Why the Red Solo Cup Song by Toby Keith Is So Popular
The 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 radio music spotlight.
Red Solo Cups
A Little Ditty
There once was a little ditty called "Red Solo Cup"...
The song was released in 2011 within the Toby Keith 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 Red Solo Cup
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. Toby 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.
Turn Up the Radio, Turn Up the Volume
The Fan Base Grows
The fan base for "Red Solo Cup" 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.
YouTube 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 single 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 tunes, 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 Song (Unedited Version)
Additional Reading - Toby Keith
- 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. - 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; Red Solo Cup; Song Review
Toby Keith has recorded the earworm of the year -- maybe the decade.
