Trouble Is a Lonesome Town
Lee Hazlewood · 1963
35 min · 10 tracks · country music
A haunting blend of country twang and noir storytelling, evoking the loneliness of small-town life.
Top tracks — play these first
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Long Black Train — This track sets the tone for the album with its somber melody and poignant lyrics about loss and longing, encapsulating the overarching themes of loneliness.
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Peculiar Guy — With its quirky lyrics and catchy rhythm, this song exemplifies Hazlewood's distinctive narrative style while adding a touch of humor amidst darker themes.
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Trouble Is a Lonesome Town — The title track serves as a reflective centerpiece for the album, exploring feelings of isolation in a small town through vivid imagery and emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's storytelling and sparse arrangements create a haunting atmosphere that resonates with listeners.
What we noticed
- Each track features a narrative structure, with lyrics that tell distinct stories about small-town life.
- The instrumentation consistently employs a sparse arrangement, highlighting Hazlewood's baritone voice and the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The album closes with the title track, which revisits themes from earlier songs, creating a cohesive thematic arc.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- narrative storytelling with emotional depth
- evocative themes of small-town isolation
- haunting melodies for quiet evenings
- immersive journey through loneliness
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party atmosphere
- prefer standalone tracks over cohesion
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1963, Trouble Is a Lonesome Town marked Lee Hazlewood's debut as a solo artist after years of songwriting and production work. This album came at the outset of his career, showcasing his unique lyrical style and narrative-driven songs that would define his aesthetic.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nancy Sinatra· Glen Campbell· Townes Van Zandt
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Long Black Train 3:38
- 2 Ugly Brown 4:42
- 3 Son of a Gun 3:45
- 4 We All Make the Flowers Grow 3:02
- 5 Run Boy Run 2:55
- 6 Six Feet of Chain 3:14
- 7 The Railroad 2:28
- 8 Look at That Woman 4:03
- 9 Peculiar Guy 3:04
- 10 Trouble Is a Lonesome Town 4:22
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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