Maddie Zahm - Where Do All The Good Kids Go? (Official Music Video)

Official Music Video for "Where Do All The Good Kids Go?" by Maddie Zahm off the new album "Now That I've Been Honest" out now.
LISTEN HERE: maddiezahm.ffm...
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LYRICS
Parker made me a leader at thirteen
They ran out of adults, the closest thing was me
And that made the other kids kinda hate me
They showed me just how alone alone could be
I lead worship when my best friend’s mom died
And that was an honor but if I’m honest, I was terrified
I was way too young to lead people to the other side
I thought so much about death I couldn’t live my life
I was always way too young
To be that good at growing up
Does anybody really know
Where all of the good kids go?
I was always way too young
Now I can’t catch up
I got drunk the first time at twenty-three
A total black out, I didn’t know when to leave
I hated playing never have I ever
So I hooked up with a random stranger
I can’t tell the difference between fun and danger
I was always way too young
To be that good at growing up
Does anybody really know
Where all of the good kids go?
I was always way too young
Now I can’t catch up
Now I can’t catch up
CREDITS
Director / DP: Gus Black
Producer: Jason Marrs
Executive Producer: Kelly Norris Sarno
Production Coordinator/AD: Lukas Heslip
1st AC: Jorge Olortegui
Stedicam: Garet Jatsek
Gaffer: Yorgo Tzoytzoyrakos
Key Grip: Elias Ginsberg
BBG: John Laverman
BBE: Sabra Binder
Art Director: Kiara Tenae
Art Assistant: Gerson Aviles
Art Intern: Bria Barnes
PA: Lila Hickey
PA: Nick Pillot
Glam: Carolina Ballesteros
Stylist: Olivia Khoury
Editor: Gus Black
Label: AWAL
Video Commissioner: Bianca Bhagat
Talent:
Young Maddie: Laney Olson
#MaddieZahm #WhereDoAllTheGoodKidsGo

[@MaddieZahm]

This is the hardest music video for me to watch back. The chaos and brokenness that came from being unprepared to grow up was unexpected and lonely. But so much growth came from it - and so did an album… How do you feel?

[@ashleyk9042]

Oh my lord, this makes me think of my daughter and me having too high of expectations :(

[@littleclover2289]

For me this song makes me think of the fact that religion and abuse stole my childhood from me, how my youth pastor liked a lot of us kids a little too much, and that the adults just ignored it, but now as an adult with fewer restrictions and healing trauma I am finally trying to have a little bit of that childhood. I know it's not really what your song meant, but that's just how it makes me feel or think of

[@moodybassist]

⬇️ stop here in the comments if you're still reducer from religious trauma

[@taelostompie9927]

Maddie zahm I felt the holy spirit said you are child of God Jesus christ is close to the broken heart, come home to reunite with him, he still cares about you he hasn't given up on you

[@ratboygirl]

"ouch." is about all i can muster at the moment

[@mayaskie1784]

The way this song perfectly captures the feeling of growing up always being ahead of everyone only to end up feeling miles behind all of your peers in adulthood

[@anantanarayani8531]

@maya why so in adulthood though?

[@letyourliteshine2]

Speaking for myself as a former precocious child, when your identity is wrapped up in being mature for your age and acting like an adult before your time, when you’re actually an adult there’s nothing unique or special about you anymore your identity degrades. And also, when you’re an old soul you don’t experiment or rebel in time with your peers so at some point you have to come into your own and then you’re in your mid 20s and the peers who were experiencing everything at 15 suddenly seem older and more mature because they’ve lived a little more, they’ve experienced all of this years before you and you’re still having your firsts

[@joykinser]

@@letyourliteshine2 This is an excellent explanation, thank you. You were ahead, now you're behind and it's so tough.

