She's Trouble

"She's Trouble", also known as "Trouble", is a song by Michael Jackson, recorded in 1981 and originally written for his Thriller LP.^[1][2] However, Jackson's original version was an outtake and therefore not released, either as a single or an album cut.^[3] Two versions of Jackson's demo leaked online, a rough vocal version and a final version in low quality. On November 18, 2022, Jackson's version was released on Thriller 40.^[4]

"She's Trouble"
Song by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller 40
Released	November 18, 2022 (2022-11-18)
Recorded	1981
Genre	Post-disco funk dance-pop
Length	4:13
Label	Epic
Songwriters	Billy Livsey Terry Britten Sue Shifrin
Producer	Quincy Jones

Musical Youth version

"She's Trouble"
Single by Musical Youth
from the album Different Style!
B-side	"Yard Stylee" (US) "Tell Jack" (UK)
Released	November 1983 (US)
Recorded	1981
Genre	Reggae pop rock[5]
Length	3:06
Label	MCA
Songwriters	Billy Livsey Terry Britten Sue Shifrin
Producer	Peter Collins
Musical Youth singles chronology
"Sixteen" (1983) "She's Trouble" (1983) "Whatcha Talking 'Bout" (1984)
Music video
"She's Trouble" on YouTube

In 1983, the song was recorded by British reggae band Musical Youth (although Jackson is not credited).^[6][7] Musical Youth's rendition of the song was released as a single in November, reaching number 65 on the US Billboard Hot 100, their second and last single to chart, after "Pass the Dutchie", which reached number 10 in early 1983,^[7] and number 56 on Cash Box in early 1984.^[8] It also charted in Canada, peaking at number 43.^[9] On the US R&B chart, "She's Trouble" reached number 25.^[10]

In the UK, where "She's Trouble" wasn't released until May 1984, it charted very minorly. It was the third of five singles released from their album Different Style! in the UK, the first four of which charted. It was the only charting single from the album in North America.

Reception

Reviewing for Record Mirror, Jennet Dainty described "She's Trouble" as a "polished, well produced piece from the kids, who don't sound at all youth-ish on this single. Danceable, sing-along-able stuff that's a sure indication that the band have moved out of the nursery and are no longer going to irritate the punters with their high pitched squeaking".^[11] For Number One, Maureen Rice wrote that "Musical Youth were in sore need of something more than youth, novelty and enthusiasm if they were to sustain their appeal. Here it is. More disco than dub and more polish than spit, this is very smooth and very danceable".^[12]

Track listings

7": MCA / MCA-52312 (US)

1. "She's Trouble" – 3:06
2. "Yard Stylee" – 3:39

7": MCA / YOU 8 (UK)

1. "She's Trouble" (Special New Mix) – 3:15
2. "Tell Jack" – 3:20

12": MCA / MCA-13986 (US)

1. "She's Trouble" (Extended Version) – 4:28
2. "She's Trouble" – 3:06
3. "Sixteen" – 3:49

12": MCA / YOUT 8 (UK)

1. "She's Trouble" (Special Extended Mix) – 7:45
2. "Tell Jack" (Extended Mix) – 5:45

Charts

Chart performance for "She's Trouble"

Chart (1984)	Peak position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[13]	43
UK Singles (OCC)[14]	87
US Billboard Hot 100[15]	65
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16]	25
US Cash Box Top 100[8]	56

Other cover versions

The song was also covered by Scott Baio, released on his second album The Boys Are Out Tonight in May/June 1983^[17] and by Michael Lovesmith on his debut album I Can Make It Happen released in June 1983.^[18][19]