Fly - Dixie Chicks (CD 1999)

Even though I have lived in the South all of my life, I've never enjoyed country music. That is, until the Dixie Chicks came along. I discovered the Dixie Chicks quite by accident. As most of you know, MTV and VH-1 have a hard time squeezing in music videos between all of those nifty new shows they have. The only music station that played MUSIC was CMT. So, I began to watch and heard "Wide Open Spaces." I loved it, but wasn't persuaded to buy the Fly Album (since I was still in the closet!) until I heard the song "Cowboy Take Me Away." Now, I know every word to every song by heart and sing proudly at our weekly Karaoke night!

I have always been a sucker for a Southern accent; it sounds like home to me. The Dixie Chicks sing songs about things that I understand that sound so twangy they are charming. There are songs about avoiding marriage, boyfriends crazy in love, lovers leaving and killing deadbeat abusive husbands. The Dixie Chicks are Joan Q. Public...almost! The only negative aspect of this album is that in a couple of songs Natalie virtually screams the lyrics. If you aren't in the mood for it, it will give you a nasty headache (see "Hole in My Head"). But who can hold that against 3 cute girls with chicken feet tattooed on their feet?

Ready to Run

When my Momma says I look good in white
I'm gonna be ready this time

This one was co-written by one of the Chicks, Martie Seidel. Ready to Run is a cute song about a commitment-phobe! The lyrics are funny and will stick in your head for days. Natalie cries out "Ready to Run" at differing intervals during the song, but she mustn't have taken her own advice as she is now hitched with a new baby!

If I Fall You're Going Down With Me

I never felt the earth move, honey
Until you shook my tree

These spunky girls have the nerve to love so much they insist on dragging their lover down with them. This is a cute song, that belongs on the "b" side of any single. It doesn't seem to have enough "chutzpah" to make it on its own merit. Guaranteed to get your toe tapping, though.

Cowboy Take Me Away

I wanna be the only one
For miles and miles
Except for maybe you
And your simple smile

My favorite song on the CD and my only contribution on Karaoke night! This song showcases Natalie's very diverse talent as a singer, and the other Chicks' astounding musical abilities, as well. They harmonize on this song about love on the range beautifully. This is the best song I've heard of theirs to date.

Cold Day in July

Head in my hands here I am
standing in my bare feet.
Watching you drive away.

This song is about a man who promises to love a woman forever, saying "It'll be a cold day in July when I stop loving you." Well, that day has come, because he's leaving. The Dixie Chicks sing this one with such heart, it's easy to imagine that they at one time were a victim of a similar fate. Again, not one of my favorites, and though it did enjoy some radio play, Cold Day in July never rose to the same heights as did Goodbye, Earl.

Goodbye, Earl

Those Black-eyed peas
They tasted all right to me, Earl
You're feelin' weak?
Why don't you lay down and sleep, Earl?
Ain't it dark
Wrapped up in that tarp, Earl?

Ah, a humorous song about murder. You don't come across one of those every day (unless your last name happens to be Manson or Dahmer). The Dixie Chicks included a cute little disclaimer on the CD insert with this song: "The Dixie Chicks do not advocate premeditated murder, but love getting even." Pretty cute. Just like the song.

Hello Mr. Heartache

Hello, Mr. Heartache
I've been expecting you.
Come in and wear your welcome out
the way you always do.

Another clue that the Dixie Chicks have faced more than their fair share of heartbreak, thank goodness for us! At least they can put a humorous spin on it! This song is about being unlucky in love one more time and the inevitable heartbreak that follows. Natalie virtually yodels some of the lyrics, which normally annoys me when Jewel does this, but somehow works for the Chicks!

Don't Waste Your Heart

It's funny how the girls get burned
And honey as far as I'm concerned
The tables have turned.

In the same vein as Ready to Run the girls tell their man in no uncertain terms that his love has been rebuked! This man obviously felt he was their savior, yet they need their space. Very refreshing point of view! This song starts out with Natalie nearly yodeling, but continues on in a comforting manner. While this song is super, it will probably never be more than a "b" single.

Sin Wagon

On a mission to make something happen
Fell like Delilah lookin' for Samson
Do a little mattress dancin'
That's right, I said mattress dancin'

Another empowered gal hit! This gal has been pushed around way to long, and she feels like it's her turn at the world. Such a cute song that you'll enjoy if you don't mind a little screaming. It goes fast, so you may get tongue-tied while singing in a car, but it's not as bad as the Barenaked Ladies hit "One Week."

Without You

It seems unreal to me that
the life you promised was a lie.
You made it look so easy
making love into memories
Guess you got what you wanted
But what about me?

This is a slower one from the Chicks that will have you singing along in no time. Who among us hasn't been in a relationship that went wrong. This song really showcases Natalie's strong range and Emily and Martie's command of their instruments as well.

Some Days You Gotta Dance

I was talking with my baby
over a small glass of tea
He asked a loaded question
He said "How do you feel about me?"

Another cute, fast paced single about a gal who just wants a friendly relationship: nothing too serious. When they serious discussions come up, you need to jump up a dance. This is one of those songs that just never grew on me. It is more annoying and a bit "bubble gum" for my taste.

Hole in My Head

I need a boy like you like a hole in my head.

Well, those are the only inspiring lyrics of that song. This song mostly consists of Natalie screaming the song at the tip top of her lungs and is guaranteed to give you one heck of a headache. Which you need like a hole in your head (I couldn't resist).

Heartbreak Town

This ain't nothin' but a Heartbreak Town
Square people in a world that's round

This is a song about going off in search of glory, or whatever. Boy, oh boy, can I relate. I felt like this when we left home for Arkansas, so far away from any family. We had an opportunity that had to be explored, but boy, was it hard living it. It's one of the few Chicks' songs that has so much meaning, as others sound much more lighthearted and carefree. One of my favorites, if you must know!

Let Him Fly

And there ain't no talkin' to this man
He's been tryin' to tell me so
It took a while to understand
the beauty of just letting go

The last song on this album, in fact the thirteenth song on this album is labeled 14. I guess the Dixie Chicks are a little bit superstitious, after all. Maybe they just don't want to jinx their own love lives with this song! This one is about a woman who finally understands that she is not going to be able to change her man, so decided to let him go. The song is beautiful and melancholy and I'd love to hear more like this one from the Chicks. A fine song to finish up a splendid album.

If you try the Dixie Chicks and like them, you may also want to listen to SheDaisy, Faith Hill or DeAnna Carter. They all have some similarities in sound that will appeal to the closet country lover!

*Please Note: This review was previously published by me, edited and resubmitted at this time. I hope you'll enjoy the updated version.