[@kaybrown3822]

After hearing my dad defend my former preacher for all the trauma he put me through growing up today, I’m really gonna need this

[@venusversalita]

Hope you’re doing okay 💓 it’s not just Maddie but all of us as well are here for you, no one deserves to grow up developing traumas or scared, I really wish you the best and that you have a beautiful life full of moments that remind you how important you are ❤❤❤❤

[@pandulce4447]

I'm sorry but you're amazing and that preacher doesn't deserve to be praised The person who deserves praising is you because you survived it in the aftermath didn't make you feel bad about yourself now use that to see that you can conquer anything if you don't let it destroy you

[@mariahconklin4150]

It makes me feel a tiny bit better when I realized that these religious people are brainwashed. Never change who you are if that makes sense. I’m sorry for your religious trauma I’m going through it to I just left a cult I sent a member but I really liked the lead singer and today I just felt so depressed. You’re not alone.

[@roseynicole8665]

My parents raved about you years ago and how you were this amazing Christian singer and you sang at one of their events. Then having your songs now move me more than any others is impactful. Im someone who is closeted to their parents because my dad is a pastor and my mom told me the worst thing I could ever do to her was be gay. Having someone whose music they loved and thought you were amazing come out with these kinds of songs that speak my truths means the world to me. Maybe if they listen to you speak your truth they’ll be willing to listen to mine someday and be understanding… I hope.. It means more to me than you’ll ever know either way. When they played your song at the first ever pride event I went to last year I had tears in my eyes, seeing your music move so many people and not just me was amazing. You’re healing a part of me I didn’t think could be healed and I’m very grateful for that. Teaching kids to judge others for how they live their lives from a young age makes them grow up really dang fast whether they want to or not. So does teaching them about afterlife concepts and wrongdoings. Kids should be able to focus on being kids while they can, not feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders by being taught adult concepts at such a young age. Even if there’s good intentions behind it. I never got to be a kid, that’s one of my biggest regrets in life. I can never get my childhood back. I was taught it was my job as a Christian to teach others and live a different life with these concepts even as a kid because I “knew better” than the others did. But really all that happened was I had to grow up too fast and I was never able to be a child because I was told I had to be different than other kids and do those adult religious things even though I was young.

[@scottkruger5899]

My beautiful sibling! I know I am an old coot, but your story is so so similar to mine. Preacher father, guilt tripping mother, thrust into an adult leadership at a very young age. I’m gay, 43, and survived, now thriving. Just know that you are perfect as you are. You are loved beyond measure. And if ever you need someone in your corner, I will be your shield.

[@roseynicole8665]

@@scottkruger5899 This means so much to me, thank you 🥹🥰♥️

[@Scarletthougts]

I hope you find your steady foot in life and get the happiness you deserve. ❤️

[@roseynicole8665]

@@Scarletthougts Thank you! 🥰

[@estherpalenschat4356]

I get it. My heart goes out to you. Isolating from your family despite trying to belong by following the "rules" etc. Im older so Im just kind of OVER all the religous rhetoric and BS, and really angry at religious nuts at this point. Never had a close connection to my parents really. They were/are SUPER 🙄 religious. Everything dad doenst seem to like is a demon..I swear. It's exhausting. All the rules and regs, and NO empathic connection, love or trust built. You are younger so maybe there is time and your parents will grow and you can build that. I wish that for you. My mom passed in 2022 and we just never got there. I lean into family of choice now..and so grateful to God and the Universe for them.

[@shaydeskies2280]

As always, you move me to tears. The good kids go to people like you, who are honest about the hurt in the church, in religious communities, etc. Your music never fails to amaze 🫶

[@violetray8906]

Always being told “your so mature” “awe she’s so grown up for her age how amazing” “she could be a Sunday school teacher at 15” “teachers pet” “maybe she could skip a couple grades and graduate early?” “She babysits her self?” - This song came on my pandora and I basically bawled my eyes out. This fits me so perfectly. I was so mature and grown up all the fucking time and now my 20s feels like a mess.

[@natalieread789]

The ANGER I feel in this is just so palpable. I lived this same experience and it’s just so ✨frustrating✨ knowing what the church took from me as a child.

