I believe Madonna is still a trend setter, as the professor explains, she subtly reinvents herself while growing as a musical artist. It is unfortunate that modern society doesn't revere music to the same degree as people from previous years do. As much as I love technology and see how it changes the world, it also makes a lot of things, like music easy to access without investing into the art and its creator. ❤
@@completecharleston7142 You’ve clearly never listened to Ray of Light from the late 90s. IMO, her best album of all time. Confessions (2005) might not be as complex, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
The incredible bridge of Live to Tell is one of many reasons why Madonna is underrated as a songwriter. Only a very talented artist could come up with that beautiful mix of lyrics, vocals and melody. She doesn't always get the respect she deserves in that regard.
Thank you...I was 12...I always feel like it was magical times then...just the amazing and various styles of music on the airwaves, at parties, roller rinks , arcades, and in our parents homes and cars...my mind goes back regularly...best time ever to be young
Ya Thought it was a poignant piece of work for her in that day and age. Bought the album for the radio hits and Live To Tell came on and I was like , "Hmmm, now what is this?"
Neil Tennant was asked a couple years ago about other artists he thought were talented lyricists. He was prompting his book of song lyrics and one poem. His response was that he thought Madonna was a great lyricist, and that people don’t give her the credit she deserves for her writing. I thought that was spot on.
‘True Blue’ was such an amazing album. Madonna was everything at that time! I remember listening to my ‘True Blue’ cassette all the time as an 8 year old, even though I didn’t understand all of the messages in those songs until I got older, I really enjoyed the music. I remember my third grade friends and I would sing songs from this album at recess time and compete on who could sound most like Madonna. 😂 Good times!!
I remember that I bought True Blue straight away when it came out and of course I still have that LP in my collection. That album pretty much defined the summer of 86.
Me to I was 7 my mom bought the vinyl my sisters were older than me so I knew all the great 80s music and of course I accidentally broke a little chip off it..thought I could hide it by just putting it back in its sleeve but boy did I get in trouble lol..got a lot of cassettes after that...True blue era was my fav as well as Like A Prayer.and even though it flopped I loved who’s that girl movie and soundtrack..
Thank you SO much for treating her music with the respect and appreciation it deserves. People so rarely talk about how incredible a lot of her music actually is. I absolutely adored this.
Madonna has outlasted everyone from the 80's her visions, ambition, talent and risk taking have made her one of the ALL TIME GREATS, love her or hate her, MADONNA is QUEEN!
Kylie Minogue started in the 80s and she is still around, she is not big in the USA but in the rest of the world she is a superstar and this week her 15th album Disco is released. Though I do love Madonna she is the Queen.
@JW KenCo who, exactly? That were on her level? Maybe Bruce Springsteen, or Janet (who was a lesser star than Madonna)? All of the other mega stars from the 80s are dead OR not active. Whitney. Michael. Prince. George. Tina no longer performs. Cher was really a 60s and 70s star, mainly, though she had a 'comeback' in the 80s. Same with someone like Paul McCartney or Elton John (70s). Facts are facts.
@@emolash you can't compare them. Madonna worked to get a record deal & spent years writing & singing her songs. She's still the main songwriter & producer of her work. Kylie was handed a stock Aitken Waterman contract where they had total control of the music. They even said she'd turn up, sing & then leave. Madonna's also a fully trained dancer, plays drum & guitar too. Madonna done some of her best work in the 90's, all criticality acclaimed. Everyone has their own opinion, but there's no creative, critical or commercial equal to Madonna. Yes, we got better singers, but they won't have her back catalogue or legacy.
@@Camille_Anderson I was not comparing them and I'm a fan of both Madonna and Kylie. Kylie started gaining control of her music with her third album rhythm of love. She traveled to America and worked with American writers and producers and one of those was a Madonna co writer called Stephen Bray. Kylie as grown over to the years as a performer and song writer. I'm a huge fan of Madonna she's a superstar. What I was pointing out was Kylie started in the 80s and she's still around, her 15th album Disco was released on Friday and as been receiving positive reviews. Plus both Madonna and Kylie are fans of each other. Madonna even wore a Kylie Minogue tee-shirt during her performance of Music at the European music awards.
Another amazing song by Madonna that captures ones Soul is "This used to be my playground". Beautiful song about memories, loss and hope. Different from "live to tell" but lyrics are just as passionate and haunting.
Both superb songs. As a role model, she showed great courage to say something that needed saying, but like PoR states, it was a massive career risk. To do this with class, as well as compassion, is something alright...
Great seeing _This Used to be My Playground_ get some much deserved (and much belated) love. Despite the fact that the song hit number one in 1992, for some reason it seems to have been largely forgotten. It’s not on either of her post-90’s greatest hits albums (GHV2 & Celebration); its sole appearance is on 1995’s ballad collection Something to Remember, and to my knowledge has never been performed live. I’ve always been mystified how such a beautiful song by the most successful female recording artist of all time became seemingly lost.
Wow. She did the demo in one take? Wow. This song intrigued me so much when I was little. Like 8 or 9yo when I was totally in love with Madonna. Even then, I could tell she was taking a risk with her music, with her look (she cut her hair!), with the messages she was saying with her music. She was not just a dumb pop star. She had something to say.
This song just never gets old. I've listened to it thousands upon thousands of times and still I'm discovering layers and nuances I'd never heard. Masterpiece.
@@steveczebe3279 hey there Steve, could you help me find it so I can download it.? The only thing that comes to mindis the actual Score of the film which I have enjoyed watching the movie thousand timea more. Up until this day I have Not been able to find the whole Score of the film on CD! :( except for the usual youtube's scenes here & there... Wishful thinking. Please and thanks👍
No one will ever come close to Madonna. She completely changed pop music and touring forever . No one has had the all encompassing musical, cultural , fashion, visual impact that she has had to this day . She is the biggest female artist ever and has been relevant for decades and her musical catalogue is unparalleled . Long live the queen .
“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?”
Loved this video. Thank you for giving Madonna some much due respect for her music. For someone that has achieved as much as she has, I don't understand the reluctance some have to actually give her props for her talent and involvement in the creation of her music. To think the version of this song we know and love is essentially a "demo vocal". Unbelievable. As a diehard Madonna fan that likes more of her work (even her latest album) than not, Live To Tell is still the jewel in the crown for me. I've heard it thousands of times and to this day, that somber intro still immediately makes the hairs on my arm stand up when it comes on. Madonna's lyrics + Pat's arrangement = pure magic. The drama, the arrangement, that haunting bridge.....absolutely one of the best pop ballads of the 80's and of all time for that matter. The work Madonna and Pat did together has such a timeless quality to it. They transcend just a typical "pop song"....Live To Tell, Oh Father, Like A Prayer etc.
Oh man. This was a rough one for me. I had tears well up and goosebumps on my arms from your tribute. Thank you for that. This is my favorite Madonna song ever. It brings me to tears as well. I love everything about it and all the reasons you covered, but have a slightly different take on it. This was released right around the time I came out. To me, the lyrics expressed how I felt about being in the closet. How painful it was growing up gay in Texas. The lyrics spoke to me and this song became, and remains, my special song. I love your take on the abuse aspects as well, but I only came to see it that way recently. I think the lyrics work in many ways, which makes it even better in my eyes. Her live rendition on the Confessions Tour should be in the Smithsonian, right along with the video for the song, which represented her birth into a true artist for me. Thank you so much for this video. From the heart.
Your story is very touching. It brings tears to my eyes listening to this song, so many memories. It's my eternity song. Take good care, love and light to you 🐝✨🌸❤️
Amen. Nothing to add to what you wrote. Live to tell is my song. I never stopped listening to it throughout the years. It’s a musical and emotional masterpiece
Your introduction was very touching. I'm happy Madonna is finally getting some credit for her musical talent rather than the usual reluctant comment :"she's a great business person"
She truly found her vocal sweet spot and strength with this song using her lower register that she rarely used in her earlier work. Those are her raw vocals from demo!
hearing that insight from Pat Leonard is absolutely riveting - amazing how serendipitous the creation of these beautiful songs is and how when the right talents meet, the music just happens. It's like being visited by a muse.
