Maddie Marlow and Taylor Dye never intended to hit a nerve when they sat down on St. Patricks Day and wrote “Girl In A Country Song.” Merely expressing their own reaction to the reductive tilt of today’s BroCountry, the pair and co-writer Aaron Schwerz shamelessly skewered its Xeroxed stereotypes; “Girl” was as much a lark as it was ever “meaningful social commentary.”
Yet the response was so instant and intense, there was no denying it. NPR’s “All Things Considered” cited Maddie & Tae for “turning heads in different ways with their very first single,” Rolling Stone cited them as one of “10 New Artists You Need to Know” and David Letterman couldn’t get the plucky duo to New York fast enough. Even elevated cultural think-tank The Atlantic marveled, “Cheekily appropriating much of the sound of modern country, the two young women directly quote well-known bro-country lyrics and titles…”
No one was more surprised than the natives of Sugar Land, Texas and Ada, Oklahoma. Still in the studio tracking overdubs for “Girl,” they signed their record deal before Dan Huff had even finished four sides on the sunshine’n’moxie pair.
“We wanted to go at it from a girl’s perspective, and we wanted to put ourselves in the shoes of this girl,” says Dye. “You know, how does she feel wearing those cut-off shorts, sitting on the tailgate?”
“Boys, we love you, we want to look good, but it’s not all we’re good for,” Marlow cautions with a laugh. “We are girls with something to say. We were brought up to know how we should be treated.”
Simple as that. But there’s so much more to Maddie & Tae than the song that is either a feminist declaration, an echo of Janet Jackson’s rebuke “I’ve got a name, and it ain’t ‘Baby’,” or this year’s feel-good finger-wag to dumb boys. NPR’s lead pop critic Ann Powers agrees, “Maddie and Tae are more. They’re songwriters, powerful harmonizers, and in the video for ‘Girl In A Country Song,’ natural comediennes.”
One listen to their self-titled EP shows that. The reeling mean-girl send-up “Sierra,” with its bending steel and trotting acoustic guitar, boasts harmonies that turn in on each other and the kind of truth that’s hilarious and straight-up.
“There was this beauty-queen bully from high school who sent my friends and I home in tears plenty of times,” Marlow explains. “In order to get over it, I had to write a song. So I brought the idea of ‘Sierra,’ and started singing, ‘I wish I had something nice to say…’
“Tae and our co-writer Aaron Scherz lit up and ran with it.”
Any one who’s suffered through and survived high school can relate. But the ability to rhyme “Sierra, Sierra, life ain’t all tiaras…” and taking the rejoinder “you’re gonna find out karma’s a…” to the brink is what sets these two late teenagers apart.
Effervescent and savoring every moment, Maddie & Tae laugh when they lean into the cautionary “That high horse you’re riding… can buck you off clean,” then let their harmonies swoop free and high on the outro.
Like a lot of young women, Maddie & Tae grew up on the Dixie Chicks’ full-tilt acoustica. Both dreamers who knew what they wanted early, the pair met at 15 through their vocal coach and came to Nashville for “a summer camp publishing deal.” They met Big Machine’s SVP of A&R Allison Jones – and fate stepped in.
As Tae recalls, “She said, ‘If you really want to pursue this, you will need to move to Nashville.’ I knew that was what I wanted, but moving to Nashville also meant I had to figure out how to graduate from high school early, and Maddie had to turn down college.”
In 2013, it was decided. The pair relocated – and never looked back. Publishing deal in hand, they were immersed in creativity, seeking a voice that was both authentic and truly their own. Like Taylor Swift, the duo knew by speaking their truth, their uniqueness would set them apart.
As Marlow told Rolling Stone Country, “Our whole project revolves around keeping it real and being honest. We didn’t filter anything, because we felt like when it comes from an honest place, the truth will resonate so much better. The thing about Taylor, everything is real and relevant to what she’s going through, and that’s why people connect with her.”
Listening to the double harmonies over an acoustic guitar hope-strung-over-doubt mid-tempo “Fly,” Maddie & Tae’s conviction is evident. Will what’s been built be betrayed? How do you keep the faith when you’re so unsure? Where is the courage to maintain your place when you’re afraid of the outcome?
