As mentioned in many sources Madonna wrote this song for her best friend who died of AIDS in 1986 he was 23 years old that time while Madonna was climbing to the peak of her career and fame. They met in New York when Madonna came to New York and were living together in an apartment in Lower East Side (LES) New York, they supported each other emotionally and financially through all the years until his death. His name was Martin Burgoyne he supported Madonna in the hard times of her career and life when she had little money he designed her "Burning Up" single cover etc. and was at her side when she was raped. And Madonna never left his side, she rent an apartment for him near the hospital he was taken care of and she took care of all his medical expences, call him by phone at least once a day and visit him at least once a week. Madonna was there holding his hand when his spirit left his body. She never forgot him and in 2019 GLAAD Awards she still mentioned him as "her best friend, and roommate". There was a photo of them (actually they had lots of photos) while Madonna was performing in Live AID 1985 and Martin was watching her behind the stage. They also performed together (for example while Madonna was performing "Everybody" in Danceteria in 1982). "I know for sure, his heart is here with me. Though I wish him back, I know he can not see my hands trembling. I know he hears me sing...." So yes, girl you know he hears you sing still after all those years, may be as far as from another World, or as close as inside of your heart he still hears you sing.
This is probably the most beautiful song I have ever heard. I don't even think Madonna is aware of how good it is. I wish she'd play some of these gems at her concerts.
I also love the raspy/rough vocal she gives in the chorus. Can't recall her singing like that in any other song. It's a very unique vocal performance for her.
What a beautiful song. I always assumed it was about gang wars but considering friends dying of AIDS brings a whole new dimension to the meaning. The spoken words in Spanish have been the most fascinating part for me when I was 14 years old, and they still bring tears to my eyes at 49. Amazing.
Don’t skip the album I’m Bresthless and the songs Justify My Love, and Rescue Me. You are getting into Madonnas most creative and experimental eras of the 90’s especially when she really starts getting into electronica
It's about the gang warfare between Latin street gangs in Los Angeles, The Barrio Maravilla as mentioned in the song. The song is from the point of view of a Mother or sister to a man who has been killed. "He had to fight, like all the rest, in the barrio all the streets are paved with fear, I don't understand, at least he was a man". She is asking Christ to pray with her as she sees no end to the violence and death. It's a beautiful, impassioned song, the guitar, the mariachi horns, quite different for her at this point and all the better for it. Of course it fits with the other themes across the album, family, religion and loss. And she really sings it with heart.
I believe this song is in tribute to friends she lost to AIDS, so its certainly applicable on both a personal level and a broader social level as well.
Her voice is pushed to it's limits in the chorus, I think she does a good job but I think she improves later, certainly when she did Ray of Light album she seemed to have increased her range and then again she got proper vocal training for her Evita role.
One thing I must say is that Madonna likes to try out different styles of music, looks and genres, like her image she sometimes goes in direction for an album or song. Nowadays it would be called "cultural appropriation" and sometimes it could be seen as that, but I think in her case she just likes to explore and expand her music and in a way brings those cultures to a wider audience.
@@mattsnider2667 if u do, go for Like A Prayer: "12" Dance Mix" and Expess Yourself: "Non Stop Expess Mix" and the 10min "Stop & Go Dubs" , Keep It Together "12" remix" All by Pettibone. Also Cherish "Extended Version" which also has a b-side new track " Supernatural" both mixed by James Guthrie.
Madonna depending on your take singing about the aids epidemic and or gun violence in the Barrios/Hoods. She came up poor on the lower east side of Manhattan so ya know. She always sings about her personal experiences especially those early years when she was an over achieving starving artist.
I thought that it was about her losing her mother as a young girl, and her identifying with Spanish and Catholic themes; actually, ive learned that it was inspired by a close friend of hers in the NY days who was latin and died of AIDS. Maybe, its all of those things?
Yeah, it seems people have some different takes on this one, but you might be right about Madonna speaking to multiple issues here, and either way, it highlights the way in which lyrics are typically a "dialogue" between artist and listener.
As mentioned in many sources Madonna wrote this song for her best friend who died of AIDS in 1986 he was 23 years old that time while Madonna was climbing to the peak of her career and fame. They met in New York when Madonna came to New York and were living together in an apartment in Lower East Side (LES) New York, they supported each other emotionally and financially through all the years until his death. His name was Martin Burgoyne he supported Madonna in the hard times of her career and life when she had little money he designed her "Burning Up" single cover etc. and was at her side when she was raped. And Madonna never left his side, she rent an apartment for him near the hospital he was taken care of and she took care of all his medical expences, call him by phone at least once a day and visit him at least once a week. Madonna was there holding his hand when his spirit left his body. She never forgot him and in 2019 GLAAD Awards she still mentioned him as "her best friend, and roommate". There was a photo of them (actually they had lots of photos) while Madonna was performing in Live AID 1985 and Martin was watching her behind the stage. They also performed together (for example while Madonna was performing "Everybody" in Danceteria in 1982). "I know for sure, his heart is here with me. Though I wish him back, I know he can not see my hands trembling. I know he hears me sing...." So yes, girl you know he hears you sing still after all those years, may be as far as from another World, or as close as inside of your heart he still hears you sing.
