Political turmoil. An unpopular incumbent President. Celebrities speaking out against him. No, we aren’t talking about 2020 and Donald Trump. We are talking about 2003 when the Dixie Chicks were one of the hottest acts in country music. “Travelin’ Soldier” had just become their third consecutive top-five single but then the bottom fell out.
Lead singer Natalie Maines criticized then-President George W. Bush over the war in Iraq. The fallout was, to put it mildly, swift. “Travelin’ Solider” went from No. 1 to dropping completely off the charts in just a few short weeks. The group had to reroute an entire arena tour. It seemed their career had come to a halt. The 2000 CMA recipients of the Entertainer of the Year Award were sent out to pasture.
Fast forward to 2020. Now, the world is in a very different place. Speaking up against the President is popular. Political discord is cool. Along with it, the Dixie Chicks are also cool again (hallelujah!) and their return is being triumphed. For a time on Wednesday (March 4), they were the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter.
“Gaslighter,” their first new song in 14 years, is No. 1 on the iTunes chart at the time of publishing. What’s old is new again. It is a politically charged anthem but it’s so much more than that. It’s also the anthem you need in your life for the ex or the faux best friend you thought you knew. It is quintessential Dixie Chicks. Classic Chicks and yet so modern.
The true testament to being a once in a lifetime artist is releasing your first new song in 14 years and having it be as much of a bop as your songs from 20 years ago. That is exactly what the Dixie Chicks did with “Gaslighter.” In fact, I’m still listening to it on repeat.
The harmonies, the melody and the drumbeat make it seem as if the trio never left. It’s a welcome return to one of the greatest music groups of all time.
Support the Dixie Chicks by grabbing your own copy of “Gaslighter.” You can also pre-order the new album of the same title by clicking on the artwork below.
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