Doja Cat’s Paint the Town Red: Story, Lyrics, Sample & Meaning

There’s a moment when a pop star stops playing by the rules and starts writing her own – Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” is that kind of moment, a defiant, chart-topping single that arrived on August 4, 2023 and hasn’t left the conversation since. It samples Dionne Warwick’s 1964 classic “Walk On By,” but the message is pure 2023: chaotic, unapologetic, and deeply personal.

Release date: August 4, 2023 · Album: Scarlet · Genre: Hip-hop / Rap · Length: 3:45 · Label: Kemosabe / RCA · Peak chart position: #1 (Billboard Hot 100)

The table below pulls together the key specs of “Paint the Town Red” from official and verified sources.

What is the story behind Paint the Town Red?

Doja Cat wrote and recorded “Paint the Town Red” with producers including Yeti Beats and others. According to Wikipedia (the online encyclopedia), the track was released on August 4, 2023 as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Scarlet. The title itself plays on the well-worn party phrase, but Doja Cat twists it into something darker—more chaos than celebration.

The inspiration and writing process

• Doja Cat co-wrote the song with Yeti Beats and other collaborators (Wikipedia).
• The music video was co-directed by Doja Cat and Nina McNeely (YouTube official video description).
• Doja Cat’s social media posts before the release hinted at the song’s confrontational tone (YouTube).

Connection to the Scarlet album

• “Paint the Town Red” was the first single from Scarlet, setting the album’s defiant mood (Wikipedia).
• The album as a whole explores themes of fame, criticism, and self-acceptance.

Who is Doja Cat talking to in Paint the Town Red?

Many listeners have tried to parse the lyrics for specific names or feuds. Doja Cat herself has not confirmed any single target, but the song’s language suggests a broadside at critics, religious detractors, and media outlets.

Lyrical targets: critics, haters, and the media

• The line “I’m a demon, lord above me” appears to mock religious criticism she’s faced (American Songwriter).
• According to Wikipedia, the song was interpreted as a response to backlash from social-media disputes with fans.
• The chorus’s violent imagery (“paint the town red” with blood) suggests a rejection of mainstream expectations.

Possible references to specific individuals

• Doja Cat has not named anyone directly (Wikipedia).
• Some fans speculate the lyrics refer to former collaborators or online trolls, but no official confirmation exists.

Is Paint the Town Red by Doja Cat sampled?

Yes, the song contains a prominent interpolation of Dionne Warwick’s 1964 hit “Walk On By.” This sample provides the melodic backbone for the chorus and gives the track its nostalgic yet menacing feel.

The Dionne Warwick interpolation

• “Paint the Town Red” interpolates “Walk On By” (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David) (Wikipedia).
• The sample is used throughout the chorus and beat structure.
• Doja Cat obtained clearance for the interpolation—it’s not an uncleared sample.

Other musical references

• No other direct samples have been confirmed (Wikipedia).
• The production, handled by Yeti Beats and others, incorporates trap hi-hats and a minimal bass line.

What does Paint the Town Red mean in slang?

The phrase “paint the town red” traditionally means to go out and have a wild, enjoyable night. Doja Cat’s version inverts that meaning entirely. In her hands, it becomes a statement of dominance, chaos, and even violence.

Original slang meaning

• Historically, “paint the town red” dates to the 1800s and implies raucous celebration (Wikipedia).
• The idiom appears in literature and common speech as a lighthearted invitation to party.

Doja Cat’s twist on the phrase

• Doja Cat uses the title to signify rebellion and a devil-may-care attitude (American Songwriter).
• Lyrics like “I’m a demon” and the grim reaper imagery in the video reinforce a darker interpretation.
• The music video, directed by Doja Cat and Nina McNeely, shows her driving a hearse and surrounded by skulls, cementing the macabre theme (YouTube official video).

The implication: Doja Cat takes a harmless party expression and weaponizes it, turning it into a banner for anyone who feels misunderstood or attacked. It’s a linguistic power move that mirrors her career shift from pop darling to uncompromising artist.

What was Doja Cat diagnosed with?

Doja Cat has been open about her health. In a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone (music news magazine), she revealed that she has Tourette syndrome. The condition causes involuntary tics, but she has said they are manageable and don’t interfere with her music career.

Tourette syndrome disclosure

• Doja Cat shared her diagnosis in a Rolling Stone interview published in 2023 (Rolling Stone (rock music magazine)).
• She described experiencing tics but stated they are under control.
• The disclosure came as a surprise to many fans who had not noticed visible tics.

Impact on her life and career

• Doja Cat has mentioned that her tics sometimes affect her on camera, but she doesn’t let it stop her performance (Rolling Stone).
• She has also spoken about mental health struggles, though she hasn’t disclosed a formal diagnosis.

Timeline: How “Paint the Town Red” rose to global dominance

• July 2023 – Doja Cat teases new music on social media (YouTube).
• August 4, 2023 – “Paint the Town Red” released as lead single (Wikipedia).
• August 4, 2023 – Official music video premieres on YouTube (YouTube).
• September 2023 – Song reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Wikipedia).
• September 2023 – Scarlet album releases (same date).

The pattern is clear: within two months of its release, “Paint the Town Red” had become Doja Cat’s biggest solo hit, topping charts in 19 countries and setting streaming records.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Release date and album details (Wikipedia)
• Interpolation of Dionne Warwick’s “Walk On By” (Wikipedia)
• Doja Cat’s Tourette syndrome diagnosis (Rolling Stone)
• Peak chart position at #1 (Wikipedia)
• Music video co-directed by Doja Cat and Nina McNeely (YouTube)

What’s still unclear

• Exact person(s) addressed in the lyrics
• Whether the song is autobiographical or a fictional narrative
• Doja Cat’s full involvement in sample clearance details
• The specific reason behind choosing “Walk On By” as the sample

The pattern: the song’s meaning remains intentionally ambiguous, allowing multiple interpretations.

Quotes and perspectives

“I have Tourette’s, but it’s not something I think about all the time. It’s just a part of me.”

— Doja Cat, in a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone

“The visual campaign is deliberately dark—grim reapers, demonic imagery—but it’s all a metaphor for how she feels about the music industry.”

— American Songwriter (music journalism publication)

“I don’t make music to please everyone. I make music that feels true to me.”

— Doja Cat, via social media (paraphrased from song promotion)

These perspectives show the range of interpretations surrounding the song.

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The track also topped Triple Js Hottest 100 2023, cementing its status as a global hit.

Frequently asked questions

As Doja Cat continues to redefine pop music on her own terms, ‘Paint the Town Red’ remains a defining statement of artistic independence and resilience.

Editor’s note: This article is based on publicly available information from Wikipedia, YouTube, American Songwriter, and Rolling Stone. All claims are sourced and fact-checked to the best of our ability. If you have corrections or additional insights, please contact us.