Notes in His Pockets
The Good Life Lyrics


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Drunk at the bar at last last call
My baby's home on her night off
So I'm involved in a serious talk
With a girl I had known growing up
So we buy a six; decide to split
She has a downtown apartment
She opens the door, falls to the floor,
Says, "I'm bitter sick of sweet and pure, take me now I'm yours."

Notes in his pockets
Rumors in the mill
Phone calls after the bars close - unlisted numbers
If she only knew, then he'd be through
But who knows which parts are true.
She hates how it looks, but what can she do?
The girls all talk behind her back, they say she's being used.

Ooh!

At Sullivan's drinking with Justin
He says he's seen my ex-girlfriend
She's back in town – and what's worse
He knows where and when she works
So we head over to the Underwood
She's trading shots with regulars
She gives me a hugs 'til our hips are flush
Says, "Boy, we've hardly kept in touch – it's time for catching up."

Ooh!

Notes in his pockets
Rumors in the mill
Phone calls after the bars close – unlisted numbers

Still, he insists on his innocence
Says those girls are all gossips
She's gotta drop the axe, catch him in the act
With his shame around his ankles, chain the guilt around his neck.





Ooh!

Overall Meaning

The Good Life's song Notes in His Pockets tells a story of infidelity and the rumors and gossip that surround it. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is out drinking with a girl he knew growing up while his girlfriend is at home on her night off. After buying some alcohol, they go to the girl's apartment where she makes a suggestive move on him. The chorus implies that there are "notes in his pockets" and "rumors in the mill" that suggest the man is cheating on his girlfriend. The lyrics describe phone calls with unlisted numbers and suggest that the man is not being truthful with his girlfriend.


The second verse sees the singer running into an ex-girlfriend while drinking with a friend. The ex-girlfriend is also out drinking and having a good time with her friends. She is welcoming towards the singer, and they catch up before parting ways. However, the chorus implies that rumors and gossip will soon arise from this encounter, as they did with the previous situation.


The lyrics reveal the doubts and insecurities of the singer's girlfriend, who is aware of the rumors and notes in his pockets. The chorus implies that she is struggling with the decision of whether to confront him or not. The song paints a picture of a relationship that is struggling due to the dishonesty and infidelity of the singer.


Line by Line Meaning

Drunk at the bar at last last call
Under the influence of alcohol at the bar at closing time


My baby's home on her night off
My significant other is at home on her night off


So I'm involved in a serious talk
So I'm engaged in a deep conversation


With a girl I had known growing up
With a woman I had known since childhood


So we buy a six; decide to split
So we purchase a pack of beer and decide to share it


She has a downtown apartment
She lives in an apartment in the downtown area


She opens the door, falls to the floor,
She opens the door and falls to the ground


Says, "I'm bitter sick of sweet and pure, take me now I'm yours."
Says, "I'm tired of being good and pure, have me now because I'm available."


Notes in his pockets
Written information in his clothing


Rumors in the mill
Gossip circulating among people


Phone calls after the bars close - unlisted numbers
Phone conversations taking place after bars close, with the phone numbers being hidden


If she only knew, then he'd be through
If she had knowledge of his actions, their relationship would be over


But who knows which parts are true.
It is uncertain which information is accurate


She hates how it looks, but what can she do?
She dislikes the appearance of the situation, but feels powerless to change it


The girls all talk behind her back, they say she's being used.
Other women speak negatively about her and assert that she is being taken advantage of


At Sullivan's drinking with Justin
At Sullivan's bar drinking with Justin


He says he's seen my ex-girlfriend
He claims to have seen my former girlfriend


She's back in town – and what's worse
She has returned to town - and this is bad news


He knows where and when she works
He is aware of her workplace and schedule


So we head over to the Underwood
So we go to the Underwood bar


She's trading shots with regulars
She is consuming alcoholic beverages with regular bar patrons


She gives me a hugs 'til our hips are flush
She embraces me until our bodies are touching


Says, "Boy, we've hardly kept in touch – it's time for catching up."
States, "We haven't stayed in contact much - it's time for us to catch up."


Still, he insists on his innocence
Nonetheless, he maintains his lack of culpability


Says those girls are all gossips
Claims that the women are all prone to spreading rumors


She's gotta drop the axe, catch him in the act
She must confront him and catch him engaging in inappropriate behavior


With his shame around his ankles, chain the guilt around his neck.
He will be ashamed and burdened with guilt




Contributed by Isabella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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