Introduction
The Story Behind Travis Tritt’s Iconic Hit “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)”
Released as the lead single from his 1991 album It’s All About to Change, Travis Tritt’s “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” has gone down as one of country music’s most unforgettable breakup anthems — a perfect mix of heartbreak, defiance, and a little bit of humor.
But behind the catchy hook and confident attitude lies a very real and painful story from Tritt’s own life.
During his marriage to his second wife, Jodi Barnett, Tritt came home one afternoon to a nearly empty house — most of the furniture and belongings gone. At first, he thought he’d been robbed, but the truth hit harder: his wife had left him. Moments later, a knock at the door confirmed it — he was being served with divorce papers.
Not long after, Barnett called him in tears, questioning if she had made the right decision. But by then, the damage was done.
“Far too much water had gone under the bridge,” Tritt recalled. “You made this decision. You filed for divorce. You moved out. It’s done. There’s no turning back.”
After hanging up, he sat down and poured every ounce of frustration, sadness, and dark humor into a song that would become a country classic. In just fifteen minutes, “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” was born.
“The whole song took less than 15 minutes,” Tritt later said. “When I got done, I just cracked up laughing. All the venom and anger had been translated into that song, and I felt better than I had in months.”
Ironically, Tritt never intended for anyone to hear it. The song was his personal outlet — a way to find closure through laughter. But when his record label eventually heard it, they were hesitant, thinking it was too gimmicky. Tritt stood firm, insisting it had something special.
He was right.
The song exploded on country radio, becoming one of his biggest hits and a fan favorite to this day. With its biting lyrics and singalong chorus, “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” remains a timeless reminder that sometimes, the best revenge after heartbreak is a little country wit — and a pocket full of change.