Dixie Chicks example essay topic

Country music has been typecast. Maybe it's America's fault. Maybe it's the musicians fault. Nonetheless, it has been typecast. Tragic? Maybe.

There are of course, the artists that have tried to escape the confines of the red-necked, inbred, "howdy folks" generalization country musicians have been known to fall under. Most of these musicians have been unable to achieve their goals: either they are accepted by the American pop-culture, and become lorn by the country world; or they are unable to "crossover" into the high profile, frenzied world that is known as "pop music". The Dixie Chicks have become the unreachable aristocracy. Since their debut album "Wide Open Spaces", was released in 1998, the Dixie Chicks have exploded into the American pop culture and the country music world, being accepted by both with open arms.

Rightfully so. The Dixie Chicks produce music everyone can relate to. The Chicks are not only superior musicians, but also superlative role models for young girls everywhere. They give birth to some of the most diverse music; ranging from good ole country twang, to ballads dripping with emotion and drenched with desire. Composed of three sultry, and unpredictable women, sisters Emily Robinson and Marty Maguire, along with the feisty, and vivacious Natalie Maines, the Chicks exude an air of brilliance. The image they emit is one that is original, daring and over the top; yet still appropriate and tasteful.

Good change in pace from the Britney Spears and Christina Agile ria whirlwind in the world seems to be entangled in today, no? The Dixie Chicks don't preach, or even try to obtain the "Hollywood" image, that is often times force-fed to female performers. Standing at 5'3 and 140 pounds Maines has never tried to hide the fact that she often battles with her weight, and almost always lets her stomach win; "I mean Adrian (Natalie's husband), and I will be sitting on the couch and I know that there is a pint of Ben and Jerry's in the fridge and I shouldn't (eat it), but then it becomes 'Oh hell with it, it's not like I'm going to be thin anyways'". In today's society, where fitting into anything less than a size 6 is worse than breaking one of the ten commandments, the Dixie Chicks are radiating an extreme sense of self-worth; communicating to young girls that its okay to be chubby, its okay to be thin; as long as you " re having fun.

To achieve a more subjective, professional opinion I interviewed my uncle, Timothy Finn; music critic for the "Kansas City Star". When asked what he thought of the Dixie Chicks the positive commentaries were endless. "The Chicks are one of my favorite live bands for several reasons. One, they are real musicians, especially the two sisters who play banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, slide guitar.

That's extremely rare in country music. Two, they are extremely personable on stage. I've seen them three times. They do stuff you don't normally see at a country show: They make fun of each other, joke about getting divorced, they make fun of the guys in their band and guys in the crowd. The last time I saw them, they had a slide show -photos of all three from when they were real young through high school and proms and all that. A lot of the photos weren't real flattering, but they showed them anyway and laughed at each other".

When asked why he thought the Chicks have been embraced so openly by the American culture; he was quick to offer his expertise: "They don't worry too much about what other people think. Obviously, that's why they " re in so much trouble now (during a European tour, lead singer Natalie Maines expressed her discontent with the president and the war with Iraq). The George Bush comment was extreme- stuff like that never happens in country music, where patriotism is the No. 1 religion. I like almost all their music. They have covered songs by people like Maria McKee (Am I The Only One Who's Ever Felt This Way?) and Patty Griffith (Truth No. 2), who aren't country music writers. I respect that".

This marks another definitive aspect of the Chicks career; they aren't only respected and admired for their music, lyrics, or image. They " re respected on many different levels. Arguably, perhaps the most speculated way the Chicks enable themselves to relate to their audience on a deep, personal level is their ability to touch people through their music. Whether they are singing knee-slapping, hoedowns or songs of heartbreak and love; their songs are always drenched with emotion and filled with desire. Two of their songs reveal very different aspects of the diverse trio. The song "Goodbye Earl" offers the most concrete form of "girl power" and feminism.

The song preaches the importance of friendship and the power of women to fight back (the song is about killing an abusive husband). Riske? Possibly. The Chicks don't seem to mind though.

The lyrics are potent, heavy, and meaningful; "That Earl had to die 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. ". . The Chicks don't advocate murder or violence but they stress the importance of getting even and maintaining a sense of self-worth. Deviating from this men-bashing ballad, the girls also sing of love and broken hearts. In "I'll Take Care Of You", the Chicks reinforce the idea of the egocentrism within all of us: the innate need to be loved.

"So let them talk about us Let them call us funny things People sometimes do I don't care as long As you know I love you Oh, and you know I do I'll be there but you might not see me It's never easy to get through But when the laughter dies away I'll take care of you". Good mood, bad mood, happily in love, happily out of love; miserable in love, miserable out of love, the Dixie Chicks have a way of communicating with even the most complicated of souls. It has been said before about too many people, said so many times the phrase is starting to become ambiguous; but the Dixie Chicks are truly "one of a kind". Through their unusual stage presence, their dynamic lyrics, and their positive self images, the Dixie Chicks have done the unthinkable: they have blended bluegrass, stone country music with a fresh new sound that is devoured by the American pop culture.

They are extremely personable, and radiate a sense of humbleness. Their lyrics and songs have the unique ability to change people's lives; even if only for 3 short minutes. Their words are thick and melodious as if regurgitated from the inner linings of their hearts. Colleen Scalfani Evaluation Paper ROUGH DRAFT Natalie, Emily and Martie: Girls to look up to I challenge you to walk out onto a high school campus and find 12 girls who don't think they are fat, ugly or have breasts that are too little. In todays society there is too much stress put on self image. Most high school girls listen to Britney Spears and Christina Agugleria, they are caught up in the whirlwind of tiny waists and big boobs.

Hollywood doesn't help these images; they only encourage it. Music has become too teeny bopper now; there are very few songs with deep and meaningful lyrics the idea of good old American songs with good old American values are eliminated. That's because country music is no longer a major form of the music industry. The Dixie Chicks defy both of these principles; they emit a very healthy image for young girls, across the country and they give birth to very diverse music; ranging from typical country songs to ballads dripping with emotion and drenched with desire. In an interview conducted with my uncle, Timothy Finn, music critic for the Kansas City Star. He said: "The Chicks are one of my favorite live bands for several reasons.

He also said that the comment that Natalie made about the war with George Busch was very daring and respectful because she is going against the conventional's of country music. Riske? Possibly. Finally their self image is very respectful. They don't wear very revealing clothes, but still wear outfits that show some skin. Natalie is 5'3,140 pounds and proud of it.

She never feels the need to lose weight, or make herself feel like she has to be somebody shes not. Nice change in pace from Christina and Britney, no? All three of the girls possess this extreme aura of feminism, and rock and roll divas; they are beautiful, healthy and divine.