[@thatgirljourdan1604]

i led worship for my (private christian) high school every week during chapel. at 14, i was responsible for leading 500 other kids “into the presence of the Lord”. the adults told me that’s what my job was when up on stage. It still blows my mind. i always felt older and more mature than my peers which caused me to feel isolated. as an adult, i’ve always felt so behind because i missed out on so many foundational experiences and that caused the feelings of isolation to follow me into my adult years. thank you for this, maddie - you have no idea how much this was needed.

[@amandakassis]

it's the weirdest thing to grow up so fast when you're young and then get to adulthood without having the experience others your age have.

[@shrapo]

Mature beyond your years. Something I was constantly told. Now in my mid thirties I apparently need to “grow up” and I’m too immature. The church really made us behave in ways that were “good” but so so inappropriate and impossible to learn, grow and develop the skills through adolescence properly.

[@joykinser]

Oof yes.

[@wyndlechairgarden]

Another song I’m so thankful to have! I don’t think I’ll ever be okay with how much I’ve missed out on due to being suffocated by religion as a young person. Thanks for making music ❤

[@laurenkr]

Oh my goodness. This hits. It hits! Always being told you're so mature for tour age, you're a good kid, you're a smart kid, you're trust worthy. This hits. I felt like that was a good thing, or that's what I told myself for years. Not realizing that I still needed to be a kid. Now I feel so behind in life. So behind. I spent so many years being "a grown up. " infront of others, but I never grew up. I'm starting now, I can feel it finally happening at 26, but man do I feel behind.

[@AlisonWheaton]

I was a class chaplain at 13 and a worship leader at 14. Man does this capture some of the complexity of those years.

[@sugarcrash315]

Maddie you’re moving mountains with your music. With your lyrics. Sharing your experiences and letting us know that we are not alone💕You are never alone friend💕

[@daniellewhiteheadheslingto9753]

As a kid, they always told us if we stopped believing we would be cut off from our family or go to (Mormon)hell. That’s a lot to put on a kid’s shoulder.

[@annariisjrgensen3637]

This is such an underrated song, and also has an important message!❤ I love it. “I thought so much about death I couldn’t live my life.”

[@r.i.o.tindustries]

I can resonate with the feeling of not getting the chance to live your life, and growing up too fast. This has become my favourite song by Maddie.

[@tothetimbotothewall]

Your music has healing powers. Growing up queer and neurodivergent in a high-demand religious environment has caused me immense amounts of trauma which has lead to PTSD. I was the poster child "good kid" but now I am viewed as a pariah to my former community. I'm building a beautiful and empathetic life as an adult, but the memories of those early years and the abuse I suffered still haunt me. Thank you for giving a voice to what I've felt for the entirety of my 20's. 🖤

[@michaelacox7009]

I am not a religious person or have ever been, but this song hits home in many ways due to being basically raising my siblings, being forced to become an adult at the age of five and not feeling like I amount to anything or ever would. It's amazing how much a song call makes you feel so many things in your life

[@pandulce4447]

I don't think you realize how much you make an impressive hits with these songs that hit emotionally as well as spiritually

[@kireosityslife]

When the chorus Has You In Tears 😭 I can’t be the only one ☝️

[@HopeDeconstructs]

I’m 32, married, finally starting to find myself, but everybody still looks surprised when I tell them I haven’t been drunk or done any drugs. And silly me, I’m so used to being in church circles that I tell them these things with pride that I’m a “good girl” but then immediately feel shame at my lack of experience and anger that I missed out and can’t do some of these things now (for personal reasons I can’t get into).

