TikTokers Use ‘Not Ready to Make Nice’ by The Chicks to Criticize Kamala Harris—They Missed Context

As a music enthusiast and history aficionado, I am utterly captivated by the extraordinary journey of The Chicks, particularly their hit song “Not Ready to Make Nice.” It’s fascinating to observe how this powerful anthem has transcended time, resonating with different groups in unique ways.

Over the last fortnight, “Not Ready to Make Nice,” a popular tune by The Chicks (previously known as the Dixie Chicks), has been widely shared on TikTok. This is due to conservative users creating videos featuring the song, which is intended to show opposition towards Vice President Kamala Harris’ potential 2024 presidential run and support for the Republican Party.

Some TikTok users are sharing clips of themselves lip-syncing to songs containing lyrics such as “And how on earth / can the words I spoke / push someone to the brink / they’d write me a letter / telling me to stop talking and sing / or my life will be over.” The background music matches. Some have additionally superimposed text in their videos, commenting things like “I use this song because it symbolizes how the liberal party treats us conservatives,” while others upload their clips with hashtags such as “#Trump” and “#SpeakUp.”

However, as the videos spread and became popular, liberal TikTok users started reacting, criticizing those who didn’t grasp the political background of the song. This song was initially released in 2006 as a reaction to the criticism The Chicks faced for not supporting the Iraq War.

“If maga individuals lack knowledge about the history of this song and The Chicks, it’s as though media literacy is non-existent for them, given that this song targets individuals similar to themselves.”

On March 10, 2003, just prior to the U.S.’s invasion of Iraq, Natalie Maines, the lead singer of The Chicks (who hails from Texas) expressed her sentiments on stage in London: “We’re against this war and this violence, and we feel embarrassed that the President of the United States is a fellow Texan.”

Following reports on Maines’ comments, a wave of anger swept through supporters of Republican President George W. Bush who were part of the group’s fanbase. At that time, The Chicks held a prominent position in the country music industry according to Marissa R. Moss, a music journalist and author of Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be. However, after Maines’ comments, country radio stations ceased playing their music as countless individuals called in with complaints against the group. The band even faced death threats. Initially, Maines apologized for disrespecting the President’s office, but later withdrew her apology.

The track “Not Ready to Make Nice” was penned by band members Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer, and Martie Maguire, in collaboration with songwriter Dan Wilson. Lyrics such as “I’m not ready to make nice / I’m not ready to back down / I’m still mad as hell” can be found within this song. Previously, Maines referred to the album it appears on as a form of personal healing (The Chicks’ public relations team declined to comment on this matter).

Moss views Maines’ comments as “among the most impactful moments in the annals of country music” and considers the song as “one of the pivotal protest anthems of contemporary times.”

“Moss stated that they weren’t only enduring misery, facing financial difficulties, or having their creativity suppressed; instead, their very safety, as well as the safety of their families, was jeopardized. Despite this, their response was resolute and unapologetic: ‘No, we refuse to apologize.'” (This version maintains the original message but aims for a more fluid and conversational style.)

“Not Ready to Make Nice” turned out to be a successful track, earning three Grammy Awards. Moss suggests the song demonstrated to artists that they could express their thoughts openly, face criticism, but ultimately continue creating music and discover a supportive audience who value their work.

Moss points out the “unexpected” fact that conservatives on social media are adopting a particular song to back the Republican Party. She explains that it’s part of a “well-established pattern” for people to presume that all country music or artists endorse conservative views, similar to how some misunderstood Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” as a patriotic tune when in fact, it’s about domestic violence.

In simpler terms, Moss notes that it’s ironic for conservative TikTok users to use a song advocated by women, which seemingly contradicts their views, against the Democratic Party. He suggests that perhaps everyone should delve deeper into understanding the origins and messages of these songs, as this might foster greater empathy within them.

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2024-08-11 00:06