Meaning of “Paint the Town Red” by Doja Cat

Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” centers on her assertiveness, confidence, fame, rebellion, and the quest for authenticity in a world filled to the brim with stereotypes and expectations. Throughout the song, Doja portrays a bold character who refuses to compromise or back down from her stance.

Put simply, Doja presents herself as a strong, rebellious character who relishes her fame, stands her ground, and refuses to conform to societal expectations. The verses discuss Doja’s unique journey in the music industry, swiftly dismissing those who attempt to copy her style.

The chorus and post-chorus reinforce her uncompromising attitude and her will to “paint the town red”, showcasing her flamboyant enjoyment of life.

The outro with Dionne Warwick’s “Walk on by” might imply ignoring the haters and walking past the negativity. Put simply, Doja has made a strong decision to disregard the negativity planted in her way and move forward.

All in all, “Paint the Town Red” showcases a strong and unapologetic individual who embraces her fame while asserting her authenticity. Furthermore, she isn’t in the slightest bit afraid to stand her ground.

“Yeah, bi*ch, I said what I said
I’d rather be famous instead
I let all that get to my head
I don’t care, I paint the town red
Bi*ch, I said what I said
I’d rather be famous instead
I let all that get to my head
I don’t care, I paint the town red”

“Mm, she the devil
She a bad lil’ bitch, she a rebel”

The lyrics above basically find Doja cleverly repurposing the disparaging comments from her critics. Over the years, these haters have labeled her a demonic and satanic person. But instead of viewing these poisonous remarks as insults, she changes them into medicine. She does this by transforming these hurtful words into positive accolades. Put simply, she embraces the notion of being ‘evil’ in a positive light.

Song Credits

Doja Cat wrote “Paint the Town Red” with the following songwriters:

• Burt Bacharach
• Hal David
• Isaac Earl Bynum

The reason writers David and Bacharach are given writing credits on this song is because it samples Dionne Warwick’s 1964 classic “Walk on By” (which they both wrote).

Release Date of “Paint the Town Red”

On August 4th, 2023, Doja released this through RCA and Kemosabe Records. It was released as a single from her fourth studio album.