Friends In Low Places – English Lyrics

• By: Garth Brooks

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the heart of country music with Garth Brooks' iconic hit, "Friends in Low Places"! This song is a fantastic way to experience authentic American Southern culture and learn about themes of loyalty, community, and embracing one's true self. Through its vivid storytelling and relatable lyrics about navigating social situations and finding comfort, you can pick up on everyday English colloquialisms and expressions. Its unforgettable chorus makes it a perfect singalong, encouraging a deeper connection to the language and the song's heartfelt message.

[English]

Blame it all on my roots

I showed up in boots

And ruined your black tie affair, yeah

The last one to know

The 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, ha, ha, ha, ha

And I'll be okay

I'm not big on social graces

Think I'll slip on down to the Oasis

Oh, 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 livin' 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

I'm not big on social graces

Think I'll slip on down to the Oasis

Oh, I've got friends in low places

Everybody!

I've got friends in low places

Where the whiskey drowns

And the beer chases my blues away

And I'll be okay

I'm not big on social graces

Think I'll slip on down to the Oasis

Oh, I've got friends in low places

What?

You guys

Already know what's comin', don't ya?

And you know what?

You're right

You're exactly right

What would a Garth live album be

Without the live version of Friends in Low Places?

Because it's only here, where you can find that mysterious third verse

That goes on the end of that song

But, does anybody know the words of that verse?

That's what I wanna know

Well, in that case, I think

The friends in low places should sing that third verse

This oughta be good

Alright, here we go

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 wait 'til I finish this glass

And sweet little lady

I'll head back to the bar

Give it to me!

And you can kiss my ass!

'Cause I've got friends in low places

Where the whiskey drowns

And the beer chases my blues away, yeah

And I'll be okay

I'm not big on social graces

Think I'll slip on down to the Oasis

Oh, I've got friends in low places

Now it's all you guys!

I've got friends in low places

Where the whiskey drowns

And the beer chases my blues away, yeah

And I'll be okay

I'm not big on social graces

Think I'll slip on down to the Oasis

Oh, I've got friends in low places

Yeah!

Oh, I've got friends in low places

Where the whiskey drowns

And the beer chases my blues away

And I'll be okay

I'm not big on social graces

Think I'll slip on down to the Oasis

Oh, I've got friends in low places

'Cause Honey, I've got friends in low places

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
blame /bleɪm/ B1	verb - to assign responsibility for a fault or wrong noun - responsibility for a fault or wrong
ruined /ˈruːɪnd/ B2	verb - destroyed or spoiled
surprise /sərˈpraɪz/ B1	noun - an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing verb - to affect or attack with astonishment
fear /fɪər/ B1	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by the perception of danger, real or imagined verb - be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening
toasted /ˈtoʊstɪd/ B2	verb - to express good wishes or respect by raising one's glass and drinking
complain /kəmˈpleɪn/ B1	verb - express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something
friends /frendz/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
whiskey /ˈwɪski/ B1	noun - a type of spirit distilled from fermented grain mash
drowns /draʊnz/ B2	verb - to die through submersion in and inhalation of water or other liquid verb - to overwhelm or cover completely
beer /bɪər/ A1	noun - an alcoholic drink made from malted cereal grain
chases /ˈtʃeɪsɪz/ B1	verb - to pursue someone or something in order to catch them
blues /bluːz/ B1	noun - feeling of sadness or depression
social /ˈsoʊʃəl/ B1	adjective - relating to society or its organization
wrong /rɔːŋ/ A2	adjective - not correct or true; incorrect
belong /bɪˈlɔːŋ/ B1	verb - be the property of
scene /siːn/ B1	noun - a place where an incident in real life or fiction occurs or occurred noun - a sequence of continuous action in a play, film, opera, or book
ivory /ˈaɪvəri/ B2	noun - a hard creamy-white substance composing the main part of the tusks of an elephant, walrus, or narwhal, often used to make ornaments and other articles adjective - having a creamy-white color
tower /ˈtaʊər/ A2	noun - a tall, narrow building or structure, often part of a church or castle

Key Grammar Structures

• Blame it all on my roots

  ➔ Imperative sentence

  ➔ The sentence uses the imperative form of the verb "blame" to suggest attributing responsibility to his background or upbringing. It implies a request or command.

• I showed up in boots

  ➔ Past simple tense

  ➔ The verb "showed up" is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action in the past. The preposition "in" describes the manner of his arrival.

• The last one *to know*

  ➔ Infinitive clause

  ➔ "To know" is an infinitive acting as an adjective modifying "one". It describes the purpose or characteristic of the last person.

• Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away

  ➔ Relative clause, metaphorical language

  ➔ "Where" introduces a relative clause describing the location. "Drowns" and "chases" are used metaphorically to illustrate how alcohol helps forget sadness.

• I'm not big on social graces

  ➔ Idiomatic expression

  ➔ "Big on" is an idiomatic expression meaning to be fond of or enthusiastic about something. The entire phrase means he's not very interested in or skilled at social etiquette.

• Think I'll slip on down to the Oasis

  ➔ Contraction, Future Simple with Intention

  ➔ "I'll" is a contraction of "I will", indicating a future intention. "Slip on down" is an informal way of saying he plans to casually go to the Oasis.

• Well, I guess I was wrong

  ➔ Past simple tense, Modal verb (guess)

  ➔ "Was wrong" is in the past simple tense. "Guess" here implies a supposition or estimate rather than a certainty. It conveys a mild admission of error.

• Just wait 'til I finish this glass

  ➔ Imperative, Contraction, Subordinating Conjunction ('til)

  ➔ "Wait" is in the imperative mood. "'Til" is a contraction of "until", a subordinating conjunction introducing a time clause. The sentence structure conveys a request or order dependent on a future action.