Tag Archives: Live To Tell

Today in Madonna History: October 30, 1995

October 30, 2025 By in 1995, October Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

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On October 30 1995, You’ll See  was released as the first single from the ballads compilation, Something To Remember. It was one of three tracks written and produced by Madonna with Canadian songwriter David Foster during a marathon writing/recording session in late September 1995, with One More Chance also making the album’s final cut. A shelved collaboration entitled I Can’t Forget was recorded by British electronic group Tilt (retitled Come Closer) in 2006 and later by Canadian vocalist Angelica Di Castro. Madonna’s original unreleased demo leaked to the internet in 2010.

A Spanish version of You’ll See entitled Verás (featuring lyrics by Paz Martinez) was recorded during a brief promotional push for the album and was included on the North American maxi-single alongside an instrumental version and a live recording of Live To Tell (taken from 1987’s Ciao Italia! concert release). An alternate version of the You’ll See video was serviced to Latin markets to promote Verás featuring in-studio footage of Madonna recording its vocals.

Today in Madonna History: October 17, 1987

October 17, 2025 By in 1987, October Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

On October 17 1987, Billboard magazine featured a two-page spread taken out by Madonna’s manager, Freddy DeMann, thanking everyone involved with Madonna’s massively successful Who’s That Girl World Tour, which had wrapped up in Europe the month before.

In the same issue of Billboard, Chart Beat columnist Paul Grein marked Madonna’s 13th consecutive top-5 hit as Causing A Commotion moved into the #5 position on the Hot 100. Speculating on how long Madonna’s winning streak could last, he warned of the dangers of over-exposure and artistic complacency. Without the benefit of hindsight, the back-handed compliment and slightly patronizing advice is not altogether unreasonable, and is certainly not unusual for the time.

Less reasonable, however, is his summation that the severity of Madonna’s potential fall from grace would be compounded by the abundance of female singers of the era who “sound like Madonna”.

Because you know, all female singers are only that – female singers. Even though you’re co-writing and co-producing your own songs and radio can’t get enough, neither can your audience or even your peers, you’re breaking records set by top male and female artists alike, you’re selling out stadiums around the world and earning high praise as a live performer – don’t think any of these things should afford you any respect. You may not have entered the business through the back door and you may have paid your dues and then some, but you’ve still just been lucky, that’s all. You couldn’t possibly possess the talent or the drive to evolve or the insight to be able to stay in the game once your luck runs out. Even though you are the one that everyone is copying – you’re still just another female singer, and they’re a dime a dozen.

While we no longer need hindsight to spot the glaring absurdity and blatant sexism of such an argument today, would it be as obvious if Madonna hadn’t stuck around to dispel it?

Today in Madonna History: July 12, 1986

July 12, 2025 By in 1986, July Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

On July 12 1986, Madonna’s third album, True Blue, debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart.

Here’s the AllMusic review of True Blue by Stephen Thomas Erlewine:

True Blue is the album where Madonna truly became Madonna the Superstar — the endlessly ambitious, fearlessly provocative entertainer that knew how to outrage, spark debates, get good reviews — and make good music while she’s at it. To complain that True Blue is calculated is to not get Madonna — that’s a large part of what she does, and she is exceptional at it, but she also makes fine music. What’s brilliant about True Blue is that she does both here, using the music to hook in critics just as she’s baiting a mass audience with such masterstrokes as “Papa Don’t Preach,” where she defiantly states she’s keeping her baby. It’s easy to position anti-abortionism as feminism, but what’s tricky is to transcend your status as a dance-pop diva by consciously recalling classic girl-group pop (“True Blue,” “Jimmy Jimmy”) to snag the critics, while deepening the dance grooves (“Open Your Heart,” “Where’s the Party”), touching on Latin rhythms (“La Isla Bonita”), making a plea for world peace (“Love Makes the World Go Round”), and delivering a tremendous ballad that rewrites the rules of adult contemporary crossover (“Live to Tell”). It’s even harder to have the entire album play as an organic, cohesive work. Certainly, there’s some calculation behind the entire thing, but what matters is the end result, one of the great dance-pop albums, a record that demonstrates Madonna’s true skills as a songwriter, record-maker, provocateur, and entertainer through its wide reach, accomplishment, and sheer sense of fun.

Today in Madonna History: June 30, 1986

June 30, 2025 By in 1986, June Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

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On June 30 1986, Madonna’s True Blue album was released by Sire Records. She worked with Stephen Bray and Patrick Leonard on the album while co-writing and co-producing all the songs.

True Blue was an immediate global success, reaching number one in then record-breaking 28 countries across the world, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. It spent 34 consecutive weeks at the top of the European Top 100 Albums chart, longer than any other album in history. It became the world’s top-selling album of 1986, as well the biggest selling album of the 1980s by a woman and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time with sales of more than 25 million copies worldwide. All five singles released from the album reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, with Live to Tell, Papa Don’t Preach, and Open Your Heart peaking at number one.

