them anyway. 
Posted 2 years ago by DavidRod    [ Reply ]
 gopre wrote:
it's about her father's final days of suffering from cancer. she's telling him to 'trouble me' with your pain. thanks, natalie, for these words.
 
I didn't know the story.  Not much before this song came out, my father was dying of cancer.  He and we were mute, not offering much comfort.  I always wished we had done better.  In the instances since, I have tried to offer more.
Posted 3 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
Oh god, "Strong Enough" followed by "Trouble Me". 
Christ it's dusty in here, koff koff.  now it's raining too
Posted 3 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
1989 was a vintage year , classic Maniacs
Posted 3 years ago by garydgould    [ Reply ]
Pizza me. 
Posted 4 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 BCarn wrote:

Mr. Pedant.
 
Not to be confused with Captain Pedant; he wears a ruby-colored cowl and cape.  Anyhow, I think this song is pretty cool.
Posted 4 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

That's not really what "obscurist" means but I guess it works for what the point they were trying to make.
 
Mr. Pedant.
Posted 4 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
 gandalfbmg wrote:
al9009 wrote:
I don't understand the grief that Natalie gets on here...Is it cos she is popular and successful and those obscurists don't like that? By obscurists I mean those who don't like a singer, musician because they become popular and successful...and like to like bands that no-one else has heard of. Nat is quality. And you really know it!
Finally, a name for it!!! So obvious too.
 
That's not really what "obscurist" means but I guess it works for what the point they were trying to make.
Posted 4 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 maybe these are the right ones...

https://fbwebsitedefaultstorag...





danmcminn wrote:

Wait... sheep-knowers. You wouldn't by any chance be related to these two?
{#Ask}

Posted 5 years ago by yuel    [ Reply ]
I really love this song
Posted 5 years ago by lindaurq    [ Reply ]
Ah the lamented 10000 maniacs, Natalie went downhill when she went solo.
Posted 5 years ago by Retrograde-orbit    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:
meloman wrote: Okay, I bow to your obviously greater knowledge of sheep.


It is only natural that I would have a great knowledge of sheep, being descended from Scottish sheep... uh, knowers.

__________________________________
 
Wait... sheep-knowers. You wouldn't by any chance be related to these two? {#Ask}

via Screenrush.co.uk


Posted 13 years ago by danmc    [ Reply ]
Lovely. 
Posted 14 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
 meloman wrote:

Okay, I bow to your obviously greater knowledge of sheep.  



It is only natural that I would have a great knowledge of sheep, being descended from Scottish sheep... uh, knowers.
Posted 14 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 Wallis wrote:
Got to see them live post-Natalie, and I thought they were quite good-much more of a "band" and less of a backing mechanism for the singer. And they, dare I say, sort of "rocked". And this from a guy who digs Merzbow.
 

Did you see them with Oscar Saville singing.  I used to work with her when she had a "straight" job.  Cool lady.
Posted 14 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 ndad47 wrote:
i like to sing this to addicts when they are low on booze or oxycontin.
 

As...what? Therapy? Torture? Sleeping aid? You have a story to tell. Please do. 
Posted 14 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 gopre wrote:
it's about her father's final days of suffering from cancer. she's telling him to 'trouble me' with your pain. thanks, natalie, for these words.
 
Yes, I agree.  Great tune and lyrics.  In a similar vein, listen to their "Our Time In Eden" CD sometime paying particular attention to the song "Gold Rush Brides" in which she talks about the lives of these women.  Each of these songs paint quite a picture for the listener who opens his / her ears and mind to enjoy it...

https://www.radioparadise.com/content.php?name=songinfo&song_id=34283



Posted 15 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
i used to fall asleep listening to this on my walkman all the time as a gradeschooler...

{#Daisy}
Posted 15 years ago by jameyp    [ Reply ]
 Kittee wrote:
I love Nat, but this song, not so much.

Carnival or Ophelia much better etc.
 
overwrought "ophelia" over this gem? puh-leeze!{#Rolleyes}

Posted 15 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
I love Nat, but this song, not so much.

