On Friday October 19, 2018, Canadian country artist Madeline Merlo released an acoustic version of her hit song “War Paint”, with proceeds going towards the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation to raise funds & awareness for mental health.
“War Paint” was originally written as an anthem to help anyone suffering through any kind of mental health issues. Madeline Merlo had a friend who battled with mental illness, and sadly lost that battle. “I had a friend who battled with her mental health and ended up losing that battle. I didn’t really get a chance to fight for her,” explained Merlo during a 2016 interview with The Huffington Post Canada. “I didn’t know she was in as dark situation as she was.”
She dedicated the song to anyone suffering through mental health issues, in hopes that anyone who feels alone might find hope, and fight for their health.
She has decided to partner with the CAMH Foundation, where proceeds from both her Loud tour, and sales of “War Paint – Unplugged” will be donated to help The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) – Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital.
She teased the release on Instagram on October 18th:
Then, when the song was released, she wrote this post:
This acoustic version of “War Paint” is really moving. The original is great, but this version is so raw, and so full of emotion, that it’s hard not to be hit in the feels when listening to it.
Watch the Music Video for “War Paint – Unplugged”
Even the music video is unplugged.
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
