Ol' Red

About this song

Blake Shelton's version was released in March 2002 as the third and final single from his self-titled debut album. It was one of several recordings of the song, which was first recorded by George Jones on his 1990 album You Oughta Be Here with Me and later covered by Kenny Rogers. Shelton considers it his signature song because fans often request it in concert, even though it did not reach the Top 10 on the U.S. country charts.

What it's about

The narrator is a prisoner on a Georgia prison farm who gets assigned to care for the warden's bloodhound, Ol' Red. He plans an escape by using the dog's love for a female Bluetick Coonhound, which his cousin brought in, to distract the dog, and he gets away while the dog runs off to the female.

Summary written with AI, based on the song's Wikipedia article. Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Fun facts

• It's actually a cover of “O”.
• Covered once, including “Ole Red by Sean Stemaly”.
• Written by Mark Sherrill and Don Goodman.
• Produced by Bobby Braddock.