Not since “Wide Open Spaces” has an act embraced the will to grow so unabashedly. In perfect synchronization, Maddie & Tae sing, “Keep on climbing, though the ground might shake, keep on reaching through the limb might break/ we’ve come this far, don’t be scared now ‘Cause you can learn to fly on the way down…”
It’s the sort of song that empowers people wherever they are in life, whatever challenge they may be encountering. Yes, it is about coming of age, but it’s also facing the things that scare you – and having the faith to transcend.
“’Fly’ hits home every time we listen to it,” Dye offers. “We really wanted to write a song that was, ‘You may not have anything figured out, but it doesn’t matter.’”
Indeed. Townes Van Zant wrote, “To live is to fly…” For Maddie & Tae, their wings are in the music. What they feel, how they live, what they dream – this is where they rise. One need only listen to the tumbledown hoedown “Your Side of Town,” that’s all high jinx and higher spirits as the pair warn off a no-good man for the last time, to understand.
Even in the hardcore throw-down, all bucking backbeat and bee-sting guitar, there is a romp and a plucky audacity that shows these young ladies have no interest in letting anything break their spirits. Just as importantly, they fear no fiddles, no banjos, no steel guitars, even as they have bulked up drums that crash and guitars that slash and sting like the big boys.
While Rolling Stone observed, “Cheekily appropriating much of the sound of modern country,” there is so much more to Maddie & Tae than that. Independent thinkers, strong livers, hardcore dreamers, the pair are reaching for the sky – and winking at us all while they do it.
Sometimes, it’s the freshest faces and brightest sounds that pull us in. For Maddie & Tae, who embrace real country, it’s that merge of what’s right now and what they love that sets them apart/captures our imaginations in the best possible way.
Madness
Maddie & Tae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're my hideaway
You're my lighthouse shinin' in a hurricane
You're my best friend
You're my favorite thing
Changed my mind, change my heart, change my last name
Ain't it something that we both got something worth fightin' for
We know better than to worry 'bout whatever wolf's at the door
Come what may, babe, hell or high
If those stars fall from that sky
Let it all come crashin', I'll be runnin' to you the fastest
If these streets go up in flames
If everybody goes insane
I'll reach for you, you'll keep me safe
'Cause, baby, whatever happens
If the world goes mad
If it all goes bad
If the world goes mad
I'll love you through the madness
I'll love you through the madness, babe
We're gonna have days
That rock us to the core
But what don't kill us only gonna make me love you more
Ain't a gut punch
Ain't a single storm
We ain't ridin' out drinkin' on the front porch
Come what may, babe, hell or high
If those stars fall from that sky
Let it all come crashin', I'll be runnin' to you the fastest
If these streets go up in flames
If everybody goes insane
I'll reach for you, you'll keep me safe
'Cause, baby, whatever happens
If the world goes mad
If it all goes bad
If the world goes mad
I'll love you through the madness
Through the madness, baby
Ain't it something that we both got something worth fightin' for
We know better than to worry 'bout whatever wolf's at the door
Come what may, babe, hell or high
If those stars fall from that sky
Let it all come crashin', I'll be runnin' to you the fastest
If these streets go up in flames
If everybody goes insane
I'll reach for you, you'll keep me safe
'Cause, baby, whatever happens
If the world goes mad
If it all goes bad
If the world goes mad
If the world goes mad
If it all goes bad
If the world goes mad
I'll love you through the madness
I'll love you through the madness, babe, ooh
In "Madness" by Maddie & Tae, the lyrics express a deeply committed and unshakable love between two individuals. The song portrays a sense of unwavering support and loyalty, as the singer describes their partner as their guiding light, refuge, and best friend. The song emphasizes that their love can withstand any challenges or chaos that may come their way.
The lyrics paint a picture of a turbulent world, with references to a hurricane, crashing, flames, and insanity. However, the singer's devotion remains steadfast, promising to love their partner through whatever happens. The repeated line "If the world goes mad, I'll love you through the madness" serves as a powerful affirmation of their unwavering commitment and willingness to support each other through difficult times.
