War Paint (Madeline Merlo song)

"War Paint" is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country music artist Madeline Merlo for her debut studio album, Free Soul (2016). Merlo wrote the song with April Geesbreght and Eric Olson, the latter of whom also produced the track under the moniker EO. "War Paint" was serviced to Canadian country radio on June 24, 2016 as the fifth single from Free Soul.[1]

"War Paint"
Single by Madeline Merlo
from the album Free Soul
ReleasedJune 24, 2016 (2016-06-24)
GenreCountry pop
Length3:24
LabelOpen Road
Songwriter(s)
  • April Geesbreght
  • Madeline Merlo
  • Eric Olson
Producer(s)EO
Madeline Merlo singles chronology
"Whatcha Wanna Do About It"
(2016)		 "War Paint"
(2016)		 "Over and Over"
(2017)

Content

"War Paint" was inspired by Merlo's experience losing a friend to mental illness and features "more serious imagery and meaning" than her previous releases.[2][3] The song is "about fighting for somebody going through a dark time," according to Merlo, and is "somewhat inspired by mental-health issues, but also about the people who have to take those things on."[3] Lyrically, it describes the ways one stands by their loved ones in times of trouble, wearing their struggles "like war paint" so that they can fight together.

Reception

Critical

In a review of Free Soul, Nanci Degg of Canadian Beats wrote that "War Paint" is "one song that you want to play over and over again," adding that "its rhythm cannot be denied."[4] Soundcheck Entertainment cited the song as an album highlight in an uncredited review, writing that "War Paint" is "one track that particularly shined through."[5]

Commercial

"War Paint" debuted at number 46 on the Canada Country chart dated August 6, 2016.[6] It reached a peak position of 13 on the chart dated November 5, 2016, earning Merlo her second consecutive top twenty radio single. "War Paint" also reached number 47 on the comprehensive Canada All-Format Airplay chart.[7]

Music video

A special "unplugged" version of the song was recorded for the music video, which was produced by Rami Films under director Rami Mikhail.[8] The video was released on June 10, 2016.[9] Sounds Like Nashville complimented the stripped down version, writing "we didn’t think it was possible, but we may love the song even more now."[10]

Charts
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Canada Country (Billboard)[11] 13

References
  1. Farrell, David (June 24, 2016). "Liner Notes: Bullet News For June 24th". FYI Music News. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  2. Nagy, Sasha (June 27, 2016). "Profound Loss Inspired Madeline Merlo's New Single 'War Paint'". Huffington Post Canada. AOL. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  3. Derdeyn, Stuart (July 16, 2016). "Maple Ridge country artist Madeline Merlo is having a banner year". Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  4. Degg, Nanci (May 2, 2016). "Review – Madeline Merlo". Canadian Beats. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  5. "Madeline Merlo shows her 'Free Soul'". Soundcheck Entertainment. May 4, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  6. "Chart history for "War Paint" on Canada Country". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  7. "Madeline Merlo – Chart history". Billboard Canada All-Format Airplay for Madeline Merlo. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  8. Rami Films (June 10, 2016). "Rami Films - Timeline" (wall post). Facebook. Retrieved January 23, 2017. Our new friend Madeline Merlo just released her unplugged video of War Paint. It is truly a privilege to work with such talent.
  9. Madeline Merlo (June 10, 2016). "Madeline Merlo - War Paint [Unplugged]" (video). YouTube. Google. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  10. SLN Staff Writer - Canada (July 1, 2016). "Watch Madeline Merlo's Beautiful Unplugged Version Of "War Paint"". Sounds Like Nashville. SpinMedia. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  11. "Madeline Merlo Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
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