Heart of the Matter

One of the three best songs on End of the Innocence, Don Henley's best album...

"I got the call today, I didn't wanna hear
But I knew that it would come.

An old true friend of ours was talkin' on the phone
She said you found someone.

And I thought of all the bad luck and all the struggles we went through
How I lost me and you lost you.
What are all these voices outside love's open door
Make us throw off our contentment and beg for something more?

I've been learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes.
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning them again.

I've been tryin' to get down to the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak and my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness, forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore.

These times are so uncertain, there's a yearning undefined

And people filled with rage.

We all need a little tenderness, how can love survive

In such a graceless age?

And the trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness

Are the very things we kill, I guess.

Pride and competition cannot fill these empty arms

And the work they put between us, you know it doesn't keep me warm.

I'm learning to live without you now

But I miss you, baby.

The more I know, the less I understand

All the things I thought I'd figured out, I have to learn again.

I've been tryin' to get down to the heart of the matter

But everything changes and my friends seem to scatter.

But I think it's about forgiveness, forgiveness

Even if, even if you don't love me anymore.

There are people in your life who've come and gone

They let you down, you know they hurt your pride.

You better put it all behind you babe, 'cause life goes on

You keep carryin' that anger, it'll eat you up inside, baby.

I've been tryin' to get down to the heart of the matter

But my will gets weak and my thoughts seem to scatter

But I think it's about forgiveness, forgiveness

Even if, even if you don't love me.

I've been tryin' to get down to the heart of the matter

Because the flesh will get weak and the ashes will scatter

So I'm thinkin' about forgiveness, forgiveness

Even if, even if you don't love me.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Even if you don't love me anymore..."

Yeah, it's been a very long weekend.

PS, The other two great songs on the album were New York Minute and The Last Worthless Evening.  Back in the day I had no idea these three songs would become part of my life's soundtrack.