The song "You're A Real Good Friend" by Red Foley and Ernest Tubb is a lighthearted and playful tune about friendship and the humorous situations that arise within that dynamic. The lyrics portray a series of scenarios where the narrator acknowledges their friend's generosity and loyalty while also jokingly highlighting the friend's eccentricities or questionable actions. The song begins with the narrator expressing gratitude towards their friend for providing advice and financial assistance when they were in need. However, they playfully mention charging their friend ten percent for the help, suggesting a comical twist on the idea of a "real good friend." The next verse humorously depicts the friend going on a date with the narrator's girlfriend while they were sick, illustrating the friend's willingness to step in and provide support during trying times. The lyric "On me you can depend, oh what a pal you were, I even married her" adds another layer of irony and jest to the song. The chorus features the narrator giving their friend cigars as a gesture of appreciation but warns them not to stand too close in case they explode, keeping the lighthearted tone of the song alive. Subsequent verses describe the friend graciously lending their car but returning it in a damaged state. However, the friend fills up the gas tank, highlighting their thoughtfulness despite the mishap. The song then takes a humorous turn as the narrator reveals that they told others about their friend's income tax situation, bringing the Internal Revenue Service into the picture as an exaggerated consequence of their actions. The following verse portrays a hypothetical scenario where the narrator becomes the governor of Tennessee and jokingly suggests that their friend would become a dog catcher as a favor in return for their friendship. The song ends with the narrator admitting to taking credit for a song that their friend wrote, suggesting a level of opportunism. However, there is still a spirit of camaraderie as they propose singing a duet together, emphasizing the bond of friendship. Overall, "You're A Real Good Friend" is a light-hearted yet sarcastic ode to the quirks and surprises encountered in friendships. The lyrics playfully poke fun at various situations while celebrating the enduring bond between friends.
