"I didn't know his heart was broken, and not another word was spoken" that line makes me think that she and her dad and all her brothers ans sisters, they all suffered in silence, every one of them sharing their loneliness but not really being together. And then she goes "I made myself a vow that I would never need another person, turned my heart into a cage, a victim of a kind of rage", I mean, damn those are strong lyrics.
"I didn't know his heart was broken, and not another word was spoken" that line makes me think that she and her dad and all her brothers ans sisters, they all suffered in silence, every one of them sharing their loneliness but not really being together." Such a great point (and such powerful lyrics). ❤️❤️
This is the sad thing about the album. Close-minded people who got upset at the song American Life (even though it had the right view about the wars of the time that now most people agree with) dismissed the whole album because of that one song. But most of the songs are not political at all. They're deep, emotional songs like this one, Intervention, Easy Ride, X-Static Process, etc. Same as Erotica basically. People dismissing the whole album because of the title track.
There's an acoustic live performance on Good Morning America, it's so beautiful, vulnerable, raw. You'll love it, for sure Pd: actually it was for the Today Show, as it was mentioned below.
Yes!!! It’s actually for The Today Show and it’s one of my favorite performances by her. There’s also an interview she gave to that show, but I can’t find it in full on RU-vid, sadly
One of my favourite Madonna songs of all time, and my 2nd favourite on American Life after Nothing Fails. ❤ You should definitely react to the acoustic version she performed live on TV. Her voice is so sweet and angelic!
And that’s one of multiple reasons I love Madonna, she puts these kind of lyrics within a beat like this 😅 I love her artwork and of course the meaning, the positive messages she always portray in it
American Life is arguably her most personal album ever most songs feel like they're out of her own diary which is one of the reasons why it was polarizing at the time but also why it's one of my favorites. But even in a sad song like this one, there's still that feeling of hope and her own self reflection and maturity put into it. She never really got this personal again in her next albums. Great reaction ❤
Thank you so much! ❤️❤️ "American Life is arguably her most personal album ever most songs feel like they're out of her own diary which is one of the reasons why it was polarizing at the time but also why it's one of my favorites." What a perfect description of this album - "...like they're out of her own diary..." That's exactly what the songs feel like. ❤️
Her poor dad was probably feeling overwhelmed and abandoned in his own way, suddenly a single father to a large young family. He did the only thing he knew to do...just get on with it the best he could. My parents never shielded me from anything. I was a well behaved only child and they took me everywhere they went, including funerals. I really just remember all my cousins being in awe of me because i got to be a part of the "grown up" stuff they weren't privy to.
"Her poor dad was probably feeling overwhelmed and abandoned in his own way, suddenly a single father to a large young family. He did the only thing he knew to do...just get on with it the best he could." Well said. ❤️❤️ "My parents never shielded me from anything. I was a well behaved only child and they took me everywhere they went, including funerals. I really just remember all my cousins being in awe of me because i got to be a part of the "grown up" stuff they weren't privy to." It's really amazing how parents can differ so much in how they handle these situations with their children.
I love that you guys got to see this in person. There is an acoustic version of this that is amazing from the today show and her voice is angelic. Also, she sings it on the reinvention tour with guitar and its just perfection. 🫶 great reaction as always! I'm addicted to your vids ha ha. I love madonna (and y'all) so much!❤
Great review ladies! Wasn’t expecting this. I love how you keep surprising me! I was expecting Reinvention Tour. Artists are often influenced by their most painful memories. Some of their best work comes out of this pain. I can’t help but wonder what type of artist Madonna would be had she not gone through the trauma of losing her mother. Can’t wait for the next video! Have a lovely Sunday! ♥️
Aww, thank you (we love to throw in some surprises!). ❤️❤️ "Artists are often influenced by their most painful memories. Some of their best work comes out of this pain. I can’t help but wonder what type of artist Madonna would be had she not gone through the trauma of losing her mother." Such a good point (and most likely she would be a very different person if her mother had lived). Have a wonderful evening! ❤️
I completely understand why she included it on the setlist of her Celebration tour. It is so personnal and a huge reason (Madonna losing her mother) why Madonna became Madonna.