Carnival or Ophelia much better etc.
Posted 15 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
{#Puke}
Posted 15 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
al9009 wrote:
I don't understand the grief that Natalie gets on here...Is it cos she is popular and successful and those obscurists don't like that? By obscurists I mean those who don't like a singer, musician because they become popular and successful...and like to like bands that no-one else has heard of. Nat is quality. And you really know it!
No, it's more like she has an annoying, nasal, affected sound to her voice as if everything were heartfelt and touching but with no real soul. Combine that with being over-played and people will naturally complain.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
al9009 wrote:
I don't understand the grief that Natalie gets on here...Is it cos she is popular and successful and those obscurists don't like that? By obscurists I mean those who don't like a singer, musician because they become popular and successful...and like to like bands that no-one else has heard of. Nat is quality. And you really know it!
Finally, a name for it!!! So obvious too.
Posted 15 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
queenjill wrote:
I think "merdeoiseaux" would be French for "shit birds." Interesting name for a sheep.
But a great name for a French punk band.
Posted 16 years ago by TheLoneIguana    [ Reply ]
Truly tender.
Posted 16 years ago by xc_para_puravida    [ Reply ]
Got to see them live post-Natalie, and I thought they were quite good-much more of a "band" and less of a backing mechanism for the singer. And they, dare I say, sort of "rocked". And this from a guy who digs Merzbow.
Posted 16 years ago by Wallis    [ Reply ]
I don't understand the grief that Natalie gets on here...Is it cos she is popular and successful and those obscurists don't like that? By obscurists I mean those who don't like a singer, musician because they become popular and successful...and like to like bands that no-one else has heard of. Nat is quality. And you really know it!
Posted 16 years ago by al9009    [ Reply ]
i like to sing this to addicts when they are low on booze or oxycontin.
Posted 16 years ago by ndad47    [ Reply ]
gForce wrote:
A nice track from when her music was still engaging and before her voice deteriorated.
Ouch. TerryS wrote:
Do you ever wish she could finish just one word with an upwards inflexion?
You mean like, "underneath this burden when MY..."?
Posted 16 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
This song makes her sound hot!
Posted 16 years ago by stickers11    [ Reply ]
it's about her father's final days of suffering from cancer. she's telling him to 'trouble me' with your pain. thanks, natalie, for these words.
Posted 16 years ago by gopre    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Normally I can't stand Natalie's sheeplike trilling, but this song is an exception. Pretty nice.
Same here
Posted 16 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
queenjill wrote:
I think "merdeoiseaux" would be French for "shit birds." Interesting name for a sheep.
Any bids on maniac shit birds?
Posted 16 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
Hannio wrote:
We have a breed of sheep over here that makes birdlike trilling noises. I guess you have never heard of them. The breed is called merdeoiseaux or something like that.
I think "merdeoiseaux" would be French for "shit birds." Interesting name for a sheep.
Posted 17 years ago by queenjill    [ Reply ]
lmic wrote:
In the spirit the holiday season, can I please have this line? OK, I might even pay royalties...ROTFLMAO
It's yours to use. Call me Santa!
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
meloman wrote:
Okay, I bow to your obviously greater knowledge of sheep.
In the spirit the holiday season, can I please have this line? OK, I might even pay royalties...ROTFLMAO
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Hannio wrote:
We have a breed of sheep over here that makes birdlike trilling noises. I guess you have never heard of them. The breed is called merdeoiseaux or something like that. There's a huge roundup every year and a sheep drive up to Ft Worth. The trilling is so deafening the cowboys, er, sheepboys that is, have to wear ear muffs made of puppy pelts.
Okay, I bow to your obviously greater knowledge of sheep. We of course have them here in Poland, but mostly down south in the mountains. But what's that about using puppy pelts to make ear muffs?! Christ! You sure as hell burst my Brokeback (Mt.) bubble with that one!
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
jameyp wrote:
one of their best-- i used to fall asleep to this album as a kid... great song.
On the weekend of a milestone birthday I'd rather not mention, this comment makes me feel 8,000 years old.
Posted 17 years ago by suddenchad    [ Reply ]
meloman wrote:
This song is not an exception, just another example of what a great artist Natalie Merchant is.
So totally agree.
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
meloman wrote:
I thought someone from Texas would know that it's birds that trill, as in make a warbling sound, and that sheep bleat.
We have a breed of sheep over here that makes birdlike trilling noises. I guess you have never heard of them. The breed is called merdeoiseaux or something like that. There's a huge roundup every year and a sheep drive up to Ft Worth. The trilling is so deafening the cowboys, er, sheepboys that is, have to wear ear muffs made of puppy pelts.