Madonna ruled the 80s, this song, along with Like A Prayer and Papa don’t preach are truly epic. That said, while Madonna’s biggest commercial hits are in the 80s, I think she was far more risky, and far more critically acclaimed in the 90s. The decade started with one of her greatest songs, Vogue, and ended with the critically acclaimed Grammy winning Ray Of Light album. Along the way she got a Golden Globe for Evita, had her longest lasting #1 hit with Take A Bow, and recorded one of the riskiest albums in her catalog, Erotica. That decade also saw some of her most creative and visually stunning music videos (Human Nature, Bad Girl, Justify my Love). I just think the 90s was her peak, and it’s unfortunate she’s boxed as an 80s artist to so many.
I agree, Professor. Even this hard rock and 80s hair band guy always recognized the passion and artistic brilliance and composition of this particular Madonna song. Just incredible.
Patrick Leonard is a man with such talent as a music composer, and so very humble and understated about his music industry experience. I'd love to spend a day listening to him talk about the song writing process and the behind the scenes stories of working with the artists!😊👍
As a Hard Rock guy I stayed away from most of Madonna's music, but Live to tell was an awesome tune. Full of emotion, heart felt. My favorite song by her. I wasn't going to say this, but I lived a big part of At close range. And when I watched the movie and heard that song it really tore me up. It's still like that every time I hear it. Hard times.
Anyone who avoids listening to Madonna because they think she’s not cool enough for their pretentious I-love-hard-rock BS is a very shallow and embarrassingly superficial music fan (and even worse, it actually makes them more shallow than Madonna herself whom they look down on), given the fact that despite Madonna is pop on the surface, if one pays deep attention to her works and artistry, she’s definitely punkier, way more audacious and far more confrontational than almost every rock act she was or is contemporary too. Never mind the other mainstream pop stars who are clearly very safe and vanilla compared to her. Madonna wrote and sang rock songs before her debut album came out (just listen to the “Burning Up” 1981 demo and many other stuff from that period) but that’s another story - the thing is, she’s the bad girl who brilliantly twists pop music into its darkest and grittiest manifestations - as a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer
@@CrystalCoffin You should submit that to Rollingstone mag. They might run it. I was 18 back then and you know, a kid. I just don't like her style of music, but this one song is awesome. That's it.
Just watched the documentary on Prime the other day, 'Madonna and the Breakfast Club' , about her early career, interesting stuff, even back then you could tell she was going to be a superstar. Granted, she does seem like a pretty whacky person, but I guess as they say there is a fine line between genius and madness....lol. I see a lot of people around UA-cam complaining about her being in the R&R HOF, because she is not 'Rock'. I don't care, rock or not, she deserves to be there, she is the most successful female artist of all time, and an absolute legend, as big as any musician there has ever been in history.
Exactly, the R&R HOF is not only about "rock" artists, Madonna is not the only "non rock" artist to be included. Considering her incredible career it would be a joke for her not to be included.
it's a stupid argument by purists. Rock as a musical style is not even very popular anymore. How many current artists would be called 'rock'? I guess all those 'angry white boy' artists, as I call them, but I don't even know that many... granted I don't listen to popular music anymore, so what do I know? lol.
I've always loved Madonna's versatility and adaptability. I'm really only just realizing how important her music has been to me over the last 4 decades. These songs with deeper meanings that stray from the typical pop sound especially resonate with me.
Wow, this title caught my eye, because I am huge Madonna fan, have been since Everybody was released and the clubs I frequented in LA at the time were all playing Everybody. Until you had that moment in your video where you broke down the lyrics I had never really paid attention. But as I sat here and watching, listening, to you break it down the tears started coming. This is a very powerful song and I always wondered why I was so moved by it. As a child I grew up with physical, mental, and sexual abuse. While you were explaining the details of the song I just never connected it to my life experiences until today. The last time I saw her perform this song live was her Confessions Tour and boy what an impact it had on me as she was crucified on the cross in full of a packed audience at the LA Forum. I was completely blown away by the message she was conveying with her song in a whole different way. It still makes the hairs on my skin every time I see that performance. She is truly an amazing artist who does not get the credit she deserves, and these newer females artists don’t even realize if it weren’t for her paving the way for them we wouldn’t have female artists we have today. I think a lot of her best work gets lost by the controversies that get created along the way just because of who she is. To this day she still takes a lot of shit from haters, and critics that she’s too old to be relevant. But it is those haters and critics that keep her relevant because they still have something to say about her. Her last album, Madame X, is brilliant. A daring move but not so daring for an artist like Madonna, who has 30 plus years under belt. Quite frankly, she has always been doing things her way and not giving a flying fu£kn what anyone has to say about. Isn’t that what a great artist does? I was fortunate and have been very fortunate to see all of her tours except two, but this last one, Madame X, was something a newer artist would have done in their early stage of their career. I only wish I had bought tickets to two of the 12 or so shows she did at the Wiltern Theatre. I am probably one of her few fans from the beginning that still gets excited when I here that she will have new music coming out because a tour always follows, and every time I think I won’t be able to get tickets. I almost missed my chance for the LA shows as I was confused on the ticketing purchase procedures and I remember being so irritated that I wasn’t going to the show. Anyway, thanks for posting this video, it was very well done and I love the part with Patrick Leonard. I wish those two could find their way back to the studio along with Niki and Donna. Those four truly create amazing music in the studio that doesn’t even compare to the crap that they are making today..
Bravo, Prof - nice to hear Madonna talked about as a songwriter rather than a celebrity icon. Most all of Madonna's predecessors learned only through the celebrity aspect of her story. They wanted to live what they grew up seeing on TV. They truly didn't grasp the work she did. They aren't the groundbreakers she was, nor are they the risk-takers she was. She started from SCRATCH and learned her own strengths and weaknesses through trial and error; the stars today aren't working themselves up. Stardom is instant. Pop songs are written as pop songs. Fame for fame's sake. It's a world where Kendall Jenner can wake up one day and say "I think I want to be a billionaire businesswoman" and all she has to do is act like one. The musicians today are doing the same thing. No one starts in the proverbial mail room anymore. Madonna ate out of garbage cans because she wanted something. And it is that spirit that wrote that song. "Live To Tell" precedes the entire album of Like A Prayer in what would become her more confessional song writing. I always regard "Live to Tell" as her own "Both Sides Now" ... except she strips away Joni Mitchell's ice-cream-castles-in-the-air lyrics to reveal the brutal raw honesty of personal survival. Mitchell seems lost at the end of her song's journey; Madonna comes off as wiser, working her way out of darkness. She's picking up where her predecessor left off and taking it in a whole new direction.
V3ry nicely put. Madonna can write songs that make you dance all night long, but man....she can write songs that are just deeply heartbreaking.....it's a great combination
Madonna is an absolute monster of music and one of my favorite artists of all time. Madonna and The Breakfast Club is an amazing documentary about her early days.
I grew up as a teenager in the 80's. Was never a Madonna fan, but you couldn't get around her music. From all the songs she put out this one has stuck with me till this day.
People usually claim Like a Prayer (1989) and Ray of Light (1998) as her best albums. Both are fantastic but True Blue (1986) will always be my personal #1 Madonna album. I think I adore all 9 tracks. Moreover, La Isla Bonita & Papa Don't Preach are my favorite songs in the world. Only a few complaints - Where's the Party would be a great 6th single and Spotlight should have been included to this album as well
A lot of fans like myself cite Erotica as their favourite album. I think Erotica/Bedtime Stories/Ray of Light was her creative peak, but she's been brilliant for most of her career, honestly.
"This Used to Be My Playground" has always been my favourite Madonna song, so heart-wrenchingly beautiful, as well as the film A League of Their Own. Nothing but love for this song and Live To Tell..
Brilliant, but so hard for me to listen to anymore... we played it at my best friends funeral and it's now part of my soul. Literally was , as always, thinking of him one day, turned on the car and what came on? This song never gets played..! Powerful !
@@gregoryreed4866 sadness in songs can also comfort us. Playground and Live To Tell always has always been for me nostalgic, happy and sad at the same time. I get lost in the songs regularly.
