Tony Bennett went to no. 1 on the UK charts on this date 60 years ago with his performance of "Stranger in Paradise," an adaptation from the musical Kismet. The vocalist had recorded it more than two years earlier and and it took more than two years of climbing before it got to the top. Although "Stranger In Paradise" may have been one of the most successful songs about things in paradise, more performers have opted for the theme of "Trouble In Paradise," possible referencing the 1932 film classic by the same name. Check out five instances where musical performers—from Loretta Lynn to Bruce Springsteen and Huey Lewis—released songs titled "Trouble In Paradise," with none of them borrowing lyrics.
"Trouble in Paradise" by The Crests (1960)
The Crests were a doo-wop group out of New York City. If any genre is well-equipped to handle the concept of "trouble in paradise"—which often references relationship issues within a marriage—it's doo-wop, with a group of background vocalists able to supplement the lead with an array of achy-breaky-heart "oohs" at whim. The group cleverly works in the theme of "Paradise" as God's heavenly estate by repeating the phrase "calling all angels" to open and close the song, later noting that "there's trouble in paradise, my turtle dove's changing wings." This, of course, refers to his baby leaving him for another man, but the group keeps the divine theme going by referring to his competition as "some devil." The song would end up becoming a hit for the group during 1960, reaching no. 20 on the Hot 100 chart. Many listeners know the group from its hit "16 Candles," which peaked at no. 2 during 1958 and inspired the title of the classic film Sixteen Candles.
"Trouble In Paradise" by Loretta Lynn (1974)
Loretta Lynn was given the award for Artist of The Decade by the Academy of Country Music in 1979 for her success over the previous 10 years, which included eight no. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. One of them was her play on the "Trouble In Paradise" theme, which peaked at no. 1 during 1974 as the top single from her album They Don't Make 'em Like My Daddy. Lynn's conceptualization of the title isn't all that different from The Crests, although she of course takes a female perspective to the problem. She seems to be a somewhat paranoid lover, painting other women in general as "demons" trying to take her man's "soul." That's certainly one of the more interesting, uh, catchphrases we've heard for that. Either way, he can't complain because when he gets home she's going to give him a homemade exorcism, "gonna love him 'til the devil goes away."
"Trouble In Paradise" by Huey Lewis & The News (1980)
Huey Lewis & The News isn't the band that necessarily makes one think of serious subject matter, but this track off of the band's debut self-titled album actually hits home. The band gets away from the "struggles within a relationship" interpretation of "Trouble In Paradise" and looks at subject Billy, a guy who went to Hollywood to break it big and has now returned with bigger issues. The song seems to be a commentary on the rise of cocaine use during that era (see Scarface, The Wolf of Wall Street and most '80s movies), noting that the wannabe actor got "plenty of lines but nothing to say," noting that when he was in high schooler he was a popular social figure but "now he's sick and he's scared and he's paying the price." Lewis closes the song on a sad note, pointing out that he wrote the song five years previously and has seen many die during the time in between."
"Trouble in Paradise" by Al Jarreau (1983)
Getting back to "trouble in paradise as a metaphor for relationship issues, we've seen several examples of how one might deal with such trouble. The Crests have leaned on prayer and divine grace to help with their problems, while Loretta Lynn grabbed that horse by the reins. Jazz singer Al Jarreau lets us know that, first of all, he would never have this kind of issue. After all, "if you cared about her, don't you ever doubt her love." That said, he still gives some advice for guys who think that she may be having second thoughts. Like Lynn, he suggests taking immediate action, although not necessarily in the bedroom. He tells those under his tutelage that they should let her know that "you're burn in' alone, that's cold as ice / go out and find a flame, so you can warm it up again." OK, on one hand that could be interpreted as a sweet call for reconciliation but then again it could totally be bedroom innuendo.
"Trouble in Paradise" by Bruce Springsteen (1988/1998)
Bruce Springsteen originally recorded his own "Trouble in Paradise" during 1988 but it wouldn't see the light of day until his rarities set Tracks hit the market during 1998. The Boss, as you know, has always based his music in the real and he makes no exception for "Trouble," not invoking any heavenly hosts or demonic interlopers...simply going to the heart of the matter. The track focuses on the less dramatic aspects of divorce...the kind we don't normally see on television. "You do the drying, I'll do the dishes / who'll do the crying when all the wishes don't come true?" It's a typically well-written song from the performer, but the instrumental approach seems almost Duran Duran-ish...not a good look, despite coming about at the same time as his class album Tunnel of Love.
