the tone on that guitar is unbelievable

I didn't know this was my favourite Tom Waits song until now.

I’ve been playing guitar seriously for over 35 years. You are a most interesting and original player. I adore your feel..

If I walked into a venue and heard this, I’d move my way to the front of the stage before the end of this song, and I’d be at the merch table at the end of the performance. This is excellent.

One of the most beautiful of Tom Wait’s songs, sung so brilliantly! I want to come back in my second life with such a voice. ❤️

This is now the definitive version of this song.

The best cover of Hold on I have ever Heard . Stunning!

They hung a sign up in our town "If you live it up, you won't live it down" So she left Monte Rio, son Just like a bullet leaves a gun With her charcoal eyes and Monroe hips She went and took that California trip Oh, the moon was gold, her hair like wind Said, "don't look back, just come on, Jim" Oh, you got to hold on, hold on You gotta hold on Take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on Well, he gave her a dimestore watch And a ring made from a spoon Everyone's looking for someone to blame When you share my bed, you share my name Well, go ahead and call the cops You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops She said, "baby, I still love you" Sometimes there's nothin' left to do Oh, but you got to hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on and take my hand I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on Well, God bless your crooked little heart St. Louis got the best of me I miss your broken China voice How I wish you were still here with me Oh, you build it up, you wreck it down Then you burn your mansion to the ground Oh, there's nothing left to keep you here But when you're falling behind in this big blue world Oh, you've got to hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on Take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on Down by the Riverside motel It's ten below and falling By a ninety-nine cent store She closed her eyes and started swaying But it's so hard to dance that way When it's cold and there's no music Oh, your old hometown's so far away But inside your head there's a record that's playing A song called "Hold On", hold on Babe, you gotta hold on Take my hand, I'm standing right there, you gotta hold on You gotta hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on Take my hand, I'm standing right there, you gotta hold on You gotta hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on And take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on You gotta hold on, hold on Babe, you gotta hold on And take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on You gotta hold on You gotta hold on You gotta hold on You gotta hold on You gotta hold on, baby You gotta hold on, girl You gotta hold on You gotta hold on

Few covers breath life into old songs like this one does (like Jeff Buckley to Leonard Cohen). This one is brilliant in that same way. Beautiful arrangement on the dropped tuning guitar using interesting chord positions to keep the simple chord progression... perfect.

Madison’s covers are so convincing and compelling. If you didn’t know better, you would think she wrote them all herself.

What a wonderful version. It captures the shimmering tone of the original, and the sense of longing, without being an imitation. That's really something. ✌️ 👍

4:08.. the second "hold on".. the way you sing those tones.. so beautiful and so right!!

The word "incredible" barely even scratches the surface of who you are. That ethereal voice, your incredible guitar playing, your skill at sheer composition. Just wow; from what plane do you come from? Simply extraordinary; in every facet of the word,

Every once in a while you hear a voice this good. Ms. Cunningham joins that small group of female vocalists who are worth their salt. Bravo, young lady. Whatever "it" is, you've got it.

I love the sound of that guitar!

Why is every new cover so great? Can you do no wrong?

What a rendition. The way she holds on to those notes… just a… little too… long: so perfectly expressing the theme: holding on in the present, and holding on to the memories. She is an enchanting musician.

Madison, you now own this song. When you get back to live performances, this is the one you save for the encore. Wonderful rendition.

Now I have three favorite versions of this song. Waits,Colvin,and now Cunningham. Actually truth be told this Is my favorite. I’m a Madison Cunningham fan for life.

Such a sensible cover with your own twist and a guitar rhythm which reminds me a Blake Mills song. Actually I would love to hear you doing a duet with him your two voice would just blend so nicely !

The absolute best cover I have heard. Heartfelt and beautifully sung

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

My favorite Waits song. You do an awesome job of making it your own Madison.

The most beautiful Hold On cover so far.

Absolutely beautiful. I never thought I'd hear a version as good as Tom or Beth Greene but you certainly proved me wrong.

This is, beyond the shadow of any conceivable doubt, the greatest Tom Waits cover of all time. It's the only one I prefer to the original, that's for goddamn sure.

Amazing combination of voice and guitar- its mesmerizingly beautiful! Got a song stuck in my head? YEP!!! its this version of a classic Waits song!!!

Complete package. Super cool guitar work and evocative vocals. Love everything about this.

I'm uninspired to go to a cover, but I keep doing it and sometimes get surprised. Mostly, they don't feel the song enough. You do. This is on favourites. Your timing is excellent! Your voice, passion and the mixer's talent made my list, which is smallish. Mahalo.

It's a great song, and she finds music here I haven't heard before. Terrific.

I'm addicted to this cover. The guitar tone is beautiful, aswell as the vocals.

Hold on...in all you go through... this is for all living beings around the world 🌎🫶🍀🎶❤

An absolutely beautiful version of one of TW's most beautiful songs . You've got a new fan ! x

Wow Madison...really well done rendition of a great Tom Waits song. Thanks for blessing us with your talent.

Best cover I've heard of that song. Truly touching.

This is easily the best cover I've ever heard. I love it, and you.

My favorite singer of the moment sings a song from the songbook of my favorite songwriter of all time

Sweet....Madison.

