Making a first impression is a very important step for anyone: you have to make sure to set forth the right image and, hopefully, not have any controversy that could ripple the waters. But in the case of Maddie & Tae, the duo came barging in with lyrics full of such wit that it turned the industry – and the recent view towards female country artists – on its head. Now, two+ years removed from their debut bombshell single “Girl In A Country Song,” Maddie Marlow and Taylor Dye have become seasoned veterans who we adore and respect and are this week’s #WCW.
1. Real Songwriters: While we already mentioned the cleverly written “Girl In A Country Song,” which not only called out the trend of ‘bro-country’ in both mocking of their lyrical styles but down right shaming them by saying Conway and George would never write such songs, the rest of the M&T’s debut album Start Here needs to be acknowledged as well. The 11-tracks are so well written and bare the maturity of those who have experienced much more in life than just the teenage years that Marlow and Dye were at the time. Their second single “Fly” is a beautiful “never give up” ballad, while “Downside of Growing Up” shows the girls’ depth in their songwriting about getting older and life in general – that even the happy, exiting times can simultaneously be melancholy ones.
2. Fashionistas: The girls always look good, and now their fans can share the same chic taste as their favorite duo! Maddie and Tae released their own fashion line – AQUA x Maddie & Tae – in Bloomingdale’s this past fall, and helped close out the iconic New York Fashion Week!
3. Pet Parents: Maddie & Tae love their furbabies! The proud pet moms often show off their adorable cats and dogs all over their socials and help spread the word about the importance of pet adoption.
4. True Blue Country Girls: “Shut Up and Fish” might have been a catchy, girl power tune but it’s true to the girls’ character as the country girls love the outdoors. Marlow has shared photos from her duck hunt with her dad while Dye loves to reel them in!
5. Honoring Their Idols: Like many other country artists, Maddie & Tae perform cover songs during their live shows which include tunes from artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Merle Haggard, Justin Timberlake, and one of their idols, The Dixie Chicks. Much like the trio, Maddie & Tae’s harmonies on the classic “Cowboy Take Me Away” are just phenomenal.