I traded fame for love
Without a second thought
It all became a silly a game
Some things cannot be bought

I got exactly what I asked for
Wanted it so badly
Running, rushing back for more
I suffered fools so gladly

And now I find
I've changed my mind

Chorus:

The face of you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Should I wait for you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love

I traveled round the world
Looking for a home
I found myself in crowded rooms
Feeling so alone

I had so many lovers
Who settled for the thrill
Of basking in my spotlight
I never felt so happy

Best Madonna song ever.

To have and not to hold
So hot, yet so cold
My heart is in your hand
And yet you never stand
Close enough for me to have my way

To love but not to keep
To laugh, not to weep
Your eyes, they go right through
And yet you never do
Anything to make me want to stay

Chorus:

Like a moth to a flame
Only I am to blame
What can I do?
I go straight to you
I've been told
You're to have, not to hold

To look but not to see
To kiss but never be
The object of your desire
I'm walking on a wire
And there's no one at all
To break my fall

(chorus)

You're to have, not to hold
You're to have, not to hold

(chorus)

You're to have, not to hold
You're to have, not to hold
You're to have, not to hold
To break my heart

These first two songs were written about her mother's death (when Madonna was 5) and the subsequent withdrawal of her father.

Oh Father

It's funny that way, you can get used
To the tears and the pain
What a child will believe
You never loved me

Chorus:
You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good about myself

Seems like yesterday
I lay down next to your boots and I prayed
For your anger to end
Oh Father I have sinned

(Chorus)

Oh Father you never wanted to live that way
You never wanted to hurt me
Why am I running away
(repeat)

Maybe someday
When I look back I'll be able to say
You didn't mean to be cruel
Somebody hurt you too

(Chorus)

=====

"Mother And Father" is the sequel to "Oh Father". People bitched about the simplicity of the lyrics, but in it Madonna sings from the perspective of a child - her perspective as a 5-year-old without a mother, and so the lyrics of the first verse are appropriately childlike.

Mother And Father

There was a time I was happy in my life
There was a time I believed I'd live forever
There was a time I prayed to Jesus Christ
There was a time I had a mother
It was nice

Nobody else would ever take the place of you
Nobody else could do the things that you could do
No one else I guess could hurt me like you did
I didn't understand, I was just a kid

[Bridge:]
Oh mother, why aren't you here with me
No one else saw the things that you could see
I'm trying hard to dry my tears
Yes father, you know I'm not so free

[Chorus:]
I've got to give it up
Find someone to love me
I've got to let it go
Find someone that I can care for
I've got to give it up
Find someone to love me
I've got to let it go
Find someone that I can care for

There was a time I was happy in my life
There was a time I believed I'd live forever
There was a time I prayed to Jesus Christ
There was a time I had a mother
It was nice

[bridge]
[chorus]

My mother died when I was five
And all I did was sit and cry
I cried and cried and cried all day
Until the neighbors went away

They couldn't take my loneliness
I couldn't take their phoniness
My father had to go to work
I used to think he was a jerk

I didn't know his heart was broken
And not another word was spoken
He became a shadow of
The father I was dreaming of

I made a vow that I would never need
Another person ever
Turned my heart into a cage
A victim of a kind of rage

I gotta give it up
[repeat twice]

[chorus]

Find someone that I can care for
Find someone that I can care for

I've got to give it up
[repeat five times]

I've got to let it go
I've got to give it up
Oh mother, oh father
I've got to give it up

I gotta give it up
[repeat six times]

=====

There's a bitterness in "Till Death Do Us Part" that really stays with you. Written about her marriage to Sean.