It is lovely to watch the honesty and authenticity in which you both enter these reactions of Madonna’s music and moments in her life… To not just allow her grace for the highs and lows of her career and public image, but extend credit and admiration for her artistry, thank you for letting us be able to (re)experience this journey with you both. 🫶🏻 There is somewhere to connect in her discography for everyone, and it’s been great to see you continue through the eras and connect dots and through-lines.
Aww, that's incredibly sweet - Thank you so much! ❤️❤️ We're very grateful to have all of you here with us. It means so much (and it's really enriches our experience) to read your insights and personal stories as we go on this journey together. ❤️ Big hugs to you!
You must watch her documentary “I’m going to tell you a secret” Thats the behind the scene movie from “the Re-invention Tour” Watch the tour and documentary! Pls Can’t wait to see your reactions to both! ❤ Hold on to your seats!!
Madonna’s Father must have been distraught and like for many men putting on a brave face and being strong for his family. This song is a masterpiece ❤❤ Well picked up on the singing ranges! Love how you both just get her ❤❤
Thank you! ❤️❤️ "Madonna’s Father must have been distraught and like for many men putting on a brave face and being strong for his family." Absolutely. It must've been so difficult for him (and the whole family). Big hugs to you! ❤️
It's a pleasure to watch your reactions ladies. And I always look forward to them. Very insightful comments as usual. I can't wait until you react to "Confessions on a dance floor." Best wishes from Liverpool. 👍😁🇬🇧
Such a great song! As a Madonna fan since the early 80s (i was born in 76), this album wasnt an immediate favorite. After growing and evolving with her, I wasn’t sure how to incorporate this at the time. As I grew, I finally hit the point in my own life where it all resonated so deeply. Yall should listen to the whole thing. Not just for a reaction vid, but just to hear it for yourselves. ❤
"As I grew, I finally hit the point in my own life where it all resonated so deeply." Completely understand. Songs that we deeply resonate and identify with can change so much depending on where we are in our own lives. ❤️❤️
Very nice reaction. 💜 The vocal effects and the production are both interesting, and it's an unusual song as well. I'm very looking forward to the Reinvention tour reaction! It was never officially released on video, but it's still great and she displays some of herxbest live vocals on this tour. Keep on with the awesome work ladies!. We fans appreciate both of you. 💯
Aww, you're very sweet - Thank you so much! We appreciate that you're here with us. ❤️❤️ We're really looking forward to Re-Invention Tour too - As wonderful as her vocals have been on this album, we can tell already that it's going to be great!
Love how you always reflect deep about her work, following her life and understanding her as an human. So keen to watch you watching (😅) Reinvention Tour!
This is one of the saddest and most impactful songs on the album. I love how you both listen to the lyrics so intently and analyse them so beautifully. I love watching you discover these gems for the first time and learning more about Madonna as you go. I read somewhere or heard in an interview that she was told her Mum died in her sleep, so she ended up having a difficult relationship with sleep. This explains a lot about her being an insomniac and her incredible work ethic. It has resulted in her being amazingly creative ❤
Thank you so much! ❤️❤️ "I read somewhere or heard in an interview that she was told her Mum died in her sleep, so she ended up having a difficult relationship with sleep. This explains a lot about her being an insomniac and her incredible work ethic. It has resulted in her being amazingly creative." That's really heartbreaking - Can't imagine how afraid she must've been as a child (worried that she might die in her sleep as well). It's incredible how she's taken something so painful and turned it into something that heals. ❤️
Madonna also covered this somewhat in Oh Father which, I believe, is the first song by her that you reacted to? Very moving and very relatable to anyone who has lost someone important, especially when you are young. I remember being shocked and angered that everyone went on business as usual after my grandfather died. In my young mind I felt that the world should come to a stop so profound was my grief. Excellent song and great reaction. ❤
Aww, thank you! ❤️❤️ "I remember being shocked and angered that everyone went on business as usual after my grandfather died. In my young mind I felt that the world should come to a stop so profound was my grief." Completely understand, and it's such a painful (and confusing) experience. Biggest hugs to you! ❤️
You guys are in for a treat with the performance of this during the Re-Invention Tour! ❤️ Love this song and you guys once again got it. Did I hear a Kitty Kat? 😍 🥰🥰
I just wanted to say I love your channel. I watch and rewatch and rewatch and repeat lol. You two are very non threatening, no drama, kind, uplifting people. I hope you two continue the channel for years to come. I work third shift and always check to see if there’s a new video when I wake up. The Nothing Fails video, when the choir kicked in, your smiles and u looked at each other, it was such a nice moment. I lost my mom in 2021, so this song, mother and father, means even more to me now. Thanks for doing what you do. Please disregard the haters if there are any. Delete/block lol. 🙏🏻 Great things are to come in the Madonna journey. It doesn’t slow down.
