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Troublemaker (view source)

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:<small>''For the tour of the same name, see [[Troublemaker Tour]].</small>''
:''For the tour of the same name, see [[Troublemaker Tour]].''
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| Name    = Troublemaker
| Name    = Troublemaker
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| Artist  = Weezer
| Artist  = Weezer
| Album    = Weezer (The Red Album)
| Album    = Weezer (The Red Album)
| Released = [[June 3]], [[2008]]<br>[[July 26]], [[2008]] - as a single
| Released = [[June 3]], [[2008]] (album)<br>[[July 26]], [[2008]] (single)
| Recorded = March 2008
| Recorded = March 2008
| Length  = 2:44
| Length  = 2:44
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}}
}}
{{Template:Song lineage|{{Template:Song lineage:Troublemaker}}}}
{{Template:Song lineage|{{Template:Song lineage:Troublemaker}}}}
"'''Troublemaker'''" is the second single, second iTunes single and first track off of ''[[Weezer (The Red Album)|The Red Album]]''.
"'''Troublemaker'''" is the second single and first track off of ''[[Weezer (The Red Album)|The Red Album]]''.
===Appearances===
===Appearances===
* ''[[Weezer (The Red Album)]]''
* ''[[Weezer (The Red Album)]]'' (2008)
* "Troublemaker" (Japanese iTunes E.P.)
* "Troublemaker" (Japanese iTunes EP) (2008)
* ''Troublemaker Remixes'' (promo EP)
* ''Troublemaker Remixes'' (2008)
*[[List of Official Bootlegs|Several Official Bootlegs]] (Live Version)
* ''[[List of official bootlegs|Various official live bootlegs]]
 
* ''[[iTunes Originals]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]'' (2020)
==Overview==
==Overview==
"Troublemaker" was reportedly written originally in [[2006]]. When the label suggested to Weezer to include more commercial material to speed up the album, the band went back to work on the "Troublemaker" demo. Despite this, the song is listed as the second most recent entry on Rivers' latest songwriting chart.  Rivers' inspiration for the line "Keep it on the up" came from his friend and former band mate [[Kevin Ridel]] of [[Avant Garde]] and [[AM Radio]]. Ridel has stated "Rivers sure has made my catch phrase popular!" "Troublemaker" is notably repetitive, with a guitar riff and drum beat that play unchanged throughout almost the entire song.
"Troublemaker" was originally written by [[Rivers Cuomo]] in [[2006]]. Cuomo recorded several acoustic guitar demos in 2006 featuring different guitar riffs and vocal melodies. The song's verse lyrics also appeared in a similar demo titled "[[Rock Star]]" (previously titled "[[Special]]") based on the guitar riff from the [[2001]] demo "[[Diamond Rings]]." It is unknown if "Troublemaker" is derived from "Rock Star"/"Special" or vice-versa. These demos were released to fans in [[2020]] as part of the demo compilation ''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]''.


In the [[2020]] release of ''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]'', multiple demos of "Troublemaker" were released. The demos revealed that the song evolved from "[[Diamond Rings]]" in a song titled "Special." It later was changed under the title "Rock Star" with an alternate chorus before becoming "Troublemaker."
When the label suggested to Weezer to include more commercial material to speed up the album, the band revisited "Troublemaker." The line "Keep it on the up" was inspired by Cuomo's friend and former bandmate [[Kevin Ridel]] (of [[Avant Garde]] and [[AM Radio]]). Ridel has stated "Rivers sure has made my catch phrase popular!"{{Citation needed}} "Troublemaker" is notably repetitive, with a guitar riff and drum beat that play unchanged throughout almost the entire song.
 
The song has seen release as a digital single, as well as a one-track promo. A physical retail single was scheduled to be released in the UK in late September 2008, but it never surfaced


The song was released as a digital single. A promotional single was also sent to radio. A physical retail single was scheduled to be released in the UK in late September 2008 but never surfaced.{{Citation needed}} "Troublemaker" debuted the week of [[July 26]], 2008, at No. 39 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Modern Rock Tracks charts and peaked at No. 2.
===Liner notes===
===Liner notes===
<blockquote>'''''Troublemaker which talks about your schooling, the middle references all those things you experience growing up. It's an interesting way to start a record.'''''
<blockquote>'''''Troublemaker which talks about your schooling, the middle references all those things you experience growing up. It's an interesting way to start a record.'''''
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'''''You touch on bits of spirituality or other things going on in your life at the moment.'''''
'''''You touch on bits of spirituality or other things going on in your life at the moment.'''''
<span style="color:#ff0000">''Rivers:</span> The way my brain works its actually hard for me to remember what the content of my songs is when I'm sitting here talking about it. I'm really focused when I'm writing it or even singing it, but talking about it I almost can't remember what the song is about. Troublemaker is a song I had written in 2006 and I was stuck on it. I set it aside and forgot about it. We listened back to old demos and immediately everyone was like, yes that's the song.''</blockquote>
<span style="color:#ff0000">''Rivers:</span> The way my brain works its actually hard for me to remember what the content of my songs is when I'm sitting here talking about it. I'm really focused when I'm writing it or even singing it, but talking about it I almost can't remember what the song is about. Troublemaker is a song I had written in 2006 and I was stuck on it. I set it aside and forgot about it. We listened back to old demos and immediately everyone was like, yes that's the song.''</blockquote>
==Music video==
==Music video==
The music video for Troublemaker, released on [[October 6]], 2008 and consisted of Weezer and a selected group of fans attempting to break various world records. It was filmed in front of the Great Western Forum in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, California.  The video includes footage of Weezer fans playing dodgeball, riding on an oversized skateboard, playing air guitar, and filling a large Weezer logo with nachos, cheese, and jalapenos.  Rivers Cuomo was also shown pulling a stationwagon full of Weezer fans with his teeth.  The video alternates between scenes of the hootenanny as well as a live performance by Weezer. It was directed by The Malloy Brothers.
The music video for "Troublemaker" was directed by [[the Malloy Brothers]] and was released on [[October 6]], 2008. The video features Weezer and a selected group of fans attempting to break various world records. It was filmed in front of the Great Western Forum in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, California.  The video includes footage of Weezer fans playing dodgeball, riding on an oversized skateboard, playing air guitar, and filling a large Weezer logo with nachos, cheese, and jalapenos.  Rivers Cuomo is also shown pulling a stationwagon full of Weezer fans with his teeth.  The video alternates between scenes of the hootenanny as well as a live performance by the band.


