Matchbox by The Beatles is a cover of a blues song originally written by Carl Perkins. The song is steeped in the themes of heartache and loneliness, common in blues music. The lyrics depict a sense of abandonment and longing, with a narrator who feels cast aside and down on his luck. Key moments include the repeated use of the phrase 'I ain't got no matches but I sure got a long way to go,' symbolizing an arduous journey ahead without the tools needed, metaphorically speaking, indicating the challenges and struggles faced in the absence of love and support.