Song Analysis

"Not Ready To Make Nice"

Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting

I’m through with doubt
There’s nothing left for me to figure out
I’ve paid a price
And I’ll keep paying

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

I know you said
Can’t you just get over it
It turned my whole world around
And I kind of like it

I made my bed and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets and I don’t mind sayin’
It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her
Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they’d write me a letter
Sayin’ that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

What it is you think I should

Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting

The Dixie Chick’s music is widely popular due to the universal topics of their songs. The artists sing about subjects that their fans can relate to, playing upon their emotions. Their music is not only limited to the genre of country music, but also bluegrass and folk music. Like folk songs, their lyrics may convey political or religious sentiments, tell a vivid story, document history, or may be merely for entertainment. Folk music is the “music of the people.” Their tie to folk music is very evident as they incorporate many aspect of this genre. People are willing to forsake their freedom of opinion, if they find it will result in scrutiny from their fellow man.
The controversy that surrounds the Dixie Chicks came about when Natalie Manes said, “Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas," during one of their concerts. This resulted in chaos given that Americans found it was not patriotic to insult the president on foreign land.
Their song titled “Not ready to Make Nice” is a direct response to what the group has come to refer to as the “the incident.” It portrays how music acts as an outlet of emotions. The lyrics incorporated their anger and sadness that came from the political controversy. The song underwent several drafts, as the group tried to articulate their feeling of what they were going though. The song utilizes an ending rhyme scheme giving it a poetic air. The lyrics also incorporate slang such as “sayin” and “cause” which reflects the colloquial language of Texas. The repetition of “round and round and round” mirror the bands’ battle with their conflicting emotions of anger and sorrow as they spin in circles trying to defend their patriotism as they did not just accept the war “without a reason handed to us.” Although the group has gone through a lot because of this incident, Maines acknowledges she paid a “price” but proves to stand by what she said as the lyrics state, “I’ve paid a price/ And I’ll keep paying.” The diction utilized by the Dixie Chicks also proves to be multifaceted, as the word “bed” has several meanings. It can refer to the comment she made, as well as her decision to stand by it. It also refers to the saying you’ve made your bed now sleep in it, and she is content with her comment as she states, “I sleep like a baby.” The title of the song “Not ready to Make Nice,” also proves to put more emphasis on the message the group is trying to convey, given that “make” is not properly used. This may reflect Maines’ choice to be able to “make it right,” but does not find the need to as the lyrics state, “I probably wouldn’t if I could.” The song also refers to an incident of a protesting mother telling her two year old child to say “screw ’em.” She describes her sadness of being a witness to someone learning to hate as described by the lines “It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her/Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger.” The song also alludes to the death threats the band received from people who told them to just “shut up and sing.”
The Dixie Chicks’ music is inspirational and empowering to their fans, who are traditionally women. The intensity in their songs proves to their fans they will not just “shut up and sing,” and they are telling their fans they should not either.

articulate- to give clarity or distinction to
allude- to refer casually or indirectly
multifaceted- having many aspects or phases
traditionally- in accordance with tradition
acknowledge- to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of
outlet- a means of expression or satisfaction
incorporate- to take in or include
convey- to communicate; impart
underwent- to be subjected to; experience; pass through
sentiments- an attitude toward something; regard; opinion