<youtube>0LSGvziX_6Y</youtube>
<youtube>0LSGvziX_6Y</youtube>
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==''Troublemaker Remixes''==
==''Troublemaker Remixes''==
{{Main|Main article: [[Troublemaker Remixes]]}}
{{Main|Main article: [[Troublemaker Remixes]]}}
==Known recordings==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em; font-size:.9em;
!Performer(s)
!Title
!Filename
!Date of recording
!Recording location
!Length
!Appeared on
!Notes
|-
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[Rivers Cuomo]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Troublemaker
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|<samp>troublemaker feel and low bridge.mp3</samp>
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[2006]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|3:03
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]''
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
|-
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[Rivers Cuomo]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Troublemaker
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|<samp>troublemaker melody crammed.mp3</samp>
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[2006]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|2:02
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]''
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
|-
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[Rivers Cuomo]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Troublemaker
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|<samp>troublemaker melody shifted.mp3</samp>
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[2006]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|3:07
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]''
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
|-
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[Rivers Cuomo]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Troublemaker
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|<samp>troublemaker chunky GFeF.mp3</samp>
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[2006]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|1:23
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]''
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
|-
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[Rivers Cuomo]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Troublemaker
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|<samp>troublemaker orig feel.mp3</samp>
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[2006]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|3:18
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]''
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
|-
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[Rivers Cuomo]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Troublemaker
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|<samp>troublemaker strummy.mp3</samp>
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[2006]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|2:18
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]''
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
|-
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[Rivers Cuomo]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Troublemaker
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|<samp>Troublemaker.mp3</samp>
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[2006]]/[[2007]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|2:48
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|''[[Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]''
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|"Last Ditch Efforts for Album 6"
|-
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[Weezer]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Troublemaker
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[2007]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Shangri La Studios, Malibu, CA<br>Malibu Performing Arts Center, Malibu, CA<br>Threshold Studios, Santa Monica, CA
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|2:44
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|''[[Weezer (The Red Album)]]''
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
|-
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[Weezer]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|Troublemaker
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|[[2010]]
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|2:45
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|''[[iTunes Originals]]''
| bgcolor="aaffaa"|
|-
|}


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
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==Lyrics==
==Lyrics==
<poem>Put me in a special school cuz I am such a fool
<poem>Put me in a special school 'cuz I am such a fool
And I don’t need a single book to teach me how to read
And I don’t need a single book to teach me how to read
Who needs stupid books? They are for petty crooks
Who needs stupid books? They are for petty crooks
And I will learn by studying the lessons in my dreams
And I will learn by studying the lessons in my dreams
So turn off the TV cuz that’s what others see
So turn off the TV 'cuz that’s what others see
And movies are as bad as eating chocolate ice-cream
And movies are as bad as eating chocolate ice cream
They only sicken me, don’t let me play football
They only sicken me. Don’t let me play football
I’ll sack the quarterback and jack the brother of the ball
I’ll sack the quarterback and jack the brother of the ball


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I’m gonna play some heavy metal riffs and you will die.
I’m gonna play some heavy metal riffs and you will die.
You wanted arts and crafts. How’s this for arts and crafts?
You wanted arts and crafts. How’s this for arts and crafts?
Wuh-nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh-that’s right!
Wuh-nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh- nuh—that’s right!
I’m growing out my hair. I’m moving out to Cherokee.
I’m growing out my hair. I’m moving out to Cherokee.
I’m gonna be a rock star and you are gonna bear with me
I’m gonna be a rock star and you are gonna bear with me
Cuz I can’t work a job like any other slob
'Cuz I can’t work a job like any other slob
Punchin’ in and punchin’ out and suckin’ up to Bob
Punchin’ in and punchin’ out and suckin’ up to Bob


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There isn’t anybody else exactly quite like me
There isn’t anybody else exactly quite like me
And when it’s party time, like 1999
And when it’s party time, like 1999
I’ll party by myself because I’m such a special guy.
I’ll party by myself because I’m such a special guy


I’m a troublemaker, never been a faker
I’m a troublemaker, never been a faker
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[[Category:Songs that appeared on the 4 and 5 Star Demos of Rivers Cuomo list]]
[[Category:Songs that appeared on the 4 and 5 Star Demos of Rivers Cuomo list]]
[[Category:Allmusic track picks]]
[[Category:Allmusic track picks]]
[[Category: Songs on Weezer (The Red Album)]]
[[Category: Songs on Weezer (The Red Album)]][[Category:Songs on Alone X: The Red-Raditude-Hurley Years]]
[[Category:Weezer songs produced by Jacknife Lee]]
[[Category:Weezer songs produced by Jacknife Lee]]
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