Red Rag Top

"Red Rag Top" is a song written by Jason White and performed by American country music singer Tim McGraw. It was released in September 2002 as the first single from his album Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors. The song peaked at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in early 2003 and peaked at number 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Background and writing

The song was written by White in 1997 and released on his independent album in 2001. White told USA Today that it was a song about an abortion but not an "abortion song." He went on to say that he was "trying to tell a story about a relationship that didn't work out, period."^[1]

Content

The song's narrator recalls a past lover. He reflects on bittersweet memories from a youthful relationship, including a surprise pregnancy and the decision to get an abortion. This song was the subject of controversy due to the lyric that mentioned abortion, and some radio stations banned the song.^[2]

Critical reception

Rick Cohoon of Allmusic reviewed the song favorably, saying that the song is "wistful enough to have you tearing up right along with him." Cohoon goes on to say that "a simple and memorable chorus surrounded by innovative lyrics make this a recipe for success."^[3]

Chart positions

"Red Rag Top" debuted at number 34 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the chart week of September 21, 2002.

Chart (2002)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[4]	5
US Billboard Hot 100^[5]	40

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)	Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)^[6]	60

References

↑ Mansfield, Brian (2002-10-10). "Abortion lyric leads to static on the radio". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
↑ Ferman, Dave (2002-12-21). ""Ragtop" raises red flag — for a while". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
↑ Cohoon, Rick (2002). ""Ragtop" Allmusic review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
↑ "Tim McGraw – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Tim McGraw.
↑ "Tim McGraw – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Tim McGraw.
↑ "Best of 2003: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2003. Retrieved July 13, 2012.

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Tim McGraw singles

Discography

Not a Moment Too Soon	"Indian Outlaw" "Don't Take the Girl" "Down on the Farm" "Not a Moment Too Soon" "Refried Dreams"

All I Want	"I Like It, I Love It" "Can't Be Really Gone" "All I Want Is a Life" "She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart" "Maybe We Should Just Sleep on It"

Everywhere	"It's Your Love" (with Faith Hill) "Everywhere" "Just to See You Smile" "One of These Days" "Where the Green Grass Grows" "For a Little While"

A Place in the Sun	"Please Remember Me" "Something Like That" "My Best Friend" "Some Things Never Change" "My Next Thirty Years"

Set This Circus Down	"Grown Men Don't Cry" "Angry All the Time" "The Cowboy in Me" "Unbroken"

Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors	"Red Rag Top" "Tiny Dancer" "She's My Kind of Rain" "Real Good Man" "Watch the Wind Blow By"

Live Like You Were Dying	"Live Like You Were Dying" "Back When" "Drugs or Jesus" "Do You Want Fries with That" "My Old Friend"

Reflected: Greatest Hits Vol. 2	"When the Stars Go Blue" "My Little Girl"

Let It Go	"Last Dollar (Fly Away)" "I Need You" (with Faith Hill) "If You're Reading This" "Suspicions" "Kristofferson" "Let It Go" "Nothin' to Die For"

Southern Voice	"It's a Business Doing Pleasure with You" "Southern Voice" "Still"

Number One Hits	"Felt Good on My Lips"

Country Strong	"Me and Tennessee" (with Gwyneth Paltrow)

Emotional Traffic	"Better Than I Used to Be"

Two Lanes of Freedom	"Truck Yeah" "One of Those Nights" "Highway Don't Care" (with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban) "Southern Girl"

Sundown Heaven Town	"Lookin' for That Girl" "Meanwhile Back at Mama's" (with Faith Hill) "Shotgun Rider" "Diamond Rings and Old Barstools" (with Catherine Dunn)

Damn Country Music	"Top of the World" "Humble and Kind" "How I'll Always Be"

Guest singles	"Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me" (with Faith Hill) "Let's Make Love" (with Faith Hill) "Bring On the Rain" (with Jo Dee Messina) "Over and Over" (with Nelly) "Like We Never Loved at All" (with Faith Hill) "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" (with Tracy Lawrence and Kenny Chesney) "Nine Lives" (with Def Leppard) "Feel Like a Rock Star" (with Kenny Chesney) "Lovin' Lately" (with Big & Rich) "May We All" (with Florida Georgia Line)

Other songs	"City Lights" "The Ride"

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