Sin Wagon

"Sin Wagon" is a song written by Natalie Maines, Emily Erwin, and Stephony Smith and recorded by the Dixie Chicks for their 1999 album Fly. Though never released as a single, it charted as an album cut and is one of the band's most popular songs to date. 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]

"Sin Wagon"
Song by Dixie Chicks
from the album Fly
ReleasedAugust 31, 1999
GenreCountry, bluegrass[1]
Length3:37
LabelMonument
Songwriter(s)Natalie Maines, Emily Erwin, Stephony Smith
Producer(s)Blake Chancey, Paul Worley
The Dixie Chicks, who recorded the song

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 Amy Adams[11] and Carrie Underwood.[12] On season 3 of The Voice, 2Steel Girls and Gracia Harrison performed the song as part of the Battle Rounds.

References
  1. Thomas, Stephen (1999-08-31). "Fly - Dixie Chicks : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  2. "Dixie Chicks Concert Setlists". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  3. "Dixie Chicks FLY Interview Disc". Chickoholic.tripod.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  4. Carlin, Richard (2003). Country music : a biographical dictionary. New York [u.a.]: Routledge. ISBN 0415938023.
  5. "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.
  6. Willman, Chris (1999-09-23). "Girls' Power". EW.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  7. Christina Saraceno (2000-12-21). "Dixie Chicks Named in Copyright Infringement Case | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  8. "News : Chicks in Court". CMT. 2000-12-22. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  9. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 127. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  10. "Dixie Chicks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  11. "Amy Adams". American Idol. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  12. "Carrie Underwood". American Idol. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
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