Friends in Low Places
Dylan Miller Lyrics


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Blame it all on my roots
I showed up in boots
And ruined your black tie affair
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
And I'll be okay
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 all right
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
(Repeat 3x)

Overall Meaning

Dylan Miller's song Friends in Low Places is about a man who feels out of place in high society due to his working-class roots. The song begins with the singer apologizing for showing up at a black-tie event in boots, which were inappropriate for the affair. He is the last one to arrive and is surprised that he was invited at all. He then proceeds to drink champagne when he sees the fear and surprise on his ex-partner's face, showing that he does not care about their relationship anymore. Despite this, he toasts to her and says they may be through, but he will not complain.


The chorus of the song reveals that the singer finds comfort in his friends in low places, where he can drink whiskey and beer to chase away his blues. He is not concerned with social graces and would rather go to a bar or "oasis" than be in high society. The second verse acknowledges that he is not meant to be in the ivory tower of the upper class and that he has been a misfit in such settings before. He says goodnight and shows himself to the door, not meaning to cause a big scene. He will go hang out with his friends in low places, where he is more comfortable and happy.


Line by Line Meaning

Blame it all on my roots
I take full responsibility for my behavior


I showed up in boots
I came dressed for a casual occasion


And ruined your black tie affair
My presence was unexpected and disrupted the formal tone of the event


The last one to know
I was the least informed person about the event


The last one to show
I arrived last


I was the last one
I was the least important person there


You thought you'd see there
You didn't think I would attend


And I saw the surprise
I noticed the unexpected reaction to my arrival


And the fear in his eyes
I recognized the look of panic in his eyes


When I took his glass of champagne
I took someone else's drink without permission


And I toasted you
I raised my glass in your honor


Said, honey, we may be through
I acknowledged that our relationship may be over


But you'll never hear me complain
I won't complain about our separation


'Cause I've got friends in low places
I have friends who are not part of high society


Where the whiskey drowns
We drink heavily to forget our problems


And the beer chases my blues away
Alcohol helps me forget my sadness


And I'll be okay
I'll be fine


I'm not big on social graces
I'm not accustomed to formal etiquette


Think I'll slip on down to the oasis
I'm going to visit my low-class friends


Well, I guess I was wrong
I was mistaken


I just don't belong
I don't fit in here


But then, I've been there before
I'm used to being an outsider


Everything's all right
There's no need to worry


I'll just say goodnight
I'll leave now


And I'll show myself to the door
I'll leave on my own


Hey, I didn't mean
I didn't intend


To cause a big scene
To create a disturbance


Just give me an hour and then
Just let me have some time


Well, I'll be as high
I'll be feeling good


As that ivory tower
As sophisticated and unreachable as you and your high society friends


That you're livin' in
The high status world you belong to


Oh, I've got friends in low places
I have friends who are not part of high society


(Repeat 3x)




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