Why Did the Civil Wars Break Up? Heres Everything You Need to Know
by Ushapriyanga | Updated Mar 21, 2023
Civil Wars Band
Before their chance encounters at a songwriting workshop in Nashville in 2008, Williams and White had established individual careers. Williams had already recorded several albums and was signed as a songwriter to Warner/Chappell, while White had independently released The Long Goodbye and was writing for EMI Music. At the workshop, around 25 songwriters were brought together by music publishers to create radio singles for a yet-to-be-named band, later revealed to be the country group, Gloriana. Williams and White were paired up randomly and discovered natural chemistry while writing together. Williams remarked in a 2012 interview that she could anticipate where White's singing was going, while White expressed that their voices seemed to complement each other perfectly. After the workshop, they arranged to meet again and wrote their first song, "Falling," during a session at Williams' residence.
Why Did the Civil Wars Break Up?
In 2012, The Civil Wars had to cancel their European tour, and this event caused a major rift between the two members, Joy and John Paul. According to Joy, a difference of opinion on a professional matter made things personal, leading to what she referred to as a "creative divorce." Today, Joy claims to have resolved all personal issues with John Paul and has released solo music. Meanwhile, John Paul has been pursuing his own solo career since 2016. The two recently collaborated with Taylor Swift on a new version of "Safe & Sound," which is now available on various streaming platforms. In a 2015 interview, Joy spoke about the intense creative connection she shared with John Paul during their time in The Civil Wars, but acknowledged that things went sour between them quite quickly. She also addressed rumors that their relationship went beyond a professional one, stating that she and her husband had been together since 2004, well before The Civil Wars became famous. Despite the pain of the band's breakup, Joy has come to terms with the fact that there may never be any new music from The Civil Wars. She appreciates the unique and beautiful work that they produced together and finds the band's arc and mysterious nature to be compelling aspects of their story.
"'How do we stay connected as a couple in order for that to not be something that gets in the way or gets in the middle?' And that was something that we worked really hard on in our marriage throughout the existence of the Civil Wars," she said.
Things became a balancing act for Joy. "Saying yes to something means saying no to something else. Saying no to something means saying yes to something else. You have to weigh ... you have to weigh those questions very deeply. And um ... that happened for me."
What Happened to the Civil Wars Band?
In February, The Civil Wars' track "From This Valley" earned the duo their fourth Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. However, on August 5, they announced their permanent split and gifted their fans a free download of "You Are My Sunshine." In their statements, Joy Williams expressed sadness and disappointment at the ending of the duo, while John Paul White thanked all who were a part of The Civil Wars' journey. Despite their split, Williams and White collaborated with Taylor Swift for a re-recording of "Safe & Sound" in 2023, credited under their individual names. The band's internal issues were evident when they canceled the remaining shows of their 2012 UK tour due to their acrimonious relationship. Williams praised White's musical talent and expressed gratitude for their collaborations, while White did not offer any direct comments about Williams.
she revealed, “writing and recording in the midst of this difficult transition”. She was the only band member to take interviews during their last promo cycle when she described herself as “a very ambitious person”. That may have been at the root of the Civil Wars’ tension: when announcing their touring hiatus, in 2012, they cited “internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition”.
Were the Civil Wars a Couple?
Despite their onstage chemistry and emotional lyrics, the folk duo the Civil Wars were not actually married to each other, much to the surprise of their fans. This aspect of their relationship was sometimes like "playing with fire," according to Joy Williams. She acknowledged the power that came from the tension between them, which inspired much of their music, but stressed the importance of treating it with respect. Williams spoke openly about her commitment to her husband and family, stating that family has always been a priority for her. While the duo has experienced a lot of change, including the birth of Williams' child and the unfortunate end to their successful band, they have still managed to create a self-titled album that was widely successful. Ultimately, their individual marriages are of the utmost importance.
"So many people assumed that we were married, which is not the case," she shares, speaking on NPR's All Things Considered. "We are married, but to other people." Williams adds, "...That myth was also something that, you know, had to be dealt with and treated very carefully, because we are happily married to other people."
Why Did the Civil Wars Break Up -FAQs
The Civil Wars were a folk duo composed of John Paul White and Joy Williams. They gained popularity for their emotional and poignant lyrics and their onstage chemistry.
The Civil Wars won their fourth Grammy award in February for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their track "From This Valley."
The Civil Wars announced their split on August 5, citing internal strife and the inability to continue as a touring entity. They offered a free download of "You Are My Sunshine" as a parting gift to their fans.
The name "The Civil Wars" was chosen by the duo because they felt it reflected the internal struggle that they often experienced in their creative process.