Generations of alcohol consumers can attest to the magic of the Solo cup: cheap, disposable and perfect for beer pong, these plastic cups have long been a staple of parties too wild to use glassware.
But the cups achieved true legendary status thanks to country singer Toby Keith, whose tribute song “Red Solo Cup” became a huge hit.
Sadly, Keith died this week at the age of 62 following a battle with stomach cancer — and in his memory, fans everywhere are holding up a red solo cup as tribute.
“Red Solo Cup,” released in 2011, is a funny ode to the eternally-popular plastic cup, which the lyrics dub “the best receptacle for barbecues, tailgates, fairs and festivals.”
“Red solo cup, you’re more than just plastic. You’re more than amazing, you’re more than fantastic,” Keith sings.
The song was released as a single and appeared on Keith’s album Clancy’s Tavern. It was not regarded as a musical masterpiece: Insider ranked it as the second-worst song of the 2010s, and Keith himself often called it “the stupidest song I ever heard in my life.”
But party people around the world drank the song up, and it became the biggest crossover hit of Keith’s career. The music video — with cameos from celebrities like Jeff Dunham, Craig Ferguson and Carrot Top — has 69 million views on YouTube.
Following Monday’s sad news that Keith had died, the song made another resurgence — with fans raising a “red solo cup” in his honor.
According to AP, fans everywhere were filling red Solo cups with beer, whiskey or wine and raising a toast to the late country star. Many bars also offered drink specials served in Solo cups.
On social media, many people were seen posting photos with a red Solo cup in hand.
Dart Container Corporation, who owns the Solo Cup Company, also paid their respects to Keith for immortalizing their beloved plastic product.
“We were honored that Toby chose the iconic Solo cup as a sign of good times, and we extend our sympathies to all those who are mourning him today,” Dart said in a statement, noting that the Solo cup is “one of the best-selling party cups in America today.”
Elsewhere, Toby Keith received praise and tributes from his fellow country artists, including Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton.
“Red Solo Cup, I lift you up, let’s have a party! Proceed to party!“
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