“Ruby” has long been a muse for songwriters, evoking tales of enchanting women and poignant journeys through life. From heartbreak to youthful challenges, the name has sparked countless songs that continue to captivate listeners. Let’s explore these 19 tracks with the name Ruby.
Contents
- 1. “Ruby Tuesday” by Melanie Safka
- 2. “Hey Miss Ruby“ by Conway Twitty
- 3. “Ruby’s Stool” by Loretta Lynn
- 4. “Ruby Ann” by Marty Robbins
- 5. “Ruby” by Kaiser Chiefs
- 6. “Rock and Roll Ruby” by Johnny Cash
- 7. “Ruby Duby Do” by Tobin Matthews and Company
- 8. “Loneliness in Ruby’s Eyes” by David Allen Coe
- 9. “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love” by Kenny Rogers
- 10. “Ruby, are You Mad at Your Man” by The Carolina Chocolate Drops
- 11. “Ravishing Ruby” by Tom T. Hall
- 12. “Ruby’s Shoes” by Lori McKenna
- 13. “Play, Ruby, Play” by Conway Twitty
- 14. “Ruby Baby” by Dion DiMucci
- 15. “My New Love is Ruby” by Jim Ed Brown
- 16. “Ruby Soho” by Rancid
- 17. “Ruby’s Two Sad Daughters” by Pat Green
- 18. “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” by Waylon Jennings
- 19. “Ruby (Are You Mad)” by Buck Owens
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 wrote many hits, and this one is about loving to watch Ruby dance. Ruby loves to dance to rock and roll so much that she would stay out late dancing and make him go look for her.
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 Allen 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” by Kenny Rogers
A tough song to listen to that still rings true for many veterans, the song is about the struggles that war veterans have to endure. A man went to war and came back with mental health issues.
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 an amazing cover of ‘Ruby, are You Mad at Your Man’ with great instrumentals and lyrics. Despite being almost 80 years old, the song’s ambiguous nature still intrigues listeners, leaving them pondering whether it’s a love song or a darker tale with potential violence towards Ruby.
11. “Ravishing Ruby” by Tom T. Hall
This song tells a 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, the first African American to attend a desegregated school in 1960, where she faced protesting and backlash fueled by racism at only six years old. The song pays homage to her patience and perseverance as she walked to and from school everyday.
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 and Her 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 is the original artist of this song and he talks about the life of soldiers who return 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, no one does justice to a song like the original artist. The song continues to confuse many listeners who cannot decide if this is a love song for Ruby, asking her to finally run away with him, or if he has something more sinister in mind for her after she’s annoyed him one time too many.
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.
