Latest Artist News

[Liam.k.]

'Live to Tell' is one of Madonna's most important ballads. It's so self-assured, with its near-minute long intro, the monologue-esque delivery and the anonymous subject matter that still makes an impact. Most of the song's selling power relies in the hands of Madonna's vocals, set in a lower tone that holds such a vulnerability yet a longing to be strong. We can guess at the song's message or put our own experiences forward; either way, the impact is always powerful. I must also add that, despite being a world away from the direction of the rest of True Blue, I've never found the song to stick out badly within the context of the album for some reason.

Placed back-to-back shows just how similar 'You'll See' is to 'Live to Tell', but not for a moment does it sound like a second-rate imitation. The intro is equally as dramatic and atmospheric, but there's a hint of something sinister there too. I don't pick up on any suggestion of that in the lyrics, so perhaps it's not meant to make that impression but, nevertheless, it sends chills down my spine and allows me to immediately engage with the song. The vocals are much higher but there's still that conflict of vulnerability and strength, although the latter seems to be more dominant since Madonna defiantly states "you are weak...I don't need anyone at all...no one can take it from me", which is a step up from the 'I hope but I'm just not sure" feelings we get from the above song. I feel I could be on to something with a journey of 'Live to Tell' to 'Take a Bow' to 'You'll See'.

I still remember the first time I heard 'Oh Father'. I decided one day to sit down and watch all of Madonna's music videos, which also meant I'd be hearing some songs for the first time too. 'Oh Father' was one of them and I think it was all the more impactful by watching the video at the same time. Firstly, we're introduced to one of those lullaby mobile things hanging over a snowy scene with a young girl skipping around whilst a twinkly tune plays over. All very nice and sweet, before the mood drastically changes when a more dramatic grand piano piece kicks in and we see that a woman has just passed away. At this point, I'm already hooked. I loved that initial juxtaposition and the vocal of that small first verse is so endearing. Then, BAM! The mood changes again, significantly more so than before. We see the sweet little girl playing dress up, doing what typical young girls do at that age, when the father bursts through the door, grabs and shakes the girl, practically lifting her off her feet, and shouts in her face before ripping away the pearl necklace. Clearly, the belongings were of the late mother and the father has a lot of unresolved issues surrounding her demise, but it hasn't sunk in for the girl and she doesn't understand her father's negative reaction. Of course, there is no excusing that behaviour and my sympathies are entirely with the girl, who's left visibly shaken and, from then on, remains afraid of her father. It's hard-hitting in itself, but that scene just immediately made me draw parallels with my own reality. My best friend had, around the same sort of time, revealed to me the estranged relationships she'd had with so-called father figures in the past and then-present and, whilst it wasn't necessarily exactly what we see in this video, it was enough to make me reflect and really hit me hard. I shared the video with her and it impacted her too; subsequently, it's kinda been "our" song, so I always think of her as well as the themes that the song/video intended to portray, which is why I'll always have a special place for 'Oh Father'.