Things That Matter
Rascal Flatts Lyrics


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Sometimes he lets that boss get in his head
He can't see past that mountain of deadlines on his desk
Five oclock he's that last one out of the gate
And he gets cut off flipped off ticked off out on the interstate
And he wonders why this world won't leave him alone
Till he hears a little voice holler 'daddy's home'
Things that matter
Things that don't

She's held on to that grudge all her life
Had thirty years of anger
Since her dad walked out that night
She thinks of all the moments that he's missed
All the birthdays ballets first dates
That seems too much to forget
She gets that call that said he don't have long
She walks in
He starts crying
The past is gone
Things that matter
Things that don't

Time ain't on my side
Don't want to leave this world
With why didn't I?
Why didn't I?
Yeah why didn't I?

Sometimes I take on this world by myself
Thinking I got all the answers
Don't need anybody's help
Well god was right there waiting for me all along
To fall down on my knees surrender all
Things that matter
Things that don't




Things that matter
Things that don't

Overall Meaning

In Rascal Flatts's song "Things That Matter," the lyrics tell two separate stories of people dealing with the struggles of life and their perspectives on what truly matters. The first person is a hard-working man who is weighed down by the stresses and pressures of his job, feeling frustrated and angry as he battles the rush-hour traffic on his way home. However, his mood quickly shifts when he hears his child's voice calling out to him. In that moment, he is reminded of what really matters – his family and the love and support they provide.


The second person is a woman who has carried a grudge against her father for thirty years after he walked out on their family. She has missed him at all the important moments in her life and struggles to forget the pain that he caused. However, when she receives word that he is dying, she rushes to his side and finds a way to let go of her anger and forgive him. The chorus reminds us that there are things in life that truly matter, such as family, love, and forgiveness, and things that don't matter, such as material possessions and petty annoyances.


Overall, "Things That Matter" is a heartfelt reminder to focus on the important things in life and not get bogged down by the trivialities that can distract and upset us. It's a message that resonates with listeners and has made the song a popular choice for weddings, funerals, and other important events.


Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes he lets that boss get in his head
He allows the pressures of his job, particularly from his boss, to affect him emotionally.


He can't see past that mountain of deadlines on his desk
Due to the amount of work he has, he becomes overwhelmed and unable to perceive anything other than his job.


Five oclock he's that last one out of the gate
At the end of the day, he is often the last employee to leave his workplace.


And he gets cut off flipped off ticked off out on the interstate
While he is driving home, other drivers mistreat him, causing him to become frustrated.


And he wonders why this world won't leave him alone
He questions why the world seems to be against him.


Till he hears a little voice holler 'daddy's home'
However, his mood brightens when he hears his child's voice expressing joy at his return home from work.


She's held on to that grudge all her life
A woman has been carrying resentment towards her father for decades.


Had thirty years of anger
She has harbored negative emotions towards her father for 30 years.


Since her dad walked out that night
Her anger towards her father has been building since he abandoned the family decades ago.


She thinks of all the moments that he's missed
She reflects on all the significant events in her life that her father did not attend.


All the birthdays ballets first dates
Examples of events that her father did not participate in.


That seems too much to forget
For her, the extent of her father's absence is too great to simply forgive and forget.


She gets that call that said he don't have long
She receives news informing her that her father is near death.


She walks in
She visits her father on his deathbed.


He starts crying
Her father displays emotion upon seeing her.


The past is gone
In that moment, all past wrongs are forgiven and forgotten.


Time ain't on my side
The artist is growing increasingly aware of their own mortality and the fact that time is limited.


Don't want to leave this world
The singer is not ready to die and wishes to make the most of their remaining time.


With why didn't I?
They do not want to have any regrets on their deathbed and hope to have lived life to the fullest extent.


Sometimes I take on this world by myself
The artist often tries to handle their problems alone, without seeking help from others.


Thinking I got all the answers
They believe they can handle anything, and have all the solutions to their problems.


Don't need anybody's help
The artist is independent and feels that they do not require assistance from others.


Well god was right there waiting for me all along
The singer ultimately realizes that there is a higher power that has been present to help them all along, guiding their path.


To fall down on my knees surrender all
In an act of submission, the artist metaphorically falls on their knees, relinquishing their control over their life and placing their faith in a higher power.


Things that matter
The important things in life, such as family and God.


Things that don't
Trivial or insignificant distractions that should not be prioritized over the things that matter.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NEIL THRASHER, MICHAEL WILLIAM DULANEY, GARY LEVOX

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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