Today in Madonna History: February 20, 1986

February 20, 2025 By in 1986, February Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

On February 20 1986, Madonna and Sean Penn attended the premiere of his film At Close Range at the Berlin Film Festival in Berlin, Germany.

Madonna contributed Live To Tell to the At Close Range soundtrack. Live To Tell was written by Patrick Leonard and Madonna, and was released as the first single from her True Blue album in March 1986.

Today in Madonna History: May 31, 1986

May 31, 2024 By in 1986, May Tags: , , 1 Comment

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On May 31 1986, Madonna’s Live To Tell hit #1 for 3 weeks on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary singles chart in the USA.

Today in Madonna History: May 5, 2024

May 5, 2024 By in 2024, May Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

On May 5, 2024, social media and news outlets buzzed with reports of Madonna’s historic concert the previous night. Madonna’s Celebration Tour culminated in a spectacular finale on Saturday night, electrifying Brazil’s Copacabana beach with an unprecedented show destined to carve its place in pop music history. As the sun dipped below Rio de Janeiro’s iconic skyline, an astonishing 1.6 million passionate fans gathered to experience the tour’s grand conclusion, turning the sandy beach into a vibrant wave of enthusiasm and adoration.

From die-hard enthusiasts who had staked their claim for prime viewing spots hours, even days in advance, to affluent aficionados who anchored their boats near the shore, every corner of Copacabana was abuzz with anticipation. Firefighters sprayed cooling mists to alleviate the sweltering heat, ensuring the comfort of the thronging masses as temperatures soared.

At precisely 10:40 p.m., the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, took to the stage, casting her spell over the ecstatic multitude with an electrifying performance that spanned over two hours. Amidst a cacophony of cheers, she belted out timeless classics like “Like a Prayer,” “Vogue,” and “Express Yourself,” enrapturing the audience with her timeless charisma and boundless energy.

Madonna’s poignant words resonated deeply as she basked in the ethereal beauty of Rio, declaring, “Here we are, in the most beautiful place in the world, with the ocean, the mountains, Jesus. Magic.” Joined by Brazilian luminaries Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, as well as rising talents from local samba schools, Madonna orchestrated a mesmerizing symphony of music and spectacle, transcending boundaries of culture and geography.

As the final notes of “Live to Tell” reverberated into the night sky, accompanied by poignant imagery honoring those lost to AIDS, Madonna’s indelible legacy as the reigning Queen of Pop illuminated the hearts of her audience, serving as a beacon of inspiration for generations past, present, and future.

This historic event not only marked the culmination of Madonna’s monumental Celebration Tour but also etched a new pinnacle in her storied career. With an estimated 1.6 million attendees, surpassing all previous records, the magnitude of her influence and enduring appeal was unequivocally reaffirmed.

In terms of sales, the tour amassed an impressive $225,580,345 in revenue, with an average of $2,819,754 per show. A total of 1,127,658 tickets were sold, averaging 14,096 tickets per show. The average ticket price stood at $200.04, reflecting the demand and excitement surrounding Madonna’s performances. Additionally, all 80 shows reported sold-out crowds, further cementing Madonna’s status as a global icon.

Rio’s preparations for this monumental occasion underscored the economic and cultural significance of the event, with forecasts predicting a substantial boost to the local economy and a surge in tourism. Amidst the logistical challenges akin to New Year’s Eve festivities, stringent security measures ensured the safety of attendees, with a formidable contingent of military and police personnel deployed to maintain order.

Sponsored by Itaú Apresenta, Madonna’s free concert was a heartfelt gesture of gratitude to her legions of fans, a testament to her unwavering commitment to the artistry that has defined her illustrious career spanning four decades.

Full Set List:

Act I

  • It’s a Celebration (with Bob the Drag Queen)
  • Nothing Really Matters
  • Everybody
  • Into the Groove
  • Burning Up
  • Open Your Heart
  • Holiday

Act II

  • The Storm
  • Live to Tell
  • The Ritual (Dancers interlude)
  • Like a Prayer

Act III

  • Living for Love
  • Erotica
  • Justify My Love
  • Hung Up
  • Bad Girl

Act IV

  • Ballroom (Dancers interlude)
  • Vogue (with Anitta)
  • Human Nature (Shortened)
  • Crazy for You (Shortened)

Act V

  • The Beast Within
  • Die Another Day
  • Don’t Tell Me
  • This Little Light of Mine (Acapella snippet)
  • Express Yourself (Acoustic; extended outro)
  • La Isla Bonita
  • Music (with Pabllo Vittar)

Act VI

  • Madonna (video interlude)
  • Bedtime Story
  • Ray of Light
  • Rain

Act VII

  • Billie Jean / Like a Virgin
  • Bitch I’m Madonna
  • Celebration (shortened instrumental outro)