About the song
“Little Red Wagon” isn’t originally a Miranda Lambert song. It was written by Audra Mae and Joe Ginsberg, and first appeared on Mae’s 2012 album. Lambert heard it and loved it, eventually covering it for her 2014 album, Platinum.
Here’s a breakdown of the background and themes:
Background:
- Origin: Written by Audra Mae and Joe Ginsberg [Wikipedia: Little Red Wagon]
- Lambert’s Version: Released as the third single from her album Platinum in 2015.
- Interesting Note: The song title references a popular children’s camp call and response song [Wikipedia: Little Red Wagon].
Themes:
- Independence and Boundaries: The “little red wagon” symbolizes the singer’s independence and having her own ride. The lyrics playfully refuse to let someone else “hop in” (both literally and metaphorically).
- Rejection and Sass: The song has a sassy and confident tone, rejecting someone’s advances with humor and a bit of a bite.
- Female Sexuality: “Little Red Wagon” fits with Lambert’s image of a strong, independent woman who owns her sexuality.
While the original writer, Audra Mae, might have intended a slightly different meaning, Lambert’s delivery injects the song with her signature feistiness and makes it a fun, anthem-like declaration of self-reliance.
Video
Lyrics
You only love me for my
Big sun glasses
And my Tony Lomas
And my Dodge Dart classic
You said, “I’ll be Johhny and you be June
And I’ll ride with you to the moon”
But guess what?
You can’t ride in my little red wagon
The front seat’s broken, and the axel’s draggin’
You can’t step to this backyard swagger
You know it ain’t my fault
When I’m walkin’ jaws droppin’ like
A-ooh
Ah
Ooh
Ah
Kick it
Yeah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Oh, heaven help me I’ve been
Sewing wildflower seeds
And chasing tumble weeds
But that’s just who I be
And you’re just trying to slow this rolling stone
But I’m on to you, babe
So guess what?
Ah, ah, you can’t ride in my little red wagon
The front seat’s broken, and the axel’s draggin’
No, you can’t step to this backyard swagger
You know it ain’t my fault
When I’m walkin’ jaws droppin’ like
Ooh
Ah
Ooh
Ah
Ooh, you only love me for my
Big sun glasses
And my Tony Lomas
I live in Oklahoma
And I’ve got
Long
Blonde
Hair
And I play guitar, and I go on the road
And I do all the shit you wanna do
And my dog does tricks
And I ain’t about drama, ya’ll
I love my apron
But I ain’t your mama!
So guess what?
WHAT?
Ah ah, you can’t ride in my little red wagon
The front seat’s broken and the axel’s draggin’
No, you can’t step to this backyard swagger
You know it ain’t my fault
When I’m walkin’ jaws droppin’ like
Ooh
Ahh
Ooh
Ahh
Ooooh yeah
Ahh
Ooooh, HA!