Red Dragon Tattoo

"Red Dragon Tattoo"
Single by Fountains of Wayne
from the album Utopia Parkway
ReleasedMay 1999
StudioStratosphere Sound (New York City)
GenrePower pop
Length3:32
LabelAtlantic
Songwriters
Producers
  • Collingwood
  • Schlesinger
Fountains of Wayne singles chronology
"Denise"
(1999) 		"Red Dragon Tattoo"
(1999) 		"Troubled Times"
(1999)

"Red Dragon Tattoo" is a song by American rock band Fountains of Wayne. It was released in May 1999, as the second single from their second studio album, Utopia Parkway. It reached number 79 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as number 61 on the Australian Singles Chart.

Composition and lyrics

"Red Dragon Tattoo" was written and produced by Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger, the track was recorded at Stratosphere Sound in New York City.[1] Lyrically, the song tells a story about a guy who went to Coney Island to get a tattoo to impress the girl he wants.[2] The band also references Korn in the song, with the line going: "Will you stop pretending I've never been born now I look a little more like that guy from Korn?."[3] According to Schlesinger, their reasoning for this is because "a lot of times you mention another band in a song because it is just that -- it's so out of place that it kind of makes you laugh."[4]

Critical reception

Following the death of Schlesinger, The New York Times released their "Adam Schlesinger's 30 Essential Songs" list, featuring "Red Dragon Tattoo". Writer Rob Tannenbaum called it "The band's first absolute power-pop masterpiece."[5] Similarly, Rolling Stone also listed the song on their "20 Essential Songs" from Schlesinger, writing, "the band may not have recorded a more propulsive track than this Utopia Parkway highlight about a dude who takes the N train out to Coney Island in a desperate attempt to impress a girl who doesn't know he exists."[6] On Goldmine's "10 Great Fountains of Wayne Songs" list, author John M. Borack stated, "A fine example of Schlesinger/Collingwood songcraft, the upbeat 'RDT' has a sublime melody, hilariously cheeky lyrics and a glorious synth solo."[7] On NME's "Adam Schlesinger's 10 best songs" list, writer Mark Grassick wrote on the song, "Another Schlesinger/Collingwood trademark [...] is steeped in this sensibility."[3] Chris Willman of Variety said the track is "probably Fountains of Wayne's funniest song ever."[8]

Live performances

A live version of the song was featured on the band's live album No Better Place: Live in Chicago.[9] On May 24, 2025, the band performed the song at the Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton, Florida, their first show in 12 years, opening for Weezer.[10]

Track listing

US promo CD[11]
No.TitleLength
1."Red Dragon Tattoo"3:32
CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Red Dragon Tattoo"3:32
2."Today's Teardrops"2:07
3."Nightlight"3:03
7" Vinyl[12]
No.TitleLength
1."Red Dragon Tattoo"3:32
2."Today's Teardrops"2:07

Personnel

Credits for "Red Dragon Tattoo" retrieved from album's liner notes.[1]

Charts

Chart performance for "Red Dragon Tattoo"
Chart (1999) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 61
Scotland Singles (OCC)[14] 83
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 79

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Red Dragon Tattoo"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Europe May 1999 CD Atlantic [16]
Australia July 26, 1999 [17]

References

  1. ^ a b Utopia Parkway (booklet). Atlantic. 1999. 83177-2.
  2. ^ Dave Steinfeld (April 8, 2024). "Troubled Times: Fountains of Wayne's Utopia Parkway Turns 25". Rock and Roll Globe. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Mark Grassick (April 2, 2020). "From Fountains of Wayne to 'My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend': Adam Schlesinger's 10 best songs". NME. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  4. ^ "Cruising With Fountains of Wayne". MTV. Archived from the original on March 10, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  5. ^ Rob Tannenbaum (April 2, 2020). "Adam Schlesinger's 30 Essential Songs". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  6. ^ "Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger: 20 Essential Songs". Rolling Stone. April 1, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  7. ^ John M. Borack (April 4, 2010). "RIP Adam Schlesinger: 10 great Fountains of Wayne songs". Goldmine. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  8. ^ Chris Willman (April 1, 2021). "Appreciating Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger, A Year After COVID Took One of Modern Rock's Great Songwriters". Variety. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  9. ^ Evan Sawdey (March 22, 2009). "Fountains of Wayne: No Better Place". PopMatters. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  10. ^ Max Pilley (May 25, 2025). "Watch Fountains Of Wayne play first show since Adam Schlesinger's death". NME. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  11. ^ Red Dragon Tattoo (US CD promo). Atlantic. 1999. PRCD 8966.
  12. ^ Red Dragon Tattoo (vinyl). Atlantic. 1999. 7567-84452-7.
  13. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  14. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 30/5/1999 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 30/5/1999 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  16. ^ Red Dragon Tattoo (European CD booklet). Atlantic. 1999. AT0067CD.
  17. ^ Red Dragon Tattoo (Australian CD booklet). Atlantic. 1999. 7567-84451-2.
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