The Chicks’ 2002 album Home appeared likely to produce several successful country-radio singles, but that prospect was disrupted by the backlash to Natalie Maines’ 2003 criticism of US President George W. Bush. Many country stations stopped playing the group during a politically conservative period after the 11 September attacks, undermining the album’s singles campaign and illustrating the commercial consequences of the controversy.

“Travelin’ Soldier”, a Vietnam-war ballad, had reached number one on the country chart before being removed from playlists and subsequently falling out of the rankings. Later singles, including “Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)” and “Top Of The World”, gained little radio momentum, although Home received five Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album, and its lead single “Long Time Gone” earned songwriter Darrell Scott a nomination.