Maines co-wrote four tracks for the Dixie Chicks' first three albums, including the "Billboard" Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart number one hit "Without You" on "Fly". Maines was a primary songwriter on all 14 tracks of the band's 2006 album "Taking the Long Way" which peaked on the "Billboard" 200 chart at No. 1. "Taking the Long Way" has the "Billboard" Hot 100 single "Not Ready to Make Nice", (Maines, Strayer, Erwin, Wilson) hitting No. 4 and for which the band won the songwriting Grammy Award, for Song of the Year. Maines considers the songwriting she did for "Taking the Long Way" "pure therapy" after the controversy that ensued over a comment Maines made from the stage in London that criticized U.S. President George W. Bush. "Everything felt more personal this time", Maines said about the album, "there's just more maturity, depth, intelligence. ... songs feel more grown-up."