Music and lyrics are inseparable to me - I actually write both at the same time.
Here are some of my recent works, with a few notes about what inspired them. I have included one of my introspective songs that I wrote during a vacation with my mother, sister, and nephew.  We try to spend a week together every summer since we live in different cities.  I hope you find some meaning that is yours in each one.
 

I've Got a Good Thing - [LISTEN]
(c) 2003 Barby Matthews
Performed with Female Songwriters You Wanna Hear
featuring Lani Richards, Nancy Walker, Larry Clyman, Doug Johnson

"Kicked to the Curb" was inspired by a friend at work who would listen to my tales of woe every Monday morning about a long distance relationship I was having.  Her words of advice:  "You see the trash, you take it out".  I finally took the trash out and wrote the song. Then you have the new relationship where you take the leap of faith and jump off the mountain in "Fear of Flying". 

Kicked to the Curb - [LISTEN] (coming soon!)
(c)2003 Barby Matthews

You treat your dog better than me
Love may be blind but I’m startin’ to see
A dark cloud is liftin’ off of my mind

You see the trash you take it out
I know you know what I’m talkin’ about
No, you won’t be wastin’ more of my time

There is just one thing I wanna say now
Don’t let the screen door hit you on your way out

Chorus: Kicked to the curb-I’m takin’ the trash out
        Kicked to the curb-I’m cleanin’ my house
        It’s over that’s it, I’m callin’ it quits, just read my lips
        You’ve been kicked to the curb
        Kicked to the curb

It’s time to call the garbage man
Tell him to come just as fast as he can
There’s nothin’ you gave me that’s worth keepin’

I want you gone, I want my keys
Your things are packed and they’re out in the street
All I want from you now is your leavin’

Someone new will soon be realizin’
There’s not a part of you that’s worth recyclin’

Chorus: Kicked to the curb-I’m takin’ the trash out
        Kicked to the curb-I’m cleanin’ my house
        It’s over that’s it, I’m callin’ it quits, just read my lips
        You’ve been kicked to the curb
        Kicked to the curb
        Kicked to the curb
 

 Then there is the breakup that leaves nothing but questions; hence "Say Goodbye"...

Say Goodbye  [LISTEN] (coming soon!)
(c)2003 Barby Matthews

Lately it occurs to me I let you go silently
Never had the chance to understand
If wisdom’s supposed to come with age
How come I never seem to change
Just don’t know if I can

Knowin’ you were wrong just doesn’t seem to make it right
Not when I call your name in the middle of the night

Chorus: Say goodbye-don’t know if I can
        Say goodbye-I never learned to
        Say goodbye

I’ve been livin’ you and me, memory playin’ tricks on me
In my mind you’re always comin’ back
It’s what you led me to believe
It kept me here so long in need
I never thought it could last

Knowin’ I was wrong just doesn’t seem to make it right
Not when I call your name in the middle of the night

Chorus: Say goodbye-don’t know if I can
        Say goodbye-I never learned to
        Say goodbye

So I face an empty page with painful tears and silent rage
Not knowin’ just where to start
I lift my eyes up to the sky in search of all the reasons why
What we had fell apart

Knowin’ we were wrong just doesn’t seem to make it right
Not when I call your name in the middle of the night

Chorus: Say goodbye-don’t know if I can
        Say goodbye-I never learned to
        Say goodbye