I always found Playground’s arrangement to be quite dull. I remember I bought the cassette single at Target and side 2 was the instrumental (and a longer version with added lyrics). I just remember thinking Madonna’s lyrics are what carried that song. You’re right, they’re personal, sad, and beautiful, but the instrumental for Live To Tell is IMO far greater than Playground. I actually think I’ll Remember is one of her most beautiful ballads from the 90s. Another Patrick Leonard song, IR was mixed by William Orbit, 5 years before he would end up working on Ray Of light with her.
Just discovered this channel because I was looking up a search on Madonna’s songwriting process. Stumbled across a Reddit post that mentioned your interview with Pat Leonard, ended up subscribing to the channel, because I find it so insightful and inspirational as I’m busy trying to get into the groove of songwriting myself. Thanks for this channel. It’s really helping me understand a lot behind some of the greatest songs and artists who wrote them and how that allows me to tap into my own creative process.
If I remember my 80s, Australia's rock guru and host of Countdown , Molly Meldrum, broke Madonna for the world when he pushed her as new talent via 'Holiday'. She made number 1 in Australia and the rest was history. Molly was equally famous for pushing ABBA to the top.
Live to tell is an absolute masterpiece. Madonna is a true, driven artist, many underestimate her underrate her.. Patrick Leonard is fantastic, so glad you interviewed him. And your show is the best music analysis on the planet. 🙏
There was so much talk comparing Britany Spears to Madonna when she was at her peak and I always thought that was the most rediculous thing i ever heard. Britany was a hard working performer, no denying what she did wasnt easy, but she wasnt a musician by any stretch. Madonna was the queen of pop because like Micheal Jackson she was deeply involved in her music and image and that gave it real substance, lots of meat on the bone if you will. She had colaborators but she put herself into what she did and it showed. Great vid and my go to channel for great music stories!!!
Another great Leonard-Madonna collaboration. The melody and the lyrics are a killer combo. These two truly are one of the best songwriting teams in the entire canon of music. Special mention should go to co-writer Richard Page (of the band Mr. Mister) as well.
Thank You for posting this video, much respect for your interpretation and thank you for talking to Pat. You know there are a lot Madonna fans out there that are still with her for the music, first and foremost . Respect. #Madame x is a musician.
Professor of rock brother you know what you talkin about especially on Live to Tell cuz this song engraving in my head and at least every week I play this song cuz there's something about this song that I just can't let go
Wonderful - it's amazing that the arrangement of sound waves via the length of a piece of string or wire, embellished with cathartic vocal reflections can be so moving. I was a young Rock guitar player yet moved by such depth and articulation. When Pat hit the first chords my time machine was triggered back to 1986. A life without music is called existence!
I just read that as The Who’s “That Girl “ tour . My mind went into Maximum Overdrive wondering how I missed it , what it was , and how I loved Marlo Thomas .
Really? I remember thinking it was silly and too large. I was almost over her at the time but man, than Blonde Ambition show was like nothing I’ve ever seen before or after. Nothing like it.
I actually prefer the Blond Ambition version to Who's that Girl, but Confessions Tour knocks both versions out of the park and always gives me goosebumps.
Wow... I have to admit, I knew the song was powerful and sad, but I never understood it's full impact until the Professor talked about his own experiences. I'm going to re-listen to this song with fresh ears. Mad respect to the Queen and to the prof for surviving his own pain and trauma.
This song has been so overshadowed by her personality over the years. This is easily her best song, in my mind. Thank you for deep diving into these great songs!!
"Her personality" that's what people want to see on the media, she's built a hospital in a poor country and adopted many kids, that's her real personality, what you seen in her work does not define her as a human.
And that's not Madonna's fault. She did her job as a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer. It's the people who are stupid, for choosing to pay more attention to her "personality" and not her music.
I remember how surprised I was by this song because it was such a departure from any music I'd heard from her at that point. I've been a Madonna fan ever since that song came out. Prior to that she seemed squeeky and unserious to me. I was in High School when all this happened (think I was a Sophomore when Live to Tell was released). I was SO lucky to come of age in the 1980's! Thank you sir, for another outstanding video (and interview)!
I too was a young victim of abuse. “Live To Tell” is still the best song from Madonna ever. Also on the same level was the song “What’s The Matter Here” by 10,000 Maniacs. Damn. That song went right thru me. Two songs I can never bump on my radio. I consider them sacred and my songs. Written for me. Kinda like therapy if you will.
10,000 Maniacs is my favorite group of all time - Natalie Merchant is one of the all time great musical storytellers. In the same vein as Live to Tell and What's the Matter Here is Suzanne Vega's Luka.
They created art pop music together - something that’s been missing from her last few albums - only William orbit comes close to Leonard - listen to masterpiece and falling free from MDNA album - wonderful songs ❤️
Nobody came close to Madonna in the 80s. I remember watching nthe Material Girl MTV video when I was 20 in college at the frat house. She made all guys that age go mad. Awesome voice and awesome persona. Sweet Jesus.
Michael Jackson trumped Madonna in sales and in popularity in the 1980s. Whitney Houston's first two albums blew away Madonna's total sales in the USA in the 1980s. At one time even Paula Abdul eclipsed Madonna in the late 1980s in popularity..
@@nobodyfamous9657 Whitney's album sales were far bigger than Madonna's sales in the USA. Whitney's first album sold 14 million copies in the USA. Whitney's second album was the first by a female to debut at #1 and it sold 11 million copies in the USA. Madonna has never had any albums sell like that in America. Worldwide, Madonna has more record sales. However, no other female artist has an album Like The Bodyguard which has sold over 25 million copies worldwide.. Shania Twain also had an album that sold 14 million copies in the USA.
I think if anyone ever wanted a musical definition of the word haunting, this song would be the best example. it's absolutely beautiful and sad and scary and intriguing all at the same time!
@capacitance-rca1981 They did, but more importantly both could give personality and transform a composer's work into a pop song, or simplify as said in the video. That's talent in itself. There's a reason why Pat Leonard doesn't have hits outside his collaborations with Madonna and she does have with other partners.
you speak so preciously about this song. and I agree with it all! great work. Know so much more about the song now. Pat playing the song made me tear up instantly.
I'm a huge fan of Madonna and this song cuts me to the core every time. I recently watched At Close Range again = Patrick Leonard's haunting piano motif from "Live To Tell" runs throughout the entire film. Thank you for a great little segment on this tune! I loved hearing your reaction to the lyrics and Patrick's memories of writing the tune.
I've always loved the original 5:45 version of live to tell. i especially love the bridge where the song just takes a break and you hear these almost wind-like sounds next to the simple four chords.
That's the only version I listen to, it goes beyond being a simple pop radio song...it turns into something way deeper than expected, and she and Patrick knocked it out the park...
She certainly spoke to me in so many of her amazing songs, "Live to tell" was certainly one of them. Didn't take long for Madonna to separate herself from the pack. She had the natural gift of songwriting.
This song is the story of my life. I too am a child abuse survivor. Every single word in the lyrics I can relate to. "I have a tale to tell. Sometimes it so hard to hide it well. I was not ready for the fall. Too blind to see the writing on the wall."
I think that "Magic" is meant to happen just like that. In one day (or two) that connection exist and a great composer meets a great performer and history is written. Excellent video Professor!
...The Prof. FINALLY sits down with one of the most elusive 80's Producers, Eric Clapton... -I mean-...Pat Leonard!! ...ha-HAAA!! ...But, seriously, This was WONDERFUL to see; a Producer who let an Artist (Madonna) go off, branch out introspectively, and helped her evolve her brand of Pop Music , and, also create a NEW template to Pop Music, for others to follow...... ..."Live To Tell" was a REAL kick in the head, early Spring, 1986; stark, spacious, airy, DARK, mysterious....and, that INSTRUMENTAL STOP, after the bridge...profoundly eerie, yet, 'Pop' enough for Radio / singles sales....Madonna CHALLENGED us listeners, and she was rewarded with her MOST mature work, up to that point....THAT'S what make a Great 'Pop Artist'; to push the envelope, and MAKE us decipher it enough, for the respect of what the ARTIST has to say..... ..This was a SURPRISING Vlog, with The Prof. giving some very personal details of his life, in regards to what the Song means to him, and I Thank him, for opening up to his OWN personal turmoils, to help OTHERS find the message in "Live To Tell", & overcome THEIR 'tales'.... ...I know where beauty lives I've seen it once, I know the warmth she gives.. The light that you could never see... .....It shines inside, you can't take that from me..... ("Live To Tell", #1 Pop, 1wk. June, 1986)
That introduction was spot on in describing Madonna, especially when Adam said, "Pushing the Envelope." Madonna did just that, and did so WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD. That is why I admire her so much. Adam is extremely thoughtful with ALL his videos, and I mean, ALL.
