The Long Way Around

Not the most difficult song to interpret in the light of the Great Bush Scandal which saw the Chicks' CDs burned by the thousands. Burning plastic speaks for itself: now, if only the burners would get a bit closer to the fumes, we might be getting somewhere, evolutionwise.

Along with its companion piece "Not Ready To Make Nice," this is one of the most beautifully raised middle fingers and declarations of independence ever written.

I love the part "it's been two years now since the top of the world came crashing down" since top of the world was the name of their last tour. this is my my favorite song so far off the new album. tho it's in tough competition, they are all so great!

I agree with Heather200408 - the top of the world line is amazing! Top of the World is one of my favorite songs from their last album. I think the meaning of this song is quite clear and definitely has attitude.

The part "six strong hands on the steering wheel" means that the three girls are ready to take charge and take their music in their own direction - and I like it!

I love this song - It reminds me of Wide Open Spaces in a way. It's a very relatable song - I think everyone feels like they need to get out and do their own thing - Whether it's 'smoking with the hippies' or whatever!

i was wondering interpretations of the this song...the whole song its about her being on her own and doing her own thing but then in the last few lines they say "If you ever want to find me I can still be found"...is this implying she still wants to be with that one she was once with?

"I hit the highway in a pink RV with stars on the ceiling" Dixie Chicks used to travel to places to play in a pink trailer

"Six strong hands on the steering wheel" The 3 girls are strong and make decisions

Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself Stranger = Bush

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 She could have just not said anything

But I, I could never follow No I, I could never follow She doesnt conform

I think the line "If you ever want to find me, I can still be found" means that even though the Chicks aren't a big as before, they'll still play music, and put out cds, which the die-hard fans can find and buy.

In response to the "If you ever want to find me, I can still be found..." lyrics:

I'm pretty sure it means that after all this time and all of these experiences they are still taking the long way around.

The long way is a metaphor for doing things their own way. No really going with the flow or agreeing with the popular opinion. I personally can really appreciate this song...

I'm pretty sure it is "I opened my mouth and I hurt myself" isn't it?

Well, anyway, this song reminds me of a girl I knew who had a non-traditional young adulthood. She dropped out of high school, moved in with a much older boyfriend, ran away with a friend, lived in a van, driving up and down the west coast, getting odd jobs for money or stealing. She ended up having kids and settling down, but still talks about what a fight it is to leave the freedom behind her.

I always though I would have that kind of crazy 'long way around' life too but I ended up on the short-way route when I got accepted to a prestigious school. Now I'm studying business and fighting the rigor and responsibility every day. I listen to this song and think, why am I here, on this path leading me to some corporate job and textbook life?

As much as I do love school, I would very much like to be out in the world taking the long way around, truly and fearlessly experiencing life, having all the crazy experiences described in this song. The lyrics just mean a lot to me. I console myself by thinking, there is still a way. I don't have to live this traditional life. I have so many options to explore, still. I can still take the long way around.

I tend to have thought a lot about this last album they collaborated on.... It was their goodbye for now... I would just love if Natalie came back with that strong voice, and the girls amazing harmony as a trio use to be freakin perfect! Plus those girls got me through a lot!

Can't wait till they pair up again.... ;) at least I really hope so. This entire album is about their great success' and screw ups and the entire remark about that Bush fiasco

Let's explain:

My friends from high school Married their high school boyfriends Moved into houses in the same ZIP codes Where their parents live

(These girls we're young women when they started this particular trio; most other peers of theirs did exactly that while these girls we're traveling all across the world.)

But they could never follow.

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 think this is from back in the early days of the old Dixie Chick band when they traveled they also we’re very strong women they we’re so free)

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

(They aren’t really ready to quick which later eluded to but but they are ready to settle down, they have kids and husbands.)

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 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

(I think all of this is Natalie’s contribution though I do feel strongly she had a lot to do with this song. Her remarks about bush that got blown out of control it really hurt them… While everyone was burning them and publicly destructing their artwork I clutched onto mine. Natalie spoke up, realized she may not want to have said that personal opinion, but she says “It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself (Most people took offence to it, though she was just sharing her opinion; but she felt hurt because ppl wanted nothing to do with her or them as a group after that; and after that their record label dropped them :/ and this record sale was a low for them at the time…) Guess I could have made it easier on myself (she screwed up she knows )”

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

(I’ve already explained the first 2 lines; but the last phrase I would hope remains true: If you ever still want to find her (Natalie) you can still find her… The Two Erwin sisters started the Court Yard Hounds; Natalie was blacklisted from many places…

Taking the long way Taking the long way around