The Chicks, the renowned country music trio, recently embarked on a sold-out tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their acclaimed album *Taking the Long Way*. The tour commenced at New York City’s esteemed Beacon Theatre on 10 October, where the band reflected on their impactful journey and the events that inspired their notable track, “Not Ready to Make Nice.”
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The concert provided a platform for band members Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer to delve into their experiences surrounding the controversies that erupted following Maines’ critical remarks about the Iraq War and then-President George W. Bush in 2003. Her statement at a concert in London, where she expressed embarrassment over Bush’s Texan roots and opposition to the war, led to significant backlash, with many fans boycotting their music and even destroying their CDs.
Maines, 51, revisited this turbulent period while addressing the audience, highlighting her initial sentiments regarding the political climate. She commented, “It’s been 20 years. Now, we’re looking back in retrospect on this album that was inspired by, yes, my brilliant words. Let me start the night off right and just say — I’m ashamed the president of the United States is from the United States.”
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the performance of “Not Ready to Make Nice,” a powerful ballad penned in response to the backlash the band faced. The emotional resonance of the song was evident as fans joined in, singing every word, with the poignant bridge echoing particularly deeply: “It’s a sad, sad story when a mother would teach her daughter that she oughta hate a perfect stranger.”
During the concert, the audience was treated to footage from the year 2006, including clips from the documentary *Shut Up and Sing*, which detailed the band’s struggles during that time. One particular clip featured a woman encouraging her child to voice their displeasure towards the trio, a moment which Maguire, 57, revealed directly influenced the song’s lyrics.
“The woman in that clip was who we wrote the bridge about, holding her young child trying to get him to say ‘screw ‘em,’” Maguire explained, prompting laughter from the audience. She recounted how the woman later reached out to the band with a heartfelt apology, a gesture that underscored the complex emotions tied to that period.
Strayer, 54, took a moment during the performance to express gratitude towards their team, reflecting on the personal nature of the song. “When we wrote this song, we felt like it was so personal. It was just so specific to our situation, and we just had to block out… We usually try to write songs that relate to everybody, and we felt like this one isn’t going to relate to everybody, but we didn’t really care,” she said. Though initially seen as a personal anthem, the song’s message resonated widely, making it a rallying cry for many facing their own adversities.
Maines reminisced about the songwriting process with collaborator Dan Wilson, recalling how they firmly rejected the notion of writing an apology song. “He said, ‘Oh, okay, do you want to write, like, not ready to make nice?’ We said, ‘Yes,’” she remembered, illustrating the defiance that characterised both the song and the band’s approach during that fraught era.
As the show progressed, the Chicks performed the full *Taking the Long Way* album, relaying anecdotes about its creation and the impact it had on their careers and lives. The nostalgic atmosphere was palpable, resonating not just with the band but with the audience, many of whom had been with them through thick and thin.
The Chicks’ *Taking the Long Way* 20th Anniversary Tour is set to continue throughout November, promising fans an intimate reflection on a pivotal moment in both country music history and contemporary political discourse. As the trio delves into their past, it serves as a reminder of the power of music as a medium for both personal expression and broader societal commentary.