Friends in Low Places

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"Friends In Low Places"
Single by Garth Brooks
from the album No Fences
Released	1990
Format	CD
Genre	Country
Length	4:18
Label	Capitol Records
Writer(s)	Dewayne Blackwell, Earl Bud Lee (Third verse written by Garth Brooks)
Chart positions
US Country - #1
Garth Brooks singles chronology
The Dance	Friends In Low Places	Unanswered Prayers

"Friends in Low Places" is a song released by American Country Music artist Garth Brooks. It debuted on his second album No Fences and also appears on The Hits The Limited Series, and Double Live.

Fellow country singer Mark Chesnutt recorded a decidedly more depressing version of "Friends in Low Places" in 1990 (for his debut album Too Cold At Home). Chesnutt's version never was released as a single.

Contents 1 The Song 1.1 Story 1.2 Third Verse 2 Popularity 3 Trivia 4 References 5 External Links

[edit] The Song

• Length - 4:18
• Key - A Major

[edit] Story

In this song, an unexpected (presumably drunk) guest makes a scene at his ex-lover's formal party, where her new boyfriend is present. He presents this toast to her: "Honey, we may be through, but you'll never hear me complain!", before taking solace in his barroom buddies.

The song's last chorus features a large crowd singing along with Garth, as well as several random barroom noises, including the sounds of beer cans being opened.

[edit] Third Verse

When performing the song in concert, Garth always added a third verse to the song. It is said that he wrote this verse some time after the single was released, stating that he thought the song's original verse didn't reflect how he would act in that situation. An older recording of the so-called "long version" is occasionally played on the radio; a more recent recording can be found on his Double Live album.

The third verse is basically a re-write of the second verse; however, it has been re-written to be more of a "kiss-off", as evidenced by the last line "'Cause soon, little lady, I'll be back to the bar / And you can kiss my ass".

[edit] Popularity

This particular song is a popular blue collar anthem and to this day has been addressed as his signature song and his most recognizable one throughout the world. It was a favorite of American troops during the Gulf War in 1991. The song spent four weeks at #1 on the Country Tracks chart, and was Single of the Year at that year's Academy of Country Music awards. It earned the #6 position on the CMT 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music broadcast and the #1 spot on the network's 40 Greatest Drinking Songs: Morning After.

[edit] Trivia

• At approximately 3:41 in the song, Garth yells out, "Push, Marie!". This exclamation is in reference to one of the background singers, who was expecting her baby just as the song was being recorded.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] External Links

• "Friends in Low Places" Lyrics (with third verse)
• Songfacts.com entry for "Friends in Low Places"
• CMT's 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music
• CMT's 40 Greatest Drinkin' Songs: Morning After