"Red Rag Top" is a song written and originally recorded by Jason White. It was later recorded by American

country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, ...

artist

Tim McGraw Samuel Timothy McGraw (born May 1, 1967) is an American country singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has released 16 studio albums (11 for Curb Records, four for Big Machine Records and one for Arista Nashville). 10 of those album ...

and released in September 2002 as the first single from McGraw’s album ''

Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors ''Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors'' is the seventh studio album by American country music artist Tim McGraw and the first to feature his band The Dancehall Doctors. It was released in November 26, 2002 by Curb Records and was recorded on a ...

''. 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 ''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virgi ...

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."

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 Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion"; these occur in approximately 30% to 40% of pre ...

, and some radio stations banned the song.

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."

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.

Year-end charts

References

2002 singles 2002 songs Tim McGraw songs Songs about abortion Song recordings produced by Byron Gallimore Song recordings produced by Tim McGraw Country ballads Curb Records singles {{2000s-country-song-stub