My dog done left me, my woman’s cheating on me while I sit in jail and wish I had a beer and missin my Mama. I honestly thought that most country music consisted of men singing about their dogs, their pick-up trucks, their bad women, railroads and jail. I hated country music. Then I moved down south, where it is a law that you listen to only country music.

Well, not actually a law, but it is pretty hard to find a music station that plays anything but country. So, stuck in the land of hayseed cowboys, I found myself listening to more and more country. And to my surprise, I was liking it. It wasn’t all men. There was Shania Twain, Rebba MacIntyre, Tanya Tucker to name a few. And the Dixie Chicks.

The Dixie Chicks first caught my attention with a song called Goodbye Earl, from their Fly CD. So, I went in search of more Dixie Chicks and bought their Wide Open Spaces CD without having heard any of the songs off of it. Daring, I know, but I felt it was a good risk. If I didn’t like it, I could sell it on Ebay for a profit.

Upon first listening, I fell in love with it. I listened to it all the time. I took it on vacation to my best friend’s house and she fell in love with it too. I ended up leaving the CD with her and buying another copy of it for myself. I cleaned house to it, I got ready for work to it, I listened to it at work. It was great for everything. This has got to be one of my all time, top ten favorite CDs.

For those of you who are still reading even after knowing this opinion is about a country music group, here is a breakdown of the songs:

1. I Can Love You Better

One of their less deep songs, the lyrics are simple

She's got you wrapped up in her satin and lace.
Tied around her little finger.
She's got you thinkin' you can never escape.
Don't you know your heart's in danger.
There's a devil in that angel face.
If you could only see the love that you're wastin'

But one of the things that makes this song so good is the music. It’s got a great beat, and while it’s not an uplifting song, it makes you want to bounce and dance. This is probably one of me least favorite songs on the album though.

2. Wide Open Spaces

The title song, and one of my personal favorites. It is a very honest look at the emotion of every young person wanting to go out and make their own way in the world. The excitement and wide open emotion of a young girl wanting to leave home and be on her own.
“A place in the clouds and a foundation of stone”. Roots and wings, what every parent should want their child to have. I know myself how important it is to have dreams while still keeping your feet on the ground. This song is greatly enhanced by the beautiful harmony that the Dixie Chicks can achieve.

3. Loving Arms

One of the sadder songs they sing, Loving Arms tells a tale of loss and regret. Sung with a mournful harmony, this song really portrays the emotion of regret. Wanting to be free and not tied down, she pushed away the one she now longs to be with.

“Looking back and longing for
The freedom of my chains
And lying in your loving arms again”

I really enjoy the lyrics of their songs. I feel that they do a really good job of using the words to portray the emotion and a mental picture. Combined with their well blended harmony, this is one of my favorite songs.

4. There's Your Trouble

A bouncy tune, it tells you that even though it should have worked out... it didn’t, so cut your loses and chalk it up to experience. I find this refreshing. With all the songs abounding about mourning lost loves, this one simply says, okay, it didn’t work out. Get over it and move on.

“Not Such A Big Loss, Chalk It Up Better Luck
Could Have Been True Love
But It Wasn't
It Should All Add Up
But It Doesn't”

That’s real life, that’s the reality of it. It didn’t work, it’s sad, but move on and live your life. This is another of my favorites. It makes me feel like dancing and moving.

5. You Were Mine

It would be a toss up as to my favorite song by the Chicks, but this one would be a very high runner. Maybe it’s because it has such a personal meaning to me. The song sings of a man who left a wife and two kids for another woman.
“I Can Give You Two Good Reasons
To Show You Love's Not Blind
He's Two And She's Four, And You Know They Adore You
So How Can I Tell Them You've Changed Your Mind”
I heard this song not long after my husband left me and two kids. For months, every time I heard this song, I would cry. I even sent my soon to be ex-husband a copy of this song. So maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about this song. But whatever the reason, the effect is the same, I love this song.

6. Never Say Die

A love song of hope and strength, it is a great statement for relationships. That attitude of sticking together through thick and thin. Of never saying die. Once again, I have to comment on the strength and emotion of their lyrics. While not one of my favorites on the album, a good listen and message none the less.

7. Tonight The Heartache's On Me

Another high runner for my top Dixie Chick song, I love this one for it’s great beat and harmony. Not so great a story, sitting in a bar when your ex walks in with his new flame. But the Chicks do an awesome job of split harmony on this one.
“Bartender Pour The Wine, 'Cause The Hurtin's All Mine
Tonight The Heartache's On Me:
It’s real, this has happened to most everyone at least once in their life. If not, maybe they’ve at least seen it on television. But it’s a feeling I can really relate to.

8. Let 'Er Rip

Another song with attitude. It’s easy to see that these Chicks don’t sit around and weep over a relationship not working out. Some men have said that the Dixie Chicks come across as too tough with too much attitude. But then, some men are intimidated by women who display strength and assertiveness.
“I Ain't About To Bawl, And I Ain't Gonna Die
So If You're Gonna Say Goodbye, Don't Take All Day And Night
Let 'Er Rip, Let It Fly “
So there you go, get it over with and let’s get on with our lives. I have a strong belief that this is the way it should be. Women should be able to be strong without being thought of as not feminine.

9. Once You've Loved Somebody

This is one of the songs that disappointed me. Not only did I not feel that it showed off the great talent that the Chicks possess, but I don’t feel it had the strength of lyrics that other songs on this album did. It lacks all of the things that I liked in the previous song on this album.

10. I'll Take Care Of You

This song was very interesting in it’s message. It has no real story in the lyrics, no clear image. Other than love, the message seems a bit muddled. Also a bit sad.
“Nights Are Long And Dreams Are Cold
If They're All You Wake Up To”
Not the most uplifting of songs, although they once again show great strength in vocals.

11. Am I The Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way)

Have you ever had your heart broken? Felt like there is no one who has ever felt as bad as you do right now? I think most of us has. This song does an excellent job of portraying that emotion.
“Now My Sense Of Humor Needs A Break
I See A Shadow In The Mirror
And She's Laughin' Through Her Tears
One More Smile's All I Can Fake”

12. Give It Up Or Let Me Go

Another song with lots of strength. If I find you cheating, we are through. Setting high expectations is a great message. Everyone, not just women, should realize that they will only get the respect they demand. If you allow someone to treat you bad, cheat on you and be nasty, then that is all the respect you will get.
“Oh Baby, I've Been True To You
And If I Can Make That Sacrifice
Honey You Can Do It Too”
That’s what it boils down to. If I am going to be faithful, I expect you to do the same.

Well, that’s it. Long, I know. But I wanted to say something about each of the songs. I hope you give it a listen some time, even if you don’t like country. It isn’t the hard core country that many think of when someone thinks of country music. It’s more likely that females are going to like this music, but it really is a good listen for both musical talent, harmony, lyrical content and enjoyment.
Thanks for sticking with me through this and I hope you enjoyed. Peace