James McMurtry
What’s the Matter
[Verse 1]
The phone's on the dash, the goddamned thing
It's one of those times when I know it's gonna ring
Don't wanna answer but I got no choice
There's somethin' bad wrong, I can hear it in your voice
[Chorus]
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
[Verse 2]
The dryer's broke down and the kids all cryin'
It's pourin' down rain and there's clothes on the line
I don't know what to tell you, don't know what to say
How'm I gonna fix it, I'm a thousand miles away?
[Chorus]
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
What's the matter?
What's the mattеr now?
[Verse 3]
I get to travel and you gotta stay home
You'rе gettin' tired of raisin' them kids alone
I know it ain't easy, I know it ain't fair
You keep sayin' I never take you anywhere
[Verse 4]
Want me to take you for an airplane ride
Want me to take you to the seaside
Sorry baby but I can't right now
Gonna have to make it up to you somehow
[Chorus]
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
[Bridge]
We're nearly twenty years older
It's not like what we thought it'd be
We never talked this over
You can't lay it all on me
[Verse 5]
Van's barely runnin' and we're all half sick
Band leader's being such a damn little prick
We hit the road early, I never got a shower
'Sposed to have been at sound check back about an hour
[Verse 6]
Blood pressure's up, I gotta take pills
If the food don't kill me, the alcohol will
I know it ain't healthy but this is what I do
Same thing I was doing back before I met you
[Chorus]
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
[Verse 7]
You wanna know about a number I called
Must've been a misdial I don't recall
Doctor bills came, we're down on our knees
Insurance pays when they damn well please
I sent home the money as soon as I could
Sent it home to Sancho like a good man should
[Chorus]
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
[Chorus]
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?
What's the matter?
What's the matter now?