In the 1980s Madonna was an omnipresent force of
nature, spanning songs, concerts, videos and movies (like Shanghai Surprise). She
had over 20 top ten hits in the UK within
seven years, in a procession of polished pop perfection.
1986's "Live
to Tell" was an interesting transition, a rare ballad after the early dance
diva years, and illustrated her range and growing maturity. It was the first
single from "True Blue" album, and also the theme song to the "At Close Range" movie, which starred
her husband Sean Penn.
The basic
backing track came from her producer Patrick Leonard, but Madonna contributed
the bridge and all of the lyrics. Her song writing may never have been fully
appreciated, but "Live To Tell" is a complex and crafted effort that
even the greats would be proud.
It is a very
dark song of secrets and mistrust. The concept came from the movie, but from
her own life too. The opening sets the scene ("I have a tale to tell / Sometimes
it gets so hard to hide it well"). There is the distrust of man ("A
man can tell a thousand lies / I've learned my lesson well"), and also the
fear of the reaction to her secret ("How will they hear / When will they
learn").
Madonna cloaks
the exact nature, maybe a cheating parent, or sexual abuse, but there
are definite mental scars from childhood. However it was not intended as a song of
misery, as she wants to live to tell her secret, and has the strength. There is
always hope ("I know where
beauty lives" - a great line).
The vocals are more controlled and low pitched than
the earlier "Like a Virgin" or "Material Girl". The backing of guitars and keyboards, compliment
with the mood, but with some 80s pop flourishes, and a dramatic pause just
before three minutes.
As was
customary for Madonna at the time, it was very successful single, number 1 in
the US and number 3 in UK, and is widely regarded as one of her best slow
songs. It is a great tribute to Madonna's writing and performance that she
could make such a dark subject so accessible and commercially successful in a
four minute pop song.
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzAO9A9GjgI
Hear Next -
"Immaculate Collection"
(a great pun) is a superb selection of her 80s pomp.
** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats.
