The trio is currently ranked as the highest-selling female musical group in the USA, according to RIAA Gold & Platinum album certifications. As of 2012, The Chicks had won 13 Grammy Awards. While The Chicks continues, Maguire and Robison are writing and recording as Court Yard Hounds as of Feb 2010. The Dixie Chicks renamed the band in 2020 to The Chicks dropping Dixie from the official name as the name had the word 'Dixie' referencing the American Mason–Dixon line, which separated the free and slave-owning southern states.
Robin Lynn Macy was an original bandmember, as was Laura Lynch. Macy left the group in 1992, while Lynch was replaced by Natalie Maines in 1995.
The group aroused considerable controversy for publicly denouncing President George W. Bush and the imminent invasion of Iraq during the European leg of their Top of the World tour supporting Home. Many country music stations immediately pulled their music from the air, and the band received criticism from many corners of the media.
Little Ol' Cowgirl
Dixie Chicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Countin' the nights 'til the fiddler plays
Workin' all week just doin' her thing
She likes punchin' doggies but she loves to swing
And when she hears that backbeat rhythm driftin' through the door
She can't talk, she can't sit still, she can't stay off of that floor
Kickin' her heels up lordy look at her twirl
With the little ol' cowgirl
She's got skin tight blue jeans, a big Stetson hat
Knee high boots well how about that
That rodeo buckle sure does shine
She cuts a two-step in a travelin' line
And when she hears that backbeat rhythm driftin' through the door
She can't talk, she can't sit still, she can't stay off of that floor
Kickin' her heels up lordy look at her twirl
Everybody wants to boogie on down
With the little ol' cowgirl
So listen up cowboy, here's a little advice
Before you make your move son you'd better think twice
'Cause she don't stop and she won't go
'Til they bring that house down with the cotton-eyed joe
And when she hears that backbeat rhythm driftin' through the door
She can't talk, she can't sit still, she can't stay off of that floor
Kickin' her heels up lordy look at her twirl
Everybody wants to boogie on down
With the little ol' cowgirl
The Dixie Chicks’s song, “Little Ol’ Cowgirl”, tells the story of a hardworking and fun-loving cowgirl from Texas who’s eagerly awaiting the coming weekend, so she can go out and dance to the music of a fiddler at a local barn dance. The lyrics describe how she likes to kick up her heels, twirl around the floor, and cut a two-step in her tight blue jeans, big Stetson hat, and knee-high boots. The cowgirl is portrayed as a skilled cowpuncher who also knows how to have fun, especially when she hears the backbeat rhythm of the music signaling the start of a hoedown. The song is a celebration of the Texas cowgirl’s independent spirit, athleticism, and love of dancing, as well as a warning to lovestruck cowboys, reminding them of her unwavering commitment to her passions.
The song’s lyrics also contain a few references to popular square dance tunes (“Cotton Eyed Joe”, “traveling line”), which highlight the song’s roots in Western swing and country music. The lyrics are also notable for their catchy rhythm and simple rhymes, which make the song easy to sing along with and remember. Additionally, the use of colloquialisms and regional accents, such as “lordy” and “son”, help to establish a sense of place and identity for the song’s narrator and subject.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a little ol' cowgirl from out Texas way
The subject of the song is a cowgirl from Texas.
Countin' the nights 'til the fiddler plays
She's eagerly anticipating hearing the fiddle play.
Workin' all week just doin' her thing
She works hard all week and enjoys dancing as a release.
She likes punchin' doggies but she loves to swing
She enjoys both her work as a ranch hand and line dancing.
And when she hears that backbeat rhythm driftin' through the door
Whenever she hears the music, she's drawn to dance.
She can't talk, she can't sit still, she can't stay off of that floor
Dancing is all-consuming for her.
Kickin' her heels up lordy look at her twirl
She's a skilled and enthusiastic dancer.
Everybody wants to boogie on down
Others are drawn to her energy and skill on the dance floor.
With the little ol' cowgirl
Her cowboy persona makes her even more appealing to those around her.
She's got skin tight blue jeans, a big Stetson hat
Her clothing reflects southern and cowboy style.
Knee high boots well how about that
She wears tall boots that are popular with cowgirls.
That rodeo buckle sure does shine
She wears a prized rodeo belt buckle.
She cuts a two-step in a travelin' line
Her dancing is impressive and involves movement across the floor.
So listen up cowboy, here's a little advice
The song is now giving advice to cowboys who are interested in her.
Before you make your move son you'd better think twice
The song is warning cowboys that she is difficult to keep up with.
'Cause she don't stop and she won't go
She's unstoppable on the dance floor.
'Til they bring that house down with the cotton-eyed joe
She'll dance tirelessly for the duration of the event.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sylvia Pesek
That's the Dixie Chicks lineup that I fell head-over-heels for!
Kevin Morin
I never listened to a single note these sisters played after they dumped Laura on bass, and this tune sung by the other Laura on guitar and lead is an example of why.
J Bone74
@Kevin Morin ya, they totally made the wrong business decision there. 33 million albums later LOL!!!
Kevin Morin
@Chris Carr Years ago, I read an article that said both of the Laura's were dumped in favor of the band becoming a " 'national' instead of regional" sound ? and I left their fans at that time. I liked the bass player more than any other member. Without her, they weren't worth a listen- so I never heard them again.
Chris Carr
Well, I'll tell you this. I wish the Erwin Sisters never would've dumped Laura. Because, Laura Lynch was a much better lead singer than Natalie Maines ever was!!