Music is weird. One minute you're the girls who "poked the bear" by mocking every bro-country trope in the book, and the next, you're expected to prove you aren't just a flash-in-the-pan novelty act. That was the reality for Madison Font and Taylor Kerr—better known as Maddie & Tae—back in 2015.
Everyone was still buzzing about "Girl in a Country Song." It was snarky. It was bold. It was a massive #1 hit that basically told the guys in tight jeans and backwards hats to pipe down. But when it came time for a second single, they didn't go for another satire. They didn't try to "out-snark" themselves. Instead, they released Fly, a song that felt like a deep exhale after a very long sprint.
The Story Behind Fly by Maddie and Tae
"Fly" wasn't just a random track picked by a label executive in a glass office. It was personal. Maddie and Tae co-wrote it with Tiffany Vartanyan, and if you listen closely, you can hear the vulnerability of two teenagers trying to navigate a cutthroat industry.
The song actually dropped in January 2015. At the time, the duo was only 19 years old. Think about that for a second. While most people that age are trying to figure out how to do laundry in a dorm room, these two were carrying the weight of being the "saviors" of female country music.
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Taylor Dye (now Kerr) once mentioned that the song is about those moments when everything is going wrong. It’s not a "high on life" anthem. It’s a "I'm currently hitting the pavement" anthem. Basically, it's about the grit you need when the path isn't smooth. They filmed the music video with director Brian Lazzaro, using ladders and chairs to symbolize the climb. It wasn't literal, which made it way more impactful.
Why the Lyrics Hit Different
The hook is what usually gets people: "You can learn to fly on the way down." It’s a bit of a paradox, right? Usually, you want to learn to fly before you jump. But anyone who has ever started a business, moved to a new city, or ended a long relationship knows that life doesn't work that way. You usually jump, panic, and then figure out the wings part while the ground is rushing up to meet you.
Breaking Down the Vibe
- The Sound: It’s heavily acoustic. You’ve got that prominent fiddle and those signature tight harmonies that remind you of the Dixie Chicks (now The Chicks) or The Wreckers.
- The Key: It’s in F Major, but it doesn't feel overly "sunny." It feels grounded.
- The Contrast: While their first hit was satire, "Fly" was sincere. It was a massive risk. Critics at the time, like Ben Foster, actually praised them for this, noting that the production elevated the theme rather than drowning it out.
Honestly, the song served a dual purpose. It proved they could actually sing—not just write funny lyrics—and it gave their debut album, Start Here, the emotional weight it needed to debut at #2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
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Was Releasing Fly a "Mistake"?
If you look back at music forums or industry talk from 2025 and early 2026, you’ll find some debate. Some folks argue that "Fly" was too "lethargic" compared to the fire of their debut. They think it slowed down their momentum.
I don't buy that.
Sure, it didn't hit #1 on the Airplay charts like "Girl in a Country Song" did—it peaked at #9—but it went Platinum. People bought it. People lived with it. In a world of "truck and beer" songs, "Fly" was the song that moms played for their daughters in the car. It was the song played at graduations. You can’t measure that kind of cultural stickiness just by looking at a peak chart position.
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The Legacy of the Song in 2026
Looking back from where we are now, especially with the news of the duo’s career shifts and the complexities of their label history (rest in peace, Dot Records), "Fly" feels like a prophecy. They’ve been open about the "tough depression" and the struggle of feeling like their self-worth was tied to their chart success.
Maddie once told an interviewer that they didn't stay in the game because of the success, but because of the perseverance. They stuck together. They survived label shutdowns and industry sexism that sidelined female duos for years.
What You Can Take Away from Fly
If you’re listening to this song today, or maybe discovering it for the first time, don't just treat it as a mid-2010s country relic. Use it as a blueprint for those days when you feel like you’re failing.
- Accept the "Down" Part: You don't have to have it figured out when you start. The "way down" is where the actual learning happens.
- Harmonies Matter: Maybe not literal singing harmonies, but having a partner—a "Tae" to your "Maddie"—makes the scary stuff manageable.
- Vulnerability is a Power Move: It would have been easy for them to keep playing the "sassy girls" characters. Being sincere was the harder, but better, choice.
They might have faced an uphill battle at the CMAs and ACMs (seriously, how many times can you be nominated without a win?), but their impact is undeniable. They outlasted most of the "bro-country" acts they were parodying in the first place.
Next Step: Go back and watch the 2016 "Shine Bright" version of the music video filmed at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. It adds a whole new layer of meaning to the lyrics when you see it through the eyes of those kids and their families. It’s a heavy watch, but it’ll remind you why this song has so much staying power.