Live to Tell is a masterpiece, one of the rare songs that can bring me to tears. Madonna is one of the greatest artists of all time, her work in the 80’s alone is amazing, with the Like a Prayer album on top of the list.
*Wow. Great interview, Professor!* So, not only was *Live to Tell* actually a demo song (aka: sort of a first ''rough draft''), it was an extremely rare ''one-take demo''? That's just simply... CRAZY! *Some random music trivia:* Celine Dion's huge hit, ''My Heart Will Go On'' from the soundtrack to the movie, ''Titanic'' was also a demo.
My biggest memory of "Live To Tell" is from my dad. We had the 45. The B-side was the instrumental. One night my dad got this idea that he wanted to sing it & record it. Well, he did. Two things I remember the most: 1. When he sang "It will burn inside of me" he was struggling to hit the notes & he sounded like Kermit the frog. 2. Then there's the line "A man can tell a thousand lies, I've learned my lesson well." He didn't change the word 'man', and my sisters both said "Um, you should probably change the word 'man' to something else!" LOL! I kinda wanted to sing it, because all I ever wanted to do was be a singer/songwriter since I was 5. I didn't do it though. Our dad was the only one. Seriously though- Madonna was one of those generational artists that was larger than life. You had the Beatles in the 60's, The Bee Gees in the mid-late 70's, MJ, Whitney & Madonna in the 80's... She was an icon, and always had great music coming out. Then in the 90's, she reinvented herself. She totally changed her style to keep herself 'interesting' to the changing times. I don't think it worked as well when Mariah Carey did it. Mariah's earlier music was great. She continued to have success, but IMO, Madonna was still putting out higher quality music.
This is one of your best, Adam- tremendous personal insight, outstanding behind the scenes story from an incredibly articulate main participant, and a true classic from our era. This song made me respect that I didn’t understand Madonna was more than the image that had thus far been placed out for us. Also, my huge crush could sing it with tremendous soul (and she had known pain in her life, so that gave it the proper weight). I’ll always equate it with that first love, and the fact that no one (including me) could fix or save her. I hope she eventually saved herself.
Very well done Professor. You said so many things here that I completely agree with and you spoke with empathy and sympathy, thank you. This song has always touched me and spoken to me in a way I can’t even describe. It is a beautiful song and so well written. You never fail to amaze me with your words and understanding of masterpieces like this.
True Blue came out my Senior year...Great album and I recall being so impressed with Madonna for creating a diversion with this haunting song. And her extraordinary work in Evita is forever haunting. Saw her in Tacoma for the Who's That Girl tour in 1987...she has since become a legend!
My favourites albums by Maddona are Erotica, Bed Time Stories, and this one, True Blue. True Blue put Madonna in the same category of Pop Star Greatest, along side Prince, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. One of the greatest. ❣️
Like a Virgin did that before True Blue, at the time LAV was the biggest selling album by a woman in music history. Until Madonna best her own record with True Blue
When it comes to Madonna, its always been about the music for me. Her persona always got in the way for most people though. Glad to see her finally get the kudos she so rightly deserves!
Actually, prior to this, she had shown us all her vocal chops with Crazy for you, which was an equally rangey song with even higher upper notes. Love Live to tell, but Ray of Light is still my favorite album though, especially the similar haunting soaring notes of Power of goodbye.
"Live To Tell" always reminded me of Madonna's other song "Take A Bow" because they are both gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, yet delivered with so much vocal beauty by Madonna.
Madonna's greatness is at its best with " Live To Tell" and the whole album itself that is why she's the QUEEN, and taken seriously as an artist from then on.
Dude, this why I love music, you went deep in my feelings and with the relationship I have with this particular song. I listen all kind of music most of the time, but there’s some songs that go far, way far in my soul and bring the best memories of my life and the different places and persons I meet in my journey all this years.
Not only Madonna's greatest but one of the greatest tracks ever made. Lyrics, vocals, melody, production - all perfectly executed. Powerful is an understatement.
Awesome, Madonna in the 80's was a trendsetter, and she killed it!!
I believe Madonna is still a trend setter, as the professor explains, she subtly reinvents herself while growing as a musical artist. It is unfortunate that modern society doesn't revere music to the same degree as people from previous years do. As much as I love technology and see how it changes the world, it also makes a lot of things, like music easy to access without investing into the art and its creator. ❤
So many great songs in the 80's, then she went downhill, now she's just an angry washed up activist.
@@completecharleston7142 You’ve clearly never listened to Ray of Light from the late 90s. IMO, her best album of all time. Confessions (2005) might not be as complex, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
She definitely was in the 90s and 2000s as well.
LOVED 80S MADONNA I thought she just wrote this for a movie but wow what a song and it makes sense in that context
The incredible bridge of Live to Tell is one of many reasons why Madonna is underrated as a songwriter. Only a very talented artist could come up with that beautiful mix of lyrics, vocals and melody. She doesn't always get the respect she deserves in that regard.
she is not under rated! Drop that term.
@@eduardochavacano She absolutely is. Just look at the number of people who still call her "talentless" and you'll have your answer.
@@enriquesanchez9016 You are completely right, the amount of people who have rolled their eyes at me for liking her, I couldn't even count.
@@Joelsellers29 Exactly. She is the most disrespected legend for sure.
Totally agree! I'm a product of '80's, and Madonna was an integral part of that era and my life💜 She's a legend in her own right.
Madonna is one of the most important artists in the history of Pop/Rock
Very courageous too.
Uh, dude....?
Say whaaat?!
@@Pinerocks Double Down-Dirty Diana
@@ballsmahoney8684 You are forgiven for your transgression
Madonna's 'Live To Tell' isn't just nostalgia for people who lived the '80s era. They were truly magical times.
Thank you...I was 12...I always feel like it was magical times then...just the amazing and various styles of music on the airwaves, at parties, roller rinks , arcades, and in our parents homes and cars...my mind goes back regularly...best time ever to be young
Ya Thought it was a poignant piece of work for her in that day and age. Bought the album for the radio hits and Live To Tell came on and I was like , "Hmmm, now what is this?"
Great movie.
Ummm, I lost a lot of friends and acquaintances to HIV/AIDS. The 80's and 90's were fun musically, but we suffered socially.
its her second greatest recording next to Frozen also a collab with Pat Leonard.
Neil Tennant was asked a couple years ago about other artists he thought were talented lyricists. He was prompting his book of song lyrics and one poem.
His response was that he thought Madonna was a great lyricist, and that people don’t give her the credit she deserves for her writing. I thought that was spot on.
‘True Blue’ was such an amazing album. Madonna was everything at that time! I remember listening to my ‘True Blue’ cassette all the time as an 8 year old, even though I didn’t understand all of the messages in those songs until I got older, I really enjoyed the music. I remember my third grade friends and I would sing songs from this album at recess time and compete on who could sound most like Madonna. 😂 Good times!!
Thank you for sharing your memories!
omg i was an 8 year old listening to True Blue on Cassette!!
I remember that I bought True Blue straight away when it came out and of course I still have that LP in my collection. That album pretty much defined the summer of 86.
Yup, I was also eight years old listening to True Blue while rollerskating in my driveway. Good times.
Me to I was 7 my mom bought the vinyl my sisters were older than me so I knew all the great 80s music and of course I accidentally broke a little chip off it..thought I could hide it by just putting it back in its sleeve but boy did I get in trouble lol..got a lot of cassettes after that...True blue era was my fav as well as Like A Prayer.and even though it flopped I loved who’s that girl movie and soundtrack..
Madonna’s catalog is legendary.
