Their album, The Good in Goodbye, was born from their growth, both together and apart. It is like an open diary of their personal and professional experiences together as friends and musicians, two very unique relationships that affect each other in profound ways.
Since releasing their last album, No Fool for Trying (2009), Madison Violet won the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their track “The Ransom,” took home the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and were nominated for multiple East Coast Music Awards and a 2010 JUNO Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year (Group).
As a follow-up to their breakthrough successes in 2010, The Good in Goodbye captures the duo’s growth and musical maturity. Their distinct take on iconic Americana-inspired up-tempo melodies beautifully contrasts with their breathtakingly sweeping and personal lyrics, creating songs that blend nods to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch with radio-friendly flecks of The Court-Yard Hounds.
To capture the intimacy of The Good in Goodbye, Madison Violet returned to the studio with trusted friend and producer Les Cooper (Jill Barber) while bringing a collective of remarkable musicians into the fold, including Joel Stouffer (Dragonette) on drums, Adrian Lawryshyn (Andy Stochansky) on bass, and vocals from Ruth Moody (The Wailin’ Jennys) and singer/songwriter Blair Packham.
Though Madison Violet seemingly made their mark in the last year or so, success was hard earned, spending up to eight months a year on the road, winning fans and champions the old-fashioned way, one song at a time, one gig at a time.
Their first disc, Worry the Jury (2004), was an introduction to the lush arrangements and radio-friendly harmonies that would become a Madison Violet hallmark, with their sophomore album Caravan (2006) further exploring and incorporating country-infused, toe-tapping melodies.
Their breakthrough album, No Fool for Trying (2009) enlisted, for the first time, the help of producer Les Cooper. The record showcased Madison Violet’s heartfelt (and often heartbreaking) lyrics in brilliant contrast to their uplifting arrangements, pushing their graceful harmonies to the surface.
Receiving a mass of acclaim from outlets including the BBC, the CBC, Maverick Magazine, NPR, and Penguin Eggs Magazine, No Fool for Trying made dedicated fans of even the most hard-to-crack critics. Ultimately, Madison Violet captured the attention of Mojo Magazine, landing “Small Of My Heart” on the publication’s distinguished playlist, “Mojo’s Top 10,” in December 2009. Madison Violet also have the unique distinction of being the only Canadians to win The John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
The duo has sold-out venues across North America and Europe, had the prestigious distinction of touring with Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe, and has shared stages with contemporaries such as Chantal Kreviazuk, Ron Sexsmith and The Indigo Girls. With their newest effort, Madison Violet prove on they’re among Canada’s brightest singer/songwriters.
MADISON VIOLET CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards
- 2005 ECMA nomination (Best New Artist)
- 2005 ECMA nomination (Pop Recording of the Year / Worry The Jury)
- 2007 ECMA nomination (Group Recording of the Year / Caravan)
- 2008 ECMA nomination (Folk Recording of the Year / Caravan)
- 2008 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination (Best Vocal Group)
- 2009 Canadian Folk Award - (Best Vocal Group)
- 2009 Winners of the “Maxell Song of the Year Award” from the John Lennon Songwriting Competition - “The Ransom”
- 2010 ECMA nomination (Group Recording of the Year / No Fool for Trying)
- 2010 ECMA nomination (SOCAN Songwriter of the Year/ “Small of my Heart”)
- 2010 JUNO Award Nominees - Roots & Traditional Album of the Year, Group
- 2011 Independent Music Awards Folk/Singer-Songwriter Song of the Year for "The Ransom”
come as you are
Madison Violet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It don't come without a war
You say come as you are but I find lately
It don't come without a war
We lost a little a time down in Mount Eliza
Thumbing a ride running from the lies of Georgia
Been through the desert and the flames
Gotta wash Georgia out of your heart
Come as you are but I find lately
It don't come without a war
You say come as you are but I find lately
It don't come without a war
We done a lot crying at the seven hills diner
April on the Rhine a flat line, this love got harder
Been through the flooding and the rains
But honey, there's a sad in your eyes
Gotta wash Georgia out of your heart
You say come as you are but I find lately
It don't come without a war
You say come as you are but I find lately
It don't come without a war
Madison Violet's song "Come As You Are" reflects the struggle of finding oneself after experiencing heartbreak and loss. The lyrics suggest that despite the invitation to come as you are, it is not always easy to do so. The line, "You say come as you are but I find lately, it don't come without a war," implies that the singer has been fighting an internal battle to truly be themselves.