Till Death Do Us Part

Our luck is running out of time
You're not in love with me anymore
I wish that it would change, but it won't
if you don't
Our luck is running out of time
You're not in love with me anymore
I wish that it would change, but it won't 'cause you
don't love me no more

You need so much but not from me
Turn your back in my hour of need
Well something's wrong but you pretend you
don't see
I think I interrupt your life
When you laugh it cuts me just like a knife
I'm not your friend, I'm just you little wife

Our luck is running out of time
You're not in love with me anymore
I wish that it would change, but it won't
if you don't
Our luck is running out of time
You're not in love with me anymore
I wish that it would change, but it won't 'cause you
don't love me no more

The bruises, they will fade away
You hit so hard with the things you say
I will not stay to watch your hate as it grows
You are not in love with someone else
You don't even love yourself
Still I wish you'd ask me not to go

They never laugh not like before
She takes the keys, he breaks the door
She cannot stay here anymore
He's not in love with her anymore

He takes a drink, she goes inside
He starts to scream, the vases fly
He wishes that she wouldn't cry
He's not in love with her anymore

He makes demands, she draws the line
He starts the fight, she starts to lie
But what is truth when something dies
He's not in love with her anymore

She's had enough, she says the end
But she'll come back, she knows it then
A chance to start it all again
Till death do us part

=====
[This message was edited Fri Apr 23 8:55:53 2004 by VoicesCarry]

Nothing Fails
written by Madonna, Guy Sigsworth, and Jem Griffiths

-----
I'm in love with you, you silly thing
Anyone can see
What is it with you, you silly thing
Just take it from me

It was not a chance meeting
Feel my heart beating
You're the one

You could take all this, take it away
I'd still have it all
'Cause I've climbed the tree of life, and that is why
No longer scared if I fall

When I get lost in space
I can return to this place
'Cause, you're the one

Nothing fails
No more fears
Nothing fails
You washed away my tears
Nothing fails
No more fears
Nothing fails
Nothing fails

I'm not religious
But I feel so moved
Makes me want to pray
Pray you'll always be here
I'm not religious
But I feel such love
Makes me want to pray

When I get lost in space
I can return to this place
'Cause you're the one

[I'm not religious]
[But I feel so moved, mmm]
[I'm not religious]
[Makes me wanna pray]

I'm not religious [I'm not religious]
But I feel so moved
Makes me want to pray [But I feel so moved, mmm]
Pray you'll always be here
I'm not religious [I'm not religious]
But I feel such love
Makes me want to pray [Makes me wanna pray]

[I'm not religious] I'm not religious, but it makes me wanna pray
[But I feel so moved, mmm] Makes me wanna pray
[I'm not religious] I'm not religious, but it makes me wanna pray
[Makes me wanna pray] Makes me wanna pray

[I'm not religious]
[But I feel so moved, mmm] Makes me wanna pray
[I'm not religious]
[Makes me wanna pray] Makes me wanna

Nothing fails
No more fears
Nothing fails
You washed away my tears
Nothing fails
No more fears
Nothing fails

This song probably best sums up my feelings for a girl that I'm dating right now, like almost no other song ever has.
-----
[This message was edited Fri Apr 23 8:52:38 2004 by JediMaster]

VoicesCarry said:

I've got Father issues and that song gets me every time.



Those words just KILL me. Powerful stuff. I agree, the way she says "Til Death Do Us Part"... It's like shes saying it through her teeth.

That's another thing about Madonna, when her lyrics are simple, very ofter her delivery is what does the trick.

JediMaster said:

The same thing applies to the one I love. Perfect song.

GangstaFam said:

It really is. Easily the best track on American Life. Right up there with "Drowned World/Substitute For Love" IMHO.

And a favourite album track, "In This Life". Powerful song about a friend who died of AIDS. Contrast this with Janet's "Together Again" to see the difference between them.

In This Life

Sitting on a park bench
Thinking about a friend of mine
He was only 23
Gone before he had his time
It came without a warning
Didn't want his friends to see him cry
He knew the day was dawning
And I didn't have a chance to say goodbye

[Chorus:]

In this life I loved you most of all
What for?
'Cause now you're gone and I have to ask myself
What for?

