Red Rag Top

2002 single by Tim McGraw

"Red Rag Top"

Single by Tim McGraw

from the album Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors

Released

September 16, 2002

Genre

Country

Length

4:43 (album version)
4:09 (radio edit)

Label

Curb

Songwriter(s)

Jason White

Producer(s)

Byron Gallimore
Tim McGraw
Darran Smith

Tim McGraw singles chronology

"Unbroken"
(2002)

"Red Rag Top"
(2002)

"Tiny Dancer"
(2002)

"Red Rag Top" is a song written and originally recorded by Jason White. It was later recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw and released in September 2002 as the first single from McGraw’s album Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors. McGraw's version peaked at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart in early 2003 and reached number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Background and writing

The song was written by Jason Sandbrink 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 (2002–2003)	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. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
^ Ferman, Dave (2002-12-21). ""Ragtop" raises red flag — for a while". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
^ Cohoon, Rick (2002). ""Ragtop" Allmusic review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
^ "Tim McGraw Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
^ "Tim McGraw Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
^ "Best of 2003: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2003. Retrieved July 13, 2012.