Red
Michael Austin Lyrics

The song "Red" by Michael Austin is a catchy and entertaining tribute to southern culture, focusing on the color red as a symbol of everything from farming and country living to patriotism and personal relationships. The lyrics use a series of different examples to highlight the prominence and importance of red in various contexts. The first verse, for example, references the red color of a barn, the dirt on a farm, and the Painted Red skin of a girl's lips. The next verse mentions the truck parked in the backyard, the Walmart greeter, and the Alabama sticker on the back of Austin's guitar. These seemingly disparate objects all share a connection through the color red, emphasizing their significance in his life and in the broader southern cultural context.

The chorus builds on this theme further by connecting the color red to more universal elements of southern identity: the "blood in the veins of American boys" and the "draw in the sound of my southern voice." Austin celebrates his "hillbilly" roots, encouraging others with a shared admiration for the southern way of life to "make some noise" - which here could mean anything from revving up a tractor to raising one's voice in support of their beliefs. The bridge highlights more personal aspects of love and attraction, comparing the color of hair and the tag on jeans to red, and hinting at the passion expressed in a romantic encounter. Altogether, "Red" offers a fun and spirited celebration of southern culture and identity, showcasing the many ways in which the color red is woven into the fabric of this vibrant and storied region.