What for?
Driving down the boulevard
Thinking about a man I knew
He was like a father to me
Nothing in the world that he wouldn't do
Taught me to respect myself
Said that we're all made of flesh and blood
Why should he be treated differently
Shouldn't matter who you choose to love

[chorus]

[Intermediate:]

People pass by and I wonder who's next
Who determines, who knows best
Is there a lesson I'm supposed to learn in this case
Ignorance is not bliss

[chorus]
[intermediate]

Have you ever watched your best friend die (what for)
Have you ever watched a grown man cry (what for)
Some say that life isn't fair (what for)
I say that people just don't care (what for)
They'd rather turn the other way (what for)
And wait for this thing to go away (what for)
Why do we have to pretend (what for)
Some day I pray it will end

I hope it's in this life
I hope it's in this life time
[repeat]

JediMaster said:

You're so cool, Jedi.

Something To Remember

Seems I've played the game for much too long
I let people buy my love and I
Never got to sing my songs for you.

I had all my bets laid all on you
Set your stakes too high, you're bound to lose.
In the game of love you pay your dues.

Say that happiness cannot be measured,
And a little pain can bring you all life's little pleasures.
What a joke.

Chorus:

I was not your woman, I was not your friend,
But you gave me something to remember.
No other man said love yourself
Nobody else can.
We weren't meant to be,
At least not in this lifetime,
But you gave me something to remember.
I hear you still say, "Love yourself".

I had all my bets laid all on you
Set your stakes too high, you're bound to lose.
In the game of love I've paid my dues.

Guess I'm waiting for my place in your sun,
Wish I had the chance to know you and it wasn't stormy weather.
What a shame, who's to blame?

JediMaster said:

I LOVE how this song builds up. Gives me chills everytime.

Many believe this song is about a rape victim, although the lyrics are ambiguous and open to interpretation.

Live To Tell

I have a tale to tell
Sometimes it gets so hard to hide it well
I was not ready for the fall
Too blind to see the writing on the wall…

A man can tell a thousand lies
I’ve learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secrets I have learned, till then
It will burn inside of me…

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…

A man can tell a thousand lies
I’ve learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secrets I have learned, till then
It will burn inside of me…

The truth is never far behind
You kept it hidden well
If I live to tell the secrets I knew then
Will I ever have a chance again ?

If I ran away, I’d never have the strength to go very far
How would they hear the beating of my heart ?
Will it grow cold the secrets that I hide ? Will I grow old ?
How would they hear ? What would they learn ?
How would they know ?

A man can tell a thousand lies
I’ve learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secrets I have learned, till then
It will burn inside of me…

The truth is never far behind
You kept it hidden well
If I live to tell the secrets I knew then
Will I ever have a chance again ?

A man can tell a thousand lies
I’ve learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secrets I have learned, till then
It will burn inside of me…

=====
The video only enhances this song's content.

Bad Girl

Something's missing and I don't know why
I always feel the need to hide my feelings from you
Is it me or you that I'm afraid of
I tell myself I'll show you what I'm made of
Can't bring myself to let you go

Don't want to cause you any pain
But I love you just the same
And you'll always be my baby
In my heart I know we've come apart
And I don't know where to start
What can I do
I don't wanna feel blue

Bad girl drunk by six
Kissing someone else's lips
Smoked too many cigarettes today
I'm not happy when I act this way
Bad girl drunk by six
Kissing some kind stranger's lips
Smoked too many cigarettes today
I'm not happy
I'm not happy

Something's happened and I can't go back
I fall apart every time you hand your heart out to me
What happens now
I know I don't deserve you
I wonder how
I'm ever gonna hurt you
Can't bring myself to let you go

I don't want to cause you any pain
But I love you just the same
And you'll always be my baby
In my heart I know we've come apart
And I don't know where to start
What can I do
I don't wanna feel blue

Bad girl drunk by six
Kissing someone else's lips
Smoked too many cigarettes today
I'm not happy when I act this way
Bad girl drunk by six
Kissing some kind stranger's lips
Smoked too many cigarettes today
I'm not happy
I'm not happy... this way

I don't want to cause you any pain
But I love you just the same
And you'll always be my baby
In my heart I know we've come apart
And I don't know where to start
What can I do
I don't wanna feel blue

Bad girl drunk by six
Kissing someone else's lips
Smoked too many cigarettes today
I'm not happy when I act this way
Bad girl drunk by six
Kissing someone else's lips
Smoked too many cigarettes today
I'm not happy when I act this way
I'm not happy... this way
I'm not happy this way
Kissing some kind stranger's lips
[This message was edited Fri Apr 23 9:05:34 2004 by VoicesCarry]

The one about Anna Friel.

