Her somewhat contentious relationship with Green himself would be captured for audiences to see in the 2005 documentary film Rock School. Even at that young age, Madi had forceful ideas about her music, an instinct that has served her well in avoiding lazy categorization.
Green's School of Rock led to a scholarship at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where Madi would spend the next three years. Beyond musical education, it was at Berklee that she met producer Frank Charlton and engineer Martin Cooke, with whom she would record her first solo album, Skin and Bone, in early 2007. Joining her for the sessions was another Berklee student, Kyle Ryan, her songwriting and performing collaborator ever since.
Skin and Bone is a sparkling debut, capturing a rootsy side of Diaz as singer-songwriter and drawing comparisons to the work of artists like Patty Griffin. But just as soon as Skin and Bone arrived, Diaz was already moving forward. She and Ryan began co-writing with others, and the pair, often joined by bass player Adam Popick, started to play regularly in and around Boston. A chance meeting at a show in New York City lead Madi to her manager Ty Stiklorius (part of John Legend's management team) and in turn to a publishing deal with Cherry Lane (Ryan, too, signed with Cherry Lane).
With support from her new management and publisher, doors began to open and interest in Madi grew, especially after people saw her perform at places like the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival, WXPN Phildelphia's XPoNential Music Festival and the Living Room in New York City's Lower East Side.
Diaz and Ryan began co-writing with folks like Sarah Siskind, Garrison Starr and David Mead, and recording demos with producers Gary Paczosa (Dixie Chicks, Alison Krauss), Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson) and Jay Joyce (Patty Griffin). Those sessions eventually spurred Diaz and Ryan to uproot from Boston and move to Nashville, where they continued to write new material and ingratiate themselves into the local scene through local gigs at The Basement and Mercy Lounge. Nashville producers, Ian Fitchuck and Justin Loucks (Landon Pigg, Griffin House, De Novo Dahl) became friends and soon collaborators, the first byproduct of which is Diaz and Ryan's new EP, Ten Gun Salute.
The sound of Ten Gun Salute might surprise those who have heard Skin and Bone, as Madi and Kyle veer off into new sonic territories. Toy pianos plink. Fat basslines oomph. Americana overtones give way to imaginative pop structures. All the while there's that amazing voice weaving through. From the simple and sublime "Heavy Heart," to the instantly memorable "Nothing At All," the evocative storytelling of "Love You Now" to the damn-near-epic title track, Ten Gun Salute finds Diaz soaring.
Let's Go
Madi Diaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For ones not lost in a bad way
Got tired, finished last place
How wonderful
What a strange day
Let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
To a place I know-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh oh
All that we need
You, me, leaves blowing off on the trees
And everything that we see
Will be so-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh
To a place I know-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
We'd be so-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh oh
Wanna play so come out
Way up high, reaching down
Far from things that we know
Let's go down in the dirt
Use two hands will it work
So let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh
To a place I know-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
We'd be so-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh oh
Oh let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh
We'd be so-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh oh
Let's go
The lyrics of the song "Let's Go" by Madi Diaz seem to be about the desire to escape from the mundane and predictable routine of everyday life. The first verse acknowledges that while the day may have been strange or challenging, it's possible to appreciate the wonder and beauty in it. Diaz may be encouraging the listener to adopt a more optimistic outlook and focus on the positive aspects of life.
The chorus suggests that Diaz has a specific destination in mind - "a place I know." This place represents a sort of utopian retreat, where there are no distractions or worries, just pure bliss. The image of leaves blowing off trees and the mention of everything that can be seen indicates that this destination is part of nature. Diaz believes that with just the presence of a companion, they can create a perfect moment.
The second verse continues this idea, suggesting that leaving the familiar location for the unknown and unexplored can provide a sense of freedom and excitement. This verse also contains the invitation to play and engage in physical activities, perhaps as a way to let go of the stress or boredom associated with everyday life. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the desire to escape and experience something new.
Overall, "Let's Go" is a song that encourages people to take a break from the routine of everyday life and explore new things. Life can be difficult and stressful, but with the right company and the right location, people can find happiness and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
What a strange day
Today has been odd and unexpected
For ones not lost in a bad way
For people who are not struggling or feeling hopeless
Got tired, finished last place
I am exhausted and failed to win or succeed
How wonderful
Despite the difficulties, this is actually okay and good
Let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
We should leave and embark on an adventure
To a place I know-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
A location that I am familiar with and enjoy
We'd be so-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
It would be amazing and fulfilling
All that we need
We don't require much
You, me, leaves blowing off on the trees
Just us and the simple beauty of nature around us
And everything that we see
The world around us is enough to satisfy us
Will be so-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
It will be incredible and awe-inspiring
Wanna play so come out
I want to have fun and play, so join me
Way up high, reaching down
We can climb high and explore
Far from things that we know
We can escape our daily lives and routine
Let's go down in the dirt
We can get a little dirty and experience the earth beneath us
Use two hands will it work
We can use all of our senses and abilities to enjoy ourselves
Oh let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh
Let's leave and make this happen
We'd be so-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
We would be incredibly happy and content
Oh, let's go-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh oh
This is our chance, and we shouldn't miss it
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Winnie
She deserves all the respect in the world - an amazing artist with raw talent who doesn't beg and advertise for attention. Now that's admirable.
friedmandesigns
+1 ... cheers to that, it's increasingly rare in homo sapiens. :) Warm winds and keep on creatin', Madi!
elise gehosky
She’s the most talented singer I think and that guitar is so 😍
Alexandria Gonzales
found this in my memories on Facebook from the day of my senior prom and immediately the strongest nostalgia came back to me
Michael Currin
Beautiful. Listening to this and the live version a couple times this week.
WillOrng
Pure pop, it's essence, at it's best!
fritchie
you are a true artist, madi!
aimsomewhere
This song makes me so unbelievably happy.
David P
i heard this song on college radio on my way to school once a year ago and was so taken by it i googled the lyrics soon as i got to school. wonderful song and recording.
Bill Maginnis
Thanks to a an older WinAmp Song-of-The-Day collection - found this and really love the groove! Keep it up, Madi!