About The Song
Written by two sets of brothers: Jim Beavers & Brett Beavers, and Brad Warren & Brett Warren, “Red Solo Cup” is a song that became viral in 2011. Released in October of the same year, American country music singer Toby Keith recorded the song. It was the second single from his album Clancy’s Tavern.
To note, “Red Solo Cup” is the only song on the album he did not write or co-write. The Warren Brothers (Brad and Brett Warren) co-wrote the song with the Beavers Brothers (Brett and Jim Beavers). They decided to write something that would “make us all laugh and smile.”
According to Brett Warren, Jim did the majority of the writing. On the other hand, Toby Keith told CMT,
“It was the stupidest song that I have ever heard in my life but also “freakin’ awesome.”
Toby Keith has only released two radio singles he didn’t write: “American Ride” and “Red Solo Cup.” The interesting thing about the latter song is that it was never intended to be pitched to anyone to record, but Keith heard the tune after someone who worked for him play it. Keith explained,
“‘Red Solo Cup’ is like a squirrel loose in a church house. We can play it in an office and then play five other songs, give it an hour, walk out, and you’d hear the receptionist singing it. It’s like nursery rhyme stupid.”
In an interview, one of the songwriters, Jim Beavers said,
“I can also say, having been a writer for 10 years and written hundreds of songs, I don’t know a song that more people bring up in more instances than this song about a red solo cup. I don’t know why, it hits something somewhere. It is the craziest, weirdest song you’ve ever heard.”
Initially, Keith admitted that he didn’t want to record this humorous song. However, when he started playing it to people, he noticed them singing along almost immediately.
And then, Keith and the songwriting brothers did something that hadn’t happened in country music for the very first time: a video that made a song into being a single.
Aside from the song’s silly lyrics, Keith was concerned about making “Red Solo Cup” as a single.
He said,
“I was afraid since it says ‘testicles,’ radio won’t play it. They wouldn’t play ‘Weed With Willie,’ and this is even more extreme. But I had some radio guys tell me they would play it regardless.”
The radio guys were right! “Red Solo Cup” is certified double platinum, signifying sales in excess of two million units, and reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s country charts.
Video
Lyrics
Two, a-one, two, three
Now, red Solo cup is the best receptacle
For barbecues, tailgates, fairs, and festivals
And you, sir, do not have a pair of testicles
If you prefer drinkin’ from glass
Hey, red Solo cup is cheap and disposable
In 14 years, they are decomposable
And unlike my home, they are not foreclosable
Freddy Mac can kiss my ass, whoo!
Red Solo cup (uh-huh)
I fill you up
Let’s have a party
Let’s have a party
I love you, red Solo cup
I lift you up
Proceed to party
Proceed to party
Now, I really love how you’re easy to stack
But I really hate how you’re easy to crack
‘Cause when beer runs down in front of my back
Well, that, my friends, is quite yucky (here we go now)
But I have to admit that the ladies get smitten
Admirin’ at how sharply my first name is written
On you with a Sharpie when I get to hittin’
On them to help me get lucky
Red Solo cup
I fill you up
Let’s have a party
Let’s have a party
I love you, red Solo cup (what?)
I lift you up
Proceed to party (party)
Proceed to party (proceed to party)
Now, I’ve seen you in blue and I’ve seen you in yellow
But only you, red, will do for this fellow
‘Cause you are the Abbot to my Costello
And you are the Fruit to my Loom (here we go now)
Red Solo cup, you’re more than just plastic
You’re more than amazing, you’re more than fantastic
And believe me that I’m not the least bit sarcastic
When I look at you and say
Red Solo cup, you’re not just a cup
(No! No! No! God, no!)
You’re my, you’re my friend (friend, friend) yeah (life-long)
Thank you for being my friend
Red Solo cup (that’s what I’m talking about)
I fill you up
Let’s have a party (let’s have a party)
Let’s have a party (let’s have a party)
I love you, red Solo cup
I lift you up
Proceed to party
Proceed to party
Red Solo cup
Red Solo (I fill you up)
(Let’s have a party) let’s have a party
(Let’s have a party) let’s have a party
Red Solo cup (oh, red Solo cup)
I lift you up
Let’s have a party
Proceed to party (yeah, yeah)
ba-oh-do
(Solo cup) oh-bo-do
(Solo cup) ba-oh-do
(Solo cup) ah-ooh-doodle-da-do
(Solo cup) uh-huh (what?)
(Solo cup) de-da-pa
(Solo cup) du-de-da-pa
