19 Songs with the Name Ruby in the Title

“Ruby” has long been a favourite name in songwriting, used in tales of enchanting women and the ups and downs of life. From heartbreak to youthful struggles, the name has inspired countless songs that still captivate listeners. Let’s run through 19 tracks with the name Ruby.

1. “Ruby Tuesday” by Melanie Safka

While ‘Ruby Tuesday’ was originally released by the Rolling Stones in 1967, Melanie Safka released a powerful cover of the song only three years after its debut. The song is about loving someone who leaves you because they feel they can’t be tied down to just one place or one person.

2. “Hey Miss Ruby“ by Conway Twitty

This song is about a lovestruck lad who wants to marry a lady named Ruby who does not reciprocate his love. The boy is clearly head over heels for her but no matter how hard he tries, his love stays unfulfilled.

3. “Ruby’s Stool” by Loretta Lynn

‘Ruby’s Stool’ is about a woman prepared to show Ruby she means business as Ruby tries to steal her man. Ruby is depicted as the villainess in the story who is mean and constantly breaks hearts.

4. “Ruby Ann” by Marty Robbins

This song captures that awkward moment when you meet your partner’s ex. The lyrics convey the singer’s encounter with a man who had previously courted the same woman. The song emphasizes that money and power cannot replace genuine affection and that the woman, Ruby Ann, chose to be with the man despite his lack of wealth.

5. “Ruby” by Kaiser Chiefs

This indie rock song is an ode to the singer’s intense infatuation with Ruby. They can’t seem to think of anything or anyone else, to the point where they lose track of time. However, they can’t help but wonder if Ruby likes them back or if she is simply playing games with their heart.

6. “Rock and Roll Ruby” by Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash’s ‘Rock and Roll Ruby’ is about loving to watch Ruby dance. Ruby loves rock and roll so much that she stays out late dancing and makes him go looking for her. Cash’s official catalogue includes an early demo on Bootleg Volume 2: From Memphis to Hollywood, a useful place to find his version.

7. “Ruby Duby Do” by Tobin Matthews and Company

‘Ruby Duby Do’ is a song with next to no lyrics, but it has a wonderful jazzy tune that has enthralled many listeners. It was written in 1960 out of its marketability for commercials and ended up becoming so popular they had to get someone to make personal appearances as ‘Tobin Matthews’.

8. “Loneliness in Ruby’s Eyes” by David Allan Coe

This song is about a woman named Ruby who has weathered hardships and tough times, and hasn’t had an easy life and did what she needed to get by. She had a lot of lovers, but she’d never been able to settle down, and it’s implied she might’ve left a child behind, leaving Ruby herself lonely, filled with shame and regret.

9. “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” by Kenny Rogers

A tough song to listen to, ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town’ follows a veteran whose war injuries have left him paralysed. Mel Tillis wrote the song, and Kenny Rogers sings the plea to Ruby as she prepares to go out for the evening.

His legs were paralysed and he could no longer satisfy his wife Ruby. The song outlines the hurt he feels as Ruby goes to town to find someone else who will take care of her both physically and emotionally, all while he begs her to stay.

10. “Ruby, are You Mad at Your Man” by The Carolina Chocolate Drops

The Carolina Chocolate Drops perform ‘Ruby, Are You Mad at Your Man?’ on their album Leaving Eden. Their record credits Cousin Emmy, whose version also appears in the Smithsonian Folkways catalogue. The urgent question in the title and the busy string-band playing make this a lively contrast to the slower Ruby ballads here.

11. “Ravishing Ruby” by Tom T. Hall

This song tells the story of a child who spent her early years traveling with her father, only to be abandoned as a teenager. Despite the broken promise of her father’s return, she continues to wait for him, longing for his presence throughout her life.

12. “Ruby’s Shoes” by Lori McKenna

‘Ruby’s Shoes’ is a song about Ruby Bridges, who integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960. She was six years old and entered the school under federal marshal escort while facing racist protests. The song pays homage to her patience and perseverance as she walked to and from school every day.

13. “Play, Ruby, Play” by Conway Twitty

A song about a country pianist named Ruby with big dreams of being on stage and a penchant for wearing tight dresses and dancing while she played the piano. She captivated men, young and old with her playing and her dancing body kept the audience hooked. 

14. “Ruby Baby” by Dion DiMucci

Dion DiMucci sings the tale of a man who is desperately trying to woo a woman named Ruby and how he tries to stand out among all her romantic pursuers, always asking her if she would be his.

15. “My New Love is Ruby” by Jim Ed Brown

This track is about a man drowning his sorrows in ruby red wine to forget the pain and memories of his lover who left him sad and alone without any explanation or reason. He wonders about the new lover and her whereabouts as he mourns the loss of his beautiful companion. 

16. “Ruby Soho” by Rancid

This catchy punk rock song is about a couple who fight and argue and eventually part ways. The song is about a man who travels for his music; he leaves often, and this time is the last time because they both know it’s the end of the relationship.

17. “Ruby’s Two Sad Daughters” by Pat Green

“Ruby’s Two Sad Daughters” is a song about a small-town cafe worker who meets Ruby and her two daughters. The girls are adored by everyone in town, but they eventually leave with the first suitors who woo them, leaving the area devoid of their beauty.

18. “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” by Waylon Jennings

Waylon Jennings offers another version of Mel Tillis’s song about a soldier returning from war. Like a song mentioned earlier, the sad song talks about the pain of returning from war injured and damaged and the helplessness he feels when his wife dolls herself up to find a new man to take care of her.

19. “Ruby (Are You Mad)” by Buck Owens

Featuring impressive banjo-work, Buck Owens’ ‘Ruby (Are You Mad)’ offers another take on the song heard earlier from the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Its history reaches back to Cousin Emmy, so Owens is one of several artists to put their stamp on it. Compare the two performances for the different ways they deliver that repeated question to Ruby.

Ruby seems to be a much-loved name through the ages. Many have been in love with a lady called Ruby but some manage to find her while others talk about their unrequited feelings. Some also face betrayal and hurt by women of this name. Despite the many stories and adventures, Ruby manages to be a crowd favorite.