[@MrsYoung-in9ov]

You’re not missing anything I promise. Don’t feel ashamed for not experiencing these things. I’m 36 and haven’t done any drugs and barely drank a few times. My husband is 32 and a former addict he’s seen so many people (including himself) absolutely destroy their lives with substance use. Everyone he knows from that life is stuck in the same place or they have passed away. It’s incredibly hard to “get out”. It’s ok to not have those experiences and it’s ok to be proud of that…

[@em_ily18]

As the lost and confused youngest child always trying to fit in with my siblings despite being older, I needed this

[@pandulce4447]

Someday when you get older you're going to start realizing you always had that love and you'll miss the moments where you had happy moments as a kid with them

[@littlebirdie2172]

Every single song you write Maddie resonates so deeply with me and i just want to thank you for creating it and sharing it with us. you're so talented and beautiful and i'm just so thankful for this opportunity to support you 🫶🏼💜 you are truly amazing, Maddie ✨

[@saaaageee]

The difference between the two times in your life is so incredibly relatable and so real, lovee you so much 💜💜

[@roseynicole8665]

This speaks to all of us who were raised being told we were “natural born leaders” and needed to be that for others because it’s what we were “called to do”

[@Eneija]

Sundays are difficult, but this makes it easier. As a queer pastor's kid from the Bible belt, the grief and trauma run deep - we were always treated as sinful souls instead of wild and lovely children.

[@Rootsofgrace]

Our stories are different, but this song resonates with me so much. My parents didn’t have it together. My Dad committed suicide when I was 13. My Mom and stepdad weren’t present. I raised my little sister, was abused by an older brother, and had to grow up fast. I was a good kid who did the best they could with what they had. Fast forward, I’m 31 now. Married 10 years with 3 wonderful children who I get to stay home with and homeschool. God has redeemed my life.

[@baileekelty9813]

I didn’t expect myself to be crying in my car on my lunch break but I am also so happy I did. Maddie, your music has always been my therapy from day 1. Keep on creating beautiful music I can cry my eyes out to.

[@18laluna85]

We don't have the exact same story but there's something about your music that really hits me harder than everyone else's ever did. I have yet to hear a song of yours that doesn't make me cry all my tears every time. My family was definitely not a religious family but I grew up in a countryside environment where everyone was super religious and somehow I developed the catholic mentality in school, which led me to about fifteen years of holding myself back and being obsessed with "being good" and in fear of the concept of "God punishes you if you're not the nice good girl all the time no matter how people treat you" and I was so judgy of others and miserable with myself, always angry for "bad people" looking happier than I was/having good things happening to them in spite of their "sins". I literally had my mom shocked at how obsessed I became with religious concepts at some points and she tried to bring me out of that by approaching with me spirituality in different forms, so I guess it's the opposite experience in a way but this song still resonates so much with me on so many levels. It's hard to catch up with a life you didn't even realize you wanted until you were already "out of time" according to standard society, feeling like you grew up faster when you were a child but got stuck at some point and stopped maturing while others grew slower but more efficiently. To this day I still have no idea how I got the Christian Girl Mentality with one of the most liberal mothers ever (a form of subconscious rebellion, maybe?) but I'm so glad I am out of it. And I'm so glad I found music like yours to bring so many sides of me (religion, mental health struggles related to both religion and my past as the fat funny friend during my school years) out in the light instead of leaving them in the cold, scary darkness. It's painful but in the most beautiful way. Thank you Maddie

[@venusversalita]

Can’t wait for this, Maddie is literally my biggest comfort right now and through her music things finally make sense to me, I’m super excited ❤❤❤ counting the minutes to listen to this masterpiece 💓💓

[@haliebear1234]

My heart 😭😭 gets me every time so fucking true about the church and how they treated us.

[@samuelsmashups]

I really needed comfort, I can’t wait for this video. Edit: It was so powerful, thank you for that

[@manifestedbeauty]

"Parker made me a leader at thirteen, they ran out of adults, the closest thing was me." growing up going to youth service and being the "golden child" in every class was really lonely y'all.. 😔 this song so perfectly captures the feeling of being ahead of the curve in youth and then falling behind later on.. Maddie's never missed.

[@aliciatorosidis8126]

This song really hit home, as a kid I was forced to be an adult and now I’m actually an adult chronic illness rules my life and I’m so far behind and felt so alone. Thank you so much for this ❤

[@ritagelt]

I have two bottles of wine ready to catch all my tears 🫠

[@stephancruzhoward3158]

this song had just made me cry for 15min this is a true feeling that I connect sooo much with.

