Song of the Week ● Papa Don't Preach

Posted June 26, 201312 yr

Papa Don't Preach ● (1986) ● 'True Blue'

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This week marks 27 years since 'Papa Don't Preach' - one of Madonna's most well-known and best-selling hits - entered the UK charts.

Background

Released as the second single from what would go on to become Madonna's best-selling studio album, True Blue, 'Papa Don't Preach' was written predominantly by Brian Elliot and lyrically spoke about teenage pregnancy. This theme sparked controversy from those who misinterpreted it, believing it was encouraging teenage girls to get pregnant. Madonna later cleared this up, explaining that it is "about a girl who is making a decision in her life. She has a very close relationship with her father and wants to maintain that".

Despite the lyric criticism, the song was hugely praised by music critics: Rolling Stone commenting "the magnificent 'Papa Don't Preach' has the high-profile hook to match 'Like a Virgin', 'Dress You Up' and 'Material Girl'" and Slant Magazine claiming it made her join "the ranks of 80s icons like Michael Jackson and Prince". 'Papa Don't Preach' saw Madonna nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammys - her second nomination following 'Crazy For You' which was nominated for the same award.

The music video saw Madonna have her first major makeover in her image - ignoring the slight change for 'Live to Tell' with the cleaner, Marilyn Monroe-esque look - as scenes alternated between a tomboy look with jeans and leather jacket and then a tight, black outfit with blonde, cropped hair. The video captured the theme of the lyrics, showing Madonna meeting up with her boyfriend after reflecting on her close relationship with her father, followed by her revealing to her father she had become pregnant. It then finishes with the father accepting the pregnancy and the two hugging. This saw 'Papa Don't Preach' being nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards, including a win for Best Female Video.

'Papa Don't Preach' had huge success in the charts, making the Top 10 in every charting country, including number one in Australia, Canada, Italy, UK and US. It was her second number one in the UK, spending 3 weeks there and eventually selling over 645,000 copies, becoming her fifth best seller.

Four tours has included 'Papa Don't Preach' on their setlists. First was the Who's That Girl Tour, which sparked controversy due to portraits of The Pope and president in the background, with the words "safe sex" appearing at the end. The song was also dedicated to The Pope which began the conflict with the Vatican and The Pope encouraged Italian fans to boycott her shows. 'Papa Don't Preach' was later performed on the Blonde Ambition World Tour, Re-invention World Tour and the MDNA Tour.

Kelly Osbourne covered the track in 2002 as her first single, performed in a hard rock style, which saw it debut at #3 in the UK.

Opinion

I've always like 'Papa Don't Preach' as it was one of very few Madonna tracks from the 80s I knew before I listened to her whole back catalogue. Today, it is my second favourite single from True Blue, behind 'Open Your Heart'. I always forget it was the second single, not the first, as I consider it more of a lead single than 'Live to Tell'. Not too sure how the lyrics have been misinterpreted; I find it quite obvious what the message is, especially when watching the video. I'm not a big fan of short hair, but I think it suits Madonna really well in the video, especially when in that tight little number in the dark room scenes. :wub:

Versions

Album Version [4:29]

Extended Version [5:43]

LP Version [4:27]

Video Version [5:00]

Videos

Official Music Video:

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Who's That Girl World Tour performance:

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If you have any requests for Song of the Week, feel free to PM me or SweetCandy! Also, I've added links to previous Songs of the Weeks below, so if you missed one, please do comment in them.

Songs of the Week

Week 1: I Know It

Week 2: Bad Girl

Week 3: Jump

Week 4: Sky Fits Heaven

Week 5: Causing a Commotion

Week 6: Die Another Day

Week 7: Dress You Up

Week 8: Frozen

Week 9: Ray of Light

Week 10: Drowned World/Substitute of Love

Week 11: The Power of Goodbye