Matchbox Lyrics

{Intro}

I said I'm sittin' here watchin'
Matchbox hole in my clothes

I said I'm sittin' here wonderin'
Matchbox hole in my clothes

I ain't got no matches but I sure
Got a long way to go

I'm an ole poor boy, and I'm a
Long way from home
I'm an ole poor boy, and I'm a
Long way from home
I've never been happy cause everything I
Ever did was wrong

Well, if you don't want my peaches, honey
Please don't shake my tree

If you don't want any of those peaches honey
Please don't mess around my tree
I got news for you baby
Leave me here in misery

Alright!

{Bridge}
Well, let me be your little dog
Till your big dog comes
Let me be your little dog
Till your big dog comes
And when your big dog gets here
Watch how your puppy dog runs


Well, I said I'm sittin' here watchin'
Matchbox hole in my clothes
I said I'm sittin' here watchin'
Matchbox hole in my clothes
I ain't got no matches but I sure
Got a long way to go

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About

Genius Annotation

The Beatles covered some of the earlier “rockabilly” hits, and the one singer songwriter they covered most was Carl Perkins, whose original hit version and annotations are here.

While attributed to Perkins, the song has a longer history:

The earliest use of similar lyrics is heard in a blues song by Ma Rainey called “Lost Wandering Blues.” This song, which was recorded in 1923, contains the line “I’m sitting here wonderin', will a matchbox hold my clothes? I’ve got a sun to beat, I’ll be farther down the road.” In 1927, Blind Lemon Jefferson recorded the more popular “Match Box Blues” which featured the lyric “I’m sitting here wonderin', will a matchbox hold my clothes? I ain’t got no matches but I still got a long way to go.”

It was recorded in 1964 and came in the US as a single and had a moderate (peaked at #17) chart success.

Ringo had usually one song per album; he sang the lead on another Carl Perkins song – “Honey Don’t”, from the album Beatles for Sale.

The single edition was in direct response to the huge popularity Ringo had in the US, especially due to his role in The Beatles' first film, “A Hard Day’s Night” came out.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did The Beatles say about "Matchbox"?
Genius Answer

I’m featured on it. Actually it was written by Carl Perkins about six years ago. Carl came to the session. I felt very embarrassed. I did it just two days before I went in the hospital (with tonsilitis) so please forgive my throat.

— Ringo Starr, 1964

Credits
Produced By
Written By
Release Date
June 19, 1964
Matchbox Is A Cover Of
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