Imo this song doesnt get enough love. One of my favourites from that era of her music
This is probably the most beautiful song I have ever heard. I don't even think Madonna is aware of how good it is. I wish she'd play some of these gems at her concerts.
Great reaction! Yes, I love her raspier voice on this track. Such a beautiful song, one of her best.
I also love the raspy/rough vocal she gives in the chorus. Can't recall her singing like that in any other song. It's a very unique vocal performance for her.
My all-time favorite Madonna song. 💚
Another great Pat Leonard's tune
What a beautiful song. I always assumed it was about gang wars but considering friends dying of AIDS brings a whole new dimension to the meaning. The spoken words in Spanish have been the most fascinating part for me when I was 14 years old, and they still bring tears to my eyes at 49. Amazing.
Don’t skip the album I’m Bresthless and the songs Justify My Love, and Rescue Me. You are getting into Madonnas most creative and experimental eras of the 90’s especially when she really starts getting into electronica
A base é toda de "Carmem" de Bizet. Madonna não foi apenas uma intérprete e bailarina, mas também uma grande compositora.
It's about the gang warfare between Latin street gangs in Los Angeles, The Barrio Maravilla as mentioned in the song. The song is from the point of view of a Mother or sister to a man who has been killed. "He had to fight, like all the rest, in the barrio all the streets are paved with fear, I don't understand, at least he was a man". She is asking Christ to pray with her as she sees no end to the violence and death. It's a beautiful, impassioned song, the guitar, the mariachi horns, quite different for her at this point and all the better for it. Of course it fits with the other themes across the album, family, religion and loss. And she really sings it with heart.
I believe this song is in tribute to friends she lost to AIDS, so its certainly applicable on both a personal level and a broader social level as well.
Such a beautiful song quite heart breaking on her current tour she sings live to tell while remembering all those lost to AIDS in the early mid 80s
I think composer and producer Patrick Leonard harmonises with her on this
I thought it was about the Spanish Civil War….it may go deeper of course..
Her voice is pushed to it's limits in the chorus, I think she does a good job but I think she improves later, certainly when she did Ray of Light album she seemed to have increased her range and then again she got proper vocal training for her Evita role.
One thing I must say is that Madonna likes to try out different styles of music, looks and genres, like her image she sometimes goes in direction for an album or song. Nowadays it would be called "cultural appropriation" and sometimes it could be seen as that, but I think in her case she just likes to explore and expand her music and in a way brings those cultures to a wider audience.
Please can you explore the 12" remixes from this album, before the next album. Some tracks like Express Yourself were completely different
Will see if I have access, Mark has been the one sharing Madonna with me.
@@mattsnider2667 if u do, go for Like A Prayer: "12" Dance Mix" and Expess Yourself: "Non Stop Expess Mix" and the 10min "Stop & Go Dubs" , Keep It Together "12" remix"
All by Pettibone.
Also Cherish "Extended Version" which also has a b-side new track " Supernatural" both mixed by James Guthrie.
Madonna depending on your take singing about the aids epidemic and or gun violence in the Barrios/Hoods. She came up poor on the lower east side of Manhattan so ya know. She always sings about her personal experiences especially those early years when she was an over achieving starving artist.
Beautiful e sad song about the aids epidemic and the fight to win it.
I thought that it was about her losing her mother as a young girl, and her identifying with Spanish and Catholic themes; actually, ive learned that it was inspired by a close friend of hers in the NY days who was latin and died of AIDS. Maybe, its all of those things?
Yeah, it seems people have some different takes on this one, but you might be right about Madonna speaking to multiple issues here, and either way, it highlights the way in which lyrics are typically a "dialogue" between artist and listener.
The song is about the aids epidemic
Better than her singing about gray eyes!
Or teacups!
@@mattsnider2667 The first spares me, the 2nd, well..........does it spare you?
I'm more worried about the china!
@@mattsnider2667 Are you telling me that you don't polish your porcelain in the same way that Mr Duchovny does? It does remove those tannin stains!
Tanning? Haha, I'm German-Irish, surely you jest.