Aww, you're just the sweetest - Thank you so much! ❤️❤️ And thank you for being here with us. We really love the wonderful community we've all built together in this space. "I lost my mom in 2021, so this song, mother and father, means even more to me now." We're very sorry for the loss of your mom. Sending so much love, comfort and healing your way. ❤️ Thank you again for being on this journey with us - Biggest hugs to you!
Glad that you guys loved this song so much. It’s so heartbreaking and honest but also hopeful too. I have a request. There are 3 beautiful ballads on American Life that were not singles. I know that you love her ballads. Please please please can you react to these 3 songs. They are some of her best vocals and the messages and I know that you won’t regret it. 1. Intervention 2. X Static Process 3. Easy Ride. This is my favourite album of all time by any artist and I love that you are enjoying it so much. This album has my favourite vocals Madonna has ever done. Can’t wait until you get to the Reinvention Tour. Love the channel. Love you guys.
Aww, thank you so much! ❤️❤️ We love you right back! "Please please please can you react to these 3 songs. They are some of her best vocals and the messages and I know that you won’t regret it." We'll definitely react to them all (although some may be when we do the deeper dive into this album). Bet they're beautiful! ❤️
Wise reflection about her beginning of the song voice representing her younger self! I did not put that together. Her mother wound is so heart felt. Promise to Try, Inside of Me (Bedtime Stories), and this song all reflect it. Like a trilogy. I always love your reactions!!
Aww, thank you! ❤️❤️ "Her mother wound is so heart felt. Promise to Try, Inside of Me (Bedtime Stories), and this song all reflect it. Like a trilogy." Great way to describe it!
Madonna has talked about how the loss of her mother at such a tender young age created a hole in her life, but also made her grow up faster, developing a fearlessness. This is something many of us go through much later in life..not necessarily by losing a parent, but by finding that inner strength that we need to persevere. We might need to be thrown into a situation where we have no choice but to fight to survive, in order to find just how strong we are. Our parents give us what we need when we are 5. She learned to get what she needed to survive very early. I think this set a template for how she lives to this day.
Personal fave of this album, definitely a top 10 madonna track. It's morbidly funny to dance to this song considering the lyrics "My mother died when I was five and all I did was sit and cry " 🔊💃💃
Hello! It's very cool to you.... reacting this song.... tissues?? Her mother's death is the subject of many songs.... but this one is very particular.... and unfortunally it talks to me so much..... Each time she sang it at a concert, i sang very loud with her and i cry with her.... Anyway, thank you for not forgetting this song, and your analyst is always right. I love your reaction. With kindness. The little frenchy guy!
Aww, thank you! ❤️❤️ "Her mother's death is the subject of many songs.... but this one is very particular.... and unfortunally it talks to me so much..... Each time she sang it at a concert, i sang very loud with her and i cry with her." Biggest hugs to you and lots of love. ❤️
Another great reaction from you both! Thank you very much ❤ I always love how much attention you ladies give to the lyrics in songs and it's always such a pleasure to listen to your interpretations. Please react to the song X-Static Process from the American Life album, it's a very beautiful song and I just know that you will love it 🇮🇪❤🇺🇸
As always, your reactions are well thought out and very on point. I do keep saying in the comments this is a masterpiece of an album & the best songs (to me) are X static process and Intervention, they weren't singles though. I know you reviewed Love Profusion. All the best to you both. You have no idea how much this 52 year old bloke from Scotland loves your videos ❤
It’s true what you’re saying Brenda, Madonna said that they never talked about her mother’s death when it happened in the family. Her mother was just gone and didn’t understand it, so she never really did have closure with it.
