I look for trouble and I found it son
Straight down the barrel of a lawman's gun
I tried 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
Can't live at all like this, can I, baby?

He slipped the handcuffs on behind my back
And left me reeling on a steel reel rack
They got'em all in the jailhouse, baby

I ain't living long like this
Can't live at all like this, can I, baby?

Grew up in Houston off the wayside drives
Son of a carhop and some all night dives
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
Can't live at all like this, can I, baby?

You know the story how the wheel goes 'round
Don't let them take you to the man down town
Can't sleep at all in a jailhouse, baby

I ain't living long like this
Can't live at all like this, can I, baby?

I live with Angel she's a roadhouse queen
Makes Texas Ruby look like Sandra Dee
I want to love her but I don't know how
I'm at the bottom in the jailhouse now

I ain't living long like this
Can't live at all like this, can I, baby?

You know the story about the jailhouse rock
Don't want to do it but just don't get caught
They got'em all in the jailhouse, baby

I ain't living long like this
Can't live at all like this, can I, baby?