Born and raised in Michigan, Madonna moved to New York City in 1978 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing as a drummer, guitarist, and vocalist in the rock bands Breakfast Club and Emmy, she rose to solo stardom with her debut studio album, Madonna (1983). She followed it with a series of successful albums, including all-time bestsellers Like a Virgin (1984) and True Blue (1986) as well as Grammy Award winners Ray of Light (1998) and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). Madonna has amassed many number-one singles throughout her career, including "Like a Virgin", "La Isla Bonita", "Like a Prayer", "Vogue", "Take a Bow", "Frozen", "Music", "Hung Up", and "4 Minutes".
Madonna's popularity was enhanced by roles in films such as Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Dick Tracy (1990), A League of Their Own (1992), and Evita (1996). While Evita won her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, many of her other films received poor reviews. As a businesswoman, Madonna founded the company Maverick in 1992; it included Maverick Records, one of the most successful artist-run labels in history. Her other ventures include fashion brands, children's books, health clubs, and filmmaking. She contributes to various charities, having founded the Ray of Light Foundation in 1998 and Raising Malawi in 2006.
With sales of over 300 million records worldwide, Madonna is certified as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. She is the most successful solo artist in the history of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and holds the record for the most number-one singles by a female artist in Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. With a revenue of U.S. $1.5 billion from her concert tickets, she remains the highest-grossing solo touring artist of all time. Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, her first year of eligibility. She was ranked as the greatest woman in music by VH1 in 2012, and as the greatest music video artist of all time by MTV in 2003 and Billboard in 2020. Rolling Stone also listed Madonna among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
Studio albums
Madonna (1983)
Like a Virgin (1984)
True Blue (1986)
Like a Prayer (1989)
Erotica (1992)
Bedtime Stories (1994)
Ray of Light (1998)
Music (2000)
American Life (2003)
Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005)
Hard Candy (2008)
MDNA (2012)
Rebel Heart (2015)
Madame X (2019)
Beat Goes On Medley
Madonna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you wait too long it'll be too late
I'm not telling you something new
There ain't no time to lose
It's time for you to celebrate
So get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (Get up, little girl)
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (It's time, your world)
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (It's time, live it up)
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
You don't have the luxury of time
You have got to say what's on your mind
Your head lost in the stars
You'll never go far
It's time for you to read the signs
So get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (Here comes, my hand)
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (Take it, you can)
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (The time, is now)
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (I'll show, you how)
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
On and on, on the beat goes
Say what you like
Do what you feel
You know exactly who you are
The time is right now
You got to decide
Stand in the back or be the star
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (Here comes, my hand)
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (Take it, you can)
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (The time, is now)
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (I'll show, you how)
I can't keep waiting for you
Anticipating that you've
No time to lose
I can't keep waiting for you
Here's a impromptu I want you
I'm going to tell you what I want to do to you
Your girlfriend she wants to
Beautiful
Just flew in from Paris
Voulez vouz?
And the city that don't snooze
Smooze amongst the whose who's
And I use my celeb to get this one home
Why everything that feel so good gotta be so wrong?
Gimme room now
I'm like a vampire on the full moon now
And I don't know about you now
But I think I wanna try something new now
See what it do now
And when you sat down
Uh, cause you was losing your breath now
Uh, cause you be doing it to death now
She be doing E to F now
What's left now?
Mr. West now
Can you get any more fresh now?
I think I just did, just now
Talking my shit, that's how
I'm a professional, I admit that
Flashing lights show I live that
Fame is a drug, wanna hit that?
'Cause I know exactly where to get that
Did you get that?
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up off a your seat
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up off a your seat now
On and on
The beat goes
On and on
'Cause they know exactly where to get that
Did you get that?
Let's go, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat
On and on
The beat goes
On and on
The beat goes
On and on
On and on
On and on
The lyrics to Madonna's song "Beat Goes On" encourage the listener to take action and seize the moment. The song suggests that if someone waits too long to make a decision, it will be too late. The repeated chorus of "On and on, the beat goes" reinforces this idea of the importance of seizing opportunities as they come. The song also includes a rap section, which contrasts with the upbeat dance-pop sound of the rest of the track. The rap references various high-profile social events and celebrities, painting a picture of exciting and glamorous nightlife.
