The Red

Album: Wonder What's Next (2002)
Charted: 56
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is about being angry at the world and then stepping back to look at your anger. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    emily - Olney, IL
  • Chevelle is made up of 3 brothers from Chicago. This is the first single from their second album, and their first hit.
  • There was a bio on Chevelle where Pete (vocals) said that this song was about someone getting so angry at the world, life, and just about anything and everything, that he actually begins to see red. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Elise - guelph, Canada
  • The video for was filmed in a Baptist church. In it the lead singer goes to an anger management class and sees all the anger which is inside the people there. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Carl - Hannibal, MO

Comments: 27

  • Bec from MnLove love love it!!!
  • Rene from MarylandThe meaning is self explained in the video.
    How anger (red) controls your whole self, every time we see red again, also how everybody singled out as freak anyone that has anger problems.
    It’s amazing though how besides of the real meaning of the song we can take the same meaning to different aspects of our lives and also parallel issues society and find answers to them. Great band, good music.
  • Er13 from Chantilly VaWhat it always meant to me is whenever something happens or you witness that you have no tolerance for and you See Red and have no idea or control of what you are doing. The reason I say this is because the long time ago when I was much younger some friends and I were getting into a fight with a bunch of other guys and one of the guys who are friends was trying to stop him and he pushed her to the ground and she hit her head. From what my friend said I just snapped and began punching the s--t out of him onto the ground. One of my friends pulled me off of him and remained in his car and they took off. I finally came to and realized I was covered in blood and had recollection of what I had done. Of course is my friends started swings me it started coming back slowly but I know at that time I was in a different state of mind.
  • TonieI though this song was about the scariest school shootings in history.
  • Fieryredhead from UsaThis song initially reminded me of my extremely abusive exhusband...who was very abusive to me (in every way) during my entire 10 miserable years of marriage. And sadly and infuriatingly started to abuse my 3 young children we share, psychologically and even physically (which I just recently found out after being divorced for 8 years now). He's evil bag of sh*t! Every time I hear this song it reminds me of him, well "The threat is real, when his sight, goes red again" part.

    But I still like the song. Music helps me cope with my PTSD from that ahole. I call songs like this, my "Angry Songs" but they're oddly therapeutic, if that makes any sense lol...
    It's a good song.
  • Chloe from Phoenix, ArizonaI was told this song was about Columbine.
  • Please Don't Insult My Intelligence... from Canada"songs about God and how he loves us all unconditionally" ...there's nobody there dude, it's just comes from the doctrine you're stuck in.
  • Vegan Solarman Tom B from Venice CaI love song facts, you guys rock! I like to check out lyrics to songs about God and how he loves us all unconditionally. I think the red has Woken a few people up...
  • Erik from Brownwood, Txi dont remember where i heard it but "the red" is a refrence to the red shift... its the theory that things are moving away on some kinda spectrum... its the only thing close enough to proof of the big bang theory and proof the universe is expanding... so the term "the red" is meaning to be heading away from people. like when ur angry and it consumes you so much that u are moving away from everyone and everything. definately a freakin bad a$$ song
  • Jake from Cadillac, MiHmm...who knows for sure though. This song has possibilites of being about Communism. As a communist, "seeing red" is a sign that you are a communist. Communism is considered a "threat" to America and democratic countries around the world, therefore "The threat is real" could mean that communism shouldn't be taken as a joke. There aren't many communists, so they're often laughed at and ridiculed, and were often imprisoned during the 1930's-50's. Therefore, "They say freak when you're singled out" could mean something after all...
  • Diana from Houston, Txchevelle is underrated... they are fabulous... my fav band... and i think the meaning of this song is pretty self explanitory in the video... great song... they are great and steered me toward rock music :]
  • Becky from Waukesha, WiChevelle is an amazing band, and so underrated. This is such a great song, and its a song that i listen to when im angry because it will help me to stop and think about why im angry. Wonderful song... amazingly talented group of men!
  • Desiree from Powers Lake, Ndjust gotta say that chevelle can rock anyones sox right off...this is by far their best song!
  • Sammy from Chicago, IlChevelle rocks! They're my homeboys lolz.
  • Rachel from Algonquin, IlI Love Chevelle.. theyre my favorite band and how i got into rock and that kinda music... Wonder What's Next is their best album!! :)
  • Kenna from Dallas, Txchevelle the red is an awesome song i can really relate to it and i get what he is saying,i mean i feel the same way wheni get mad or im upset chevelle kicks a$$. Rock on
  • Phil from Youngstown, OhThey say that when some people get extremely mad they see red.
  • Kevin from Independence, MoI honestly think that the lyrics are best explained by,"they say freak
    when your singled out, this change
    he won't contain slip away to clear your mind
    When asked What made it show?
    The truth He gives into most, they say freak
    when your singled out
    the red it filters through." I could be very wrong but i think it is about how someone gets pushed so hard and so far, just for being different that they finally snap.
  • Charnette from Brooklyn, NyI heard that this song was about about how one brother was having issue with his anger... they said so in a interview, or the making of the video or something like that, but yeah, it's about one of the brothers. (I think Joseph)
  • Ashley from Moncton, CanadaI just love at the end when it screams "Seeing red" This is an awesome song, and is one of my all-time favourites, probably in my top 15 all-time favourites.
  • Nora from Munster, InThis song was written about the drummer, Sam. He used to have really bad anger problems and would freak out about things.
  • Jake from Chicago, IlIt is a very nice song. Well writen. The part "they say freak when your singled out"...mabey he got so mad at something he just snapped and everyone thought he was crazy.
  • Joe from Lawrenceville, GaThis is by easily one of my favorite songs! This is such a well done song.
  • Ashley from Monroe, LaBest song ever. I love Chevelle! <3
  • Mary from Moulton, AlThis was the first "rock" song I ever liked. Kick @$$ song! Chevelle rox! ((Listen to this song when ur mad! It helps!)) =)
  • Elise from Guelph, CanadaGreat song. Chevelle rocks!
  • Jeff from Amarillo, TxThis song is about how one of the brothers would get so angry and he would "see red", but its one the of the greatest songs in the world
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