1. The Chicks is… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists recording as The Chicks:
1. The Chicks is the new name adopted in June 2020 by the band formerly known as Dixie Chicks, a massively succesful American country music group that had crossed to other genres.
2. The Chicks were a New Zealand duo consisting of the sisters Suzanne and Judy Donaldson. They had a steam of pop hits in in their country between 1965 and 1970. Suzanne married Bruce Lynch and records as Suzanne Lynch. They are the parents of Andy Lynch from the New Zealand band Zed.
3. The Chicks were a shortlived pop-punk act in the late 1990s, made up of three teenage Irish girls. They arrived in a blaze of N.M.E. features and an Ash support slot, but disappeared as quickly and enigmatically as they arrived. They left behind two EPs and the bubblegum pop song, Let Me Go.
The Long Way Around
The 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 hit the highway
In a pink RV with stars on the ceiling
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 takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around
Takin' the long way
Takin' 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 gettin' it back on the road now
But I'm takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around
I'm takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around
I'll just take my time, I won't lay down (the long)
And take long way around (the long)
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've 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
Takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around
Takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around
I'm takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around
I'm takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around
I'm takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around
Takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around
In "The Long Way Around," The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) reflect on the choices they've made in their lives and the unconventional path they've taken. The song starts by referencing the conventional expectations for women in their hometown of Lubbock, Texas - to marry their high school sweethearts and stay close to their families. However, the singer's desires deviate from this norm; they choose to hit the open road and travel in an RV, living like a "gypsy." Throughout their travels, they meet people of all backgrounds, engage in various activities like drinking with the Irish and smoking with hippies, and refuse to kiss up to those with power. While the journey has been long and sometimes lonely, they recognize that taking the long way and following their own path was necessary for their own growth.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's commitment to taking the long way around, highlighting their steadfast devotion to their choice, even if it's unconventional. They acknowledge that they could have made things easier for themselves by following the expected path, but doing so would have meant rejecting their individuality.
Overall, "The Long Way Around" encourages listeners to embrace their unique journey, even if it doesn't fit the traditional mold. The Chicks adeptly portray the beauty and difficulties of forging a path not yet taken.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends from high school
My classmates from high school
Married their high school boyfriends
Got married to their high school sweethearts
Moved into houses
Bought houses
In the same ZIP codes where their parents live
In the same area where their parents live
But I
But I, on the other hand,
I could never follow
Could never follow that path
No I
No, I
I could never follow
I could never follow that conventional path
I hit the highway
I hit the road
In a pink RV with stars on the ceiling
In a colorful RV with starry ceiling decorations
Lived like a gypsy
Lived a nomadic lifestyle
Six strong hands on the steering wheel
Six hands firmly grasping the steering wheel
I've been a long time gone now
I've been gone for a long time
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
Maybe someday in the future, I'll settle down somewhere permanent
But I've always found my way somehow
But I always found my own way
By takin' the long way
By taking the long and unconventional path
Takin' the long way around
Taking the longer route to get where I need to go
I met the queen of whatever
I met a powerful and important person
Drank with the Irish and smoked with the hippies
Shared drinks with Irish folks and partook in smoking with hippies
Moved with the shakers
Mingled with important and influential people
Wouldn't kiss all the asses that they told me to
Wouldn't flatter or give into the demands of those in power
It's been two long years now
It's been a long two years
Since the top of the world came crashing down
Since everything fell apart
And I'm gettin' it back on the road now
And I'm getting back on track now
I'll just take my time, I won't lay down (the long)
I'll take my time and won't give up even if it takes a long time
And take long way around (the long)
And take the longer, more difficult path
Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself
I had conflicts with someone I didn't know and discovered more about myself
I opened my mouth and I heard myself
I spoke my mind and surprised myself
It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself
It can be isolating to be true to yourself
Guess, I could've made it easier on myself
I could have taken an easier path, in hindsight
But I could never follow
But I could never conform and take the conventional path
Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else
I've always done things my own way and differently from others
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
Perhaps I'll settle down someday in the future
If you ever want to find me I can still be found
If you ever want to locate me, I'll still be around
Takin' the long way
Taking the unconventional path
Takin' the long way around
Taking a longer, more challenging path to get where I need to go
Writer(s): Wilson Daniel Dodd, Erwin Emily Burns, Maguire Martha, Pasdar Natalie Maines
Contributed by Jayce M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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 .