Overall, "Madness" is a heartfelt declaration of love that highlights the importance of having a strong and supportive partner to lean on during challenging moments in life.
Line by Line Meaning
You're my north star
You guide me and give me direction in my life.
You're my hideaway
You provide me with a place of comfort and solace.
You're my lighthouse shinin' in a hurricane
You are my source of hope and guidance even in chaotic times.
You're my best friend
You are not only my romantic partner but also my closest companion.
You're my favorite thing
You are the most cherished person in my life.
Changed my mind, change my heart, change my last name
You have had such a profound impact on me that I am willing to commit my entire being to you.
Ain't it something that we both got something worth fightin' for
It is remarkable that we have found something so valuable in each other that is worth fighting for.
We know better than to worry 'bout whatever wolf's at the door
We are wise enough to not let external troubles affect our relationship.
Come what may, babe, hell or high
No matter what challenges we face, I will stand by your side.
If those stars fall from that sky
Even if everything we hold dear is breaking apart, I will remain steadfast.
Let it all come crashin', I'll be runnin' to you the fastest
In the midst of chaos, I will rush to your side without hesitation.
If these streets go up in flames
Even if our surroundings become engulfed in destruction, my priority is your safety.
If everybody goes insane
Even if the world around us loses its sanity, I will remain devoted to you.
I'll reach for you, you'll keep me safe
I will always seek your presence as it brings me comfort and security.
'Cause, baby, whatever happens
No matter what the future holds, our love will endure.
If the world goes mad
In the event that the world descends into chaos and madness.
If it all goes bad
If everything around us turns for the worse.
I'll love you through the madness
I will continue to love and support you even during the most tumultuous times.
I'll love you through the madness, babe
My affection and devotion for you will remain unwavering, my dear.
We're gonna have days that rock us to the core
There will be challenging times that profoundly affect us.
But what don't kill us only gonna make me love you more
The difficulties we face will only strengthen my love for you.
Ain't a gut punch
Nothing can strike me emotionally like the thought of losing you.
Ain't a single storm
No storm or turmoil can compare to the impact you have on my life.
We ain't ridin' out drinkin' on the front porch
Instead of simply enduring challenges together, we actively find ways to overcome them.
If the world goes mad
In the event that the world descends into chaos and madness.
If it all goes bad
If everything around us turns for the worse.
Through the madness, baby
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, our love will persevere.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jessie Jo Dillon, Madison Marlow, Taylor Dye, Zachary Kale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leanne Farmer
Heard this song at their concert in Tulsa a couple months ago. I literally looked for it every single day. My husband and I are renewing our vows for our 15th anniversary and this will be our song!
Melissa
Hope you have a great anniversary Leanne.
Chris Kidd
This is a great song, and shows a lot of maturity in the lyrics, and also the harmonies. I do not understand why songs like, bathroom floor, the woman you got, and mood ring, did not have any chart success or radio airplay it seems. I guess that must be disheartening, but it seems like each new album you have, one of the songs blows up big time and becomes a candidate for song of the year and also reaffirms to everyone that you’re not playing around or going anywhere lol.
I know that you guys know Reba McEntire since you recorded your video for the woman you got at her old house. It took seven years and four or five albums before she got her first number one hit. And that was back when a lot of money had to be poured into making an album and having a record label continue to take chances on you, so just keep on pushing. And that’s all for me today :-).
Malena Rodriguez
I love growing up with their music. From single, to heart breaks, to being in my 20’s & married. I love this song. 💛
Ria Webb
I honestly can’t stop listening to this. Some of your absolute best work ever, I’m obsessed 😍
Kelli Ostrander
Same
Tash
Absolutely beautiful song! Sometimes you just need to find someone to love you through all the madness (especially in 2020 and 2021) and this song encapsulates that beautifully. Can’t wait to see all the things you girls have been working on for the new album! Love from Australia 🇦🇺💕
Rachel Dickson
Hey Tash, completely agree with you 👍😊🇦🇺💝
Clo
My favourite song off of the new album 🌟😊
Mandy Hh
I have this song literally on repeat to where my 5yr old nows the song. Singing his little heart out. ❤️❤️