[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?
What’s the Matter was written by James McMurtry.
What’s the Matter was produced by Ross Hogarth.
James McMurtry released What’s the Matter on Fri Aug 06 2021.