You're gonna be bothered by how cool I am.

I don't usually buy CDs at all, but I saw a new music video this morning of the first single off the Dixie Chicks' new album and I couldn't resist. I haven't been able to listen to all of it yet, but at least a couple of the songs are clear statements about lead singer Natalie Maines' anti-Bush sentiments and the furious backlash it caused, including the first single "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice."


Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I'm not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I'm still waiting

I'm through with doubt
There's nothing left for me to figure out
I've paid a price
And I'll keep paying

I'm not ready to make nice
I'm not ready to back down
I'm still mad as hell and
I don't have time to go round and round and round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
'Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should

I know you said
Can't you just get over it
It turned my whole world around
And I kind of like it

I made my bed and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets and I don't mind sayin'
It's a sad sad story when a mother will teach her
Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they'd write me a letter
Sayin' that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over

I'm still boggling at all the crap (death threats?!) she took for having the audacity to speak her mind about something. But I admire that she's sticking to her guns on this, and that her bandmates are willing to shoulder the public censure along with her. Tons of bands have split up over far less.

But I think that may be part of what makes the Dixie Chicks such a great group. Even their music seems to be of the philosophy that they're going to do what they're going to do, and not care if someone disapproves.