Even though “Red Rag Top” is a country song, which the younger generations seem to be opposed to, the song tells a story very relevant to teenagers. Before disregarding this song simply because it is country, one must understand that country songs tell stories that relate to a person’s life. Most people think that all country songs are sad. This can be explained because most stories about a person’s life are sad. Before stereotyping this song as just some old guy singing about his dead dog, one should see the intense emotional anguish exemplified throughout the song.

As society evolves, more things are pushing the line between what is morally right and wrong. Country artists, in this case Tim McGraw, have also begun to push the line, writing about topics as controversial as abortion. In "Red Rag Top", an eighteen-year-old female and a twenty-year-old male are in a relationship. The male impregnates the female, forcing them to decide whether to keep the child. “I was out of a job and she was in school, life was fast and the world was cruel. We were young and wild; we decided not to have a child.” Because neither is ready to have a child, they decide to abort the birth. Their reasoning for this is obvious: both are kids who cannot possible provide for a child.

This event is all too common for teenagers. The younger generation more and more acts before thinking, and this can result in pregnancy. Most teens do not know where their life is going, let alone are ready to settle down and care for a child. Thus, they feel it is right to have an abortion to save their own lives, perceiving abortion as a form of birth control. This seems to be the case in "Red Rag Top", which allows teens to be able to relate to this song.

Later in the song, after the two have broken up, the male seems to understand the impact of their decisions. “You do what you do and you pay for your sins, and there’s no such thing as what might have been, that’s a waste of time, drive you out of your mind.” He admits that their decision was sinful, meaning he does not promote making the same decision. At the same time, the song does show that couples have a choice. Thus, the song presents both sides of the argument on abortion while remaining mainly impartial.

Although abortion seems to be the main theme of the song, other parts relate to teenagers’ lives. The song is a story of a boy and girl who get together at a young age, think they are going to be together forever, yet break up. The two are hopelessly in love in the beginning, as most teenagers tend to be, but after a short time separate. Also mentioned are fooling around in a vehicle parked in a discrete location, being free from the parents for a night, running from the cops, and running red lights. Every teenage could relate to at least one of these aforementioned items. Altogether, the song is about two teenagers living life and having a good time.

The good times that teenagers have makes their lives upbeat, but their lives can also be sad. This song illustrates that happiness and sadness throughout its different characteristics. The tempo is rather fast for a country song, and surprisingly McGraw sounds enthusiastic and happy at most times. Near the end, McGraw is being introspective, which exemplifies the depressing parts of a person’s life. He also shows how decisions affect a person's life later down the road. "Red Rag Top" is a good example of new country, straying away from the sound of classical country music. This change can make more people open to listen to this song. The reason most younger persons do not enjoy country is because of the old, sad sound; however, this song is completely different from stereotypical country, so much that it may barely fits into the country music genre.

Most people would never consider listening to this song because it of its categorization. However, the listener must disregard the genre and see the main theme of the song. Most teenagers would probably listen to, if not enjoy, this song and others like it after recognizing the propinquity of its theme with that of a teenager’s life. After all, country music is not only about pain and regret, but also real life situations and critical decisions.

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