‘Bull to the Red Flag’ by Lauren Townley review

Lauren Townley is a singer and performer from Manchester who has also had the opportunity to play out in Dubai. She is releasing her latest song ‘Bull to the Red Flag’ 18th November 2025.

Following on from her last single and equally beautiful ‘Not Even The Strongest Survive’, Lauren now brings a ramped up number that’ll surely have you toe-tapping and line dancing away!

Lauren tells me this is similar to ‘Go’ another of her previous songs. The song is about our vices, such as smoking or drinking, hence reference to ‘Red flag’. We are a dopamine Nation, looking for things that we enjoy, or simply just make us feel, much like chasing a bull with a red flag. Whilst it’s good to have hobbies or pastimes, it is clear that sometimes these can cross the line and become more addictive, trying to experience a greater rush, and not really being too self aware of the damage that’s causing you.

“I’m acting like a bull to the red flag

I see those warning signs

Keep running back

Red Green Amber go woo

Ain’t nobody telling me no

And I’m raging like a bull to the red flag.”

The song starts off with the chorus, referencing the song title and the expression ‘red rag to a bull’ meaning to provoke a reaction. That’s certainly what the rhythm and energy of the song achieves. It’s hard not to find your feet tapping away to the beat. The chorus could be referring to wanting to pick a fight, or equally being the passive one being tormented by the metaphorical red flag. To have no-one telling them know either suggests that they’re surrounded by ‘yes-men’ characters, or that they’re so set in the rage that they can’t hear the objections.

“Rumour has it

This cat has got your heart

You win some

You drink some

Smoking at the bar.”

This lyric references being in love “got your heart” and highlights the playful side too with how it’s performed married with the tempo and the comparison to a “cat”.

“Cheating with fire

When the going it ain’t tough

Home is where the wine is

Lying called your bluff.”

I really love the comparison drawn with “cheating with fire” because it literally citing how we will eventually become burnt, either by the vice we’re drawn to, or by the situation or environment. The following lyric, personally suggests a reprieve, like you got away with it, or down playing how strong the “fire” was. It might be a tenuous link to suggest that “home is where the wine is” could relate more spiritually or religiously by means of wine symbolising blood, and that “home” is usually with family; although nowadays family isn’t necessarily just a blood bond.

‘Bull to the Red Flag’ music video

“Our danger fascination

Has us baited like a trap

Lustful pangs of hunger

Will feed the promiscuous cat.”

The first line of the bridge is striking and powerful, leaning into our adrenaline junkie tendancy, luring us to once more feel the rush. These fleeting moments of excitement help fuel our playful and extroverted self, once again comparing ourselves to a cat.

The song returns to the chorus reminding us of the isolating, yet sometimes liberating feeling of satisfaction, and the thrill and the rush of in the moment.

“Saint like smile

With a halo as your mask

Words roll off that serpent tongue

Spitting behind your back.”

This is a very descriptive lyric and one that is most insightful. I like how it implies that our halo is a mask; in many cases this is true, portraying the facade of a kind, honest person yet having a ‘serpent tongue’ spouting spiteful and vindictive comments mostly ‘behind your back’ and rarely to your face. it’s a very interesting link to draw between addiction and religion, posing the image of Satan and the Saint on ones shoulder.

The song returns to the bridge and chorus, repeating them twice before the song concludes.

‘Bull to the Red Flag’ is released 18th November 2025. Make sure to check out Lauren’s social media and website for details of her upcoming gigs, events and new music.