Sophie Bennett
The Dixie Chicks' new song Gaslighter is the lead single from their eighth studio album of the same name. The song, written and produced by the group and Jack Antonoff, is an empowering anthem about lead singer Natalie Maines' divorce from her husband, actor Adrian Pasdar. The title refers to the term 'gaslighting', which gained meaning from the 1944 film 'Gaslight', where a husband manipulates his wife into doubting her sanity. The song's lyrics cover the bitter end of a 17-year marriage, with Maines accusing her ex-husband of lying and emotional manipulation. The accompanying music video, directed by Seanne Farmer, features political imagery and a vulnerable, heartbroken Maines. Gaslighter marks the group's return to the industry after a 14-year hiatus and a name change to The Chicks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | "Gaslighter" |
| Artist | Dixie Chicks (now known as The Chicks) |
| Album | Gaslighter |
| Album Release Date | July 17, 2020 |
| Song Release Date | March 4, 2020 |
| Songwriters | Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, Emily Strayer, Jack Antonoff |
| Producers | Jack Antonoff, The Chicks |
| Music Video Director | Seanne Farmer |
| Music Video Release Date | March 4, 2020 |
| Song Description | Empowering, fiery, scathing, angry but hopeful, tired but energized, frustrated but cautiously optimistic |
| Song Themes | Divorce, infidelity, gaslighting, political commentary |
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![Gaslighter [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71-pO9-Rp6L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- The song's title refers to the act of gaslighting
- It covers the end of a 17-year marriage or relationship
- The song's political video contains references to Lyndon B. Johnson's campaign
- It was written with Jack Antonoff, who encouraged the group to burn it up and tear it down
- The song is angry and hopeful, with a three-part harmony
The song's title refers to the act of gaslighting
The song "Gaslighter" by the Dixie Chicks (now known as The Chicks) refers to the act of gaslighting. The term "gaslighting" originated from George Cukor's 1944 film "Gaslight", in which Ingrid Bergman plays a housewife manipulated by her husband into doubting her sanity. Lead singer Natalie Maines' divorce from actor Adrian Pasdar inspired the song's lyrics, which deal with the bitter end of a 17-year marriage and the emotional manipulation she experienced. The chorus, "Gaslighter, denier/Doin' anything to get your ass farther," reflects the song's theme of being deceived and manipulated.
The song's accompanying music video, directed by Seanne Farmer, features vintage vignettes and militant invasions of the Dixie Chicks, presenting a strong front. The video also includes political references, such as an introductory scene from Lyndon B. Johnson's "Daisy" ad campaign against Barry Goldwater, which portrayed a young girl counting petals as a nuclear blast occurs, alluding to the threat of nuclear war.
The song "Gaslighter" is the lead single from the album of the same name, the band's eighth studio album and the first released under their new name, The Chicks. The album marks the band's return after a 14-year hiatus and received critical acclaim for its emotional, thought-provoking, and politically charged themes. It deals with the dissolution of a marriage, infidelity, and the personal and political rage of the year it was released.
The term "gaslighter" has also taken on more recent associations, leading to speculation that the song's release was a politically charged statement. The Dixie Chicks, now The Chicks, have a history of controversy, dating back to 2003 when lead singer Natalie Maines criticized President George W. Bush, causing a backlash from fans and the country music industry. The band has since distanced itself from its previous name, dropping "Dixie" due to its association with the Confederate South.
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It covers the end of a 17-year marriage or relationship
The song "Gaslighter" by the Dixie Chicks (now known as The Chicks) is about the end of a 17-year marriage or relationship. Lead singer Natalie Maines wrote the song about her divorce from her ex-husband, actor Adrian Pasdar. The song and its accompanying music video are filled with references to the end of a long-term relationship, infidelity, and emotional manipulation.
The term "gaslighter" originates from the 1944 film "Gaslight", in which Ingrid Bergman plays a housewife whose husband manipulates her into doubting her sanity. This theme of manipulation is present in the lyrics of the song, such as "I believed the promises you made to me / Swore that night 'til death do us part / But you lie-lie-lie-lie-lied." The chorus hook, "Gaslighter, denier / Doin' anything to get your ass farther," also reflects the bitter end of a marriage.
The song and its music video also contain political references and create a broader cultural context. For example, the introductory scene of the music video is known as the "Daisy" ad from Lyndon B. Johnson's presidential campaign against Barry Goldwater. Johnson, along with much of the United States, believed his opponent to be dangerously incompetent, and the ad ends with a massive nuclear blast.
The album "Gaslighter" is the group's first in 14 years and marks a return to music after a decade-long hiatus. It is an emotional rollercoaster, dealing with personal and political rage, infidelity, and the end of a marriage. The album received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its songwriting, vocal arrangements, and blend of early 21st-century pop and country music storytelling.
The Dixie Chicks also dropped "Dixie" from their name due to its association with the Confederate South and the Antebellum South. The group had long felt uncomfortable with the name and its implications, and the decision to change it was accelerated by NASCAR's ban on the Confederate flag.
