It experienced similar levels of success in South Africa, reaching number one for two weeks and finishing 1982 as the country's 13th best-selling single.

[2] Buckingham believed none of Fleetwood's takes were satisfactory from start to finish, so a tape loop of one of Fleetwood's drum tracks (about four seconds long) was used throughout the song: "The irony of that was that the original reason for having Mick play on the song was to approach the track completely live, as opposed to my usual technique."

"[5] Writing for Billboard, Sam Sutherland wrote that the song showcased Buckingham's "chiming acoustic guitar signatures" and said that the lyrics were both "coy" and "romantic".

[6] Andy Claps of AllMusic praised "Trouble" for its "overwhelmingly strong" melody and "soothing atmosphere that slides around the listener like a security blanket.

"[7] The music video for "Trouble" was directed by Jerry Watson and features a multi-instrumental "big band" consisting of six guitarists and six drummers, including Mick Fleetwood.