Paint The Town Red

"Paint The Town Red" is an anthem of audacious self-assertion and defiance against public opinion. Doja Cat uses the song to directly address the controversies and criticisms surrounding her online behavior, her artistic choices, and her personal life. The core message is one of unapologetic authenticity; she stands by her statements ("Bitch, I said what I said") and refuses to be swayed by the expectations of fans or critics. The phrase "paint the town red" serves as a metaphor for her intention to live life vibrantly and on her own terms, even if it means embracing a persona that others may find provocative or devilish. The lyrics explore themes of fame, power, and the artist's complex relationship with her fanbase, distinguishing between genuine supporters and what she terms "extremists". Ultimately, the song is a declaration of independence, a statement that she has transcended the need for external validation and is now creating art and living for herself.

The song is an unapologetic declaration of self, broadcast to critics, fans, and the world at large. The narrative begins with a bold, repeated assertion: the artist has said what she said and embraces the fame that has come her way, letting it go to her head without an ounce of regret. She is determined to live life on her own terms, to "paint the town red." This central theme of defiance is woven throughout the track. She describes herself as a devil, a rebel who refuses to settle, pushing life to its limits. This isn't a plea for acceptance but a statement of fact about her identity.

The first verse delves into the artist's personal life and her perspective on the public's perception of her. She suggests that her happiness is a source of misery for others and makes a casual, almost dismissive, reference to her romantic life. There's a sense of invincibility, as she claims her designer clothes don't bring jealousy and her unique 'illness' has no cure. She finds joy in her own company, without the need for social lubricants like Hennessy, and is aware that people crave her love and energy. She issues a warning: any disrespect will be met with consequences. She confidently predicts her continued success, foreseeing a future of courtside seats and lavish meals, asserting her right to exist in any space she chooses. Her physical appearance, specifically her shaved head, is another point of defiance; she insists she looks better without hair and will not be swayed by others' opinions.

The chorus returns, reinforcing the song's core message of unwavering self-assurance and the embrace of a controversial public image. She reiterates her commitment to her own narrative, regardless of outside noise.

The second verse directly confronts her past statements and the nature of her fanbase. She acknowledges her previous comments about pop music being a means to make money and challenges others to try the same. She asserts her independence, stating she doesn't need high-profile collaborations or fan approval to validate her success, as her partner's opinion is what matters. She dismisses the idea of conforming to beauty standards, like wearing a wig, to be liked. She refers to herself as a two-time winner, confident in her achievements. The artist then takes aim at her more extreme fans, distinguishing them from the general audience. She boasts of her drive and ambition, things that money can't buy. She sees herself as a revolutionary figure in the music industry, a "demon lord" doing things never seen before. She scoffs at the idea of her falling from grace, challenging critics to verify their sources. In a final act of liberation, she declares that she no longer needs fame, having transcended that desire. This leads back to the powerful chorus, a final, emphatic statement of her rebellious spirit and her intention to continue living vividly and without apology.

"Paint The Town Red" was released on August 4, 2023, as the lead single from Doja Cat's fourth studio album, Scarlet. The song was written by Doja Cat (Amala Zandile Dlamini) and produced by Earl on the Beat, Rubin, Jean-Baptiste, and DJ Replay. The creation of the track was partly inspired by producer Earl on the Beat's exploration of Dionne Warwick's discography after hearing a sample in an Usher song. He created the beat in 2021, two years before meeting Doja Cat at a Grammy party and eventually collaborating with her on the song. The song notably samples Dionne Warwick's 1964 classic "Walk on By," written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Warwick herself was humorously unaware of the sample until her granddaughter informed her. The song's artwork and the music video's visual concepts were based on paintings created by Doja Cat herself, which she previewed to fans on Instagram Live. The video was co-directed by Doja Cat and Nina McNeely.

"Paint The Town Red" is rich with symbolism, primarily conveyed through its provocative music video and defiant lyrics.