The song's use of geographical locations, such as Mount Eliza and Georgia, suggest that the struggle the singer is facing may have been caused by external forces such as moving or the aftermath of a failed relationship. The line, "Gotta wash Georgia out of your heart," could also signify the need to let go of painful memories and move on from a past relationship.
Furthermore, the lyric "We done a lot crying at the seven hills diner, April on the Rhine a flat line, this love got harder" illustrates the pain that the singer has gone through in their past romantic relationships. The imagery of crying at a diner and a flatlining love demonstrate that the relationship was once alive but ultimately deteriorated, leading to heartbreak.
Overall, Madison Violet's "Come As You Are" portrays the pain of heartbreak, the struggle of finding oneself, and the need to let go of past experiences to move forward in life.
Line by Line Meaning
You say come as you are but I find lately
You claim that I should be myself, but it has been challenging to do so recently.
It don't come without a war
It is accompanied by conflict or struggle.
We lost a little a time down in Mount Eliza
We wasted some time in Mount Eliza.
Thumbing a ride running from the lies of Georgia
We hitchhiked out of Georgia to escape the dishonesty there.
Been through the desert and the flames
We have experienced hardships and difficulties.
Honey, there's a sad in your eyes
I can see that you are unhappy.
Gotta wash Georgia out of your heart
You need to let go of the negative feelings associated with Georgia.
We done a lot crying at the seven hills diner
We had many emotional moments at the seven hills diner.
April on the Rhine a flat line, this love got harder
Our relationship experienced challenges during the summer on the Rhine river, which made things more difficult.
Been through the flooding and the rains
We have dealt with natural disasters and hardships.
You say come as you are but I find lately
You keep telling me to be myself, but it has recently been more difficult to do so.
It don't come without a war
Being myself still requires effort and struggle.
Contributed by Adrian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lurban-gw7oh
Hello From Toronto
This Is Canadian Gold!
Stay As You Are!
Irresistibly Golden!!
Just listing to the two of You Golden Ladies on This Is My Playlist on CBC, my ears are landing my summer soul in momentary heaven!
Just Love It!!
*The piece from and about Laura Smith was just Beautiful.
Thanks for a Beautiful Spring/Summer Night!
@kimcook4401
I have seen them numerous times, and have the luck of seeing them in the smallest of local venues even in the last year. Phenomenal Canadian band no matter what makes you tick.
@fivepetalflower3836
ive been trying to find this song forever, im so happy.
@davidgeorgea
I to found this scrolling on You Tube .I love it and have come back now quite a few times to listen to this song ..I just love the whole experience . David .
@robertcubinelli4961
Been following these babes for a while now.......they never fail to deliver what they do best......singing and playing !!:):)
@lurban-gw7oh
Hello From Toronto
This Is Canadian Gold!
Stay As You Are!
Irresistibly Golden!!
Just listing to the two of You Golden Ladies on This Is My Playlist on CBC, my ears are landing my summer soul in momentary heaven!
Just Love It!!
*The piece from and about Laura Smith was just Beautiful.
Thanks for a Beautiful Spring/Summer Night!
@smileybluegirl
Madison Violet harmonies are unsurpassed!!! Love them!! :)
@lisamac881
Favorite song EVER....saw them in person recently in NS and WOW even better
@Buff1nt0n
There's a nuance in the way they play their songs that touches a lonesome spot I wasn't aware of inside. That's what music is supposed to do, invoke feeling and emotion. That, I enjoy the most...
@cbcmusic
Us too!
@debbycold5359
Omg !!! I love their harmonies!! They are magnificent!!!