Talking About Songwriting: “Trouble-Makin’ Woman”

In yet another installment of my occasional “Talking About Songwriting” blog, let’s take a look at “Trouble-Makin’ Woman,” another track from our recently-released CD, “I Heard You Twice the First Time.

Everybody knows one: The irrepressible flirt. They come in all shapes, sizes… and genders. Generally speaking, a person flirts to gauge the interest of the person he or she is flirting with. By definition, flirting is communicating with someone in a way that signals attraction. Of course, since most people aren’t eager to experience direct rejection, they might use indirect flirting strategies, strategies that resemble other, non-flirting conversation (teasing, joking, being generally friendly).

In any case, this song was written – good-naturedly – with a couple of specific women – and men – in mind. They are highly-skilled at the art of flirtation, and they know it. The structure is simple, just a basic 12-bar blues against an “downtown box” bass line. I wanted the simple structure so that I could work out the kinks at local jams and pick-up gigs, regardless of which musicians might be supporting me.

So, I played it out for a couple of months, fine-tuning the lyrics and the overall structure and tempo. Eventually, it found its way into the studio, and the rest, as they say, is history. An interesting footnote: I originally wrote it – and played it out several times – in the key of F. But somehow, when we finally got into the studio, it ended-up being recorded in G. So now, we play it in G! (Except, of course, when I forget, and start it off in A.)

Here it is… hope you like it!

Trouble-Makin’ Woman
© 2016 by David Z Orban

Trouble-makin’ woman… Lookin’ just as sweet as she can
Trouble-makin’ woman… Lookin’ just as sweet as she can
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… And she’s lookin’ for a trouble-makin’ man

She’s got those ruby-red lips… And eyes as dark as night
You might be ready for some lovin’… But she’s lookin’ for a fight
Trouble-makin’ woman… Lookin’ just as sweet as she can
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… … And she’s lookin’ for a trouble-makin’ man

Well, she don’t say yes… but she don’t say no…
And what she’s really up to, man, you never really know
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… Lookin’ just as sweet as she can
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… And she’s out lookin’ for a trouble-makin’ man

SOLO

Just when you think she will, she’ll tell you that she won’t
But when you go to leave, she’ll cry, “Oh, please, big daddy, don’t!”
Trouble-makin’ woman… Lookin’ just as sweet as she can
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… And she’s lookin’ for a trouble-makin’ man

When she walks into the room, All the men, they drop their jaw…
The way you wear that dress, girl… It should be against the law
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… Livin’ life as fast as she can
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… And she’s lookin’ for a trouble-makin’ man

She’s a trouble-makin’ woman…  (Trouble-makin’ woman)
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… (Trouble-makin’ woman)
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman…  (Trouble-makin’ woman)
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… (Trouble-makin’ woman)
She’s a trouble-makin’ woman… Honey, let me be your trouble-makin’ man!

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