Country group Little Big Town is known for their loyal fans and hit songs, but their newest single is drawing more criticism than praise.
Radio stations across the country have pulled the song "Girl Crush" after listeners complained that it promotes a "gay agenda."
Singer Karen Fairchild described being jealous of her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend in the song, and wanted to experience the new girl for herself, to see why she is preferred.
"I want to taste her lips, yeah cause they taste like you / I want to drown myself in a bottle of her perfume," she crooned. "I want her long blonde hair, I want her magic touch / Yeah cause maybe then, you'd want me just as much... I got a girl crush."
At Boise, Idaho's 104.3 FM, the backlash against the song was so strong that morning show co-host Alana Lynn no longer plays the record. She compared the response to the outrage over the Dixie Chicks' remarks against former President George W Bush in 2003.
Lynn said listeners sent furious emails and called the station threatening to boycott. They accused 104.3 of promoting a "gay agenda," and refused to let their children hear the song.
A similar scene played out on Texas, where a music director was reportedly told: "You are just promoting the gay agenda on your station and I am changing the channel and never listening to you ever again!!"
The song was moved from a medium to light rotation.
The Washington Post reported that "Girl Crush" is No. 4 on iTunes, but No. 33 on the radio charts.
Little Big Town said the backlash was disappointing, but remain committed to the song.
"It's a genius lyric, such a beautifully written song about jealousy," Fairchild said. "It was like, 'Why would we not cut this?'"
