"Paint the Town Red" is a song by Doja Cat. The song was released on August 4, 2… Read Full Bio ↴"Paint the Town Red" is a song by Doja Cat. The song was released on August 4, 2023, via Kemosabe Records and RCA as the second single from her fourth studio album, Scarlet.

The song samples Dionne Warwick's "Walk On By" and is a departure from the Pop/Rap sound of Doja's previous projects; Hot Pink & Planet Her. It was released after Doja's controversy with her fans and tabloids, and addresses some comments about her personality, career and choices as an artist and person, using her alter-ego “Scarlet” to do it.

Paint the Town Red
Doja Cat Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

By
Walk on by, walk on by
Walk on by, walk on by

Yeah, bitch, I said what I said
I′d rather be famous instead
I let all that get to my head
I don't care, I paint the town red

Bitch, I said what I said
I′d rather be famous instead
I let all that get to my head
I don't care, I paint the town red

Mm, she the devil
She a bad lil' bitch, she a rebel
She put her foot to the pedal
It′ll take a whole lot for me to settle
Mm, she the devil
She a bad lil′ bitch, she a rebel
She put her foot to the pedal
It'll take a whole lot for me to settle (Yeah, yeah)

Said my happiness is all of your misery
I put good dick all in my kidneys
This Margiel′ don't come with no jealousy
My illness don′t come with no remedy
I am so much fun without Hennessy
They just want my love and my energy
You can't talk no shit without penalties
Bitch, I′m in yo' shit if you send for me

I'm going to glow up one more time
Trust me, I have magical foresight
You gon′ see me sleepin′ in courtside
You gon' see me eatin′ ten more times
Ugh, you can't take that bitch nowhere
Ugh, I look better with no hair
Ugh, ain′t no sign I can't smoke here
Ugh, gimme the chance and I′ll go there (Yeah)

Yeah, bitch, I said what I said
I'd rather be famous instead
I let all that get to my head
I don't care, I paint the town red
Bitch, I said what I said
I′d rather be famous instead
I let all that get to my head
I don′t care, I paint the town red

Mm, she the devil
She a bad lil' bitch, she a rebel
She put her foot to the pedal
It′ll take a whole lot for me to settle
Mm, she the devil
She a bad lil' bitch, she a rebel
She put her foot to the pedal
It′ll take a whole lot for me to settle (Yeah, yeah)

Said pop make money, now you try, bitch
You could use a revamp with a new vibe, sis
I don't need a big feature or a new sidekick
I don′t need a new fan 'cause my boo like it
I don't need to wear a wig to make you like it
I′m a two-time bitch, you ain′t knew I'd win?
Throw a shot like you tryna have a food fight then
All my opps waitin′ for me to be you, I bet

Said I got drive, I don't need a car
Money really all that we fiendin′ for
I'm doin′ things they ain't seen before
Fans ain't dumb, but extremists are
I′m a demon, Lord
Fall off what? I ain′t seen the horse
Called your bluff, better cite the source
Fame ain't somethin′ that I need no more

'Cause, bitch, I said what I said
I′d rather be famous instead
I let all that get to my head
I don't care, I paint the town red
Bitch, I said what I said
I′d rather be famous instead
I let all that get to my head
I don't care, I paint the town red

Mm, she the devil
She a bad lil' bitch, she a rebel
She put her foot to the pedal
It′ll take a whole lot for me to settle
Mm, she the devil
She a bad lil′ bitch, she a rebel
She put her foot to the pedal
It'll take a whole lot for me to settle

Walk on by, walk on by

Walk on by, walk on by

Overall Meaning

In "Paint The Town Red," Doja Cat expresses her desire for fame and the confidence she feels in embracing her own uniqueness. She starts by stating that she would rather be famous than care about what others think of her. She acknowledges that she lets the fame get to her head, but she doesn't care because she will paint the town red, meaning she will live life to the fullest and make a statement wherever she goes.

Doja describes herself as a rebellious and devilish character, someone who is unapologetically herself. She puts her foot to the pedal, meaning she is determined and driven. It would take a lot for her to settle for anything less in life. She takes pleasure in the misery of others and boasts about her sexual prowess, saying that good sex makes her happy and she doesn't need any remedies for that.

She mentions that people only want her love and energy, but they can't talk negatively about her without facing consequences. Additionally, she predicts her future success and the glamorous lifestyle she will lead, sleeping courtside at basketball games and enjoying luxurious meals. She asserts her confidence and asserts that she looks better without hair, showing her pride in her own appearance. She declares that no one can stop her from smoking where she pleases and asks for a chance to prove herself in any situation.