[@aqueerchaplain]

So relatable as a former fellow Queer Idaho Church Kid - love you and your music soooo much - Thank You Maddie 💛🙏🏻💛

[@staceymyhrum460]

I listen to this on repeat when I'm having hard days. Not exact but so similar to my childhood.

[@ScoobyMoose]

Coming from a gal that was also a Sunday school teacher when she was young I feel this. Beautiful song. Beautiful video.

[@kassaundrafahnholz6059]

As the oldest daughter, the oldest at day care, the "reliable one", thank you. I didn't know I needed this song

[@persli]

I cant describe how much i love her songs, its always a masterpiece

[@laurenkillgore2646]

As an ex worship leader, the whole body chills I got before I balled. Thank you. Thank you. 😭

[@aniqahbe]

Man I just stopped crying and then this appeared on my feed... and now I'm hurting again

[@justajamjar]

can’t wait for this :)

[@i_michel_cozzens]

MADDIE!!!! I just cried so much listening to this. Thank you for making music. I am so grateful for your art. I am performing drag for the first time at a club this Monday and I am doing a performance to STEP ON ME. thank you thank you thank you for giving voice to so many experiences I have as an exmormon. I am so so so grateful.

[@roseynicole8665]

Also, you making this song sound like a worship song is very very powerful. It’s so healing.❤

[@Meghan.E18]

MADDIE THANK YOU 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@pufferfish4554]

Maddie's music always hits me in the heart. There is certainly an irony in having to feel responsible so young that when you get to the making mistakes part of growing up, you feel like you can't make those mistakes and end up taking so long to have those experiences.

[@anasanromanfiallo7247]

I feel deeply touched by all your songs Maddie, your voice, lyrics, talent, It just feels magical. Thanks for making music and for sharing it with the world🫶🏻

[@pandulce4447]

Beautiful music video and beautiful scenery

[@user-re2yh9nn5h]

I LOVE YOU MADDIE 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@klovehuffman6759]

I thought no one would understand me but today i know i am not alone

[@kristinadunn-fz7le]

Once again it's like you've pulled lyrics straight out of my journal and therapy notes ❤ thank you so much for sharing your experiences and building a community for processing and healing. ❤

[@crazyvampierlover13]

I felt your pain in every word….. 😢

[@gertiemarie2654]

I’m 40 and I still feel like this to a point. Not being allowed to be a child damages so much in a person.

[@the_random_stranger]

I only realize that I was way to young when I grow older and my mom ask me this question😢

[@kaylaevans3805]

i’m bawling i can relate way to much to this. i’m so glad i can be able to heal from this song thank you from the bottom of my heart to you being brave enough to share this with the world ❤️

[@michelles.7804]

Sobbing sobbing sobbing. This resonates so deeply and is my story. 😢❤ I was way to young

[@Bekichgmail]

I just got out of the hospital today, and this song is exactly how I feel because it describes my life in a nutshell.

[@terrylee.to.olivier310]

I know this sounds religious but God makes us so different from others and sometimes we grow up with this feeling of y couldn’t I be like the rest that in our adulthood we question our lives and feel that we are always 10 steps back from where we meant to be but don’t lost sight of who u are DONT question that u different embrace ur different because through embracing who u are u feel most urself ❤💓💕💗💖

[@RachelCat198]

Thank you for writing this. So, so much.

[@isaiahbasaldua924]

Thank for this healing music that reminds us to be gentle with our past lives and the tramua of the church. Bless u this is the worship we ex,form, Liberal Christians and religious people need to carry on

[@IcyEE115]

yes the bad kids always get karma late but the good kids get it first just trust me i already experienced it 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺💯💯💯💯

[@KariNicholsPhotographer]

This was perfection. Thank you again for singing my life. So grateful for the healing your music allows me to do.