Wednesday is becoming my favourite day of the week.

Beautiful. You've done the song amazing justice.

Wow! What beautiful voice. Pulled me in at the first word she said. Blown away ! Thank you special girl.

Wonderful. All of it. Great guitar work, great vocal, and really nice momentum. Nice work!

I've said this so many times.... people who can "do mainstream" will make Tom a f@@@ing fortune. That was lovely, Madison.... excellent

The song by Tom Waits that chills me still to this day. Thank you for sharing some magic with us.

Congrats Madison Cunningham. Fine work. Tackling Tom Waits is fun and ballsy. The throaty guitar is what impressed me the most. Live up people

Beautiful rendition. I love this melody.

This is an absolutely beautiful interpretation and rendition of a Tom Waits classic - simply magnificent.

This cover gets better each time I listen to it.

Oh my…you are amazing. Your playing. Your voice. They are like bells. Thank you so much.

Everyone wants to cover a Tom Waits song. He is only the greatest songwriter of the 20th century Very few succeed to capture it. This one is exceptional. Quite a feat to do it right. Im moved and impressed.

Stunning all around. Vulnerable. Emotionally direct. Wonderful arrangement!

A girl who can sing AND has cool style.... whoa, could listen to you sing for hours girl 😍

wonderful choice wonderful voice

Fantastic cover and interpretation, everything sounds crisp and clear. 10/10

This is phenomenal. Thank you.

Wow. Such a talent. She really has something special. I hear other singers in her voice, yet she sounds uniquely herself. That’s a very rare accomplishment these days. ❤

Beautiful rendition of this great Tom Waits ballad. It brings me to tears when Tom sings it,.... Your version is almost uplifting, and your lovely voice is a pure delight to listen to. Kudos.

Wow...be proud of that one. Not sure who you are, but that was in a word...healing. Thank you.

This artist is under appreciated. Madison Cunningham is brilliant!

Still so good

MADI THIS IS LEGIT ONE THE BEST THINGS EVER AND I LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY TIMES IVE COME BACK HERE TO LISTEN TO IT I legit played it in a loop for hours a day during my exam week. Perfection.

Great version. Perfectly played! My hat is on the floor. Thank you Madison, greetings from Holland.

Dylan said something like a good song can walk alone. I’m sure I’m paraphrasing but it’s true. If a song can capture an audience around a camp fire, you got it. All her songs are like that. Very unpredictable chord progressions and musical ideas. Beautiful haunting melodies with clever and honest poetry to match. It’s head tilting

Special talent here.

Madison is unbelievably talented. And what a beautiful song.

Your voice fits so well....loved it...

Holy S#%T incredible!

What a beautiful performance!!! Astonishing cover!

Amazing. Beautiful voice and version. Excellent. Just found your videos today, 2 Oct 2020. Great.

Beautiful choice. Thanks! Much love from South Africa to you all.

Hi Madison, great as always and it's always a pleasure listening to you, even if I don't know the original song. Can you please post some info below the videos on the tunings you use for all of us guitar nerds?

great texture on the guitar!

Have a nice day everybody ❤️

She most certainly did this great song justice! Very glad I found this and time to go check out her other videos.

This is gorgeous. Probably my favourite Tom Waits song, and I was completely blown away from the first note when the bass of that guitar cut through. It's the weirdest thuddiest guitar, and it's perfect for exactly this song. Everything about this is beautiful. I can never sing this pretty, no matter what I do. I just hope someday, my rusted dump truck of a voice inspires someone this talented to cover my songs, too.

You are a master of your job. Briliant.

perfection !!!

Sensational!!! Thank you so much, Madison. You are truly magnificent. I’m ready for another album.

Cool arrangement

Excellent!👏 I haven’t been wowed in years. Thank you.

Beautiful rendition; Touching!

I'd love to know the guitar tuning you use Maddison, this is nothing short of amazing... Tom Waits would be proud of you! ❤

Wow this is an excellent cover . Such a wonderful voice and guitar sound.

You're so wonderful ❤

Madison, You are phenomenal. Not only do you song beautifully, but you literally cover all of my favorite artists. Tom Waits, Radiohead, John Lennon. Thank you.

Your voice gives me shivers down my spine! Great performance of a beautiful song.

So many choices to make when covering such a legend, and to say you've made those choices superbly well goes without saying. From the delicate hammer ons to the steady drone of the low end, to the back and forth of your cascading and ascending vocal phrasing...sublime. Bravo

That song fits these times so well. Thanks for doing it so movingly.

Enchanting, girl. Such a gift and thank you for sharing it!🤍

Love ❤️

What a gift you have Madison!

Love the guitar tone. Beautiful version.

Great rendition of a fabulous song - good job!

she is an great guitarist and has an amazing voice. such a good cover

I just love your voice ❤❤❤❤❤❤

OK so I don't click on many of your videos because every time afterwards I'm left in shock & need a minute to absorb what I just heard. Wow. you have such an amazing voice, subtle but strong guitar work & tasteful song choices. You have been gifted a truly phenomenal talent from above.

Outstanding cover...

Great voice and performance!

😍I'm in love

Gorgeous cover! I love your guitar playing, that acoustic has such a nice tone with those flatwounds.