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In a career dating back to the early 1990s, this song and “Goodbye Earl” are probably the two dumbest songs the Dixie Chicks ever recorded. When I first heard the song I was under the impression that it was written by some whiny five-year olds. Nothing has happened to change my opinion of the song.
I do regret the backlash the incident generated as this version of the Chix was very talented. I continued to purchase their subsequent albums (Chix and Courtyard Hounds) but it seems to me that they lost their focus on producing good music
The Chicks got a raw deal and I enjoyed this response to their critics even though it was not their most stellar musical achievement. Bob Dylan’s music wasn’t banned from radio in the ’60′s because it wasn’t establishment friendly. Whether you agree with anyone or not they should be allowed their right to speak their opinion. It’s one of the most basic freedoms in America.
This incident was the first clue about how the consolidation of the radio industry was dangerous for America. Major radio chains banned the Chicks music because the owners and principal officers for those companies were supporters of the Bush administration. It’s one thing when an individual radio station makes a programming decision based upon the opinion of their local audience. It’s quite another when the decision is made for them by a corporate edict issued by suits in a far away corporate office
Ken – while I agree about the dangers of the consolidation of the radio industry, independently owned country stations in my area weren’t playing the Dixie Chicks either after the incident. If the Chix wanted to offend a large segment of the population, they succeeded in a big way.
Because some people were offended by their comments it’s not a reason to completely boycott them. I think the entire incident falls under the “feigned outrage” category and was ginned up by talk show radio hosts with their own agenda. You would think that the Chicks advocated the overthrow of the U.S. goverment. The punishment did not fit the crime. Sad that more people were not outraged by this. It was political correctness of the most dangerous kind. I thought I was back in the era of Joe McCarthy again.
I don’t think it was “feigned outrage” although it certainly was fanned unnecessarily by the some in the media. Had the comments been made on US soil I suspect the incident would have been but a blip on the radar. Because she made her comments abroad, many took offense that otherwise would have simply shrugged it off .
I’m not sure what actual “punishment” was received – radio quit playing them and their record sales dropped off – that happens to every act eventually – in their case it simply accelerated the process . None of them were imprisoned, sued ,physically tortured, or deprived of their passports, nor did the IRS engage in a government directed witchhunt
Life isn’t fair – Republicans accused of crimes usually lose their elected offices, Democrats convicted of crimes often retain their seats. The public does what it wants. Had the Chix operated as hip hop performers, their popularity likely would have swelled – because they were were operating in the genre of country music, their popularity contracted . Barbara Streisand has said far worse things about politicians (although she hardly ever critiizes Democrats unless they behave rationally) and I haven’t seen her sales suffer any. As in politics, in entertainment you must know your audience and judge accordingly. Natalie apparently didn’t or didn’t care – you pays your money and takes your chances
I didn’t even realize today was the anniversary, though I knew it was sometime this year. Definitely a good reason to revisit such a stellar song as this. I always loved how the song draws on the Chicks’ personal feelings about the way they were treated, and translates them into something that feels so universal. (Favorite line: “It’s a sad, sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger.”) I now have a good mind to revisit the Taking the Long Way album.
I wish the Chicks would come back with a new album, but I don’t see it happening any time soon if at all. Many times I’ve wondered what their musical story would have been if The Incident had never happened, though the one album they did release after it was a great one.
“As in politics, in entertainment you must know your audience and judge accordingly. Natalie apparently didn’t or didn’t care – you pays your money and takes your chances.”
Exactly. The moment entertainers start to get political, they run the risk of alienating 50% of their audience. They are entitled to their free speech of course, but so are the buying public and those who own the radio stations. I think the comment itself would have been forgiven had it not been for the Chicks’ behavior in the aftermath. They initially apologized and then retracted it and continued to fan the flames of the controversy by making appearing semi-nude on the cover of Rolling Stone, making disrespectful remarks about other country artists and fans and by making in-your-face recordings such as this one. They have nobody to blame but themselves for their career implosion.
Looks like we’ll have to agree to disagree here but I think Paul & Razor are still missing the larger point. I’m not advocating for a political point of view. I’m advocating freedom of speech regardless of your political persuasion. If the Chicks had bashed a Democrat and been boycotted the issue remains the same. People who own radio stations are licensed by the government to operate in the public interest and to allow a diversity of views and opinion on their airwaves as long as they do not violate “community standards.” Companies (or individuals) own the radio stations (physical property & equipment) but not the airwaves. Airwaves are owned by everyone – the public. Chicks music was immediately removed from many stations without solid evidence that 51% of their audience was in agreement. They reacted to the loudest voices tempered by their own personal political viewpoints overnight. There was no research available to immediately show them that the majority of their listeners did not want to hear Dixie Chicks music anymore or ever again. Furthermore none of the Chicks songs to that point were political or repeated their comment. And for those who don’t remember Natalie’s comment was that “they were ashamed that the President Of The United States was from Texas,.” Like that was the worse thing that was ever said about a sitting President Of The United States.
That said I also believe that artists are better off to keep political viewpoints to themselves. My opinion of an artist has never been elevated when they shared their personal political views. However I have questioned the wisdom of a few who supported certain candidates. As Razor accurately stated – when the country is generally politically split 50/50 alienating 50% of your potential audience makes no sense.
And yes the Chicks handling of the situation did them no favors. But that’s not the fundamental issue here.
Freedom of speech cuts in both directions – people vote with their ballots, voices, feet and money – I could say that I am ashamed that our current President has so little respect for Freedom of Speech or the US Constitution but I wouldn’t be risking anything if I did because I’m not selling anything – if I were I would probably never dare say such a thing.
That’s the fundamental issue – you voice your opinions and others have the absolute right to react to them and voice their own opinions , however they wish as long as they do not use violence. Although I was dismayed by their comments, I didn’t regard them as treasonous and continued to purchase their music – others chose to excercise their free speech rights differently than I did. I respect their right to do so.
I have probably have as much or more respect for freedom of speech than 99% of the people in the world (unfortunately including the Canadian Supreme Court ) but I fully understand that actions have consequences
Anyway enough of this topic, let’s get back to music
Razor summed up my thoughts on the Dixie Chicks incident very nicely. Even though I agreed with Natalie Maines’ comments in 2003 (and still do), I would be less inclined to say so publicly if I had as much to lose as Ms. Maines. This is why you’ll be hard-pressed to find entertainers/public figures voicing strong opinions on many hot-button social issues. I believe entertainers who make statements one way or the other are ‘taking their chances’.
A bit late to the table on this one, but personally I think no artist or entertainer should be punished for his or her political leanings or even statements, unless they happen to fall safely within the category of extremism. Personally, I think no less of for instance actress Patricia Heaton even though she’s an outspoken Republican whose values severely clash with my own.