The Heart of the Matter
Don Henley Lyrics

I got the call today, I didn't want to hear
The singer received a call that they knew would bring them bad news.

But I knew that it would come
The singer was aware that the bad news was inevitable.

An old, true friend of ours was talkin' on the phone
The singer received the bad news from a trusted and long-time friend.

She said you found someone
The news was that the person the artist cared for had found a new romantic partner.

And I thought of all the bad luck And the struggles we went through And how I lost me and you lost you
The artist reflected on the difficult times they and the person they cared for had gone through together and how those experiences changed them both as individuals.

What are these voices outside love's open door Make us throw off our contentment And beg for something more?
The singer questions why human desires and the temptation to seek out new experiences constantly challenge the stability and happiness provided by love.

I'm learning to live without you now But I miss you sometimes
The singer is grappling with moving on from the person they cared for, but still feels a sense of longing for them from time to time.

The more I know, the less I understand, All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning again
The artist feels like they are constantly learning and relearning lessons about life, love, and relationships with each new experience they have.

I've been tryin' to get down To the heart of the matter But my will gets weak And my thoughts seem to scatter
The artist is struggling to understand the root of their feelings and the reasons behind what they are experiencing.

But I think it's about forgiveness Forgiveness Even if, even if you don't love me anymore
The artist thinks that healing and moving on from the pain of heartbreak requires forgiveness, even if the person they cared for no longer loves them.

These times are so uncertain There's a yearning undefined People filled with rage We all need a little tenderness How can love survive in such a graceless age?
The singer acknowledges the turbulent and uncertain state of the world, and wonders how love can endure in such an environment filled with anger and strife.

Ah, the trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness They're the very things we kill, I guess Oh, pride and competition Cannot fill these empty arms And the work I put between us, you know it doesn't keep me warm
The artist reflects on how the ego, competition, and a lack of trust can destroy the positive qualities of a relationship, and how physical distance cannot replace emotional intimacy.

There are people in your life Who've come and gone They let you down You know they've hurt your pride You better put it all behind you baby 'Cause life goes on You keep carryin' that anger It'll eat you up inside baby
The singer advises that it is important to move on from people who have caused pain, or else that anger and resentment will cause harm internally.

Because the flesh will get weak And the ashes will scatter
The singer acknowledges the inevitability of mortality and how physical bodies are not eternal.

So I'm thinkin' about forgiveness Forgiveness Even if, even if you don't love me
The singer emphasizes that forgiving the person they cared for is still important, even if they no longer share the same feelings.

Forgiveness, forgiveness, baby Forgiveness, forgiveness Forgiveness, forgiveness Even if, even if you don't love me Forgiveness, forgiveness Forgiveness, forgiveness
The artist concludes the song with a repetition of the importance of forgiveness, emphasizing that it can offer healing and closure even in the face of heartbreak and turmoil.