2000 Great Songs #1401: I'm In Trouble

I became a convert to The Replacements based on 1984's Let It Be and 1985's Tim, two of the defining albums of my college experience. And while I quickly circled back to check out their preceding albums, I was less enthralled--some fine punk and post-punk music, for sure, but Westerberg's stellar skills as a surprisingly thoughtful and literate songwriter weren't yet fully on display.

Which isn't to say the band's debut, 1981's Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash, isn't still a groundbreaking record, combining the punk chops of the Ramones and Black Flag with a more traditional Stones-influenced rock & roll grounding, all delivered with shitloads of snotty attitude. "I'm In Trouble" was the one that I loved best, loud and fast but Westerberg's cleverness and willingness to toss in a catchy pop hook already apparent. It's barely 2 minutes long, and not a second is wasted, just absolutely thrilling.

Live 1983:

2014 reunion tour:

Still just about the greatest live album ever:

Covered by The Ergs:

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