"I Smell Trouble" was a 1957 single for Bobby Blue Bland which was a hit for him. It was also a 1964 single for Little Johnny Taylor which became a hit.
"I Smell Trouble" was a 1957 song written by Don Robey. It was registered in January 1957. [1]
| "I Smell Trouble" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Bobby Blue Bland Bill Harvey Orhestra | |
| A-side | "I Smell Trouble" |
| B-side | "Don't Want No Woman" |
| Released | 1957 |
| Length | 2:33 |
| Label | Duke 167 |
| Songwriter(s) | Robey |
It was reported in the 23 March 1957 issue of The Cash Box that Bobby Bland's "I Smell Trouble" was "Zooming like a comet". According to composer Robey, the B side, "Don’t Want No Woman" was just as good and the DJs had a two-sider to work on. [2] According to the 13 April issue of The Cash Box, Robey was pleased with the money that "I Smell Trouble" was making. [3]
The record was reviewed in the 16 March 1967 issue of The Billboard. The reviewer noted the style of Bobby Bland coming across, saying that his "clear-toned, florid wailing style rarely has come across with more poignant effect". The well recorded backing which the reviewer called "down home" was also noted. [4]
When the record was released, it had an immediate sales reaction. [5]
For the week of 20 April 1957, "I Smell Trouble was at no. 10 on the Cash Box Hot, Chicago chart, [6] and no. 1 in Memphis chart. [7] It had also debuted at no. 20 in The Nation's R&B Top 20 chart. [8] Also that week, "Don't Want No Woman" was a "Territorial Tip", one of the chart highlights Rhythm and Blues records that showed regional action but hadn't yet reached the Top 20. [9] It was also at no. 9 on the Cash Box Hot, Dallas chart. [10] "I Smell Trouble" peaked at no. 14 on The Cash Box The Nation's Top 20 for the week of 27 April. [11] [12]
| "I Smell Trouble" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Little Johnny Taylor | |
| A-side | "I Smell Trouble" |
| B-side | "True Love" |
| Released | 1964 |
| Label | Galaxy 733 |
| Composer(s) | Robey |
| Producer(s) | Cliff Goldsmith |
For the week of 17 October 1964, Little Johnny Taylor's version of "I Smell Trouble" debuted at no. 40 in the Record World Top 40 R&B chart. [13] The record was at no. 37 for the week of 7 November. [14] [15]
The record also got to no. 41 on the Billboard R&B chart. [16]