Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Song of the Day: 'Live to Tell' by Madonna


Today's pick was inspired by my pal Jeremy Kinser, who fondly writes:
"I know where beauty lives." 

[This week] marks 35 years since the release of Madonna's greatest ballad "Live to Tell." I know what you're wondering. How does a guy in his late 29s know so much about a recording released before he was born? I'm a lifelong Madonna stan and have researched every bit of minutiae about her and should be hired as a fact checker for her biopic if it really comes to fruition. 

Anyhoo, "Live to Tell" is among her top five greatest singles, if you ask me. I have full recall of the first time I heard it, as I was blown away by her vocals and the lyrics. I've had two young friends die during the past week so the lyrics have taken on special meaning to me. I hope I live to tell all someday.

I feel the exact same way. I never saw "At Close Range," the film starring her then-husband, Sean Penn, for which it was written. But the song -- and the simple video -- felt like a new, grown-up version of the virginial material girl we had been loving the past few years had been born. And it was the first in a string of sublime ballads to come, that would prove to be some of her finest songwriting ever. 

 

3 comments:

j said...

Beautiful song and Sean Penn looked hot in that movie

Scott said...

That is one of her most beautiful songs ever. Haunting.

Stephen said...

I have always loved this song.