Fuck, this song meant so much to me at the time. So freakin much.


This used to be my playground.
This used to be my childhood dream.
This used to be the place I ran to
Whenever I was in need
Of a friend.
Why did it have to end?
And why do they always say:

"Don't look back.
Keep your head held high,
Don't ask them why
Because life is short.
And before you know
You're feeling old
And your heart is breaking."
'Don't hold on to the past' -
Well that's too much to ask.

(chorus)

No regrets.
But I wish that you
Were here with me
Well then - there's hope yet.
I can see your face
In our secret place;
You're not just a memory.
'Say goodbye to yesterday' -
Those are words I'll never say.

This used to be my playground.
This used to be our pride and joy
This used to be the place we ran to
That no one in the world could dare destroy.

This used to be our playground.
This used to be our childhood dream.
This used to be the place we ran to;
I wish you were standing here with me.

This used to be our playground.
This used to be our great escape.
This used to be the place we ran to.
This used to be our secret hiding place.

This used to be our playground.
This used to be our childhood dream.
This used to be the place we ran to...
The best things in life are always free.
Wishing you were here with me.

3bogs said:

LOVE this line.

Cloudbuster said:

I like that one too.

VinaBlue said:

Like hanky panky [hanky panky],
Nothing like a good spanky [good spanky].
Don't take out your handkerchiefs,
I don't wanna cry, I just wanna hanky panky.
Like hanky panky [hanky panky],
Nothing like a good spanky [good spanky].
Don't take out your handkerchiefs,
I don't wanna cry, I just wanna hanky panky guy.
/peace Manki

manki said:

There.

U SO CRAZY!!!



[This message was edited Fri Apr 23 14:38:58 2004 by VinaBlue]

My name is Dita
I'll be your mistress tonight
I'd like to put you in a trance

If I take you from behind
Push myself into your mind
When you least expect it
Will you try and reject it
If I'm in charge and I treat you like a child
Will you let yourself go wild
Let my mouth go where it wants to

Give it up, do as I say
Give it up and let me have my way
I'll give you love, I'll hit you like a truck
I'll give you love, I'll teach you how to ...

I'd like to put you in a trance, all over
Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body [repeat twice]
Erotic, erotic

Once you put your hand in the flame
You can never be the same
There's a certain satisfaction
In a little bit of pain
I can see you understand
I can tell that you're the same
If you're afraid, well rise above
I only hurt the ones I love

Give it up, do as I say
Give it up and let me have my way
I'll give you love, I'll hit you like a truck
I'll give you love, I'll teach you how to ...

I'd like to put you in a trance, all over
Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body [repeat twice]
Erotic, erotic

Erotica, romance
I'd like to put you in a trance
Erotica, romance
Put your hands all over my body

I don't think you know what pain is
I don't think you've gone that way
I could bring you so much pleasure
I'll come to you when you say
I know you want me
I'm not gonna hurt you
I'm not gonna hurt you, just close your eyes

Erotic, erotic [repeat several times]
Put your hands all over my body
All over me, all over me

Erotica, (give it up, give it up) romance
I'd like to put you in a trance
Erotica, (give it up, give it up) romance
I like to do a different kind of
Erotica, (give it up, give it up) romance
I'd like to put you in a trance
Erotica, romance
Put your hands all over my body

Only the one that hurts you can make you feel better
Only the one that inflicts pain can take it away
###


