The Trouble with Being Myself

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The Trouble with Being Myself
Studio album by
Macy Gray
ReleasedApril 28, 2003 (2003-04-28)
Studio
Genre
Length49:00
LabelEpic
ProducerMacy Gray
Macy Gray chronology
The Id
(2001) 		The Trouble with Being Myself
(2003) 		The Very Best of Macy Gray
(2004)
Singles from The Trouble with Being Myself
  1. "When I See You"
    Released: April 24, 2003
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic74/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
The A.V. ClubMixed[3]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[4]
The Guardian[5]
PopMattersPositive[6]
Rolling Stone[7]
SpinB+[8]
Uncut[9]
USA Today[10]
The Village VoiceB+[11]

The Trouble with Being Myself is the third studio album by American singer and songwriter Macy Gray, released on April 28, 2003, by Epic Records. The album peaked at number 44 on the Billboard 200, and by February 2007, it had sold 134,000 copies in the United States.[12] Despite not being a major commercial success, The Trouble with Being Myself received mostly positive reviews. The album spawned the single "When I See You".

Track listing[edit]

All lyrics are written by Macy Gray

No.TitleMusicProducer(s)Length
1."When I See You"
3:43
2."It Ain't the Money" (featuring Pharoahe Monch)
  • Gray
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Meldal-Johnsen
  • Beck Hansen
  • Pharoahe Monch
  • Gray
  • DJ Kiilu Grand[a]
4:07
3."She Ain't Right for You"
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Meldal-Johnsen
4:12
4."Things That Made Me Change"
4:29
5."Come Together"
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Christopher Thomas
4:35
6."She Don't Write Songs About You"
  • Gray
  • Swann
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Meldal-Johnsen
4:39
7."Jesus for a Day"
3:30
8."My Fondest Childhood Memories"
  • Gray
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Meldal-Johnsen
3:36
9."Happiness"
  • Gray
  • Swann
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Meldal-Johnsen
4:13
10."Speechless"
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Meldal-Johnsen
Gray4:06
11."Screamin'"Gray
  • Gray
  • DJ Kiilu Grand[a]
3:16
12."Every Now and Then"
  • Gray
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Meldal-Johnsen
4:34
Japanese edition bonus tracks[13]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Lie to Me"
  • Gray
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Meldal-Johnsen
5:34
14."It's Love"
  • Gray
  • Ruzumna
  • Indrizzo
  • Meldal-Johnsen
5:40
Japanese reissue bonus track[14]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
15."We Will Rock You"Brian May3:03

Notes[edit]

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[b] signifies a vocal producer

Personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Trouble with Being Myself.[15]

Musicians[edit]

