Sin Wagon by Dixie Chicks

Before they became most famous for tangling with the Bush administration, the Dixie Chicks were not only the biggest thing in country music but one of the most popular groups in America.

Formed as a traditionally-minded bluegrass group, the Chicks made a major jump when they added Natalie Maines as lead singer on their third album. For a time they were having it both ways, sounding slick enough for country radio but rootsy enough for the original fans.

“Sin Wagon” is a prime example, a bluegrass tune played at warp speed, and including the first jaw-harp solo in Rock Band history. It was one of three songs on the chart-topping Fly album to be written by group members Maines and Emily Robison.

What do the Dixie Chicks and Danzig have in common? Both have worked with producer Rick Rubin.

Our testers describe this one as a “country shred fest.” The blistering banjo parts are charted to guitar, and be warned that the solos only get harder as the song progresses, so don’t expect any bailouts to come your way.

The gems are sometimes pushed together so tightly that it’s difficult to see what’s happening. Get used to the fast back-and-forth HOPOs. And be really nice to your bass player, who may have to bail you out on the solos.

Vocally, this song was also rated as the hardest in the country pack. Besides the breakneck tempo there are plenty of lyrics to spit out. You may recognize quoted lyrics from “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition,” which will at least make you smile as you hop to stay afloat.

After catching flak for criticizing President Bush over the Iraq war, the Dixie Chicks went in a more politicized direction, documented in their movie Shut Up & Sing.

"Sin Wagon" as performed by Dixie Chicks, courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment, Written by Emily Robison, Natalie Maines and Stephony Smith.
©1999 Woolly Puddin’ Music (BMI), Scrapin’ Toast Music (ASCAP), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Singles Only Music (BMI)
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. International Copyright secured.