Both made political statements in the US and around the world (both involved their disgust with Bush). But what is so interesting to me is I was unaware of these songs/statements when I was living in the US, but learned about them living amongst Europeans. It again confirms my point that the whole world watches the US, watches what we do, and attempts to emulate us as often as possible. It is empowering, and scary at the same time.
I must have been living under a rock, but I am glad I know about these now. I think they are AMAZING! Watch the video, read the lyrics...it's worth the time.
I was able to see her perform this live in Copenhagen, and it was so touching, especially being the only American in my group, watching the images on the screen, and seeing how the Danes around me were reacting to this video. They were truly angered and touched at what we as Americans have gone through as a result of our leadership. Humanity is powerful!
Lyrics:
Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?
Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb and we're not blind.
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after them bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh
How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?
and....
This song is based off of the 2006 documentary, Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing. Two of my Danish friends had this documentary, and I had never heard of it. They were excited to watch it with an American to get my point of you - it was a great evening of political discussions about the state of the US and the state of the world.
The documentary is based on the fact that one of the singers, Natalie Maines, publicly criticized Bush during a 2003 concert in London. The film shows them in a London concert in an atmosphere of dramatic opposition to the announcement from Bush regarding his authorization of the invasion in Iraq. Earlier that day, approximately 1 million people had gathered at a public demonstration in London against the war. During the concert, lead singer Natalie Maines told the audience the band does not support the war in Iraq and also said they are ashamed that Bush is from Texas (their home state).
Once these remarks were made public, conservative groups rallied against the Dixie Chicks. They were unsure whether they should 'shut up and sing' and apologize, or stand by their convictions. They stood by their convictions, which is where Shut Up and Sing came from.
Lyrics:
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 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 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 the 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
Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I'm not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I'm still waiting
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