  • Macy Gray – vocals (all tracks); backing vocals (tracks 2, 6, 12)
  • Dallas Austin – ARP, guitar (track 1); programming (tracks 3, 4); backing vocals (track 5)
  • Scott Breadman – percussion (tracks 1, 2, 4–8, 12)
  • DJ Kiilu Grand – programming (tracks 1, 2, 11); turntables (tracks 2, 9)
  • Fanny Franklin – backing vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4)
  • Victor Indrizzo – drums (tracks 1–9, 11, 12); guitar (tracks 1, 2, 9); guitar loops (track 5)
  • Adam MacDougall – Moog (tracks 1, 3); Hammond (track 10); piano (track 11)
  • Justin Meldal-Johnsen – bass (tracks 1–4, 6–9, 12); backing vocals (track 2)
  • Audra Cunningham Nishita – backing vocals (track 1)
  • Mark Ronson – guitar (tracks 1, 11); programming, turntables (track 2)
  • Jeremy Ruzumna – Wurlitzer (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 8–10, 12); synthesizer (tracks 1, 2, 6, 9, 11); piano (tracks 1, 8, 10); turntables (track 2); programming (tracks 2, 5, 10); Moog (tracks 2, 6, 11); Hammond (tracks 3, 5, 8); clavinet (track 5); Chamberlin (track 9); organ (track 12)
  • Sy Smith – backing vocals (tracks 1, 4, 5, 11); choir leader (track 9)
  • Beck – backing vocals, guitar (track 2)
  • Dawn Beckman – backing vocals (tracks 2, 5, 6, 11); choir leader (track 9)
  • Pharoahe Monch – backing vocals (track 2)
  • Chino Smith – backing vocals (tracks 2, 3, 5, 8)
  • David Campbell – string arrangements (tracks 3, 7)
  • Jinsoo Lim – guitar (track 3)
  • Zac Rae – Rhodes (tracks 3, 4); Chamberlin (tracks 3, 4, 8–10); Farfisa (tracks 5, 8); piano (tracks 5, 10); clavinet, organ (track 7); Wurlitzer (tracks 7, 9); tack piano (track 8); synthesizer (track 10)
  • Rick Shepherd – programming (tracks 3, 4, 6)
  • Printz Board – flugelhorn (track 4); trumpet (tracks 4, 12)
  • Arik Marshall – guitar (tracks 4, 5, 7, 8, 10)
  • Tom "Tombone" Rawls – trombone (tracks 4, 12)
  • Danielle Thomas – backing vocals (tracks 4, 5, 8)
  • Tracy Wannomae – bass clarinet (track 4); saxophone (track 12)
  • Marsha Ambrosius – backing vocals (track 5); opera vocals (track 8)
  • Steve Baxter – trombone (tracks 5, 12)
  • Charles Green – saxophone (tracks 5, 12)
  • Mike Harris – trumpet (tracks 5, 12)
  • Natalie Stewart – backing vocals (track 5)
  • Chris Thomas – bass (track 5)
  • Darryl Swann – programming (tracks 6, 9); guitar (track 9)
  • Bobby Ross Avila – backing vocals (track 7); piano (tracks 7, 12)
  • Traci Nelson – backing vocals (track 7)
  • Dave Rolicke – saxophone, trombone (track 8)
  • Ericka Yancey – backing vocals (track 8)
  • Logan Duntzelman – kids choir (track 9)
  • Aanisah Hinds – kids choir (track 9)
  • Happy Hinds – kids choir (track 9)
  • Tahmel Hinds – kids choir (track 9)
  • Courtney Johnson – kids choir (track 9)
  • Joia Johnson – kids choir (track 9)
  • Chris Richardson – kids choir (track 9)
  • Sonny Swann – kids choir (track 9)
  • Marina Bambino – percussion (tracks 10, 12); backing vocals (tracks 11, 12)
  • Herb Graham Jr. – drums (track 10)
  • Lukas Haas – acoustic guitar, backing vocals (track 10)
  • Dave Wilder – bass (track 10)
  • Rama Duke – backing vocals (track 11)
  • Mike Elizondo – bass (track 11)
  • Esthero – backing vocals (track 11)
  • Kam Talbert – backing vocals (track 11)
  • Israel Avila – programming (track 12)

Technical[edit]

  • Dallas Austin – co-production (tracks 1, 3–5, 7, 8, 12); executive production
  • Dave Way – co-production (tracks 1, 5); recording, mixing, Pro Tools (all tracks)
  • Darryl Swann – vocal production (tracks 1, 7); co-production (tracks 6, 9)
  • Thom Russo – additional mixing (track 1); Pro Tools (all tracks)
  • DJ Kiilu Grand – co-production (tracks 2, 11)
  • Chris Wonzer – additional engineering (tracks 2, 11); engineering assistance (all tracks)
  • Macy Gray – production
  • Mike Melnick – additional engineering
  • Neil Ward – additional engineering
  • Tim Lauber – engineering assistance
  • Christine Sirois – engineering assistance
  • Ted Jensen – mastering

Artwork[edit]