Doja Cat then takes aim at other artists who try to imitate her success, claiming that they need a revamp and a new vibe. She asserts that she doesn't need big features or the approval of others because her fans already support her. She affirms her authenticity and success, stating that she doesn't need to wear a wig to impress anyone. She is confident in her abilities and suggests that her critics are simply waiting for her to fail, but she will prove them wrong.

She concludes by emphasizing her drive and the fact that she doesn't need material possessions like cars to feel successful. Money is the only thing she and her fans crave, and she promises to do things that people have never seen before. She acknowledges that some fans may be extreme in their devotion but remains unbothered. She declares herself a demon and asserts that she has not fallen off or lost her success. Fame is no longer something she needs because she has already achieved it.

Overall, "Paint The Town Red" is a confident and assertive anthem about Doja Cat's desire for fame, her pride in her uniqueness, and her determination to succeed on her own terms.

Line by Line Meaning

Walk on by, walk on by
Continue moving forward without paying attention to what is happening or being said around you

Yeah, bitch, I said what I said
Confidently expressing my opinion without fear or hesitation

I′d rather be famous instead
Choosing fame and recognition over other possibilities

I let all that get to my head
Allowing the attention and success to affect my ego

I don't care, I paint the town red
Not concerned about the consequences, I live life extravagantly and recklessly

Mm, she the devil
Referring to a woman who is rebellious and dangerous

She a bad lil' bitch, she a rebel
She is confident and unafraid to defy expectations

She put her foot to the pedal
She goes full force and gives her all in everything she does

It′ll take a whole lot for me to settle
It would require significant efforts to make me conform or compromise

Said my happiness is all of your misery
Asserting that my joy is derived from the suffering of others

I put good dick all in my kidneys
Engaging in sexual activities that bring me pleasure and satisfaction

This Margiel′ don't come with no jealousy
The high-end fashion brand I wear doesn't bring any feelings of envy

My illness don′t come with no remedy
The issues and problems I face are not easily resolved

I am so much fun without Hennessy
I am enjoyable and exciting without the need for alcohol

They just want my love and my energy
People desire my affection and the vibrant energy I possess

You can't talk no shit without penalties
If you speak negatively about me, there will be consequences

Bitch, I′m in yo' shit if you send for me
If you provoke me, I will retaliate and invade your personal space

I'm going to glow up one more time
I will have another transformation and achieve even greater success

Trust me, I have magical foresight
Have faith in my ability to predict and create extraordinary outcomes

You gon′ see me sleepin′ in courtside
You will witness me enjoying luxury seats at a basketball game

You gon' see me eatin′ ten more times
You will observe me indulging in delightful meals multiple times

Ugh, you can't take that bitch nowhere
Expressing that a particular woman is unmanageable and uncontrollable

Ugh, I look better with no hair
Believing that I appear more attractive without hair

Ugh, ain′t no sign I can't smoke here
Asserting that I can freely smoke without any restrictions or limitations

Ugh, gimme the chance and I′ll go there
Give me an opportunity, and I will explore new experiences

Said pop make money, now you try, bitch
After witnessing my success, you attempt to replicate it

You could use a revamp with a new vibe, sis
You need to reinvent yourself and adopt a fresh, exciting attitude

I don't need a big feature or a new sidekick
I don't require the presence or support of others to succeed

I don′t need a new fan 'cause my boo like it
I have someone important to me who appreciates my work, so I don't need additional fans

I don't need to wear a wig to make you like it
My authentic self is enough to gain your approval

I′m a two-time bitch, you ain′t knew I'd win?
I have achieved success and proven myself twice, surprising those who doubted me

Throw a shot like you tryna have a food fight then
Attacking and criticizing others as if engaging in a playful, messy food fight

All my opps waitin′ for me to be you, I bet
My rivals eagerly anticipate my failure and attempt to become like me

Said I got drive, I don't need a car
I possess motivation and determination that surpasses the need for material possessions

Money really all that we fiendin′ for
We are obsessed and desperate for wealth and financial success

I'm doin′ things they ain't seen before
I am accomplishing feats and creating experiences that are unprecedented

Fans ain't dumb, but extremists are
My followers are intelligent, but there are some extreme individuals among them

I′m a demon, Lord
Describing oneself as a powerful and intimidating force

Fall off what? I ain′t seen the horse
Refusing to decline or lose because I haven't encountered any obstacles

Called your bluff, better cite the source
Challenging your attempted deception and demanding evidence

Fame ain't somethin′ that I need no more
No longer desiring or depending on fame for fulfillment

'Cause, bitch, I said what I said
Asserting that my previous statements are definitive and unchangeable