“Red Ragtop” by Tim McGraw
— Friday, August 24th, 2012 —
This week on “The Cross and the Jukebox” we talk about Tim McGraw’s controversial hit song “Red Ragtop.” Upon the song’s release in 2002 it received criticism and was even banned by some radio stations due to its direct references to abortion. McGraw sings of two young lovers whose “innocence” is ripped away by an unexpected pregnancy out of wedlock. The song’s couple “decided not to have a child,” and even “swore up and down there would be no regrets.”
On today’s program, we look at how Christians ought to think about our witness in an abortion culture. What does it mean to speak to the heart and to the conscience. And what does the inability to “move on” after abortion tell us about our common need for atonement and freedom.
Thank you for addressing this song and issue this week. The Verve Pipe’s song “Freshman” addresses abortion and suicide as well.
I’ve always liked this song for it’s raw honesty regarding such a weighty topic, not to mention the resonator guitar.
A song called Brick by Ben Folds Five from the mid 90s dealt with abortion. Not previously familiar with Red Ragtop. Thanks for introducing me to it and the commentary on it.
Thank you, as always, for your willingness to engage with reality and apply Biblical categories to what we see all around us. I’ve so appreciated these podcasts, your blog, and your book “Tempted and Tried.”
On a side note, whose version of “It is Well” is played at the end of the recording?