Ruby

Album: Yours Truly, Angry Mob (2007)
Charted: 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Rudy is not about anyone in particular, just a name they made up. In an interview with Contact Music, Kaiser Chief's guitarist Andrew Whitey White said: "It's obviously about something but from our perspective it's not written about anybody. But if you know someone called Ruby, it's about them. It's honestly that simple."
  • In an Ultimate-Guitar.com interview, White said: "'Ruby,' to be honest, is our most radio-friendly song. That is that kind of the pinnacle of songs and a pinnacle of songwriting. We worked really hard for a great melody that's catchy. It's got everything in there. With the album, it flows much more. The first album was like a collection of singles, we thought. It was like a greatest hits. Big, fat, catchy songs. The second album kind of flows more. We wanted to do a much bigger, better, louder, stronger album. We wanted to create more than a collection of great singles. We've got 5 or 6 singles in there, but they're hidden. They kind of flow into other songs.
  • "Ruby" was the Kaiser Chiefs' first UK #1.
  • This won the 2007 Best Video prize at the 2007 Q Awards. The video sees the band perform "Ruby" in a desert, as around them a tiny CGI city builds itself. It was directed by Swedish production company Stylewar, who were also responsible for the band's "I Predict A Riot" video.
  • According to former Kaiser Chiefs drummer and songwriter Nick Hodgson, a dog was the original inspiration behind "Ruby." He was writing on the keyboard at home when the family's black Labrador named Ruby walked in, prompting him to sing "Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby..."

    "At the time we didn't say who Ruby was," he shared in a video feature posted by The Other Songs. "But I can tell you now that Ruby was a dog."

Comments: 5

  • Ruby from Miami, FlWellll it just so happens that not only is my name Ruby, (has been for awhile) But my last name happens to be Lucas, yep birth name. My father liked the nam Ruby and it has grown on me. as for the song I have to say it's a lot better than the others that have my name in it. A side note me fiance' has this cd in his vehicle and likes it a lot... Thanks to all..
  • Jerry from Brooklyn, NyMy brother LOVES this song, so do i, and i love playing it on Guitar Hero III. as soon as i got money for Itunes my brother beged me 2 get this song and put it on his ipod, i loved it!
  • Nate from Syrause, Nyruby ruby ruby ruby!
    Haha! Great Song
  • Corey Maller from Roslyn Heights, NyI learned about the Kaiser Chiefs from Guitar Hero III (Ruby was a bonus song). Ever since that I've been getting into them. Ruby is a great song. I especially love the keyboard in this song.
  • Theo from Johannesburg, South AfricaKaiser Chiefs are named in honour of their favourite football team's (Leeds United)former captain, Lucas Radebe. While still in South Africa Lucas played for SA's biggest football club, Kaizer Chiefs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.