Goodbye Earl is a song about two women, Marianne and Wanda....friends from childhood, who go their separate ways. Marianne leaves their little town to find a better life. Wanda stays home, and as the song says, "All she found was Earl."

The song is ultimately about an abused woman taking matters into her own hands. Marianne and Wanda decide to kill Earl. I suppose most stations feel it would be inappropriate to play this song, due to the nature of it.

Many people feel the Dixie Chicks are condoning violence by playing this song. "It's one of the things where some of the gatekeepers take it more seriously than the audience does," Lon Helton of Radio & Records, a radio trade publication, tells the Los Angeles Times. (Yahoo news). I believe (this would be MY opinion) that the audience, for the most part, understands the irreverent look at a serious subject. And while I believe that most women, abused or not abused, will understand that murder isn't the solution, perhaps this song will give them the boost that they need to know that there are others out there in similiar situations. To me, this song is simply telling women that they don't have to sit and take it. They can do something about it. While I would never condone murder or retaliation, I do believe it's important to feel that you can stand up for yourself. Most abused women do not. Part of the abuse is diminished self esteem. The abuser has to knock your self-esteem so low that you won't fight back..that you will begin to feel somewhere that you deserve what you are getting. It's part of the cycle, part of the abuse...and usually the part that is the hardest to rebuild.

When I first heard this song, I wasn't sure what to think. Then, I listened to it repeatedly...and found the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. It wasn't about murder, it wasn't about revenge...it was about two friends sticking together. It was about a woman standing up for herself. Her methods may have been wrong, but she still managed to find the courage to get out of the marriage. People can say this is "just a song"...but somewhere along the line, the media needs to take responsibility for the message it sends out to the world. However, I believe the message the Dixie Chicks are sending out with this song is one of power. They are forcing people to deal with the issue...whether they like the song or not.

The Lyrics

Mary Anne and Wanda were the best of friends
All through their high school days Both members of the 4H Club
Both active in the FFA
After graduation Mary Anne went out lookin' for a brand new world
Wanda looked all around this town and all she found was Earl

Well it wasn't two weeks after she got married that Wanda started getting abused
S he put on dark glasses and long sleeved blouses
And make-up to cover a bruise
Well she finally got the nerve to file for divorce
She let the law take it from there
But Earl walked right through that restraining order
And put her in intensive care
Right away Mary Anne flew in from Atlanta
On a red eye midnight flight
She held Wanda's hand as they worked out a plan
And it didn't take 'em long to decide
That Earl had to die

Goodbye Earl
Those black-eyed peas
They tasted all right to me Earl
You're feelin' weak
Why don't you lay down and sleep Earl
Ain't it dark
Wrapped up in that tarp Earl?

The cops came by to bring Earl in
They searched the house high and low
Then they tipped their hats and said, "thank you ladies
if you hear from him let us know"
Well the weeks went by and Spring turned to Summer
And Summer faded into Fall
And it turns out he was a missing person
who nobody missed at all

So the girls bought some land
and a roadside stand out on Highway 109
They sell Tennessee ham and strawberry jam
and they don't lose any sleep at night
'cause Earl had to die

Goodbye Earl
We need a break
Let's go out to the lake Earl
We'll pack a lunch
And stuff you in the trunk Earl
Well is that all right
Good Let's go for a ride
Earl hey

Other Thoughts

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence issued a press release:

"The NCADV wishes to express their gratitude to the Dixie Chicks for raising public awareness through the release of their dramatic new hit song "Goodbye Earl", states NCADV director Rita Smith. "Clearly the NCADV and the Dixie Chicks do not condone violence. However, the subject matter of "Goodbye Earl" is far too often a reality for battered women. The importance of educating the public about this issue is critical to ending domestic violence," adds Smith. "As a society, we are all connected." To learn how you can join the Dixie Chicks and be part of the solution, log onto the NCADV website at www.ncadv.org .

============

To give a voice, I've pulled some comments off of the Dixie Chicks website message board. Here is what people have to say:

"Although I don't condone murder, I look at the Goodbye Earl song/video as more of a symbolic message as opposed to a literal one. It's saying that women need to empower themselves to kill the situations that hurt them. That women have the power if they just look for it. I don't think the song is promoting the killing of husbands. It's a song that finally recognizes that women are abused and that they should and can fight back. So I say... more power to the Chicks!" --Goddess 33078

******

"I think this song is the most HORRIBLE AND IRRESPONSIBLE song I've ever heard. Obviously, none of these girls or anyone involved with them has ever been involved in an abusive relationship. Awareness of this subject can be made in other ways than a catchy, cute little tune.

Having been in a similar relationship, I take offense to the light attitude displayed by the Chicks in this song and I can't believe any responsible person would allow this to be recorded, much less played on the airwaves. What must our kids be thinking when they hear this song? The first time I heard it on the Grammy's it shocked me so bad I could believe it. I've done everything I can to get our local radio station NOT to play this song. I'm sure I'll be outvoted by people who don't have a clue what something like this feels like.

Does anyone remember the big deal made because of Garth Brooks' "Thunder Rolls"? At least that song and video addressed a very serious subject in a very serious manner. Not something flightly this like stupid song and video. This has cured me of listening to a group that I have followed since their first hit. No more CD's, no more videos, I'll turn the radio or TV station when they come on. I hope other people can express their dissatisfaction and dissbelief regarding this situation. I'm so disappointed in these girls."
--khar96

*****

"o.k., after trying hard to tell everyone why i absoulutely hate this song, I started thinking, (as much as I'm against this song) That is is JUST A SONG, o.k. why not just let it go. (of course, this is very difficult for me, seeing as how my heart is 3/4 pride and 1/4 emotion) so, I'm just going to let it go, But I still HATE this song. I'm just not going to fight over it, and if little miss chickfanatic2000 is reading this, I'd like to say that I am a true fan. and if she'd been through a few things that I have, then she might see things in a different light. Never judge someone until you've walked in their shoes. bye ya'll"
--martie's#1fan

*****

"Hi - my name is Harmony and for 3 1/2 years I was in an abusive relationship... then I heard "Goodbye Earl". NO - I didn't kill anyone, and yes, the song is hysterically funny on one level, but what it made me realize was that if I didn't leave, it might get to that point someday - either him or me. Thank you chicks - your music (ALL of it - not just "Earl") - gave me the strength I needed to stick with my resolve - to leave and stay gone. I've now got a life to live, and my kids and I are safe - safe to love, safe to make "the big mistakes" - we've truly found joy - and I've realized I don't ever want to live in fear again."
--texasharmony

What are your thoughts?? Post to the Dixie Chicks message board, or email me...I'd love to post them myself.

************************************************************************

Emails that I have received regarding this song:

Hello, I just wanted to express my approval of the controversial Dixie Chicks song. I agree that it sends a message of independence, and self worth which is what abused women need the most. Hopefully this song will make people realize the situation that so many women are in and the incredible difficulty of getting away from that type of a person.

Bill Trull