Bob Dylan / 4:06
SINGLE
DATE OF RELEASE
Gotta Serve Somebody / Trouble in Mind
August 15, 1979
on Columbia Records
(REFERENCE COLUMBIA 1-11072)
Musicians
Bob Dylan: vocals, guitar (?)
Mark Knopfler: guitar
Barry Beckett: keyboards
Tim Drummond: bass
Pick Withers: drums
Carolyn Dennis, Helena Springs, and Regina Havis: backup vocals
Recording Studio
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Sheffield, Alabama: April 30, 1979 (Overdubs May 5 and 6, 1979)
Technical Team
Producers: Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett
Sound Engineer: Gregg Hamm
“Trouble in Mind” is one of many songs written by Bob Dylan containing implicit references to the Old Testament. It is inspired by Psalms 13:1: “How long, O Lord! Wilt thou quite forget me? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?”
Like King David, the character in Dylan’s song feels abandoned. He fears that, against his will, he is under the power of Satan, described in the Epistle to the Ephesians as “the commander of the spiritual powers of the air, the spirit now at work among God’s rebel subjects” (2:2). “Trouble in Mind” seems to be the result of Dylan’s conversion to Christianity after years of a “wandering mind,” and is the expression of sincere belief and the desire to escape eternal damnation.
“Trouble in Mind” was the first song recorded on April 30, 1979. There were eight takes during the sessions for Slow Train Coming. The seventh was used as the basic rhythm track for overdubs. “Trouble in Mind” is based on a Southern blues riff played by Knopfler on his Telecaster. The riff is doubled by Beckett on piano and Drummond on bass. “Trouble in Mind” is a slow-tempo song, with a dense and threatening atmosphere. Dylan offers a superb vocal performance. The intonation is reminiscent of his great albums from the time of Highway 61 Revisited. The backup vocals are irresistible and strengthen the dark, soulful feeling of the piece, emphasized by Beckett’s playing; he provides numerous organ and piano licks worthy of the masters of the genre. In addition, Knopfler’s guitar solo part is superb. Once again he demonstrates his talent on his Stratocaster with an exceptional touch (overdubs on May 5 and 6). Musically it is a great moment, and it is surprising that “Trouble in Mind” was released only as the B-side of a single. Note that an additional verse about mistaking kindness for weakness was removed.