Wasteland of the Free
Wasteland of the Free
Wasteland of the Free is a song by Iris DeMent from her 1996 album The Way I Should. It challenges religious and political bigotry and calls attention to global inequality. DeMent has said that hearing about injustice made her write more about these subjects to help people understand what we’re facing.
The song reflects DeMent’s left-leaning views, which critics noted when the album came out. It was described as a bold, progressive statement that stood out in country music at the time. DeMent grew up in a Pentecostal family and left the church in her teens. She says the experience of that upbringing shaped her desire to expose evil and fight it through her music.
Wasteland of the Free is a call to action. It says there are two sides—love and hate, good and evil—and asks listeners to choose where they stand. The song condemns religious and political bigotry and points to the wealth gaps seen around the world.
The song sparked controversy. Some conservative radio hosts criticized The Way I Should. In 1997, Florida State Senator John Grant tried to cut $103,000 in state funding for WMNF-FM, a Tampa community radio station that aired the album (about 17% of its budget). He argued the station featured adult programming. The station urged listeners to help, and a fundraiser brought in about $120,000 in one day. DeMent performed a benefit concert to support the station. Public pressure helped restore part of the funding, ending up at about 75% of the previous level.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 20:25 (CET).