Rosanne Cash – I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me

“I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Rosanne Cash. It was released in February 1985 as the first single from the album Rhythm & Romance. The song was Cash’s fourth number one on the country charts. The single stayed at number one for a single week and spent a total of 15 weeks in the top 40. Cash wrote the song with then-husband Rodney Crowell. In 1986, the song – which was written by Cash in response to losing a Grammy to Juice Newton in 1983 – garnered Rosanne Cash her first Grammy Award.

From the album Rhythm & Romance
B-side “What You Gonna Do About It”
Released February 1985
Genre Country
Length 3:17
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Rosanne Cash Rodney Crowell
Producer(s) David Malloy Rodney Crowell David Thoener

Rosanne Cash – I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me Lyrics

It’s the right time, you know I feel fine tonight (I don’t know why you don’t want me)
It’s the right place, I’ve got my new face tonight (I don’t know why you don’t want me)
I’m in the right mood, I’ve got my new shoes tonight (I don’t know why you don’t want me)
I’ve got my new dress, I couldn’t hurt less tonight (I don’t know why you don’t want me)

Somebody told you I was so cold and mean (who was that talking)
Somebody wants you and don’t want me in between (she better start walking)
Somebody hurt you but, baby, she wasn’t me

We’ll find a new name for such an old game tonight (I don’t know why you don’t want me)
I’ll show you how long that I can go on tonight (I don’t know why you don’t want me)
I don’t know why you don’t want me

Just when I think that I can make it without you
You come ’round and say you want me now
You tell me don’t leave and I want to believe you
Why can’t you see just how much I need you

Somebody told you I was so cold and mean (who was that talking)
Somebody wants you and don’t want me in between (she better start walking)
Somebody hurt you but, baby, she wasn’t me

Oh, it’s the last chance for a romance tonight (I don’t know why you don’t want me)
There’ll be no next time if you won’t be mine tonight (I don’t know why you don’t want me)
I don’t know why you don’t want me (I don’t know why you don’t want me)
I don’t know why you don’t want me (I don’t know why you don’t want me)
I don’t know why you don’t want me (I don’t know why you don’t want me)