Discover the story of the song > Old Red Eyes Is Back – The Beautiful South

The song is about an old man named Old Red who has red eyes from drinking and missed opportunities with women and life in general. The singer addresses Old Red, telling him he should have listened to his doctor's warning about drinking. The lyrics highlight the regret Old Red feels in his old age and how his red eyes will never be blue, representing the unattainable nature of his unfulfilled dreams. Old Red eventually dies and the sadness of his wasted life is felt by those around him.