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.
The Long Way Around
Dixie Chicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Married their high school boyfriends
Moved into houses in the same ZIP codes
Where their parents live
But I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow
Lived like a gypsy
Six strong hands on the steering wheel
I've been a long time gone now
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
But I've always found my way somehow
By taking the long way
Taking the long way around
Taking the long way
Taking the long way around
I met the queen of whatever
Drank with the Irish and smoked with the hippies
Moved with the shakers
Wouldn't kiss all the asses that they told me to
No I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow
It's been two long years now
Since the top of the world came crashing down
And I'm getting' it back on the road now
But I'm taking the long way
Taking the long way around
I'm taking the long way
Taking the long way around
The long
The long way around
Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself
I opened my mouth and I heard myself
It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself
Guess I could have made it easier on myself
But I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow
Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
If you ever want to find me I can still be found
Taking the long way
Taking the long way around
Taking the long way
Taking the long way around
The Long Way Around by the Dixie Chicks is a song about the journey of the singer, who decides to take her life in her own hands and chooses not to follow the traditional path that most of her friends from high school have taken. The song highlights the unconventional life choices made by the singer, including hitting the highway in a pink RV with stars on the ceiling, living like a gypsy, meeting new people, and visiting new places. She has been gone for a long time, and she acknowledges that someday she might settle down, but for now, she is content taking the long way around.
The verses talk about how the singer is different from her peers, who followed the conventional way of life by marrying their high school boyfriends and moving to houses in the same ZIP codes where their parents live. The chorus talks about her journey and how she has always found her way somehow by taking the long way around.
The song also talks about how her unconventional journey has allowed her to meet new people, experience different cultures, and ultimately find herself. The singer also acknowledges that taking the long way around has not been easy, and she has faced challenges along the way, including fighting with a stranger and opening up about herself.
Overall, The Long Way Around is a song about individuality, taking unconventional paths in life, and the challenges that come with it. It encourages listeners to embrace their unique journeys and not be afraid to take the long way around.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends from high school
The people I went to high school with
Married their high school boyfriends
Got married to their partners from high school
Moved into houses in the same ZIP codes
Live in the same location as their parents
Where their parents live
Reside in their hometown near their families
But I, I could never follow
I wasn't able to conform to their way of life
No I, I could never follow
I always felt the need to be different
I hit the highway in a pink RV with stars on the ceiling
I traveled the roads in a highly-decorated recreational vehicle
Lived like a gypsy
I led a nomadic lifestyle
Six strong hands on the steering wheel
I had a group of people guiding me through life
I've been a long time gone now
I've been away for a while
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
It's possible that I'll eventually find a permanent home
But I've always found my way somehow
Regardless, I've managed to navigate through life
By taking the long way
I do things my own way, even if it's more difficult
Taking the long way around
I take the scenic route instead of following the crowd
I met the queen of whatever
I encountered someone who was powerful and didn't care about titles
Drank with the Irish and smoked with the hippies
I hung out with people from different cultures and lifestyles
Moved with the shakers
I associated with a crowd of influential people
Wouldn't kiss all the asses that they told me to
I refused to conform to societal expectations
It's been two long years now
A significant amount of time has passed
Since the top of the world came crashing down
Since a major event caused my world to fall apart
And I'm getting' it back on the road now
I'm getting back on track and moving forward
The long
Going the hard way, taking the scenic route
The long way around
Taking the indirect path instead of the easy, direct one
Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself
I had a disagreement with someone who was unfamiliar, and learned something new about myself
I opened my mouth and I heard myself
I spoke my mind without censoring myself
It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself
It's difficult to be true to yourself when you feel isolated
Guess I could have made it easier on myself
I could have made my life easier by following the crowd, but chose not to
Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else
I do things in my own unique way
If you ever want to find me I can still be found
I'm still living my own unique life, and can be located in my own way
Taking the long way
My way of living, which is unconventional and difficult
Taking the long way around
Choosing a path that's winding, indirect, and more difficult than taking the easy, direct route
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARTHA MAGUIRE, NATALIE MAINES, EMILY ROBISON, DAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xxf4795
The fact they’ve not released any new music in 16 years and they’re selling out venues like this!! That is what you call an achievement. Complete legends
@Alliejen12345
Traceyann Cooney I’m a conservative. Know 90% of their music. To be honest they are probably one of my most listened to acts. What’s your point?
@leannegraham4872
Agreed!!!!! I love these guys and have never given up on them ! They get better with age!!! 💖💖💖💯💯💯🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🌹🌹🌹☮️☮️☮️🙏🙏🙏✌️✌️✌️🥂🥂🥂
@galenwarren3579
Selling out? LOL. More gas lighting by the DC's. Something they've been doing for nearly two decades.
@jenniferweigel4775
Absolute FACTS!! Cannot wait for Tinely Park!!! 🙂🎧🐣🐤🐥
@curtisyost5247
Yes an achievement or several
@karabellaellaellaella
This song comforted me. It’s ok that I’m not married, I don’t have kids, not even a boyfriend but I’m ok. And that’s all that matters.
@walterpaton8698
You are an awesome person. I've been married 40 years, but never had male friends, I'm ok with that. Love.
@joelaprobert
I'm going through a divorce and might be getting kicked out of my grad program. But you know what? I've got an amazing new boyfriend that I'm spending a month with in Argentina. I don't mind taking the long way around. Here's to all of us taking the long way. <3
@spmoran4703
@Joel Meredith Amen to that sis .