Troublemakers come in all forms, from heart-breakers to people who can’t seem to get their act together.
Our playlist collects some of the best pop and rock songs about troublemakers, whether you’re fending off an attraction to a bad-boy or bad-girl, or feeling mischievous yourself.
Songs About Troublemakers
1. Olly Murs ft. Flo Rida – Troublemaker
Olly Murs and Flo Rida’s Latin-inspired pop collab, Troublemaker, is an anthem about troublemaking girls who you can’t keep off your mind. This 2012 hit captures the bright, carefree energy of falling in love, even though you know nothing good can ever come from being with the person in mind;
“You had me hooked again from the minute you sat down, the way you bite your lip got my head spinning around, after a drink or two I was putty in your hands, I don’t know if I have the strength to stand.”
This is a track for anyone addicted to somebody lethally beautiful, unable to avoid their natural instinct to say no to more drama and heartbroken despair; “There must be poison in those fingertips of yours, ’cause I keep coming back again for more.”
2. Weezer – Troublemaker
Weezer’s punk rock hit, Troublemaker, adopts the perspective of a disenchanted teen/early-twenty year old rebelling against the monotony of adult expectation.
Streaked with themes of independence, being an outcast and choosing not to follow the crowd like cattle to the slaughter, Weezer root their hedonistic narration in rock star fantasies and nonchalant narcissism, crafting a track for those tired of living by the rules;
“I can’t work a job like any other slob, punching in and punching out and sucking up to Bob, marrying a bitch, having seven kids, giving up and growing old and hoping there’s a god.”
3. Akon – Troublemaker
Akon’s 2008 pop single, Troublemaker, depicts the lifestyle of a male sleaze revelling in his reckless behaviours, unfazed by every broken heart left in his wake;
“I’m that type that will let you go, I’m that type that will let you know that everywhere I go, I can find a pretty hoe.” This upbeat track is flushed with a nostalgic summertime feeling; an anthem for anyone glowing with self-confidence when it comes to relationships.
4. Grizfolk – Troublemaker
Grizfolk’s bluesy rock-pop release, Troublemaker, is a powerful, uptempo track about loving a troublemaker regardless of their faults.
Grizfolk craft this piece from the point of view of a risk-taker, their narrator plunging wholeheartedly into a relationship only to realise he needed more time to do so beforehand.
Troublemaker is layered with a unique message about wishing you’d met someone later on in life, or wishing you’d moved forwards with caution; “Can I put you in my pocket and save you for later? ‘Cause you’re too good to lose, you’re the flavour I savour … You’re the trouble I want, you’re my troublemaker.”
5. Beach House – Troublemaker
This dream-pop track by Beach House is centred in an almost psychedelic-style ambience, plushly layered with an array of trance-like harmonies and vintage tones styled upon a bright, modern soundscape.
Beach House’s lyrics are artfully vague, implying the feeling of being torn to pieces at the hands of another; “In the back we stay together, the walls are shaking in their skin, does it become you troublemaker, watch them unravel you, pulling everything apart.”
6. Picture This – Troublemaker
Picture This’ 2020 pop single, Troublemaker, anchors itself in an intoxicating bass line, its instantly uplifting pulse putting an optimistic twist on the topic of heart-breakers and troublemakers.
Picture This capture the love / hate relationship spawned by people drawn towards drama, alongside the inability to let go of a girl who drives you crazy (and not in a good way);
“Here we go again, hands behind my back, and she gives me a million reasons why I should hate her, but I can’t, cause she’s my troublemaker.”
Picture This embellish their message with a plethora of anecdotes surrounding being stood up, led on and downright cheated on, crafting a song for anyone captivated by someone who couldn’t care less about you;
“She’s in our diner and there’s someone else beside her, and he’s filling up her plate, and now she’s crying and all I’m doing is trying not to punch him in his face.”
7. Romeo – Troublemaker
Romero’s thrashy, indie rock release, Troublemaker, details the desire to cut ties with a narcissist. Romero illustrate various warning signs of toxic behaviour, whilst exposing the two contrasting emotions of lust and disgust;
“I’m seeing double in the light of the reflection, troublemaker, and this development is causing my aggression, troublemaker … It’s everywhere in my peripheral vision, troublemaker, I’m seeing red, I guess I caught the condition.”
This new Australian punk-pop band conjure a zestful sound comparable to mid ‘00s Brit-pop legends, inspiring a fresh take on their genre whilst shaping a song for anyone rebelling against a troublemaker’s attraction.
8. Green Day – Troublemaker
Green Day’s 2012 pop-punk single, Troublemaker, harbours a pure, uncensored message of lust-fuelled cravings over a woman that’s drop-dead gorgeous, the narrator conspiring to cause his own trouble-making scene to be worthy of her attention;
“Hey! I like your BMW, I like your BM-excellent tits with a tattoo of a pig sniffing glue… You’re looking like a Jezebel, hot as hell, sunburned in a pink bathing suit… Wanna be a troublemaker.”
9. Lola – Troublemaker
Lola’s radio-style pop hit, Troublemaker, carries a cute and catchy chorus melody interspersed with rap-inspired verses, resounding with the unmistakable attitude of a modern-day misfit.
This moreish track is lyrically focused on deflecting the haters whilst staying true to yourself, regardless of your downfalls, depicting the carefree, youthful mindset of those seeking more than the usual monotony;
“As long as the sky’s still blue, I’ma get what I want, certified cool like some shade in the sun, baby like a balloon, yeah I’m only going up, they say I’m a troublemaker but I’m just having fun.”
10. Taio Cruz – Troublemaker
Taio Cruz’s 2011 single, Troublemaker, is a synth-soaked pop piece rooted in sensual desire. Blanketing his lyrics with innuendo, Cruz’s nostalgic hit is about two troublemakers lavishing in luxuria and their surface-level attraction;
“I saw when you arrived looking like a supermodel, your ass from the side looks just like a coke bottle… Pretend that I’m a dinner, she gon’ be my salt shaker.”