I looked for trouble and I found it son
Straight down the barrel of a lawman's gun
I'd try to run but I don't think I can
You make one move and you're a dead man friend

I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby
He slipped the handcuffs on behind my back
Then left me freezing on a steelrail truck
I got 'em all in the jailhouse
I ain't they baby I ain't living long like this

Grew up in Houston off of wayside drive
Son of a carhop in some old night dive
Dad drove a stock car to an early death
All I remember was a drunk man's breath

I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby
We know the story how the wheel goes round
Don't let 'em take you to the man downtown
Can't sleep at all in the jailhouse baby
I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby

[ guitar ]
I live for angel she's a roadhouse queen
Make Texas Ruby look like Sandra Dee
I want to love her but you don't know how
I'm at the bottom of the jailhouse now

I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby
You know the story bout the jailhouse rock
Go on and do it but just don't get caught
Got 'em all in the jailhouse baby
I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby

[ guitar - piano ]