Why the Red Solo Cup Song by Toby Keith Is So Popular
77The Rock, Am I Under It?
While sitting in the passenger seat of my friend's car a few days ago, I heard the song "Red Solo Cup", sung by country music star Toby Keith on the radio. My friend was surprised when I asked him whether this was an actual song. That was directly after I asked him to turn up the volume.
He explained to me that the song is a rising phenomenon. Yes, it is a real song. Yes, I have apparently been living under a rock as I am one of the newest members to jump on to the already crowded band-wagon. Move over Madonna, here comes Toby Keith for his piece of the music spotlight.
Red Cups
A Little Ditty
There once was a little ditty called "Red Solo Cup"...
The song was released in 2011 within Keith's album Clancy's Town . The song was the collection's second single, following "Made In America." Only the "cup" song could be made in America.
The lyrics are funny and the melody is both simple and catchy. Lines within the chorus include,
Red solo cup, I fill you up
Let's have a party, let's have a party
If you have heard the song even one time, you are likely singing along in your head right now. If not, click on the YouTube video link below and behold a memorable tune.
The Cups
The song refers to the red plastic cups manufactured by the Solo Cup Company. The cups are commonly used at parties, BBQ's, functions, and other events. Fill the cup with alcohol, juice, soda, or other liquid to drink. The cups are the centrepiece of the song.
The lyrics are anything but serious. Keith sings about attracting ladies by using a Sharpie to write his name on the cup and that the red cups are better than the blue and yellow versions. He speaks to the cup as "you" throughout the song.
One can't help laughing along with the song as Keith does not take the subject seriously. Both melody and words are comical and fun.
Listen
The Fan Base Grows
The fan base for the song is growing like, well, anything that grows very quickly.
The associated YouTube video, featuring Toby Keith at a house party with guests drinking the red cups, has over 11 million hits so far. There are over 12,000 comments below the Unedited Version of the posted video.
The Fans
Other YouTube members are trying to get pieces of the popularity by posting their own versions of the video. Fans are not just country music lovers either. The song was performed on the television show Glee in December of 2011. There is even a Wikipedia entry dedicated to the song.
"Red Solo Cup" does not touch on common themes of country music songs, such as falling in love or having your heart broken. The song is about a line of red plastic cups. In a world where people are exposed to negativity and political issues on a daily basis, the song provides a happy escape for a few minutes.
Forget your problems and turn up the volume on the radio. That's what I did in my friend's car. I am still smiling as I click again on the link for the YouTube video and sing along to the chorus.
Toby Keith - Red Solo Cup (Unedited Version)
Your Opinion
Do You Like The Song "Red Solo Cup"?
See results without votingAdditional Reading
- How The Car Radio Connects People
I turned to the car on my right and saw the female driver belting out the words to the same song playing on my car radio! I did a double-take. We ARE All Connected. - Toby Keith's "RED SOLO CUP" Officially A Single! by Toby Keith on Myspace
Read Toby Keith's "RED SOLO CUP" Officially A Single! by Toby Keith on Myspace. Social entertainment powered by the passions of fans. - Toby Keith, ‘Red Solo Cup’ – Song Review
Toby Keith has recorded the earworm of the year -- maybe the decade. For better or worse, 'Red Solo Cup' is a song that will crawl into the folds of your
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I am a country music fan and when I first heard this song, I thought it was a joke. I asked the same thing you did, "Is this the actual song?" I give thumbs up to Toby Keith for having such wonderful songs.
@billybuc, this is really the song of Toby Keith's that I am most familiar with. The song is playful and really does have an addictive tune. It may get stuck in your head! Thanks for stopping by to read and comment :)
Honestly, I really do not like Toby Keith; having said that I instantly liked this song. It's a song you have to laugh at and it gets stuck in your head and won't leave. I'm humming it right now while I write this. It has to be a great song for me to get over my dislike for Keith. :) Great hub and quite fun my friend.
Your rock emilybee! Thanks for the comments, votes, and such kind words too! Your comments help keep me motivated to keep on writing hubs :)
I love this song, and I honestly have not read one hub by you that I'm not enjoying reading. Such great topics! I'm going to stop reading for now, so that I have some more hubs to read another day! Voted up and awesome.
Hehe I'm glad we share a love for the song! Thanks for the read :)
When I first heard it on the radio I loved it.Each time I hear it I love it even more.The funny thing is no cup holds up to the solo cup.Great hub.
Hi, I appreciate your kind words about my hub. Yes he is a good singer and he has fun with the song! Let's see what he comes up with next!
Hi,
Toby is one of my favorite singers--and he is great eye candy also. Thanks for doing this hub, I enjoyed it. I liked his two movies, but the first one is my favorite.
Thanks,
Bobbi
hehe sorry my dear :)
Still stuck in head. Uh oh.
Hehe I am going to have it in my head again now too as I answer you :) I like that Toby Keith pokes fun at himself. Thanks for the comment and follow too.
When I first heard the song I thought only Toby Keith could sing about a red solo cup and make it work. It's a silly song, but lots of fun. It gets stuck in my head for days. It hasn't been in while...until I read this hub. Thank you! I think. :)
Oh yes, Toby Keith must be pleased with the popularity of the fun song. I'm sure he's glad he entered into the deal. Thanks for taking time to read and comment Hally.
Heh heh, I do love the Red Solo cup song. When Toby was initially presented with the idea of singing about a plastic cup, he thought the idea was rather silly....but look at his song now. Red Solo cup, you're more than a cute little dittie...your're my money-maker!
Thanks Lee for the kind comment and votes. I'm glad you like the song too, I laugh as I listen to it. You are so kind to comment so highly on my work, it is much appreciated.
Love this song. a BIG Toby Keith fan. Great article Christy. Enjoyed it allot. I voted up all across. Lee
I'm glad the song brought back good memories for you. Yes those red cups are familiar to so many people. Thanks for reading and writing your comment. Take care.
This song is awesome. It made me laugh so hard the first time I heard it, because it reminds me of a friend of mine and his parties he used to throw all the time. They wouldn't have been complete without the red solo cups.
Hehe I'm glad you got a chuckle out of it!
Hahahahahahaha. This song was hilarious!
Hehe yes those are other funny country songs. I agree that the song is easy to relate to and that is helping its popularity. Thanks Marc for stopping by to comment :)
Me thinks it's popular due to it's simplicity and the party atmosphere it represents - everyone who's had or been to a house party, a picnic or a large gathering at a campground has used these and can relate.
I think the last country song I liked was probably by Johnny Cash (I killed a man in Reno just to watch him bleed), and maybe one or two by Trace Adkins...
ChristyWrites Hub Author 15 hours ago
@wynne, he certainly is inventive I will give him that. I am resisting playing the video today as the song will get stuck in my head again! Thanks for stopping by.