Madonna’s iconic third studio album, True Blue, was released to critical acclaim in June of 1986. Those were the days when you could buy vinyl LPs from the local supermarket and on one of our weekly ‘big shops’ my mum treated me (and herself I think) to the True Blue album which I remember rushing home to ask my dad to stick it on the record player and make me a tape of it I could play in my bedroom.
Whilst I may not have been an angsty teenager when the album first shot to fame, I was still playing it on a regular basis as my friends and I entered our tentative early teens. Each song was exquisitely crafted to perfectly capture the hearts and minds of lovestruck and broken hearted teens across the world.
In a departure from the heavily synthesised pop of Madonna’s earlier albums, incorporating a more organic production with a shift towards more complex arrangements and world music influences, the album is as captivating today a it was back then, case in point, the recent resurgence of the albums grand finale, the soulful and heartbreaking “Live to Tell.
“Live to Tell” explores themes of personal struggle, betrayal, secrets, and survival. The lyrics reflect a sense of emotional vulnerability and the process of confronting painful truths. Madonna addresses the emotional toll of hiding a secret and the resilience required to live through hardship, conveying a message of endurance and inner strength.
The song opens with the line, “I have a tale to tell,” hinting at the confessional tone of the track. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the secret is one of emotional or personal weight, with the recurring refrain, “I have to live to tell,” emphasising the survival aspect of dealing with difficult experiences.
Madonna’s “Live to Tell” has recently gained renewed attention, primarily due to its prominent feature during her 2023-2024 Celebration Tour. In these performances, Madonna honored individuals who lost their lives during the AIDS epidemic. The song’s resurgence in popularity is also linked to Madonna’s longstanding advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness.
Whilst my experience with the songs from True Blue is unrelated Madonna’s affiliation with promoting LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness, the album holds a special place in my heart too, as it transports me back to a more carefree time in my own life, and particularly my memories of my childhood best friend Louise, who tragically passed away in 2012. I remember us belting out Papa Don’t Preach and Where’s The Party in her bedroom as we slurped on Pot Noodles and discussed which leg warmers would go best with our new shiny leggings. Things were very much simpler back then.
So when I began my usual evening scroll on Tik Tok last night, I was a little taken aback at how emotional the Live To Tell track made me feel, a lump in my throat immediately welled and I wiped away what must have been the billionth tear I have cried for the loss of a friendship I treasured so much. As I lay in bed listening to the rest of the album, I found myself wondering how certain songs can provoke such strong emotional reactions. Feel free to comment on this post and let me know which song has a special meaning for you.
If you have never listed to True Blue, then I suggest you download it immediately – long may Live to Tell be played and enjoyed.
Words by Joanne Brook-Smith
Very Demure: Tik Tok trend can help improve your sleep quality