Throughout the song, Madonna urges the listener to celebrate and live life to the fullest. She asserts that people should not be afraid to say what is on their mind and to pursue their dreams. The repetition of the phrase "get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat" further encourages the listener to take action and embrace the moment. The upbeat and catchy nature of the song reinforces this message of positivity and encourages the listener to dance and celebrate.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't sit there like some silly girl
Don't wait around without taking action.
If you wait too long it'll be too late
Don't procrastinate because time passes quickly.
I'm not telling you something new
The advice is not groundbreaking, but it is important.
There ain't no time to lose
There's no time to waste.
It's time for you to celebrate
It's time to enjoy life and seize the moment.
So get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (Get up, little girl)
Get active and get moving.
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (It's time, your world)
Take control and make the most of your life.
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (Your life, your choice)
You have the power to choose your path in life.
Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (It's time, live it up)
Enjoy life to the fullest and make every moment count.
On and on, on the beat goes
Life moves on and time marches forward.
You don't have the luxury of time
Time is limited and should not be wasted.
You have got to say what's on your mind
Speak your truth and don't hold back.
Your head lost in the stars
You're dreaming and not grounded in reality.
You'll never go far
Without taking action, you won't achieve your dreams.
It's time for you to read the signs
Take notice of what is happening around you.
Say what you like
Speak freely and express yourself.
Do what you feel
Follow your heart and do what makes you happy.
You know exactly who you are
Be true to yourself.
The time is right now
The present moment is the best time to take action.
You got to decide
You have the power to make choices that shape your life.
Stand in the back or be the star
You can blend in or stand out, but the choice is yours.
I can't keep waiting for you
I can't delay my progress for someone who's not ready.
Anticipating that you've
Hoping that you'll eventually come around.
No time to lose
Every moment counts and shouldn't be wasted.
Here's a impromptu I want you
I have an idea in the moment for what I want to do with you.
I'm going to tell you what I want to do to you
I plan to express my desires to you.
Your girlfriend she wants to
Your partner also has desires.
Beautiful
You're attractive and desirable.
Just flew in from Paris
I've recently arrived and am full of energy and excitement.
Voulez vouz?
Do you want to?
And the city that don't snooze
The city is alive and buzzing with energy.
Smooze amongst the whose who's
Mix and mingle with the rich and famous.
And I use my celeb to get this one home
I'm using my status to impress and seduce someone.
Why everything that feel so good gotta be so wrong?
Why are things that are pleasurable often considered taboo or sinful?
Gimme room now
Make some space for me to move and dance.
I'm like a vampire on the full moon now
I'm feeling energized and alive like a mythical creature.
And I don't know about you now
I'm not sure how you feel or what you want.
But I think I wanna try something new now
I'm open to exploring new experiences.
See what it do now
Let's see what happens.
And when you sat down
When you stopped being active.
Uh, cause you was losing your breath now
You became tired and fatigued.
Uh, cause you be doing it to death now
You're putting in a lot of effort and energy.
She be doing E to F now
She's moving from one extreme to another.
What's left now?
What's the next step or decision?
Mr. West now
A reference to Kanye West, who contributed to this song.
Can you get any more fresh now?
Can you get any more original or unique?
I think I just did, just now
I believe I just came up with an innovative idea.
Talking my shit, that's how
I'm speaking confidently about my ideas and plans.
I'm a professional, I admit that
I have experience and skill in my chosen field.
Flashing lights show I live that
My lifestyle is glamorous and exciting.
Fame is a drug, wanna hit that?
Celebrity status is addictive and desirable.
'Cause I know exactly where to get that
Because I know how to achieve and maintain fame.
Let's go, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat
Let's get moving and take action.
On and on
Life continues to move forward.
The beat goes
The rhythm of life persists.
'Cause they know exactly where to get that
Because others know how to achieve success.
Did you get that?
Did you understand that?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Madonna Ciccone, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Die Another Day
The only good thing about that sucky film is this song