Dixie Chicks - Not Ready to Make Nice (Live on the Late Show with David Letterman 2006)

Dixie Chicks performing "Not Ready to Make Nice" from the album 'Taking the Long Way' live on the Late Show with David Letterman on 22 May 2006.

LYRICS:
Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I'm not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I'm still waiting
I'm through with doubt
There's nothing left for me to figure out
I've paid a price, and I'll keep paying
I'm not ready to make nice
I'm not ready to back down
I'm still mad as hell, and I don't have time
To go 'round and 'round and 'round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
'Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should
I know you said
Why can't you just get over it?
It turned my whole world around
And I kinda like it
I made my bed, and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets, and I don't mind saying
It's a sad, sad story
When a mother will teach her daughter
That she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world
Can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they'd write me a letter
Saying that I better
Shut up and sing
Or my life will be over?
I'm not ready to make nice
I'm not ready to back down
I'm still mad as hell, and I don't have time
To go 'round and 'round and 'round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
'Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should
I'm not ready to make nice
I'm not ready to back down
I'm still mad as hell, and I don't have time
To go 'round and 'round and 'round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
'Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should, what it is you think I should
Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I'm not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I'm still waiting

Written by Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, Emily Robison and Dan Wilson

[hellbent]

As a Texan I'm proud that these girls are from Texas!!!!

[danielengel]

These ladies did what 99 percent would never do. They put everything on the line to stand up for not only themselves but each and every one of us. Most do not understand they put everything on the line for all of us UNITED.

[soxfan]

After all these years, the Dixie Chicks still stand up for what they believe in despite knowing what the repercussions were. One has to admire that.

[aliesebonn]

One day the industry will honor these women he way they should have been, although they’ve had to wait and wait.

[christschool]

The Dixie Chicks were right, and you know it in your heart. You're just too prideful to admit it. Pride goweth before the fall.

[hrdmanluv]

Her voice is the best I've ever heard. I'm proud to say she's a Texan.

[GerynSloane]

I loved them before and I loved them MORE after the "incident". Powerful, talented and unafraid. ♥♥♥ Chicks Forever!

[Johnny_Doe]

When Natalie gets to that aggressive climax....One of the biggest meaningful payoffs to a pop tune in the past 25 years.

[salemdevereaux]

My god Natalie’s vocals are so amazing…like I’m thinking who can compare to this

[rickyisaac]

What amazing role models. Especially to southern girls, who are taught to listen to the men, keep your interests in the home, and shut up.

3 southern women with their own voices, own beliefs and not afraid to stand up for what’s right. THATS SOUTHERN PRIDE.

[peeweemartinez]

I stand behind them. Then and now! Freedom is what America is all about! That includes speach!
Amazing song. Thanks for posting!
Extremely good live vocals

[k_dellz]

You can see the violinist hold back tears right when Natalie sings about the death threats. Such a raw and emotional performance right after all of the events. Incredible. Natalie truly felt it all as she sung.

[SFGal]

This song still moves me to tears after all these years. Awesome that Letterman gave them a platform so soon after. I dated a republican at the time. Oopsie. Educated but ignorant, he believed the lies, ergo he was for the war. It was the beginning of the end for us. That war bankrupted our country.

[SFGal]

Never fails that I get weepy at the crescendo. Brilliant song. Thank you, David Letterman. You and The Dixie Chicks are class and courage personified. You showed them support when most turned their backs. That war was so very wrong and nearly bankrupt our country.

[mrjp]

They called them anti American 🇺🇸, but what they did was the embodiment of being an American. God bless the Dixie Chicks and this great nation.

[ChicagoJ]

One thing I like about the chicks is they love guitars. 4 guitars playing in this song. No laptops or software. Real musicians playing music. Great sound, great song, and a great singer. Love it.

[alysaeason]

Love love love their strength and beauty! I'm so proud of these women

[macmac]

Those instruments were hauntingly perfect for the message of that song. Much talent there. Alway admired them! Way to ladies ! Still a powerful meaning to this day.

[sherylgillespie]

I stand behind them. Then and now! Freedom is what America is all about! That includes speach!

[whatever]

It’s the voice even years later strikes so many chords... miss this band so much, Natalie’s solo album was brilliant but the courtyard hounds never got there. And probably the best anti -war song in my opinion of travelling soldier that song brings tears to this day