Friends in Low Places – On the Rocks

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE AND HEAR THIS SONG PERFORMED, OR THE JUKEBOX FOR THE ENTIRE LIBRARY.

by Bud and Blackwell – Key of A – Sung by Garth Brooks

Friends in Low Places was written in 1989 by songwriters Earl Bud Lee and Dewayne Blackwell. The two songwriters had given the song to Brooks to record as a demo soon before the release of his self-titled first album, when he was a relatively unknown singer. Enamored with the song, Brooks recorded the official version the next year.

This ballad about a cowboy who turns up at the engagement party or wedding reception of an old flame is a crowd pleaser. Brooks introduces it with a four note arpeggio on his acoustic guitar, which inevitably brings roars of applause. After the second verse he invites the audience – the friends in low places – to sing the mysterious third verse – which is only ever performed live, and which contains – by 21st Century standards – an extremely mild expletive.

• Garth Brooks got his break when he was a shoe salesman in a Nashville store.
• Released on August 18, 1990 and took only 8 weeks to reach Number One.

PLAY ONLY THE TOP THREE STRINGS ON THE CDIM7 CHORD

MAYBE LATER MOVE THIS UP TO THE KEY OF “E”

Blame it [D] all on my roots: I [CDIM7] showed up in boots, and [Em] ruined your black tie affair. The [A] last one to know. The [A7] last one to show – I was the [D] last one you thought you’d see there.
I [D] saw the surprise, and the [CDIM7] fear in his eyes, when [Em] I took his glass of [Gm] champagne. [A] I toasted you, said “Honey, [A7] we may be through. But [A] you’ll never hear me [A7] complain.”

[CHORUS] – – – – –

Well, I [D] guess I was wrong. I [CDIM7] just don’t belong, but [Em] then, I’ve been there before. [A] Everything’s all right. I’ll [A7] just say goodnight, and I’ll [D] show myself to the door.
Hey, [D] I didn’t mean to [CDIM7] cause a big scene. Just [Em] give me an hour and [Gm] then – – Well, [A] I’ll be as high as that [A7] ivory tower [A] that you’re livin’ [A7] in

[CHORUS] – – – – – ‘Cause [D] I’ve got friends in low places, where the [D] whiskey drowns, and the beer chases my [Em] blues away. I’ll [A] be okay. Yeah, [D] I’m not big on social graces. Think I’ll [D] slip on down to the [D7] oasis, cause, [Em] I’ve got [A] friends in [D] low places

(The Infamous “Third Verse”) – – – – Well, I [D] know I was wrong. I [CDIM7] just don’t belong, but [Em] then, I’ve been there before. [A] It still is all right. I’ll [A7] just say goodnight, and I’ll [D] show myself to the door.
[D] Hey, I didn’t mean to [CDIM7] cause a big scene. Just [Em] wait ’til I finish this [Gm] glass – – Then [A] sweet little lady, I’ll head [A7] back to the Bistro, [A] and you can kiss my [A7] ass.

[CHORUS] – – – – –
Yeah [Em] I’ve got [A] friends in [D] low places.