Madonna controversy
A while back, I heard on NPR that there are some people objecting to Madonna singing "Live to Tell" wearing a red dress and hanging on a big mirrored cross. Not having the greatest memory, I looked up the lyrics:
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 secret I have learned, till then
It will burn inside of me
I know where beauty lives
I've seen it once, I know the warm she gives
The light that you could never see
It shines inside, you can't take that from me
The truth is never far behind
You kept it hidden well
If I live to tell
The secret I knew then
Will I ever have the 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 secret that I hide, will I grow old
How will they hear
When will they learn
How will they know
Personally, I don't see why people are so offended by Madonna's interpretation. I think she is exploring some interesting territory here. Considered as the inner dialogue of Christ as he hung on the cross, the song hints at a more Gnostic interpretation of his mysteries, and shows his human side as he wrestles with the uncertainty of the path that has been chosen for him.
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 secret I have learned, till then
It will burn inside of me
I know where beauty lives
I've seen it once, I know the warm she gives
The light that you could never see
It shines inside, you can't take that from me
The truth is never far behind
You kept it hidden well
If I live to tell
The secret I knew then
Will I ever have the 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 secret that I hide, will I grow old
How will they hear
When will they learn
How will they know
Personally, I don't see why people are so offended by Madonna's interpretation. I think she is exploring some interesting territory here. Considered as the inner dialogue of Christ as he hung on the cross, the song hints at a more Gnostic interpretation of his mysteries, and shows his human side as he wrestles with the uncertainty of the path that has been chosen for him.