The Red Plains

The Red Plains features: Bruce Hornsby (accordion, vocals, piano, synthesizer); George Marinelli (backing vocals); John Molo (drums, percussion); Joe Puerta (backing vocals); David Mansfield (guitar, mandolin)

The Red Plains meaning of the song

Bruce’s song “The Red Plains” is a reflection on loss, survival, and the recognition that material possessions pale in comparison to the value of life itself. The song tells the story of a couple living on the open plains, enduring the harshness of both nature and life’s unpredictable hardships. As Bruce explains, the song centres on the realisation that life can deal unfair blows, and ultimately, what truly matters is surviving and being alive, rather than clinging to material possessions.

The “red plains” themselves serve as a powerful metaphor for the barren and harsh realities that the characters face, representing both a literal landscape and a figurative space of struggle and endurance.

Life’s unfair blows and survival

In the opening lines, “Four walls I built one winter, she came to share my name,” Bruce describes the domestic life that the narrator has built with his partner. The “four walls” suggest a sense of security and stability, while “one winter” may evoke a time of hardship, given that winter is often symbolic of difficult or barren times. The couple lives as lovers on the open plains, with the plains representing an isolated, exposed place where they are at the mercy of the elements.

The next lines introduce a sudden and devastating change: “One day it all came running like a bad dream, fire, smoke-filled lungs.” The fire symbolises the destruction of the life they’ve built, perhaps caused by uncontrollable natural forces. The image of “smoke-filled lungs” emphasises the severity of the situation, painting a picture of survival against the odds. The narrator hopes to be “standing when the day is done,” a phrase that underscores the importance of endurance and the will to survive.

The chorus reinforces this theme of survival in the face of disaster: “Staring out at the red plains, and we’re hiding out from the smoke and the rage.” The “red plains” are both a literal setting and a metaphor for the challenges and dangers they are confronting. The smoke and rage could refer to both literal fire and destruction as well as the emotional turmoil and chaos that accompany such devastating events.

Material possessions versus life’s true value

A significant theme in “The Red Plains” is the contrast between material possessions and the ultimate importance of simply being alive. The line “I gave her clothes and a diamond, she loved the things that shine” reflects a focus on material wealth and possessions. The narrator provided his partner with these symbols of prosperity and luxury, and she appreciated them. However, the next line, “But one day the gold and the silver get left behind,” reveals a deeper truth: material things become meaningless in the face of true disaster. When life is on the line, possessions cannot save you, and they are ultimately left behind as one prioritises survival.

This idea echoes Bruce’s explanation of the song’s meaning: once you admit that life can deal you unfair blows, you must step back and see what’s really important. The possessions that once seemed valuable—gold, silver, diamonds—lose all significance when confronted with life’s more essential struggles.

Moral reflection and the unpredictability of life

The line “Get up on Sunday morning, repent for Friday night” introduces a moral reflection on life’s choices. The act of repenting for the indulgences or mistakes made on Friday night suggests a cycle of seeking redemption or balance after moments of indulgence or poor judgement. This cycle may reflect the broader human tendency to make mistakes or missteps, but also to seek forgiveness and move forward.

 “Don’t let ‘em tell you it’s gonna be a fair fight,” is the narrator warning that life cab be unfair, and one cannot expect to face challenges on equal terms. This acknowledgment of life’s inherent unfairness ties back to the broader theme of the song, which is about recognising that life’s blows are often unpredicted and harsh, and the only way to move forward is to survive and keep going.

The red plains as a metaphor

The repeated imagery of the “red plains” is central to the song’s meaning. Plains, as a geographical feature, are often associated with vastness, openness, and exposure to the elements, making them a fitting symbol for the vulnerability and struggle that the narrator and his partner face. The colour red adds another layer of meaning, possibly symbolising danger, fire, or even rage. The plains are not just a place—they are a state of being, representing the challenges of life that threaten to overwhelm the couple.

In the chorus, the narrator describes “watching out as it all goes up in flames.” The flames here can be seen both literally, in the sense of a fire that destroys their physical surroundings, and metaphorically, as everything they once valued or held dear is consumed by disaster. The destruction of their life on the red plains forces them to reckon with what truly matters, and in this context, survival and being alive become more important than the material possessions they once held dear.

Conclusion

The Red Plains” is a poignant exploration of life’s unpredictability and the value of survival over material wealth. Bruce weaves together imagery of fire, smoke, and barren landscapes to convey the harshness of life’s challenges, while also offering a reflection on the futility of materialism in the face of true disaster. The red plains serve as both a literal and metaphorical backdrop for the couple’s struggle, representing the broader experience of enduring life’s unfair blows.

At its core, the song reminds us that while life can be unfair and devastating, it is the ability to survive and continue that truly matters, not the possessions we accumulate along the way.

Further thoughts from John Hornsby

When I wrote these verses, I was trying to set up this catastrophe that Bruce had laid out in the chorus, and then I tried to find an upside. As it unfolded, I really couldn’t believe in an upside.

But a message, sort of a higher viewpoint, came through. Basically, it’s that after you admit that life can deal you unfair blows, you have to step back and look at what’s really lost. You see how unimportant material things are compared to just being alive.

John Hornsby

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Charlottesville, VA
August 7 2011