Wide Open Spaces

Album: Wide Open Spaces (1998)
Charted: 41
Play Video
  • Who doesn't know what I'm talking about
    Who's never left home, who's never struck out
    To find a dream and a life of their own
    A place in the clouds, a foundation of stone

    Many precede and many will follow
    A young girl's dreams no longer hollow
    It takes the shape of a place out west
    But what it holds for her, she hasn't yet guessed

    She needs wide open spaces
    Room to make her big mistakes
    She needs new faces
    She knows the high stakes

    She traveled this road as a child
    Wide eyed and grinning, she never tired
    But now she won't be coming back with the rest
    If these are life's lessons, she'll take this test

    She needs wide open spaces
    Room to make her big mistakes
    She needs new faces
    She knows the high stakes
    She knows the high stakes

    (Ah, ah)

    And as her folks drive away, her dad yells, "Check the oil"
    Mom stares out the window and says, "I'm leaving my girl"
    She said, "It didn't seem like that long ago"
    When she stood there and let her own folks know

    She needed wide open spaces
    Room to make her big mistakes
    She needs new faces
    She knows the high stakes

    She knows the high stakes
    She knows the highest stakes (wide open spaces)
    She knows the highest stakes
    She knows the highest stakes (wide open spaces) Writer/s: Susan Gibson
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

  • Camille from Toronto, OhA most excellent song, reminds me of my wonderful niece who'd recently graduated from high school & was getting ready to head off to college when this song was popular. This song just seemed to capture what she would experience. The Dixie Chicks have that unusual vocal sound that's always appealed to me. And I'll take an outspoken, opinionated person over someone who refuses to stand up for what they believe in because it'll ruin their career ANY DAY!
  • Bob from Roseville, CoHe who will not reason,is a bigot;he who cannot,is a fool;and he who dare's not,is a slave.
  • Wade from Katy, TxI don't mind them saying what they think. I just don't think that they should be winning Grammies for something that they said.

    Because really... Not Ready To Make Nice isn't that great of a song.
  • Cory from Morden, CanadaThey are practically HEROES in Canada, let me tell you. We love them more than ever up here, because most of us dislike "Dubya" up here, too...
  • Stb from South Lyon, MiI think the Dixie Chicks have a right to their opinion, and i'm with them on this one. About the rednecks one, i'm not so sure. I love country music and i think a part of it is that not ONLY guys or ONLY girls sing it like other genres of music. The Dixie Chicks add to the country music and i don't think we should punish them for speaking their minds
  • Bob from St Louis, MoContrary to what some people would have you believe, they still have a lot of fans in the States, too. It takes courage and integrity to say something contoversial and stand by it because you really believe it and they have indeed done that. They make great music, too!
  • Mark from Wee Waa, AustraliaThey have plenty fans in OZ
  • Mark from Wee Waa, AustraliaI agree with what the Dixie chicks said about Bush, look at the death count to American soldiers since they have been in Iraq, and tell their families that the Dixies where wrong. As far as Country fans being rednecks the jury still out on that one. I like the new song, got the CD petty good.
  • Jillian from Portland, TxHonestly, with that new song of theirs, they really are pushing their limits.

    With their crack over President Bush, they should have been totally outcasted.

    Now, I'm very surprised that a riot didn't break out when they said their latest comment.

    Something about Country fans being rednecks.

    Oh hell no.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.