What’s the Matter

the phone’s on the dash, the goddamned thing

it’s one of those times when I know it’s gonna ring

don’t want to answer, but I got no choice

there’s something bad wrong I can hear it in your voice

(chorus)

what’s the matter

what’s the matter now

the dryer’s broke down and the kids all cryin’

it’s pouring 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)

I get to travel and you gotta stay home

you’re gettin’ tired of raising them kids alone

I know it ain’t easy, I know it ain’t fair

you keep saying I never take you anywhere

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)

(bridge)

we’re nearly twenty years older

and it’s not like we thought it’d be

we never talked this over

you can’t lay it all on me

van’s barely running and we’re all half sick

band leader’s being such a damn little prick

we hit the road early and I never got a shower

supposed to been at soundcheck back about an hour

blood pressure’s up and 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)

you want to know about a number I called

must’ve been a misdial I don’t recall

doctor bills came and we’re down on our knees

insurance pays when they damn well please

I sent home the money, soon as I could

sent it home to Sancho, like a good man should

what’s the matter . . .