![Story Behind the Song: Dixie Chicks, ‘Silent House’](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2008/03/dixie-chicks-silent-house-lyrics.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Story Behind the Song: Dixie Chicks, ‘Silent House’
The Dixie Chicks' 2006 album, Taking the Long Way, includes a song called "Silent House" as its eighth track. Although the tune was never released as a single, it holds a special place in lead singer Natalie Maines' heart. "Silent House" was written by Maines and her Chicks bandmates, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, as well as Neil Finn, and below, Maines tells The Boot about the bittersweet inspiration behind the song.
This is a sad song that tries to be sweet ... It's about my grandmother, my Nonna, who has Alzheimer's. [As of 2008, she'd] been suffering from it for over 10 years.
It just seems like the worst way to end your life, when you can't remember any of it. But she touched a lot of people, and we all remember. So this song is about that: It's okay to forget, I'll try and carry on. Because, when they first start realizing they are forgetting is the saddest time; they're embarrassed. So it's almost better when they don't know what's going on.
Country Music's Biggest Risk-Takers
More From 107.7 WGNA
![Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines Posts Donald Trump Twitter Rant: ‘I Need You to Care’](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2017/04/natalie-maines-donald-trump.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Natalie Maines, Connie Britton Sign Letter Condemning Texas ‘Bathroom Bill’](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2017/02/texas-bathroom-bill-celebrities-against.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![13 Country Artists Who Don’t ‘Shut Up and Sing’](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2018/11/political-artists.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Natalie Maines Is ‘Ashamed’ Once Again — This Time of Ted Cruz](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2016/01/Natalie-Maines-Ted-Cruz.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines Joins Taylor Swift Onstage for ‘Goodbye Earl’ [Watch]](http://townsquare.media/site/81/files/2015/08/taylor-natalie.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines Rips Sony Over Decision to Pull ‘The Interview’](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2014/12/Natalie-Maines.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Natalie Maines, If Country Wont Have Her, Maybe Rock Will? [Video]](http://townsquare.media/site/81/files/2013/03/Natalie-Maines-YouTube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Zombies Attack Montana, Country Music is an Abusive Husband and More: Digital Debbie’s Web Watch: Feb 13th](http://townsquare.media/site/81/files/2013/02/internet-flickr-user-ed-yourdon-630x423.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![I Love Natalie Maines’ Voice](http://townsquare.media/site/81/files/2011/03/77406550.jpg?w=980&q=75)