"Her mother was just gone and didn’t understand it, so she never really did have closure with it." It's very sad, and it makes complete sense that she would struggle with closure after that experience. Big hugs to you! ❤️❤️
Hello to you both from the UK❤ I wasn’t that keen on the album version of this or the song in general but then I heard it live on the Reinvention Tour and I was blown away by her vocal range in this particular song. I love the song now but still prefer her live versions. American Life album in general though is one of my favourite albums with a lot of memories attached to it from that time. Not sure if you’ve reacted to the song ‘Intervention’ yet? That song is so beautiful also, that and Nothing Fails are two of the most touching songs she’s ever written IMO. Lovely to see both your beautiful faces as always. I hope you’re both keeping well ❤
Aww, you're incredibly kind - Thank you so much! ❤️❤️ "I wasn’t that keen on the album version of this or the song in general but then I heard it live on the Reinvention Tour and I was blown away by her vocal range in this particular song. I love the song now but still prefer her live versions." Her live performances really are something special. ❤️ Much love to you!
Hey ladies - wonderful, insightful reaction as ever! The acoustic version of this song she sang live on the Today show is great - wpuld be wonderful if you reacted to it. I think you'd both love and appreciate it. Much love ❤❤
For myself, I feel lyric and subject wise (not melodically/rhythmically) Mother and Father is the offspring of Oh Father and Promise to Try. Both of those songs have profound messages about maternal death and the pain she felt growing up without Madonna Senior. Mother and Father is a resolution of those two songs. At least it's what I feel when I hear it. I recall a magazine interview Madonna did in the early 1990s, discussing her preoccupation with why God took her mother away when her mother was only 33 years old. THIRTY THREE! Madonna Sr. was a devout catholic. Madonna said she used to see her mother praying the rosary on the kitchen floor kneeling on piles of uncooked rice to increase the pain of kneeling down as a form of penance. She couldn't understand why an all loving God would make someone who wordhips him, suffer and die like Madonna's mother did. I was raised in a strict catholic household, so that particular admission really struck a chord with me. I was raised to believe physical pain/agony while worshipping God was supposed to bring me closer to God and spare me the "eternal flames of damnation in hell'. Sufficide to say, i am 54 years old, to this day, i still have physical/psychological trauma from those years. Sigh.... In the last few weeks, I've been revisting her American Life album. What strikes me, is how deep, rich, and lush the production of that album is as a whole. Mirwais has a way of weaving deep base and heavy synth notes that have layered 3 dimensional tones to it. It's all just so GOOD. I've watched almost all of your Madonna reactions, I TRULY APPRECIATE that you both pay attention to the lyrics, messages, and stories Madonna is telling. You both truly GET IT. Thank you for that.
