"Red Solo Cup" by Toby Keith
Now red solo cup is the best receptacle
From 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 fourteen years they are decomposable
And unlike my home they are not foreclosable
Freddie Mac can kiss my ass, woo!
Red solo cup, 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
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, I lift you up,
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 Abbott into my Costello
And you are the Fruit to my Loom
Red solo cup, you're more than just plastic
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, God no)
You're my friend, yea (Lifelong)
Thank you for being my friend"
Red solo cup, 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
Friendship Overcomes Plasticity
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote in his journal, “It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” Toby Keith may have had that very line in mind when he wrote “Red Solo Cup.” After all, right or wrong, many people have found solace in this iconic plastic container. The theme of friendship can be traced throughout these lyrics both metaphorically and through historical references.
The metaphor of friendship, as illustrated by a red solo cup, can be most clearly seen in the refrain of Toby Keith’s lyrics, “Red solo cup, I fill you up. / … / I love you red solo cup, I lift you up.” Friendships can often be ways of filling up a void in one’s life or one’s heart. To be a good friend, it is also necessary to metaphorically “lift up” those you hold close, to be there for them in hard times and support them in their endeavors. It is in this way that the red, solo cup literally becomes Keith’s friend. He continues this relationship reference through to the end of the lyrics, “Thank you for being my friend.”
The theme of friendship is clearly articulated by historically referencing both Abbott and Costello and Fruit of the Loom, “... you are the Abbott into my Costello / And you are the Fruit to my Loom.” Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were an American comedy team, popular in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Their most famous routine was “Who’s on First?” and they were known as inseparable friends. In a similar connection, according to Wikipedia, Fruit of the Loom, trade name for a popular underwear brand dating back to 1851, was coined to parallel the biblical phrase, “fruit of the womb.” Since womb refers to having children, this allusion seeks to create a close relationship between the product and the consumer, a sort of friendship.
Toby Keith may not have had Ralph Waldo Emerson’s journal entry in mind when he wrote the lyrics to “Red Solo Cup,” but he certainly did make some valid points about friendship, both metaphorically and through historical references. Deeper meanings can be found in the lyrics that float around us on a daily basis, if we only listen.
The theme of friendship is clearly articulated by historically referencing both Abbott and Costello and Fruit of the Loom, “... you are the Abbott into my Costello / And you are the Fruit to my Loom.” Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were an American comedy team, popular in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Their most famous routine was “Who’s on First?” and they were known as inseparable friends. In a similar connection, according to Wikipedia, Fruit of the Loom, trade name for a popular underwear brand dating back to 1851, was coined to parallel the biblical phrase, “fruit of the womb.” Since womb refers to having children, this allusion seeks to create a close relationship between the product and the consumer, a sort of friendship.
Toby Keith may not have had Ralph Waldo Emerson’s journal entry in mind when he wrote the lyrics to “Red Solo Cup,” but he certainly did make some valid points about friendship, both metaphorically and through historical references. Deeper meanings can be found in the lyrics that float around us on a daily basis, if we only listen.
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