The song featured in this week's Madonna Monday post is likely one that even the least of Madonna fans still really dig - the song is Live to Tell. The song was released in 1986 on Madge's True Blue album. The song was also featured in Madonna's then-husband Sean Penn's film At Close Range that was released that same year. Live to Tell topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June of 1986 and is still considered to be one of Madonna's biggest hits. 
The video for the song was directed by James Foley who also directed At Close Range. The video featured a drastically different look for Madonna. Gone were the rubber bracelets, torn stockings and "underwear is outerwear" that was a trademark of the Like a Virgin era. The video was shot in minimal light and was mixed with footage from Sean's film and shows Madonna seated on a chair in a darkened space. Madonna almost seems chained to the chair - unable to rise up. She remains seated through out most of the song until the interlude. Madonna is then seen standing in a strong beam of light singing...
"If I ran away, I'd never have the strength
To go very far
How would they hear the beating of my heart
Will it grow cold
The secret that I hide, will I grow old
How will they hear
When will they learn
How will they know"
Madonna's performances of the song have been some of her strongest. She featured the song on various tours including her Blond Ambition Tour as well as her Confessions Tour among others. The latter likely garnered Madonna some of her most outrageous press. Madonna sang the song mounted on a huge disco ball inspired cross causing everyone from the Vatican to the corner store in Kentucky to form a very vocal opinion. During the performance, Madonna highlighted the AIDS Pandemic in Africa. Flashing quickly above Madonna was a ticker counting up and finally reaching the 12,000,000. This final number corresponds to the estimated number of African children who have been orphaned by the AIDS in the country. When asked, Madonna stated that in order to make her point she figured "Jesus wouldn't mind". I certainly don't. It's these little twists that Madonna throws in to the mix that keep it interesting. Check out the various Live to Tell videos below. Enjoy. xox.
Sometimes it gets so hard to hide it well
I was not ready for the fall
Too blind to see the writing on the wall
A man can tell a thousand lies
I've learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell
The secret I have learned, 'till then
It will burn inside of me
I know where beauty lives
I've seen it once, I know the warm she gives
The light that you could never see
It shines inside, you can't take that from me
The truth is never far behind
You kept it hidden well
If I live to tell
The secret I knew then
Will I ever have the chance again
If I ran away, I'd never have the strength to go very far
How would they hear the beating of my heart
Will it grow cold
The secret that I hide, will I grow old
How will they hear
When will they learn
How will they know
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