Thank you SO much for treating her music with the respect and appreciation it deserves. People so rarely talk about how incredible a lot of her music actually is. I absolutely adored this.
Madonna has outlasted everyone from the 80's her visions, ambition, talent and risk taking have made her one of the ALL TIME GREATS, love her or hate her, MADONNA is QUEEN!
Kylie Minogue started in the 80s and she is still around, she is not big in the USA but in the rest of the world she is a superstar and this week her 15th album Disco is released. Though I do love Madonna she is the Queen.
@JW KenCo who, exactly? That were on her level? Maybe Bruce Springsteen, or Janet (who was a lesser star than Madonna)? All of the other mega stars from the 80s are dead OR not active. Whitney. Michael. Prince. George. Tina no longer performs. Cher was really a 60s and 70s star, mainly, though she had a 'comeback' in the 80s. Same with someone like Paul McCartney or Elton John (70s). Facts are facts.
@@emolash you can't compare them. Madonna worked to get a record deal & spent years writing & singing her songs. She's still the main songwriter & producer of her work. Kylie was handed a stock Aitken Waterman contract where they had total control of the music. They even said she'd turn up, sing & then leave. Madonna's also a fully trained dancer, plays drum & guitar too. Madonna done some of her best work in the 90's, all criticality acclaimed. Everyone has their own opinion, but there's no creative, critical or commercial equal to Madonna. Yes, we got better singers, but they won't have her back catalogue or legacy.
U2 and Duran Duran would have something to say about that...
@@Camille_Anderson I was not comparing them and I'm a fan of both Madonna and Kylie. Kylie started gaining control of her music with her third album rhythm of love. She traveled to America and worked with American writers and producers and one of those was a Madonna co writer called Stephen Bray. Kylie as grown over to the years as a performer and song writer. I'm a huge fan of Madonna she's a superstar. What I was pointing out was Kylie started in the 80s and she's still around, her 15th album Disco was released on Friday and as been receiving positive reviews. Plus both Madonna and Kylie are fans of each other. Madonna even wore a Kylie Minogue tee-shirt during her performance of Music at the European music awards.
Another amazing song by Madonna that captures ones Soul is "This used to be my playground". Beautiful song about memories, loss and hope. Different from "live to tell" but lyrics are just as passionate and haunting.
Both superb songs.
As a role model, she showed great courage to say something that needed saying,
but like PoR states, it was a massive career risk.
To do this with class, as well as compassion, is something alright...
"...Playground" is my fovourite song from her entire career.. It is so personal to me ... A true masterpiece!
The look of love is good too
@@Patrick3183 the look of love is underrated. I love that song.
Great seeing _This Used to be My Playground_ get some much deserved (and much belated) love. Despite the fact that the song hit number one in 1992, for some reason it seems to have been largely forgotten. It’s not on either of her post-90’s greatest hits albums (GHV2 & Celebration); its sole appearance is on 1995’s ballad collection Something to Remember, and to my knowledge has never been performed live. I’ve always been mystified how such a beautiful song by the most successful female recording artist of all time became seemingly lost.
Thank you for this! So many people underestimate Madonna's talent as a musician and songwriter, she is truly something special.
Wow. She did the demo in one take? Wow. This song intrigued me so much when I was little. Like 8 or 9yo when I was totally in love with Madonna. Even then, I could tell she was taking a risk with her music, with her look (she cut her hair!), with the messages she was saying with her music. She was not just a dumb pop star. She had something to say.
They don't call her Queen of Pop for no good reason.
This song just never gets old. I've listened to it thousands upon thousands of times and still I'm discovering layers and nuances I'd never heard. Masterpiece.
There's even a 19 min,extended version that's absolutely brilliant
Me too and it's been 35 years ;-)
@@steveczebe3279 hey there Steve, could you help me find it so I can download it.? The only thing that comes to mindis the actual Score of the film which I have enjoyed watching the movie thousand timea more. Up until this day I have Not been able to find the whole Score of the film on CD! :( except for the usual youtube's scenes here & there... Wishful thinking. Please and thanks👍
same
@@steveczebe3279 Really? How do I get my hands on that?
No one will ever come close to Madonna. She completely changed pop music and touring forever . No one has had the all encompassing musical, cultural , fashion, visual impact that she has had to this day . She is the biggest female artist ever and has been relevant for decades and her musical catalogue is unparalleled . Long live the queen .
Those 3 opening chords get me every time. Bone chilling stuff. Only in the 80s was such artistry commercially acceptable.
Live to tell is so dramatically beautiful.
The lyrics are so powerful.
Well said.
Madonna's 'Live To Tell' isn't just nostalgia for people who lived the '80s era. They were truly magical times.
“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?”
Your interpretation gave me chills.............as this has been my favorite Madonna ballad since 1986. Thank you.
Loved this video. Thank you for giving Madonna some much due respect for her music. For someone that has achieved as much as she has, I don't understand the reluctance some have to actually give her props for her talent and involvement in the creation of her music. To think the version of this song we know and love is essentially a "demo vocal". Unbelievable. As a diehard Madonna fan that likes more of her work (even her latest album) than not, Live To Tell is still the jewel in the crown for me. I've heard it thousands of times and to this day, that somber intro still immediately makes the hairs on my arm stand up when it comes on. Madonna's lyrics + Pat's arrangement = pure magic. The drama, the arrangement, that haunting bridge.....absolutely one of the best pop ballads of the 80's and of all time for that matter. The work Madonna and Pat did together has such a timeless quality to it. They transcend just a typical "pop song"....Live To Tell, Oh Father, Like A Prayer etc.
Oh man. This was a rough one for me. I had tears well up and goosebumps on my arms from your tribute. Thank you for that.
This is my favorite Madonna song ever. It brings me to tears as well. I love everything about it and all the reasons you covered, but have a slightly different take on it. This was released right around the time I came out. To me, the lyrics expressed how I felt about being in the closet. How painful it was growing up gay in Texas. The lyrics spoke to me and this song became, and remains, my special song. I love your take on the abuse aspects as well, but I only came to see it that way recently. I think the lyrics work in many ways, which makes it even better in my eyes. Her live rendition on the Confessions Tour should be in the Smithsonian, right along with the video for the song, which represented her birth into a true artist for me. Thank you so much for this video. From the heart.
Your story is very touching. It brings tears to my eyes listening to this song, so many memories. It's my eternity song. Take good care, love and light to you 🐝✨🌸❤️
@@BarbaraMarch444 thank you. You’re very sweet to say that. Cheers!
@@coolhive2941 😘🌸
Amen. Nothing to add to what you wrote. Live to tell is my song. I never stopped listening to it throughout the years. It’s a musical and emotional masterpiece
Your introduction was very touching. I'm happy Madonna is finally getting some credit for her musical talent rather than the usual reluctant comment :"she's a great business person"
She truly found her vocal sweet spot and strength with this song using her lower register that she rarely used in her earlier work. Those are her raw vocals from demo!
hearing that insight from Pat Leonard is absolutely riveting - amazing how serendipitous the creation of these beautiful songs is and how when the right talents meet, the music just happens. It's like being visited by a muse.
Yep amazing indeed.
Beautifully stated Jojo!
Amazing story he told. That should be a movie, just that one day!!!
Madonna ruled the 80s, this song, along with Like A Prayer and Papa don’t preach are truly epic.
That said, while Madonna’s biggest commercial hits are in the 80s, I think she was far more risky, and far more critically acclaimed in the 90s. The decade started with one of her greatest songs, Vogue, and ended with the critically acclaimed Grammy winning Ray Of Light album. Along the way she got a Golden Globe for Evita, had her longest lasting #1 hit with Take A Bow, and recorded one of the riskiest albums in her catalog, Erotica. That decade also saw some of her most creative and visually stunning music videos (Human Nature, Bad Girl, Justify my Love). I just think the 90s was her peak, and it’s unfortunate she’s boxed as an 80s artist to so many.
well said
I agree, Professor. Even this hard rock and 80s hair band guy always recognized the passion and artistic brilliance and composition of this particular Madonna song. Just incredible.
The interview with Patrick Leonard is amazing.
