"Friends in Low Places"
Garth Brooks
Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots
And ruined your black-tie affair
Last one to know, last one to show
I was the last one you thought you'd see there
And I saw the surprise, and the fear in his eyes
When I took his glass of champagne
And I toasted you, said "Honey, we may be through
But you'll never hear me complain"
Cause I've got friends in low places
Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases
My blues away, and I'll be okay
And I'm not big on social graces
Think I'll slip on down to The Oasis
So I've got friends in low places
Well, I guess I was wrong
I just don't belong
But then, I've been there before
Everything's alright, I'll just say goodnight
And I'll show myself to the door
Hey, I didn't mean to cause a big scene
Just give me an hour and then
Well, I'll be as high as that ivory tower
That you're living in
Cause I've got friends in low places
Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases
My blues away, and I'll be okay
And I'm not big on social graces
Think I'll slip on down to The Oasis
So I've got friends in low places
Well I guess I was wrong, I just don't belong
But then, I've been there before
Everything's alright, I'll just say goodnight
And I'll show myself to the door
I didn't mean to cause a big scene,
Just wait 'till I finish this glass
Then sweet little baby I'll go back to the bar
And you can kiss my ass!
And ruined your black-tie affair
Last one to know, last one to show
I was the last one you thought you'd see there
And I saw the surprise, and the fear in his eyes
When I took his glass of champagne
And I toasted you, said "Honey, we may be through
But you'll never hear me complain"
Cause I've got friends in low places
Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases
My blues away, and I'll be okay
And I'm not big on social graces
Think I'll slip on down to The Oasis
So I've got friends in low places
Well, I guess I was wrong
I just don't belong
But then, I've been there before
Everything's alright, I'll just say goodnight
And I'll show myself to the door
Hey, I didn't mean to cause a big scene
Just give me an hour and then
Well, I'll be as high as that ivory tower
That you're living in
Cause I've got friends in low places
Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases
My blues away, and I'll be okay
And I'm not big on social graces
Think I'll slip on down to The Oasis
So I've got friends in low places
Well I guess I was wrong, I just don't belong
But then, I've been there before
Everything's alright, I'll just say goodnight
And I'll show myself to the door
I didn't mean to cause a big scene,
Just wait 'till I finish this glass
Then sweet little baby I'll go back to the bar
And you can kiss my ass!
"Well I guess I was wrong, I just don't belong" - Rhyme
"Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away" - Metaphor
"Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away" - Metaphor
Analysis
"Friends in Low Places" was written in 1989 by songwriters Dewayne Blackwell and Earl Bud Lee. They gave the song to singer Garth Brooks, who recorded it in 1990.
The first line in the song, "Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots" (Blackwell/Lee 1), "And ruined your black tie affair" (Blackwell/Lee 2), compares the singer to his ex. He is the one that is in the lower class and she is upper class having a fancy reception. Another line that illustrates the class difference is, "And I saw the surprise, and the fear in his eyes" (Blackwell/Lee 5), "When I took his glass of champagne" (Blackwell/Lee 6). Parties that include champagne are usually expensive and hosted by the upper class. Through the entire chorus the singer describes himself as lower class. "Cause I've got friends in low places" (Blackwell/Lee 9), "Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases ... " (Blackwell/Lee 10). There probably wasn't any beer at the fancy reception. The main statement describing his social status is, "And I'm not big on social graces" (Blackwell/Lee 12). His ex would definitely insist on following all the social graces. He admits he is out of place in her socialite world saying, "Well, I guess I was wrong" (Blackwell/Lee 15), "I just don't belong" (Blackwell/Lee 16). Continuing with, " ... I'll be as high as that ivory tower" (Blackwell/Lee 22), "That you're living in" (Blackwell/Lee 23). His ex likes all the material things that come with being wealthy, fancy receptions, champagne, and a big house. The singer likes his friends and being a regular guy. He didn't fit into her upper class, wealthy life and she doesn't fit in with his friends in little, rough and loud bars.
http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/entertainment_60/64_garth_brooks.html - Picture
The first line in the song, "Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots" (Blackwell/Lee 1), "And ruined your black tie affair" (Blackwell/Lee 2), compares the singer to his ex. He is the one that is in the lower class and she is upper class having a fancy reception. Another line that illustrates the class difference is, "And I saw the surprise, and the fear in his eyes" (Blackwell/Lee 5), "When I took his glass of champagne" (Blackwell/Lee 6). Parties that include champagne are usually expensive and hosted by the upper class. Through the entire chorus the singer describes himself as lower class. "Cause I've got friends in low places" (Blackwell/Lee 9), "Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases ... " (Blackwell/Lee 10). There probably wasn't any beer at the fancy reception. The main statement describing his social status is, "And I'm not big on social graces" (Blackwell/Lee 12). His ex would definitely insist on following all the social graces. He admits he is out of place in her socialite world saying, "Well, I guess I was wrong" (Blackwell/Lee 15), "I just don't belong" (Blackwell/Lee 16). Continuing with, " ... I'll be as high as that ivory tower" (Blackwell/Lee 22), "That you're living in" (Blackwell/Lee 23). His ex likes all the material things that come with being wealthy, fancy receptions, champagne, and a big house. The singer likes his friends and being a regular guy. He didn't fit into her upper class, wealthy life and she doesn't fit in with his friends in little, rough and loud bars.
http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/entertainment_60/64_garth_brooks.html - Picture