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Now, there are some things in life that I can’t get over: the series finale of How I Met Your Mother (Seriously, why?!), the breakup of Brad and Jen, Benefit Cosmetics discontinuing my favorite lipstick – Good to Go. But watching Joy Williams in this brief Instagram’d moment reopened one of the deepest wounds of all time for me: I’m not over the breakup of The Civil Wars.
The Civil Wars was, in my opinion, one of this generation’s best bands to come out of the music industry. The vocal marriage of John Paul White and Joy Williams was a welcomed change from the auto-tuned, bass thumping, screaming/whining/moaning “music” that was inundating radio. Their seamless blend of rock, folk, and country crossed genre boundaries, and their repertoire of songs became the quintessential soundtrack for some of life’s greatest moments.
And just like that, the war was over.
It’s been a year since the Nashville duo parted ways, leaving fans with only the memory of perfect harmonies, haunting melodies, and a minute song collection that makes its home on all of my playlists, even the workout mix. As each day passes and both artists move forward -White runs the indie record label Single Lock Records while Williams promotes her solo album Venus – fans’ hopes of a melodic reconciliation are growing more and more faint.
But seeing this clip reminded me of how fantastic The Civil Wars were, and why I will never be over their demise. So, if you’ve never heard of The Civil Wars, or you’re a fan who just needs to grieve with me some more, here are some of my favorite CW songs.
C’est la Mort
From the album, Barton Hollow, “C’est la Mort,” or translated from French as “That is death,” describes a love that not even death could stop. After this song, I’m thoroughly convinced that all great love songs need to include an element of death.
Poison & Wine
Seriously. If you do not have Barton Hollow, stop reading right now and download it. I’ll be right here when you get back.
“Poison & Wine” was the first Civil Wars song that I heard, and it is still one of my favorites. How many of us have felt towards another person, “I don’t love you but I always will?” The song is, ironically, one of the best love and breakup songs ever. A two-in-one song? They totally deserved that Grammy for that alone.
Finding North
The documentary, A Place at the Table, which examines America’s growing epidemic of hunger and poverty, features the musical talents of both The Civil Wars and T Bone Burnett. While playing over images of America’s vastness, “Finding North” is the voice of all those who struggle in the land of plenty.
It’s not the sky I’m asking for
I’m just having trouble finding north
I’ve gone as far as I can go
Trying to find something that feels like home
The One That Got Away
As one of the most symbolic songs that represents the friction between the musicians and the ultimate wave of The Civil War’s white flag, “The One That Got Away” was a change from the band’s acoustic guitar, soft piano and gentle lyrics. It would only be a few months after the release of the self-titled album that White and Williams would go their separate ways, and the song’s first verse foretold that breakup:
I never meant to get us in this deep
I never meant for this to mean a thing
Oh, I wish you were the one
Wish you were the one that got away
Dust to Dust
The video alone is what makes me miss this band. The streets of Paris? John Paul and Joy together, smiling, talking, and playing instruments? Yes, please.
Also, is anyone else hoping that John Paul is writing a letter to Joy asking to get the band back together?
A girl can dream.
Are you a Civil Wars fan? Which songs still resonate with you? Which band breakup can you not get over? Let us know in the comments or tweet us your thoughts!