Madonna was honest and cutting edge. She never pulled any punches. That's what makes her a true Queen.
“Oh Father” is another haunting mature Madonna song
Patrick Leonard is a man with such talent as a music composer, and so very humble and understated about his music industry experience. I'd love to spend a day listening to him talk about the song writing process and the behind the scenes stories of working with the artists!😊👍
Its the track Live To Tell that made her a mature artist. The video was epic.
My favorite Madonna song.
My favorite ballad in her discography.
As a Hard Rock guy I stayed away from most of Madonna's music, but Live to tell was an awesome tune.
Full of emotion, heart felt. My favorite song by her. I wasn't going to say this, but I lived a big part of At close range.
And when I watched the movie and heard that song it really tore me up. It's still like that every time I hear it. Hard times.
Anyone who avoids listening to Madonna because they think she’s not cool enough for their pretentious I-love-hard-rock BS is a very shallow and embarrassingly superficial music fan (and even worse, it actually makes them more shallow than Madonna herself whom they look down on), given the fact that despite Madonna is pop on the surface, if one pays deep attention to her works and artistry, she’s definitely punkier, way more audacious and far more confrontational than almost every rock act she was or is contemporary too. Never mind the other mainstream pop stars who are clearly very safe and vanilla compared to her. Madonna wrote and sang rock songs before her debut album came out (just listen to the “Burning Up” 1981 demo and many other stuff from that period) but that’s another story - the thing is, she’s the bad girl who brilliantly twists pop music into its darkest and grittiest manifestations - as a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer
@@CrystalCoffin You should submit that to Rollingstone mag. They might run it. I was 18 back then and you know, a kid. I just don't like her style of music, but this one song is awesome. That's it.
Just watched the documentary on Prime the other day, 'Madonna and the Breakfast Club' , about her early career, interesting stuff, even back then you could tell she was going to be a superstar. Granted, she does seem like a pretty whacky person, but I guess as they say there is a fine line between genius and madness....lol.
I see a lot of people around UA-cam complaining about her being in the R&R HOF, because she is not 'Rock'. I don't care, rock or not, she deserves to be there, she is the most successful female artist of all time, and an absolute legend, as big as any musician there has ever been in history.
Exactly, the R&R HOF is not only about "rock" artists, Madonna is not the only "non rock" artist to be included. Considering her incredible career it would be a joke for her not to be included.
it's a stupid argument by purists. Rock as a musical style is not even very popular anymore. How many current artists would be called 'rock'? I guess all those 'angry white boy' artists, as I call them, but I don't even know that many... granted I don't listen to popular music anymore, so what do I know? lol.
The collaboration with Pat is amazing it gives me chills to hear the notes he's playing. It's amazing
I've always loved Madonna's versatility and adaptability. I'm really only just realizing how important her music has been to me over the last 4 decades. These songs with deeper meanings that stray from the typical pop sound especially resonate with me.
Wow, this title caught my eye, because I am huge Madonna fan, have been since Everybody was released and the clubs I frequented in LA at the time were all playing Everybody. Until you had that moment in your video where you broke down the lyrics I had never really paid attention. But as I sat here and watching, listening, to you break it down the tears started coming. This is a very powerful song and I always wondered why I was so moved by it. As a child I grew up with physical, mental, and sexual abuse. While you were explaining the details of the song I just never connected it to my life experiences until today. The last time I saw her perform this song live was her Confessions Tour and boy what an impact it had on me as she was crucified on the cross in full of a packed audience at the LA Forum. I was completely blown away by the message she was conveying with her song in a whole different way. It still makes the hairs on my skin every time I see that performance. She is truly an amazing artist who does not get the credit she deserves, and these newer females artists don’t even realize if it weren’t for her paving the way for them we wouldn’t have female artists we have today. I think a lot of her best work gets lost by the controversies that get created along the way just because of who she is. To this day she still takes a lot of shit from haters, and critics that she’s too old to be relevant. But it is those haters and critics that keep her relevant because they still have something to say about her. Her last album, Madame X, is brilliant. A daring move but not so daring for an artist like Madonna, who has 30 plus years under belt. Quite frankly, she has always been doing things her way and not giving a flying fu£kn what anyone has to say about. Isn’t that what a great artist does? I was fortunate and have been very fortunate to see all of her tours except two, but this last one, Madame X, was something a newer artist would have done in their early stage of their career. I only wish I had bought tickets to two of the 12 or so shows she did at the Wiltern Theatre. I am probably one of her few fans from the beginning that still gets excited when I here that she will have new music coming out because a tour always follows, and every time I think I won’t be able to get tickets. I almost missed my chance for the LA shows as I was confused on the ticketing purchase procedures and I remember being so irritated that I wasn’t going to the show. Anyway, thanks for posting this video, it was very well done and I love the part with Patrick Leonard. I wish those two could find their way back to the studio along with Niki and Donna. Those four truly create amazing music in the studio that doesn’t even compare to the crap that they are making today..
Bravo, Prof - nice to hear Madonna talked about as a songwriter rather than a celebrity icon. Most all of Madonna's predecessors learned only through the celebrity aspect of her story. They wanted to live what they grew up seeing on TV. They truly didn't grasp the work she did. They aren't the groundbreakers she was, nor are they the risk-takers she was. She started from SCRATCH and learned her own strengths and weaknesses through trial and error; the stars today aren't working themselves up. Stardom is instant. Pop songs are written as pop songs. Fame for fame's sake. It's a world where Kendall Jenner can wake up one day and say "I think I want to be a billionaire businesswoman" and all she has to do is act like one. The musicians today are doing the same thing. No one starts in the proverbial mail room anymore. Madonna ate out of garbage cans because she wanted something. And it is that spirit that wrote that song. "Live To Tell" precedes the entire album of Like A Prayer in what would become her more confessional song writing. I always regard "Live to Tell" as her own "Both Sides Now" ... except she strips away Joni Mitchell's ice-cream-castles-in-the-air lyrics to reveal the brutal raw honesty of personal survival. Mitchell seems lost at the end of her song's journey; Madonna comes off as wiser, working her way out of darkness. She's picking up where her predecessor left off and taking it in a whole new direction.
V3ry nicely put. Madonna can write songs that make you dance all night long, but man....she can write songs that are just deeply heartbreaking.....it's a great combination
Madonna is an absolute monster of music and one of my favorite artists of all time. Madonna and The Breakfast Club is an amazing documentary about her early days.
I grew up as a teenager in the 80's. Was never a Madonna fan, but you couldn't get around her music. From all the songs she put out this one has stuck with me till this day.
I am a huge fan, but yes, you don't need to be a fan to recognize talent and greatness.
Live to Tell is when i began taking Madonna seriously. and then with Papa Don't Preach i think it was clear she'd be with us for quite a while.
People usually claim Like a Prayer (1989) and Ray of Light (1998) as her best albums. Both are fantastic but True Blue (1986) will always be my personal #1 Madonna album. I think I adore all 9 tracks. Moreover, La Isla Bonita & Papa Don't Preach are my favorite songs in the world. Only a few complaints - Where's the Party would be a great 6th single and Spotlight should have been included to this album as well
A lot of fans like myself cite Erotica as their favourite album. I think Erotica/Bedtime Stories/Ray of Light was her creative peak, but she's been brilliant for most of her career, honestly.
They should have added her to singing
"Each Time You Break My Heart" too.
Hearing this live at The Confessions Tour.... it was life changing. That bridge cuts through you and leaves you so vulnerable.
Watching Pat play those chords for Live to Tell & Oh Father gave me goosebumps. Loved your chat with him. I could of watched it all day.
"This Used to Be My Playground" has always been my favourite Madonna song, so heart-wrenchingly beautiful, as well as the film A League of Their Own. Nothing but love for this song and Live To Tell..
I Absolutely Agree!!
Brilliant, but so hard for me to listen to anymore... we played it at my best friends funeral and it's now part of my soul. Literally was , as always, thinking of him one day, turned on the car and what came on? This song never gets played..! Powerful !
@@gregoryreed4866 sadness in songs can also comfort us. Playground and Live To Tell always has always been for me nostalgic, happy and sad at the same time. I get lost in the songs regularly.
