The Band Perry, ‘Chainsaw’ [Listen]
The Band Perry’s ‘Chainsaw’ finds singer Kimberly Perry playing the role of unstable ex-girlfriend. Until now she’d mostly kept a lid on her crazy, only giving glimpses in songs like ‘Better Dig Two’ and ‘Done.’ There’s nothing stable about a girl swinging around a Stihl, however.
Perry is playing a character for the song (one hopes) — a character familiar to country fans in 2014. “Crazy” is working right now, and the spurned female is as popular a theme as what happens when country boys drop the tailgate. As always, the trio’s lyrics are full of detail and color. She carves a unique scene.
“A jagged little heart so the whole town knew it / Carved in the bark with an arrow through it / I came out here to see it one more time / And I got my chainsaw,” Perry sings to close the first verse.
Brothers Neil and Reid play the devil and angel on her shoulder, urging her on while reminding her that what’s she’s doing is a little insane.
“Love is shady / Love is tragic / It’s hard to bury the hatchet / Holdin’ a chainsaw.”
The Band Perry find unique ways to blend their three voices, making each new song seem fresh from a production standpoint. The boys aren’t simply relegated to backing vocals. Perhaps more than any other group, their contributions stand alongside that of their enigmatic, energetic singer.
Shane McAnnally, Josh Osborne and Matt Ramsey penned ‘Chainsaw.’ That’s surprising, as it captures the imagination of a scorned young woman beautifully. “Crazy” isn’t a quality limited to the ladies, it seems.
Why Fans Will Love It: Kimberly Perry is becoming country music's next great unstable female. It's a character, of course (we think), but this performance puts her alongside Miranda Lambert as two women not to be messed with.
Key Lyrics: "Love is shady / Love is tragic / It’s hard to bury the hatchet / Holdin’ a chainsaw"
Did You Know?: Songwriter Shane McAnnally is behind two of the most dramatic songs the Band Perry has released from 'Pioneer.' He also co-wrote 'Better Dig Two.'
Listen to the Band Perry, ‘Chainsaw’