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for The Trouble with Being Myself
Chart (2003) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[16] 23
Australian Urban Albums (ARIA)[17] 5
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[18] 27
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[19] 12
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[20] 22
Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)[21] 88
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[22] 34
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[23] 18
European Albums (Music & Media)[24] 25
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[25] 19
French Albums (SNEP)[26] 61
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[27] 46
Irish Albums (IRMA)[28] 40
Italian Albums (FIMI)[29] 20
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[30] 53
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[31] 41
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[32] 22
Scottish Albums (OCC)[33] 22
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] 10
UK Albums (OCC)[35] 17
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[36] 5
US Billboard 200[37] 44
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[38] 29

Certifications and sales[edit]

Certifications and sales for The Trouble with Being Myself
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[39] Gold 35,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] Silver 60,000^
United States — 134,000[12]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Release history for The Trouble with Being Myself
Region Date Edition Label Ref.
United Kingdom April 28, 2003 Standard Epic [6]
Japan May 2, 2003 Sony [13]
United States July 15, 2003 Epic [41]
Japan September 10, 2003 Reissue Sony [14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Reviews for The Trouble With Being Myself by Macy Gray". Metacritic. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  2. ^ Bush, John. "The Trouble with Being Myself – Macy Gray". AllMusic. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  3. ^ Thompson, Stephen (August 5, 2003). "Macy Gray: The Trouble With Being Myself". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  4. ^ Tucker, Ken (July 18, 2003). "The Trouble With Being Myself". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  5. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (April 25, 2003). "Macy Gray: The Trouble With Being Myself". The Guardian. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Fuchs, Cynthia (August 1, 2003). "Macy Gray: The Trouble With Being Myself". PopMatters. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  7. ^ Thigpen, David (July 2, 2003). "Macy Gray: The Trouble With Being Myself". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved February 2, 2007.
  8. ^ Harris, Keith (July 2003). "Reviews". Spin. p. 108. ISSN 0886-3032 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Macy Gray – The Trouble With Being Myself". Uncut. June 1, 2003. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  10. ^ Jones, Steve (July 21, 2003). "Brooks & Dunn hit 'Road' to career recovery". USA Today. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  11. ^ Christgau, Robert (July 29, 2003). "Shadows in the Cave". The Village Voice. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  12. ^ a b Cohen, Jonathan (February 2, 2007). "Macy Rolls With will.i.am, Justin On New CD". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  13. ^ a b ザ・トラブル・ウィズ・ビーイング・マイセルフ [The Trouble With Being Myself] (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  14. ^ a b ザ・トラブル・ウィズ・ビーイング・マイセルフ＋１ [The Trouble With Being Myself +1] (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  15. ^ The Trouble with Being Myself (liner notes). Macy Gray. Epic Records. 2003. EK 86535.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  17. ^ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 12th May 2003" (PDF). The ARIA Report. No. 690. May 12, 2003. p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  19. ^ "Ultratop.be – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  20. ^ "Ultratop.be – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  21. ^ "Albums : Top 100". Jam!. August 7, 2003. Archived from the original on August 23, 2004. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  22. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  23. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  24. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 21. May 17, 2003. p. 9. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  25. ^ "Macy Gray: The Trouble with Being Myself" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  26. ^ "Lescharts.com – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  27. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  28. ^ "Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 1 May 2003". GfK Chart-Track. Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  30. ^ ザ・トラブル・ウィズ・ビーイング・マイセルフ/メイシー・グレイ [The Trouble With Being Myself / Macy Gray] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  31. ^ "Charts.nz – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  32. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  33. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  34. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  35. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  36. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  37. ^ "Macy Gray Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  38. ^ "Macy Gray Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  39. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  40. ^ "British album certifications – Macy Gray – The Trouble with Being Myself". British Phonographic Industry. July 22, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  41. ^ "The Trouble With Being Myself: Macy Gray". Amazon. United States. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
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