Released March 18, 2002 Genre Country Label Warner Bros. Nashville | Recorded 2001 Length 3:42 | |
Writer(s) James "Bo" Bohan
Don Goodman
Mark Sherrill | ||
"Ol' Red" is a song written by James "Bo" Bohan, Don Goodman and Mark Sherrill. The song was originally recorded by George Jones on his 1990 album You Oughta Be Here with Me and covered by Kenny Rogers on his 1993 album If Only My Heart Had a Voice, although neither artist released it as a single. It was later recorded by artist Blake Shelton, and released in 2002 as the third and final single released from his self-titled debut album, becoming a top 20 hit.
Contents
Content
The narrator is a prisoner serving a 99-year sentence for committing a crime of passion when he murdered a man with whom his wife was having an affair and presumably the wife herself. He accepts a job tending Ol' Red, a Bloodhound used by the prison guards to track escaping inmates. The dog has foiled every escape attempt on his watch, and the warden even dares the inmates to try because "Ol' Red's itchin' to have a little fun."
The narrator writes a letter to his cousin, who delivers an unnamed female Bluetick Coonhound and puts her in a pen a short distance from the prison. During Ol' Red's evening exercise runs, the narrator drops him off with the Bluetick, presumably so they can engage in sexual intercourse. After Ol' Red has become accustomed to these visits, the narrator deliberately keeps him away from her for several days in order to make him anxious to see her. The narrator escapes from the prison, knowing that Ol' Red will lead the pursuing guards to the Bluetick instead of following his trail. The final lines reveal that the escape was successful as the narrator heads north to Tennessee, and that Ol' Red and the Bluetick had a litter of puppies together.
Although it did not reach the Top Ten, "Ol' Red" is one of Shelton's most commonly requested songs in concert (as well as one of his best-known hits), and he considers it his signature song.
Shelton's version of the song includes a backing vocal from Rachel Proctor.
Music video
The music video was directed by Peter Zavadil. It also features a cameo by NASCAR driver Elliot Sadler.
Chart performance
"Ol' Red" debuted at number 60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of March 30, 2002.