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The song's political video contains references to Lyndon B. Johnson's campaign
The Dixie Chicks' song "Gaslighter" is a scathing anthem about an unrepentant liar. The song's title refers to the act of gaslighting, a term that gained popularity from the 1944 film "Gaslight", where a husband manipulates his wife into doubting her sanity. Lead singer Natalie Maines has described the album as "the most personal and autobiographical" work of the group, inspired by her bitter divorce from actor Adrian Pasdar.
The "Gaslighter" music video, directed by Seanne Farmer, includes political imagery, such as references to Lyndon B. Johnson's presidential campaign ad, known as the "Daisy" ad. The ad features a 3-year-old girl innocently plucking petals from a daisy, unknowingly reciting a mission-control countdown, followed by a nuclear blast. Johnson ran this ad against his opponent, Barry Goldwater, whom he believed to be dangerously incompetent, a threat to the world's future.
The Dixie Chicks' video, with its opening scene of the "Daisy" ad, sets the tone for the song's broader cultural context and marks a radical comeback for the group after a 14-year hiatus. The group has been known for their political stances, facing backlash in 2003 for criticising President George W. Bush on the eve of the Iraq War. With "Gaslighter," the Dixie Chicks demand to be heard, blending personal narratives with political commentary.
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It was written with Jack Antonoff, who encouraged the group to burn it up and tear it down
The song "Gaslighter" was written and produced by the Dixie Chicks and Jack Antonoff. The song is about lead singer Natalie Maines' divorce from her ex-husband, Adrian Pasdar. The title of the song refers to the act of gaslighting, a term that gained prominence in the 1944 film "Gaslight", where a husband manipulates his wife into doubting her sanity.
The Dixie Chicks' song explores the manipulation and lies within a relationship, with lyrics such as, "I believed the promises you made to me / Swore that night 'till death do us part / But you lie-lie-lie-lie-lied". The song's chorus, "Gaslighter, denier / Doin' anything to get your ass farther", conveys the finality of a marriage coming to an end.
The group's collaboration with Jack Antonoff brought a new energy to their music. Antonoff is known for his work as a pop hitmaker, and his influence on "Gaslighter" is evident in its anthemic and empowering sound. During songwriting sessions, Antonoff encouraged the group to embrace themes of destruction and rebirth, often suggesting lyrics and melodies with words like "Burn it up! Tear it down! Fire! Light it up! Light it on fire!".
The result of this collaboration is a dynamic and emotional song that blends country and pop elements. Antonoff's production skills, combined with the Dixie Chicks' powerful lyrics and vocals, created a critically acclaimed lead single that marked a new chapter for the group. The song and its accompanying music video, directed by Seanne Farmer, received widespread attention and sparked conversations about the personal and political themes within the song.
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The song is angry and hopeful, with a three-part harmony
The song "Gaslighter" by the Dixie Chicks (now known as The Chicks) is an angry and hopeful anthem about lead singer Natalie Maines' divorce from her husband, actor Adrian Pasdar. The term "gaslighter" refers to a form of emotional manipulation, popularized by the 1944 film "Gaslight", in which a husband manipulates his wife into questioning her sanity. The song's lyrics accuse Maines' ex-husband of lying and infidelity, with a particular focus on an incident that occurred on a boat.
The song is the lead single from the album of the same name, which was released in July 2020. It is the band's first album in fourteen years and marks a return to form for the group, who faced controversy in 2003 after Maines criticized President George W. Bush. The album deals with the dissolution of a marriage and the aftermath, with Maines and her bandmates unspooling a tale of infidelity and manipulation.
The song and album have received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising the emotional honesty of the lyrics and the powerful vocals of the band. Robert Christgau, writing in his "Consumer Guide" column, noted that "Maines has never written with more righteous anger and sisterly concern—more humanity." The song's music video, directed by Seanne Farmer, also received attention for its political imagery and the vulnerable performance of Maines.
The Dixie Chicks have described the song as a burning anthem, and it marks a new direction for the band, both musically and personally. The song is a powerful statement of anger and hope, with a three-part harmony that is angelic even when the lyrics are angry. It is a testament to the enduring talent of the band and their ability to create relevant and impactful music after a long hiatus.
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Frequently asked questions
'Gaslighter' is about lead singer Natalie Maines' divorce from her husband, actor Adrian Pasdar.
The term 'gaslighter' refers to an instance of gaslighting, which is a form of emotional manipulation. The term gained meaning from George Cukor's 1944 film, 'Gaslight', in which Ingrid Bergman plays a housewife whose husband manipulates her into doubting her sanity.
The song features a three-part harmony, with a fiddle, a banjo, and a mandolin.
The music video for 'Gaslighter' was directed by Seanne Farmer and features vintage vignettes and militant invasions of the Dixie Chicks, cloned to present a front with three times the strength of the trio.
'Gaslighter' is the first song from the Dixie Chicks' eighth studio album of the same name. It is the group's first album in 14 years and the last release before the group changed their name to 'The Chicks' in June 2020. The album marks the group's return after a decade-long hiatus and follows the group's controversial criticism of President George W. Bush in 2003.