Posted 17 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
mfassett wrote:
LOVE this song... I really like a lot of their earlier stuff, though I don't dig her much solo.
I agree. I don't think either the band or Merchant were as good on their own as they were with each other.
Posted 17 years ago by cordelia    [ Reply ]
My love of this song is due in large part to the video.....I found it recently on aolmusic (or yahoo music) and was jsut as entranced today as I was when I first saw it on MTV eons ago. (for those who can't remember Natalie visited and old woman (grandmother?) and took her for ride on her bike) Sure it's sentimental and syrupy, but those images reminded me so much of my grandmother, and her friends - a group of large German women who where all my "Tante's" (Aunties) - that I immediately took to that video. Thanks Natalie for helping me remember some really kewl ladies.....
Posted 17 years ago by basilandroses    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Normally I can't stand Natalie's sheeplike trilling, but this song is an exception. Pretty nice.
I thought someone from Texas would know that it's birds that trill, as in make a warbling sound, and that sheep bleat.
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
This song is not an exception, just another example of what a great artist Natalie Merchant is.
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
Awesome! Love her voice, Love the lyrics, 9/10!
Posted 17 years ago by witchchild    [ Reply ]
one of their best-- i used to fall asleep to this album as a kid... great song.
Posted 17 years ago by jameyp    [ Reply ]
Do you ever wish she could finish just one word with an upwards inflexion?
Posted 17 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
mfassett wrote:
LOVE this song... I really like a lot of their earlier stuff, though I don't dig her much solo.
Me too! It's the message...inviting pain, and discomfort, because you care about someone else. So nuanced, and yet tailored into a pretty pop song.
Posted 17 years ago by flyfree    [ Reply ]
LOVE this song... I really like a lot of their earlier stuff, though I don't dig her much solo.
Posted 18 years ago by mfassett    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Normally I can't stand Natalie's sheeplike trilling, but this song is an exception. Pretty nice.
Ditto kazuma.
Posted 18 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
Can't stand her singing...she sounds like she can't make her lips meet...y'know, like she's sings with her teeth bared all the time...like Louis-Armstrong-mouth...and this song had extra beats and/or bars in too many of the lines...not a strong enough meter for me.
Posted 18 years ago by radiomao    [ Reply ]
The backup vocals bring images of Stevie Nicks for some reason.
Posted 18 years ago by dctrpunda    [ Reply ]
Normally I can't stand Natalie's sheeplike trilling, but this song is an exception. Pretty nice.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
gForce wrote:
A nice track from when her music was still engaging and before her voice deteriorated.
It's the band. And IMHO, they're all pretty much past it here. How about "Tension Makes a Tangle" from The Wishing Chair?
Posted 18 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
I love this song -- absolutely love it. Unfortunately, this and "Wonder" are the only Natalie vocals I can stomach. I don't know why -- she just impresses me as incredibly pretentious and self-important sounding on everything else.
Per usual, I agree with you, radiojunkie. There's a very select few of Natalie Merchant songs I can stomach, and this is one of them. Excellent tune.
Posted 18 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
One of the sweetest videos ever made. I wish more "troubled" young people were hearing this song and turning to the right people for help...people who could offer the sentiments in this song's lyrics. "Why let your shoulders bend underneath your burden when my back is sturdy and strong? Trouble me...Trust is what I'm offering." :umbrella.gif:
Posted 18 years ago by dolfan    [ Reply ]
I love this song -- absolutely love it. Unfortunately, this and "Wonder" are the only Natalie vocals I can stomach. I don't know why -- she just impresses me as incredibly pretentious and self-important sounding on everything else.
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
A nice track from when her music was still engaging and before her voice deteriorated.
Posted 19 years ago by gForce    [ Reply ]
"...if you trouble me-E-e-E-e-E." A 10.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Skeletor wrote:
First time for this song? Funny, seems like I've heard this song here many times before?
We've always played the version from the MTV Unplugged CD. This is the original studio version.
Posted 19 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
coding_to_music wrote:
My Upload! Yay!
Thank you ! :goodvibes:
Posted 19 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
My Upload! Yay!
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
beautiful melody and lyrics, natalie shines on this one :sunny.gif: :sunny.gif: :meditate.gif: :meditate.gif:
Posted 19 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
ahhhh... like a long cool drink of water on a hot day...
Posted 19 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]
First time for this song? Funny, seems like I've heard this song here many times before?
Posted 19 years ago by Skeletor    [ Reply ]