After 14 years, the Dixie Chicks are out with a new song and the title, “Gaslighter” instantly has people buzzing. The group’s Twitter recently listed the definition of “Gaslighter” as a “psychological manipulator who seeks to sow seeds of doubt n a targeted individual or in members of a group, making them question their memory, perception or sanity.” The word has become a big one in the last couple of years in relation to Donald Trump. And while the lyrics of the song are reportedly aimed at Maines’ ex-husband. You have to wonder whether there is more to phrases like “gaslighter, denier, doing anything to get your ass farther.” We know Maines is no fan of Trump. This is one of her last tweets.
https://twitter.com/1NatalieMaines/status/1019103262958608384
The trio’s “Gaslighter” video, with its unsubtle political and historical imagery, uses Maines’ travails as a template for decades of personal and collective national pain.
The Dixie Chicks aren’t strangers to politics. As Vox writes:
In 2003, during the lead-up to the Iraq War, the Dixie Chicks were performing in London when lead singer Maines, who is from Texas, addressed the crowd. “Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all,” Maines said. “We do not want this war, this violence. And we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.”
Outraged supporters of George W. Bush called country radio stations and demanded that the Dixie Chicks be blacklisted. Country singer Toby Keith began performing in front of photoshopped projections of Maines cuddling with Saddam Hussein. (He later said he was “embarrassed” about that response.) Protesters held what CNN called a “Dixie chicken toss party” where they threw away Dixie Chick CDs, tapes, and concert tickets. The band received death threats.
Watch the full video above.
