Dixie Chicks

With honest lyrics of flawed humility, this hit song is such a breath of fresh air, especially when you consider that there are a lot of newer country singles that are riddled with plastic feel-good sentiment sung by former football cheerleaders. "Not Ready To Make Nice" is an epic ballad about not being able to forgive and forget so easily when someone has deeply hurt you. The Dixie Chicks are in fine form here (albeit sans traditional twang), with their keen harmonies soaring over a dramatic piano, strings and horns.