I always found Playground’s arrangement to be quite dull. I remember I bought the cassette single at Target and side 2 was the instrumental (and a longer version with added lyrics). I just remember thinking Madonna’s lyrics are what carried that song. You’re right, they’re personal, sad, and beautiful, but the instrumental for Live To Tell is IMO far greater than Playground.
I actually think I’ll Remember is one of her most beautiful ballads from the 90s. Another Patrick Leonard song, IR was mixed by William Orbit, 5 years before he would end up working on Ray Of light with her.
This is my favorite Madonna ballad!
Just discovered this channel because I was looking up a search on Madonna’s songwriting process. Stumbled across a Reddit post that mentioned your interview with Pat Leonard, ended up subscribing to the channel, because I find it so insightful and inspirational as I’m busy trying to get into the groove of songwriting myself. Thanks for this channel. It’s really helping me understand a lot behind some of the greatest songs and artists who wrote them and how that allows me to tap into my own creative process.
Amazing how solid rock critics are still embracing and uncovering new layers in Madonna's work. Great conversation with Patrick Leonard.
If I remember my 80s, Australia's rock guru and host of Countdown , Molly Meldrum, broke Madonna for the world when he pushed her as new talent via 'Holiday'. She made number 1 in Australia and the rest was history.
Molly was equally famous for pushing ABBA to the top.
It went #4 (the best performing single from her debut there!).
Like a Virgin👑 was her first #1 in Australia.
Live to tell is an absolute masterpiece. Madonna is a true, driven artist, many underestimate her underrate her.. Patrick Leonard is fantastic, so glad you interviewed him. And your show is the best music analysis on the planet. 🙏
Yes, I like that too. Actually, I´ve never seen before what P. Leonard look like :-)
stop using the word under rated. It is idiotic. Please just stop.
There was so much talk comparing Britany Spears to Madonna when she was at her peak and I always thought that was the most rediculous thing i ever heard. Britany was a hard working performer, no denying what she did wasnt easy, but she wasnt a musician by any stretch. Madonna was the queen of pop because like Micheal Jackson she was deeply involved in her music and image and that gave it real substance, lots of meat on the bone if you will. She had colaborators but she put herself into what she did and it showed. Great vid and my go to channel for great music stories!!!
Another song from a soundtrack she did is "I'll Remember" from the movie With Honors. A great song and great movie also.
it was also a huge hit peaking at #2 for 4 weeks straight
Another great Leonard-Madonna collaboration. The melody and the lyrics are a killer combo. These two truly are one of the best songwriting teams in the entire canon of music. Special mention should go to co-writer Richard Page (of the band Mr. Mister) as well.
A #2 smash hit in 1994 for Madonna
I couldn't agree more. I'll remember is a huge masterpiece as well as the video.
Thank You for posting this video, much respect for your interpretation and thank you for talking to Pat. You know there are a lot Madonna fans out there that are still with her for the music, first and foremost . Respect. #Madame x is a musician.
Professor of rock brother you know what you talkin about especially on Live to Tell cuz this song engraving in my head and at least every week I play this song cuz there's something about this song that I just can't let go
Thank you for commenting.
Because her previous single was into the groove and that was nothing like live to tell
@@Patrick3183 Her previous single before this was Gambler. Before that was Dress You Up and before that was Into The Groove.
Wonderful - it's amazing that the arrangement of sound waves via the length of a piece of string or wire, embellished with cathartic vocal reflections can be so moving. I was a young Rock guitar player yet moved by such depth and articulation.
When Pat hit the first chords my time machine was triggered back to 1986. A life without music is called existence!
The Who's That Girl world tour was the best performance I've ever seen.
It was truly stupendous...I saw the video...
I just read that as The Who’s “That Girl “ tour . My mind went into Maximum Overdrive wondering how I missed it , what it was , and how I loved Marlo Thomas .
Really? I remember thinking it was silly and too large. I was almost over her at the time but man, than Blonde Ambition show was like nothing I’ve ever seen before or after. Nothing like it.
I actually prefer the Blond Ambition version to Who's that Girl, but Confessions Tour knocks both versions out of the park and always gives me goosebumps.
she’s done so many better tours after that
Wow... I have to admit, I knew the song was powerful and sad, but I never understood it's full impact until the Professor talked about his own experiences. I'm going to re-listen to this song with fresh ears. Mad respect to the Queen and to the prof for surviving his own pain and trauma.
This song has been so overshadowed by her personality over the years. This is easily her best song, in my mind. Thank you for deep diving into these great songs!!
Excellent & accurate comment, at least IMHO. ✓
Frozen by Pat Leonard is the best. This is the 1st Runner Up.
"Her personality" that's what people want to see on the media, she's built a hospital in a poor country and adopted many kids, that's her real personality, what you seen in her work does not define her as a human.
And that's not Madonna's fault. She did her job as a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer. It's the people who are stupid, for choosing to pay more attention to her "personality" and not her music.
I remember how surprised I was by this song because it was such a departure from any music I'd heard from her at that point. I've been a Madonna fan ever since that song came out. Prior to that she seemed squeeky and unserious to me. I was in High School when all this happened (think I was a Sophomore when Live to Tell was released). I was SO lucky to come of age in the 1980's!
Thank you sir, for another outstanding video (and interview)!
I too was a young victim of abuse. “Live To Tell” is still the best song from Madonna ever. Also on the same level was the song “What’s The Matter Here” by 10,000 Maniacs. Damn. That song went right thru me. Two songs I can never bump on my radio. I consider them sacred and my songs. Written for me. Kinda like therapy if you will.
Music=therapy in so many cases.
Hell is for children is another one
10,000 Maniacs is my favorite group of all time - Natalie Merchant is one of the all time great musical storytellers. In the same vein as Live to Tell and What's the Matter Here is Suzanne Vega's Luka.
My favourite Madonna masterpiece, and she has made many masterpieces, would love her to work with Leonard again
They created art pop music together - something that’s been missing from her last few albums - only William orbit comes close to Leonard - listen to masterpiece and falling free from MDNA album - wonderful songs ❤️
@@garycambridge5513 Falling Free one of her best
"Live to Tell" and "Thie Used to be my Playground" are the best songs Madonna has ever written. Truly classic ballads.
Nobody came close to Madonna in the 80s. I remember watching nthe Material Girl MTV video when I was 20 in college at the frat house. She made all guys that age go mad. Awesome voice and awesome persona. Sweet Jesus.
Exactly! No one came close to a woman who is known in Fiji, Madagascar, Monaco, New Caledonia, Latvia, and Ecuador.
Michael Jackson trumped Madonna in sales and in popularity in the 1980s.
Whitney Houston's first two albums blew away Madonna's total sales in the USA in the 1980s.
At one time even Paula Abdul eclipsed Madonna in the late 1980s in popularity..
Whitney Houston was on Madonna behind in sales Janet Jackson quickly blowed up in the 80's to.
@@nobodyfamous9657
Whitney's album sales were far bigger than Madonna's sales in the USA. Whitney's first album sold 14 million copies in the USA. Whitney's second album was the first by a female to debut at #1 and it sold 11 million copies in the USA. Madonna has never had any albums sell like that in America.
Worldwide, Madonna has more record sales. However, no other female artist has an album Like The Bodyguard which has sold over 25 million copies worldwide..
Shania Twain also had an album that sold 14 million copies in the USA.
@@mamadouaziza2536 I'm talking 80's I'm not talking about current sales.
I was 16 when this song came out and I became more of a Madonna fan than before even though I loved her since Holiday. Love your videos!
I think if anyone ever wanted a musical definition of the word haunting, this song would be the best example. it's absolutely beautiful and sad and scary and intriguing all at the same time!
amazing song that hits you everytime you hear it. bravo Madonna.
Those opening chord voicings are inspired. And a serendipitous work session with Madonna. Amazing, stuff of 80's legend.
Hearing Pat play it on piano is breathtaking.
@capacitance-rca1981How is it different? Madonna and Leonard co-wrote several great songs together just like Morrissey/Marr did.
@capacitance-rca1981 They did, but more importantly both could give personality and transform a composer's work into a pop song, or simplify as said in the video. That's talent in itself. There's a reason why Pat Leonard doesn't have hits outside his collaborations with Madonna and she does have with other partners.