Aww, thank you. ❤️❤️ And thank you for going on this journey with us - We truly appreciate your thoughtful comments. "Madonna said she used to see her mother praying the rosary on the kitchen floor kneeling on piles of uncooked rice to increase the pain of kneeling down as a form of penance. She couldn't understand why an all loving God would make someone who wordhips him, suffer and die like Madonna's mother did. I was raised in a strict catholic household, so that particular admission really struck a chord with me. I was raised to believe physical pain/agony while worshipping God was supposed to bring me closer to God and spare me the "eternal flames of damnation in hell'. Sufficide to say, i am 54 years old, to this day, i still have physical/psychological trauma from those years. Sigh...." Wish we were there to give you the biggest hugs right now - Sending so much love and healing your way. ❤️
@OurAnxiousReactions I LOVE your reactions. They bring me so much joy! Much love right back to you both!🩵🫂🩵 If/when you both react to lesser known Madonna songs, i hope you react to "Inside Of Me" from her Bedtime Stories album. She is singing about her late mother. Its melody..and her voice are SUBLIME. The definition of bittersweet.💛💔💛
You're the sweetest! ❤️❤️ Can wait to hear some of those album tracks we missed on this singles journey (when we do our deeper album dive). Inside Of Me sounds beautiful (and tissues will probably be needed!). ❤️
I remember before the album came out she performed this song as an acoustic version and I thought that the final version would be like that. I was very disappointed because it took away the emotion she conveyed in those renditions. The first time she performed it on a tour was during Re-Invention. In Chicago her father was in the crowd and she changed the lyrics because of him that day to “my father had to go to work, I didn’t know how much it hurt”
"In Chicago her father was in the crowd and she changed the lyrics because of him that day to “my father had to go to work, I didn’t know how much it hurt” That was very sweet and sensitive to his feelings. ❤️❤️
She played this song live also playing acoustic guitar on the Today show and introduced by Matt Lauper at the time of the albums's release, I recommend checking that out now that you've reacted to the song on the album
Well said, ladies. Well said. While you’re at this album, X-static Process is a must. Talk about raw… I remember at the time just thinking how hauntingly beautiful and open she was on that track. (This album, actually)
@@OurAnxiousReactions For example, I'm sure you have never heard the original, LONG, album version of "Borderline" which is very R&B and different from the dance remix used in the music video ---> ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MHQIs0Yonws.htmlsi=nke-ScxSdO_dwQwB (save this link!)
When we finish this singles journey, we're going to do a deeper dive into the albums. Looking forward to hearing all the great songs we've missed. ❤️❤️
I’m echoing what others have said on the comments. Madonna’s acoustic version she did on guitar , is objectively a more stripped back & a slower version , I like both 🥰 but Madonna’s vocals shine on the acoustic version she did.. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QMMlrsxBZ7k.htmlsi=0zDuLRvrwrqMba7d
Her sentiments here is a continuation of her dealing with and “exorcising” the trauma and pain of the premature death of her beloved mother and the resulting difficult relationships she’s had with her dad and other male authority figures in her life such as God, Jesus Christ, the priest/Rev. Father, the Pope, boyfriends, male-dominated establishment chauvinists/sexists. This theme haunted her songs: 1984-Love Don’t Live Here Anymore; 1989-Oh Father, Promise To Try; 1998-Mer Girl; 2003-Mother&Father. By 1996 after earlier run-ins with religious bigots and the Pope, she’d fully questioned her Catholic faith and she’d embarked on a spiritual journey through Eastern mysticism (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism and Kabbalah) in search of answers and enlightenment. By this time in 2003, she’s radically become distrustful of organized religion and its orthodoxy/patriarchy. She is as she sang in Nothing Fails “not religious”. She described herself a “humanist” who has embraced a universal view of spirituality. In the lyrics of American Life she proclaimed: “I’m not a Christian, and I’m not a Jew..”. In Mother&Father she wrote:..”There was a time I prayed to Jesus Christ/There was a time I had a mother it was nice/I made a vow that I would never need another person ever…”. In her AL promo mini-concert in Paris, she had a fascinating exchange with a male fan in the audience who, after she performed Nothing Fails, shouted: “Religion is love!…” and Madonna responded something like: “No, love has nothing to do with religion…”…and she continued that organized religion is divisive, judgmental and authoritarian, to which I happened to agree. Continuing that exchange in that concert before she performed Xstatic Process she said to the effect that her problem with her relationship with Jesus Christ mirrors her problem with men-that “if you give men too much power over your life, you get f- -k-d..!” She spoke these of course from her life experience and the wisdom she learned from her spiritual journey. I remain enthralled with your reactions and insight to Madonna’s music and artistry. ❤😊
Thank you so much! ❤️❤️ And thank you for sharing both her journey with organized religion and the thoughts she exchanged with audience members at the mini concert. Your comments are always so helpful in putting her music in the context of her life and beliefs. ❤️
I hate the way she sounds at the beginning of this song. I love the song though, and I love her live versions. It's just awkward to me to sing about something so personal but purposely sing in a funny way. On another note, is it just me, or does anyone else think she raps a lot on this album? Not saying that I mind though. 🙂
