Few artists have addressed their controversy as head on as The Chicks have. The country trio had their career completely shaken by a comment made during a show in the U.K. “We don’t want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas,” frontwoman Natalie Maines infamously said in relation to the impending invasion of Iraq in the mid-’00s.
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The comment was enough to get them excommunicated from the country music scene. It stripped their fanbase and put them on a whole new path. They eventually found their footing and have enjoyed an enduring career as one of country’s most outspoken groups.
They documented that turning point in the sharp track “Not Ready to Make Nice.” Uncover the meaning behind this candid ballad, below.
Behind the Meaning of “Not Ready to Make Nice” by The Chicks
Forgive? Sounds good
Forget? I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting
The opening lines see Maines forgive those that shunned The Chicks, but struggle to forget the incident as a whole. The backlash to her comments in London was shocking. The band reportedly received death threats and their career was in shambles. Though the singer wanted to move forward, she found it hard to completely distance herself from the scandal.
That struggle is the onus behind the chorus. Instead of running away from the backlash, Maines and her bandmates welcomed it. They allowed it to change them and their career. It turned my whole world around / And I kinda like it, she sings in the second verse.
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
The most powerful lyrics in this song are taken from the bridge. Maines references the many death threats they received in the wake of their criticism of President Bush. It’s a sad, sad story when a mother will teach her / Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger, she sings.
Maines orients the listener to the extraordinary circumstances at play. Looking back on the events, it is truly a wonder how quickly it changed their lives. Maines doesn’t mind the change though. I made my bed and I sleep like a baby, she sings, accepting her fate.
Revisit this track, below.
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
(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
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