Madison Cunningham - Hold On (Tom Waits Cover) 

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.

the tone on that guitar is unbelievable

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

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. ❤️

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

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. ✌️ 👍

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,

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

This is now the definitive version of this song.

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

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.

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

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

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

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

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!!!

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.

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

I love the sound of that guitar!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The most beautiful Hold On cover so far.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Absolutely stunning!!!

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 !

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

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. ❤

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

I'll never get over how effortlessly beautiful your voice is! that much talent in one person should be illegal

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

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

This cover gets better each time I listen to it.

Sweet....Madison.

So great. Love it.

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

hairs going up on my arms. lovely!!

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.

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

what a beautiful voice!!

WOW , absolutely love it , a classic, done beautifully.

Really amazingly done. So rich and warm. Thanks.

I just love your voice ❤❤❤❤❤❤

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

Madison you are so gifted. I love your music. God bless you!

Brilliant cover. Just wonderful

Beautiful rendition. I love this melody.

What a beautiful performance!!! Astonishing cover!

my lifetime Hero played by one of my top favourite artists. This is crazy! Thank you so much for WeeklyWednesdayCovers

Anybody that can do Waits like this sure is something else ! 💚

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

Have a nice day everybody ❤️

Love it so much

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

Great rendition of a fabulous song - good job!

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

I just love your voice.. ❤

What a gift you have Madison!

Beautiful rendition; Touching!

Incredible! I loved everything about it.

Excellent. Beautiful. Haunting. Genius guitar. Love it.

Love the tone ...great cover. Tom’s tunes grabs me somewhere very deep

Beautiful. You've done the song amazing justice.

Simply amazing cover

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

This is amazing. Great cover. Great vocals and a fantastic guitar sound.

Beautiful !!!!!

This is phenomenal. Thank you.

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

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

So effing good I'm in tears.

Great voice and performance!

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

Amazing Waits cover. I really love this.

Madison is unbelievably talented. And what a beautiful song.

So beautiful

Wow. Wow. Thank you for making new and even more lovely a song I have loved for 20 years.

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.

amazing voice, loving your videos..

Wednesday is becoming my favourite day of the week.

This artist is under appreciated. Madison Cunningham is brilliant!

Beautifully done!

What a beautiful cover.!

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

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.

Beautiful, guitar and voice

You nailed the emotion, which is what his song is all about.

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

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

Your are such an amazing vocalist! and a talent overal. Kudos to you