The band's best known lineup consisted of Paul Westerberg (vocals, guitar), Bob Stinson (guitar), Tommy Stinson (bass) and Chris Mars (drums). They were infamous for their abrasive, hard drinking lifestyles and their ragged stage performances, notorious for coming to some shows too drunk to play very well at all. Sometimes, they just performed entire sets of covers, their picks showing their debt to 70s hard rock outfits.
The sound of this band showed off what their many fans saw as the very best of independent rock n' roll. More than possibly any other band since The Rolling Stones and the the Ramones, the Replacements embodied the spirit of rock, from their raucous performances, drug addictions, charismatic and romantic frontman, and wild, sometimes basic and sometimes powerfully confessional songs. At any given time, almost any list of 'The Best Rock Albums Of All Time' will include either the album 'Let It Be' or 'Tim', sometimes both.
Their sound started off as a classic rock influenced shade of punk, mutating to a melodic hardcore sound reminiscent of local buddies Hüsker Dü. They also progressed into a relatively straightforward but heartfelt rock style, with a number of highly soulful ballads from the heart of Westerberg to round out the mix.
The band broke up in 1991. Bob Stinson, who was fired from the band in 1986 (and was subsequently replaced by Slim Dunlap), died in 1995. Westerberg and Mars both have solo careers, and Tommy Stinson formed several bands, like Perfect and Bash and Pop, and now plays bass for Guns and Roses and Soul Asylum.
In 2012, Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson reformed the Replacements and recorded an EP, "Songs for Slim" as a benefit for former member Slim Dunlap, who had suffered a stroke. The band played their first show since 1991 on August 24, 2013 at RiotFest in Toronto, and has since played at several festivals since. The band also currently includes Josh Freese on drums and Dave Minehan on guitar. The band played its final show in June 2015.
Red Red Wine
The Replacements Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chateau Timberley, as long as I can't see
Gallo or Muscatel, either one would be just swell
I didn't come here to fight, hey just as long as that ain't white
Now I ain't no connoisseur cat - the conno-sewer/kinda sewer rat
Red red wine on Sunday
Always tastes so good
Red red wine
Red red wine if you would
Hey now as long as it is red, oh set 'em up until we're dead
A Saturday sippin' beer, let's get a jug without a year
Now I ain't no connoisseur cat, I think you guessed that
Red red wine on Sunday
Just like Martin said
Red red wine
Red red wine
Set us up 'till we're dead
I ain't no connoisseur cat, conno-sewer rat
...on Sunday
Just like Martin said
Red red wine
Red red wine
Set us up 'till we're dead
The Replacements' song Red Red Wine is about the simple pleasure of drinking wine with friends, regardless of its quality or type. The singer dismisses expensive types of wine, such as Chablis and Chateau Timberley, and favors more common and affordable ones, such as Gallo or Muscatel. He implies that he is not a connoisseur, and he does not need the fanciest wine to enjoy it. He also suggests that he and his friends are not looking for trouble or conflict but a good time, as long as the wine is red.
The repeated line, "Red red wine on Sunday, always tastes so good," suggests a sense of ritual, where the pleasure of drinking red wine with friends becomes a weekly tradition. The second verse reveals that they also enjoy beer on Saturdays but prefer wine on Sundays. Although the singer repeats that he is not a connoisseur, the word "conno-sewer" plays with the term "connoisseur" and adds a sense of humor to the lyrics.
Overall, the song portrays a group of friends who appreciate the simple things in life, such as drinking wine while hanging out. It is a tribute to the joy of camaraderie and the pleasure of not needing anything fancy to have a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
A bottle of Chablis, hey now, that ain't no stuff for me
I do not prefer to drink Chablis.
Chateau Timberley, as long as I can't see
I do not care about the brand of wine as long as it is not in sight.
Gallo or Muscatel, either one would be just swell
I would be happy to drink either Gallo or Muscatel.
I didn't come here to fight, hey just as long as that ain't white
I am not interested in causing trouble, as long as the wine is red and not white.
Now I ain't no connoisseur cat - the conno-sewer/kinda sewer rat
I am not an expert when it comes to wine, but more like a sewer rat when it comes to drinking.
Red red wine on Sunday
Drinking red wine on a Sunday is a nice way to relax.
Always tastes so good
Red wine always has a good taste.
Red red wine
The phrase 'Red red wine' is repeated to emphasize its importance.
Red red wine if you would
I would like to drink red wine, if that is okay with you.
Hey now as long as it is red, oh set 'em up until we're dead
As long as the wine is red, I would like to continue drinking until we can no longer drink anymore.
A Saturday sippin' beer, let's get a jug without a year
Instead of drinking beer on Saturday, let's switch to wine without taking the year of the wine into account.
Just like Martin said
This line is repeated to pay homage to Martin, who must have said something similar.
Set us up 'till we're dead
Keep serving us drinks until we cannot drink anymore.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind