REBUTTAL: The O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack is ALWAYS a good idea
As the aforementioned friend who was the catalyst behind Dolly singing the vast majority of this soundtrack at a truly excellent suburban high school party (#DrinkingBuddiesSince2005), I have to disagree with her interpretation. This was NOT something to be embarrassed about!
I think anyone who grew up in the suburbs knows how monotonous these kinds of parties can be. Everyone there had the same boring suburban upbringing, the same mall-centric interests, the same petty high school angst, the same life experiences (MYSELF MORE THAN INCLUDED, especially in terms of malls and angst). My point is, this is the only party to date I've been at where a drunk person has sang along to the bluegrass/gospel soundtrack to a dark comedy based on The Odyssey, and I think that's worth something. Also, she's a hilarious singer.
LOVE YOU, GIRL! Keep on keepin' on, especially when keepin' on implies imitating the little girls' high-pitched voices from "In the Highways."
-SWS