| "Sin Wagon" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Dixie Chicks | |
| from the album Fly | |
| Released | August 31, 1999 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:37 |
| Label | Monument |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | |
"Sin Wagon" is a song written by Natalie Maines, Emily Erwin, and Stephony Smith and recorded by The Chicks for their 1999 album Fly. Though never released as a single, it charted as an album cut. It has been featured in five tours: Fly, Top of the World, Accidents & Accusations, Eagles with Dixie Chicks and the DCX MMXVI World Tour. [2]
History
The song's title was conceived by Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines. It is a reference to a scene in Grease; after Danny tries to make a move on Sandy at the drive-in, and she furiously calls his car a "sin wagon". [3]
"Sin Wagon" was written "really quickly". The song's message is that "even the most good girl just has that wild side and you got to let it out occasionally," [3] a contrast to country music's "stay-at-home" stereotype. [4]
It was released as a downloadable song in the Rock Band series. [5]
Controversy
According to Maines, Monument Records was "scared to death" about the song's reference to " mattress dancing", and refrained from discussing the subject publicly. [6]
In 2000, the family of Albert E. Brumley filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Sony over the song's sampling of the gospel hymn " I'll Fly Away". [7] The Dixie Chicks have made no comment on the case. [8]
Critical reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic gave "Sin Wagon" a positive review, calling it "rip-roaring" and "wickedly clever". [1]
Chart performance
Although the song was not an official single, it received sufficient airplay to chart as high as number 52 on Hot Country Songs over a 20-week run. [9] It was one of four songs charted by the Dixie Chicks on the chart dated for September 11, 1999, the others being " Cowboy Take Me Away", " Without You", and " Goodbye Earl", all three of which were eventually released as singles in 2000.
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard) [10] | 52 |
Cover versions and parodies
- "Sin Wagon" has been performed on American Idol by contestant Amy Adams [11] and country singer Carrie Underwood. [12] On season 3 of The Voice, 2Steel Girls and Gracia Harrison performed the song as part of the Battle Rounds.
- American country music parody artist Cledus T. Judd released a parody of "Sin Wagon" on his album Just Another Day in Parodies, titled "Wife Naggin'".
References
- ^ a b Thomas, Stephen (1999-08-31). "Fly - Dixie Chicks : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Dixie Chicks Concert Setlists". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ a b "Dixie Chicks FLY Interview Disc". Chickoholic.tripod.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ Carlin, Richard (2003). Country music : a biographical dictionary. New York [u.a.]: Routledge. ISBN 0415938023.
- ^ "Sin Wagon by Dixie Chicks // Songs // Rock Band". Rockband.com. 2007-11-20. Archived from the original on 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ Willman, Chris (1999-09-23). "Girls' Power". EW.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ Christina Saraceno (2000-12-21). "Dixie Chicks Named in Copyright Infringement Case | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "News : Chicks in Court". CMT. 2000-12-22. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ "Dixie Chicks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Amy Adams". American Idol. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Carrie Underwood". American Idol. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
