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[Liam.k.]

February is the month of love and, coincidentally, it's been 30 years since 'Open Your Heart' - one of Madonna's biggest and best pledges for love - reached #1 on the Billboard charts.

The story goes that 'Open Your Heart' started out as a rock and roll number for Cyndi Lauper, but was eventually given the dance-pop treatment from Patrick Leonard and became the first recording in the True Blue sessions. It's hard to deny that, in its final form, 'Open Your Heart' is 80s pop at its finest. Madonna knows the importance of holding the listener's attention at every point of a song, right from the moment the first few notes kick in, and this intro is nothing short of striking. The original drum beat getting started; the twinkly keyboard melody; the whispered "watch out!" that assures the listener they're about to be be witness to something truly remarkable - it's all so exciting and throws you right into the song. Madonna mixes sadness and hope in the verses as she plays with the idea of there being a special someone for everyone but recognises that, for various reasons, there may be something preventing this love from truly igniting. The chorus, as ever, summaries the main message of the song through short and snappy hooks; Madonna uses an analogy of keys and locks fitting to represent two people compatible with one another, with an encouragement to push through the trials and tribulation to allow the love to flourish. It's a simple message but one that works so well in pop and it gives Madonna the chance to really sell the track with her yearning, high and low ranged vocal.