• Painting the Town Red: This central metaphor signifies living a wild, extravagant, and rebellious life without inhibition. It represents Doja Cat's decision to embrace a chaotic and controversial public persona.
• The Devil/Demon Imagery: Doja Cat repeatedly refers to herself as "the devil" and a "demon lord." This is a direct response to online accusations and conspiracy theories about her being a satanist. By embracing this imagery, particularly in the music video where she consorts with a Satan-like figure and the Grim Reaper, she trolls her critics and reclaims the narrative, turning their accusations into a source of power. Some interpretations link her red attire to the Whore of Babylon from the Book of Revelation.
• The Eyeball: In the music video, Doja plucks out her eye, which then journeys through a hellish landscape. This can symbolize secret societies (the all-seeing eye) or a conscious choice to see the world differently, perhaps even selling one's soul for a different kind of vision or power.
• Throwing Meat: At one point, Doja is seen throwing chunks of raw meat. This has been interpreted as feeding her ravenous fanbase or critics, giving them the drama and controversy they crave. It can also symbolize performing actions to satisfy a metaphorical beast, perhaps fame or the expectations that come with it.

The predominant emotional tone of "Paint The Town Red" is one of defiant confidence and unapologetic self-assurance. It radiates a cool, almost nonchalant, rebelliousness. This atmosphere is crafted through the combination of Doja Cat's assertive and unwavering vocal delivery and the laid-back, jazz-infused beat sampling Dionne Warwick. There's a clear sense of empowerment and liberation in her lyrics as she dismisses critics and embraces her own controversial image. While the lyrics could be interpreted as angry or confrontational, the overall musical landscape—with its groovy bassline and smooth sample—lends the song a feeling of triumphant calm. It’s not the sound of a heated argument, but rather the sound of someone who has already won the argument in their own mind and is now simply stating the facts as they see them. This creates a powerful feeling of a mixed sentiment: defiance tinged with a confident, almost joyful, swagger.

"Paint The Town Red" was a massive commercial success, having a significant cultural impact upon its release. The song topped the charts in 19 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. It became Doja Cat's second No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and her first as a solo artist. The track broke the record for the longest gap between rap songs hitting No. 1 on the Hot 100 in over 20 years. On Spotify, it made history as the first solo female rap song to ever top the platform's US Top 50 daily chart and the Global 200 daily chart. The song's popularity was fueled by its viral spread on TikTok, where it was used in hundreds of thousands of videos. "Paint The Town Red" also earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance. Its success solidified Doja Cat's transition into a new artistic era, marked by a greater emphasis on her rapping skills and a more confrontational, introspective lyrical style, as seen on the album Scarlet.

The rhythmic and rhyming structure of "Paint The Town Red" is a key element of its infectious appeal. The song is set to a tempo of 100 beats per minute and is composed in the key of G minor. Doja Cat's rapping employs a precise, derivative flow that aligns meticulously with the beat. Her rhythmic delivery interacts dynamically with the instrumental, with her accented syllables often landing in the pauses of the sampled trumpet line, creating a seamless, gear-like interplay between the vocals and the music. The rhyme scheme is predominantly based on couplets, with frequent use of internal and slant rhymes to add complexity and maintain a conversational feel. For example, in the lines, "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," she maintains a consistent end rhyme while the structure remains fluid. The chorus uses a simple AABB rhyme scheme ("said"/"instead"/"head"/"red"), making it incredibly catchy and memorable. The rhythm of the lyrics, combined with the laid-back, snapping beat, creates a confident and nonchalant groove that perfectly matches the song's thematic content.

Musically, "Paint The Town Red" skillfully blends a retro, boom-bap hip-hop feel with modern production. The foundation of the song is a prominent sample of Dionne Warwick's "Walk on By," creating a laid-back, jazzy atmosphere that contrasts with Doja Cat's sharp, confident rap delivery. The production, handled by Earl on the Beat and others, is relatively sparse, focusing on a catchy snap track, a deep 808 bassline, and the looped Warwick sample. A music theory analysis highlights the use of quartal and quintal harmony (stacking vocal harmonies in fourths and fifths) in the chorus, giving it a unique, almost medieval, bell-like quality that stands out from typical pop music's tertian harmonies (stacked in thirds). Doja Cat's vocal performance is notable for its precise, metronomic flow that locks in perfectly with the beat's syncopation. Her delivery is compelling and authentic, enhancing the empowering nature of the lyrics. This fusion of old-school sampling with modern rap techniques and unique harmonic choices creates a sound that is both familiar and fresh.