Don't Get Me Started
Rodney Crowell Lyrics

We ran into trouble scamming for oil
The struggle for oil in the Middle East has created chaos and tension.

The whole Middle East is coming to a boil
The situation in the Middle East is reaching a point of extreme tension and instability.

It's the Muslims and Kurds, Bedouin herds, Palestinians and Arabs and Jews in the news
Various ethnic groups in the Middle East are involved in the conflict, and it's all over the news.

It's too much to keep up with, it'll jangle your head
There is too much information and complexity in the situation, making it hard to keep up with and frustrating.

The whole situation's running way in the red
The situation is not improving and is digging a deeper hole of conflict and tension.

I said, don't get me started
The singer doesn't want to discuss the topic in depth.

I'll like as not bend your ear
The singer could easily talk at length and bore the listener.

Don't get me started
Again, the artist is indicating frustration with the topic.

I just wanna make one thing clear
The artist wants to make a point and then stop discussing the topic.

I was born in America and I'm proud of that fact
The artist is proud of their national identity.

I wish the rest of the world would get off our back
The singer is frustrated with criticisms of the United States.

But these slick politicians, man, you've got to admit
Even if the artist is a patriot, they acknowledge issues with American politics.

Seems as crazy as bedbugs and they don't give one whit
Politicians are indifferent to the struggles of everyday people and are acting irrational.

About the man on the street with his back to the wall
Politicians ignore the plights of poor people struggling to get by.

Who can't find a quarter for to make a phone call
There is poverty so severe that people lack basic necessities, like access to communication.

Meanwhile back in Washington, the champagne will flow
While people suffer, politicians carry on with their privilege and decadent lifestyle.

Tell that to the homeless man with nowhere to go
Politicians should listen to the people they represent, rather than indulging themselves and ignoring the pain of the people.

I came into this bar to unwind
The singer wanted to relax and have a good time, not debate politics.

I'll like as not speak my mind
Despite the singer's best intentions, they may get worked up and begin speaking out of frustration.

The rich corporations have turned a deaf ear
The wealthy class ignores the poor even if it means denying basic needs like food and shelter.

They don't care who goes hungry, they've made that much clear
The wealthy use whatever means necessary to maintain power and wealth, even at the expense of the poor.

You see the trouble with people is we wanna believe
People are inherently trusting and hopeful even when they are taken advantage of or lied to.

But they can't turn a profit without tricks up their sleeve
Corporations take advantage of people in order to make profits.

The roofers and truckers, the working class suckers
Working class people often work hard and yet struggle to make ends meet.

The firemen and teachers, the soldiers and preachers
People in service to their communities, including those who put their lives at risk, are consistently undervalued and underpaid.

Who shoulder the blows, it comes and it goes
People who are not wealthy suffer the most in economic struggles, but those struggles are often cyclical and affect wealthy people eventually as well.

A six trillion dollar debt, you pay through the nose
The average person suffers when a country is in debt, even though they are not directly involved in making financial decisions.

Don't get me started
The artist is once again trying to stop discussion of the topic to prevent becoming upset.

I'm a drag when I've had a few drinks
The artist knows that they become overly passionate when discussing certain topics.

I don't care what anyone thinks
The singer is not concerned about offending people or how they will be perceived when discussing their opinions.

'Cause it makes me angry
The singer becomes upset when discussing these issues because they care and want things to improve.

East Timor's genocide to the core
Atrocities against certain groups of people are happening with no real consequences for the perpetrators.

The Indonesian legions come and give 'em what for
The Indonesian military is causing harm and terror in East Timor.

When the Coalition Army doesn't come to your aid
People in need of help often don't receive it when powerful countries decide not to intervene.

You might as well face it, there's no money to be made
Countries and politicians only intervene where there is potential for profit, not for humanitarian reasons.

I had a dream last night, I was secretary of defense
The artist shares their internal musings about what they would do if they had political power.

And I came to the conclusion, war doesn't make any sense, yeah
The singer would try to avoid warfare if they had any say in the matter.

But nobody heard me when I tried to rescind it
Unfortunately, the singer knows that their ideas and opinions would not be considered by politicians in real life.

There were too many people that just didn't want to end it
Too many people profit from, or have other reasons for, continuing wars and conflicts.

You never know when I might stop
The artist is unpredictable when it comes to discussion of the topics they care about.

We both need to just let this thing drop
The artist and the listener should agree to disagree and not delve any further into the topic.

Don't get me started, not now
The singer is serious about not wanting to discuss the topic further.

'Cause it make me angry
Once again, the singer reiterates that the topic makes them upset.