@@ProfessorofRock felt it from here, too. amazing.
Madonna is a magnificent icon with a big heart. LIVE TO TELL is a masterpiece!!! 🙌🏽🙏🏽❤️
you speak so preciously about this song. and I agree with it all! great work. Know so much more about the song now. Pat playing the song made me tear up instantly.
I'm a huge fan of Madonna and this song cuts me to the core every time. I recently watched At Close Range again = Patrick Leonard's haunting piano motif from "Live To Tell" runs throughout the entire film. Thank you for a great little segment on this tune! I loved hearing your reaction to the lyrics and Patrick's memories of writing the tune.
I've always loved the original 5:45 version of live to tell. i especially love the bridge where the song just takes a break and you hear these almost wind-like sounds next to the simple four chords.
That's the only version I listen to, it goes beyond being a simple pop radio song...it turns into something way deeper than expected, and she and Patrick knocked it out the park...
The first time I heard Live To Tell was during the closing credits of At Close Range. A great movie & a great song.
MADONNA's song writing talent is freaking amazing! Search for all the hits Madonna composed and be amazed.
What a fascinating back story! So interesting~ thank you for the interview relating these magical insights.
You broke it down Professor, and elevated my appreciation of this song. Thank you!
She certainly spoke to me in so many of her amazing songs, "Live to tell" was certainly one of them. Didn't take long for Madonna to separate herself from the pack. She had the natural gift of songwriting.
This song is the story of my life. I too am a child abuse survivor. Every single word in the lyrics I can relate to. "I have a tale to tell. Sometimes it so hard to hide it well. I was not ready for the fall. Too blind to see the writing on the wall."
I think that "Magic" is meant to happen just like that. In one day (or two) that connection exist and a great composer meets a great performer and history is written.
Excellent video Professor!
...The Prof. FINALLY sits down with one of the most elusive 80's Producers, Eric Clapton... -I mean-...Pat Leonard!! ...ha-HAAA!! ...But, seriously, This was WONDERFUL to see; a Producer who let an Artist (Madonna) go off, branch out introspectively, and helped her evolve her brand of Pop Music , and, also create a NEW template to Pop Music, for others to follow......
..."Live To Tell" was a REAL kick in the head, early Spring, 1986; stark, spacious, airy, DARK, mysterious....and, that INSTRUMENTAL STOP, after the bridge...profoundly eerie, yet, 'Pop' enough for Radio / singles sales....Madonna CHALLENGED us listeners, and she was rewarded with her MOST mature work, up to that point....THAT'S what make a Great 'Pop Artist'; to push the envelope, and MAKE us decipher it enough, for the respect of what the ARTIST has to say.....
..This was a SURPRISING Vlog, with The Prof. giving some very personal details of his life, in regards to what the Song means to him, and I Thank him, for opening up to his OWN personal turmoils, to help OTHERS find the message in "Live To Tell", & overcome THEIR 'tales'....
...I know where beauty lives
I've seen it once, I know the warmth she gives..
The light that you could never see...
.....It shines inside, you can't take that from me.....
("Live To Tell", #1 Pop, 1wk. June, 1986)
That introduction was spot on in describing Madonna, especially when Adam said, "Pushing the Envelope." Madonna did just that, and did so WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD. That is why I admire her so much. Adam is extremely thoughtful with ALL his videos, and I mean, ALL.
Live to Tell is a masterpiece, one of the rare songs that can bring me to tears. Madonna is one of the greatest artists of all time, her work in the 80’s alone is amazing, with the Like a Prayer album on top of the list.
*Wow. Great interview, Professor!*
So, not only was *Live to Tell* actually a demo song (aka: sort of a first ''rough draft''), it was an extremely rare ''one-take demo''? That's just simply... CRAZY!
*Some random music trivia:* Celine Dion's huge hit, ''My Heart Will Go On'' from the soundtrack to the movie, ''Titanic'' was also a demo.
A true game changer, one of the best ballads ever released!
My biggest memory of "Live To Tell" is from my dad. We had the 45. The B-side was the instrumental. One night my dad got this idea that he wanted to sing it & record it. Well, he did. Two things I remember the most: 1. When he sang "It will burn inside of me" he was struggling to hit the notes & he sounded like Kermit the frog. 2. Then there's the line "A man can tell a thousand lies, I've learned my lesson well." He didn't change the word 'man', and my sisters both said "Um, you should probably change the word 'man' to something else!" LOL! I kinda wanted to sing it, because all I ever wanted to do was be a singer/songwriter since I was 5. I didn't do it though. Our dad was the only one.
Seriously though- Madonna was one of those generational artists that was larger than life. You had the Beatles in the 60's, The Bee Gees in the mid-late 70's, MJ, Whitney & Madonna in the 80's... She was an icon, and always had great music coming out. Then in the 90's, she reinvented herself. She totally changed her style to keep herself 'interesting' to the changing times. I don't think it worked as well when Mariah Carey did it. Mariah's earlier music was great. She continued to have success, but IMO, Madonna was still putting out higher quality music.
Mate this is amazing !!!! 😍😍😍 I would love to see more Madonna please!!! Still one of my all time favourites!
This is one of your best, Adam- tremendous personal insight, outstanding behind the scenes story from an incredibly articulate main participant, and a true classic from our era. This song made me respect that I didn’t understand Madonna was more than the image that had thus far been placed out for us. Also, my huge crush could sing it with tremendous soul (and she had known pain in her life, so that gave it the proper weight). I’ll always equate it with that first love, and the fact that no one (including me) could fix or save her. I hope she eventually saved herself.
Very well done Professor. You said so many things here that I completely agree with and you spoke with empathy and sympathy, thank you. This song has always touched me and spoken to me in a way I can’t even describe. It is a beautiful song and so well written. You never fail to amaze me with your words and understanding of masterpieces like this.
This is a really powerful episode! I'm glad I watched it.
True Blue came out my Senior year...Great album and I recall being so impressed with Madonna for creating a diversion with this haunting song. And her extraordinary work in Evita is forever haunting. Saw her in Tacoma for the Who's That Girl tour in 1987...she has since become a legend!
My favourites albums by Maddona are Erotica, Bed Time Stories, and this one, True Blue. True Blue put Madonna in the same category of Pop Star Greatest, along side Prince, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. One of the greatest. ❣️
Like a Virgin did that before True Blue, at the time LAV was the biggest selling album by a woman in music history. Until Madonna best her own record with True Blue
Those are my favorites too. Bed Time Stories is the one I listen to most .
I've been waiting for a MADONNA VIDEO!!!! Thank you Professor 🙏🏻🙌❤️
This song is my favorite from her .
You have a great channel professor.
It has more substance than most others about Music.
When it comes to Madonna, its always been about the music for me. Her persona always got in the way for most people though. Glad to see her finally get the kudos she so rightly deserves!
"Live to tell" is still my favorite song from Madonna. I love your videos and how you touch all kinds of sounds.
Actually, prior to this, she had shown us all her vocal chops with Crazy for you, which was an equally rangey song with even higher upper notes. Love Live to tell, but Ray of Light is still my favorite album though, especially the similar haunting soaring notes of Power of goodbye.
"Live To Tell" always reminded me of Madonna's other song "Take A Bow" because they are both gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, yet delivered with so much vocal beauty by Madonna.
Madonna's greatness is at its best with " Live To Tell" and the whole album itself that is why she's the QUEEN, and taken seriously as an artist from then on.
This is your best episode yet. Great job.
That is why she is [still] the greatest selling female musical artist of all time.
Dude, this why I love music, you went deep in my feelings and with the relationship I have with this particular song. I listen all kind of music most of the time, but there’s some songs that go far, way far in my soul and bring the best memories of my life and the different places and persons I meet in my journey all this years.
Not only Madonna's greatest but one of the greatest tracks ever made. Lyrics, vocals, melody, production - all perfectly executed. Powerful is an understatement.
When I clicked on a Prof of Rock vid about Madonna, I didn't expect such a heart-wrenching, open-hearted sharing of your connection. Wow. Thank you.