Power of goodbye

Your heart is not open so i must go
the spell has been broken? I loved you so.....
freedom comes when you learn to say no
walk away

you were my lesson i had to learn
i was your fortress you hat to burn
pain is a warning that something`s wrong
i pray to god that it won`t be long
i pray to god that it won`t be long

There`s nothing left to try
there`s no place left to hide
There`s no greater power than the power of good-bye
,,
the spell has been broken? I loved you so
you were my lesson i had to learn
i was your fortress

There`s nothing left to cry
there`s no place left to hide
There`s no greater power than the power of good-bye
there`s nothing left to lose
there`s no more heart to bruise
There`s no greater power than the power of good-bye
learn to say good-bye
i learn to say good-bye

purplegypsy said:

That's fucken HOT.

My favorite Madonna b-side, "Has To Be"

Breathe in
Breathe out
I say a little prayer
How the Gods above
Could be so unfair

I know there's someone out there
Waiting for me
There must be someone out there
There just has to be

Go on
Go on
Don't sit there like a fool
You've graduated from
A different kind of school

I know there's someone out there
Waiting for me
There must be someone out there
There just has to be

I know there's someone out there
Waiting for me
There must be someone out there
There just has to be

I should be glad that I'm alive
It could have been much worse
I might have never loved at all
And never know what I am worth

How the Gods above
Could be so unfair

I know there's someone out there
Waiting for me
There must be someone out there
There just has to be

I know there's someone out there
Waiting for me
There must be someone out there
There just has to be

purplegypsy said:

I think these are the better lyrics to Erotica they were used on the cd that came with the Sex book and the WO12"mix
My name is Dita
I'll be your mistress tonight
I'll be your loved one darling
Turn off the light
I'll be your sorceress, your heart's magician
I'm not a witch, I'm a love technician

I'll be a guiding light in your darkest hour
I'm gonna change your life, I'm like a poison flower

Give it up, do as I say
Give it up and let me have my way
I'll give you love, I'll hit you like a truck
I'll give you love, I'll teach you how to ...

Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body (repeat twice)
All over me (repeat 3 times)

We could use the cage
I've got a lot of rope
I'm not full of rage
I'm full of hope
This is not a crime and you're not on trial
Bend over baby, I'm gonna make you smile

Light the candles, 'til they're nice and soft
And when they start to drip, I'm gonna get you off

Give it up, do as I say
Give it up and let me have my way
I'll give you love, I'll hit you like a truck
I'll give you love, I'll teach you how to ...

Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body (repeat twice)
All over me (repeat 3 times)

Give it up, do as I say
Give up and let me have my way
I'll give you love, I'll hit you like a truck
I'll give you love, I'll teach you how to ...

I could bring you so much pleasure

Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body (repeat twice)
Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my ...

Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body (repeat twice)
All over me

Only the one that hurts you can make you feel better
Only the one that inflicts pain can take it away

Eroti - ca

Sanctuary

(Spoken:)
Surely whoever speaks to me in the right voice
Him or her I shall follow

Who needs the sun, when the rain's so full of life
Who needs the sky
It's here in your arms I want to be buried
You are my sanctuary

Who needs the sun, when the rain's so full of life
Who needs the sky, when the ground's open wide
It's here in your arms I want to be buried
You are my sanctuary

Who needs a smile, when a tear's so full of love
Who needs a home, with the stars up above
It's here in your heart I want to be carried
You are my sanctuary

Who needs the light, with the darkness in your eyes
Who needs to sleep, with the stars in the sky
It's here in your soul I want to be married
You are my sanctuary

(Spoken:)
And the earth was void and empty
And darkness was upon the face of the earth

Is all of this pain so necessary
You are my sanctuary

(Spoken:)
Surely whoever speaks to me in the right voice
Him or her I shall follow
As the water follows the moon, silently

Who needs the sun [with fluid steps]
Who needs the sky [around the globe]
Who needs to sleep [I hear your voice]
You are [you are] my sanctuary
You are [you are, you are]
You are [you are] my sanctuary