[@TheBayouDiplomat]

Welp you've done it. You made me feel the feels. I'm just gonna sit here and let these tears roll for a second. Far too relatable to ignored them.

[@ruthdollinger2522]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us! It means a lot to me, because I feel understood❤

[@Krisgrace5]

I was a pastors kid, so this song is so relatable to what my life was for so so so many years

[@jennyph79]

Beautiful!!! Love love love!! ♥♥

[@Jeepgirl0927]

You never miss Maddie!

[@maddymaiolo171]

This is so heartfelt!! Went through a major personal growth and enjoying the small parts and being authentic❤😊

[@antonellataramarcaz]

Maddie you have the strange but beautiful talent of describing my life perfectly, and that's painful.

[@mikaylathrone2292]

This is the best music videos I've seen in a while. Thank you for giving me validating tears.

[@nundeabuisnea2394]

Maddie thank you for writing this music ❤

[@justsophiejane]

As a daughter of a Pastor my entire life… this song hits hard.

[@ingridclarke940]

Thank you so much for this song Maddie! Another desperately needed one💛🌼🧡🦋

[@keoniebalaszi2617]

🥰🥰🥰😢😢😢

[@trajan1707]

Ahhh reliving religious trauma…. Always refreshing! Love you Maddie

[@justpaul1942]

I love you Maddie❤ your songs are home. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.

[@byounghusband]

So proud of you and this song Maddie!!

[@tejitokin4398]

Your music always gives me goosebumps

[@jennifererickson2355]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey and giving voice to those who maybe haven't found theirs.

[@wildchild574]

I was the golden child moral perfectionist in my family. When people would spend their childhoods playing games,I was making monthly plans on how to work harder pray better and be better. All this brought me depression at the age of 16.

[@blakemitchell3785]

this is perfect

[@jacobfrench1389]

All of your music resonates with ne so much as queer pastors kid. But this song especially, it hurts so much trying to catch up with my peers and seeing all the things I missed out on

[@thebisexualunicorn1072]

She did it again 😭😭 I enjoy music but relate to so few songs... almost every single one of your songs I identify with fully. ❤

[@mvvkskvss]

You will never know what your music does to me

[@janaarndt8628]

what a powerfcul song, youre songs really move me, to tears but also to tears of joy they hit close to home, but feel like you can help even if its just a song i hear then i'm feeling down about myself again thank you soo much for that. i wanna be a good adult but i can't grow up... but i'll keep trying and trying till i will be my wiered adult self thats probably still to childish anyways ^^ thanks.

[@tessa2568]

Thanks for making your music. ❤

[@rl7797]

Thanks for helping me cry today

[@xbreakinggracex]

I absolutely love your music so so much and I am so glad you also add captions to your videos!

[@mjmaccabee7252]

Another revelatory, honest and beautiful song. Keep goin' strong, Maddie!

[@Chemsss282]

I hate how I relate to this. 😭

[@nundeabuisnea2394]

Oh my god ❤❤❤❤

[@RAINBOWDASH-sv9wl]

❤❤❤❤

[@sarahgroth5326]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lovincrosscountry]

Maddie’s out here making all the exmormon have all the feelings. 😅

[@NachinDamianQuirogaDelga-bx1xy]

❤❤❤😢

[@mboaz4730]

"I thought so much about death I couldn't live my life." This is the line. This is what I don't understand about my mother. She grew up in the same church that I did, but she turned out "normal/stupid". She didn't end up trying to kill herself multiple times. She didn't end up loathing men. She loves Star Trek, but doesn't have logic problems with any of it. It's like she can turn her brain off at the church doors and not really THINK about things that make my brain melt with dissonance.

[@lauriepavero2255]

Me, trying to look up the chords and sheet music to this song but not finding a lot Me, realizing this song HAS ONLY BEEN OUT FOR A MONTH???? I love it so much aaaaaaahhhhh Me, playing along on my guitar and realizing that the final note she hits in the song is a Bb5!!!!! OH MY