Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone (born August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan… Read Full Bio ↴Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone (born August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is considered one of the most influential figures in popular culture and has often been referred to as the "Queen of Pop". Madonna is noted for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting and visual presentation. She is also known for pushing the boundaries of artistic expression in mainstream music, while maintaining control over every aspect of her career. Her works, which incorporate social, political, sexual and religious themes, have generated both controversy and critical acclaim.

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)

Killers Who Are Partying
Madonna Lyrics

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I will be gay, if the gay are burned
I'll be Africa, if Africa is shut down
I will be poor, if the poor are humiliated
I'll be a child, if the children are exploited

I know what I am
And I know what I'm not

O mundo é selvagem
O caminho é solitário (é, é, é, é)
O mundo é selvagem
O caminho é solitário
É, é, é
(É, é, é, é)
(É, é, é, é)
(É, é, é, é)

I'll be Islam, if Islam is hated
I'll be Israel, if they're incarcerated
I'll be Native Indian, if the Indian has been taken
And I'll be a woman, if she's raped and her heart is breaking

I know what I am (God knows what I am)
And I know what I'm not (and He knows what I'm not)
Do you know who you are? (Mm)
Will we know when to stop?

O mundo é selvagem
O caminho é solitário (é, é, é, é)
O mundo é selvagem
O caminho é solitário
É, é, é

E eu sei o que sou
E o que não sou (é, é, é, é)
E eu sei o que sou
E o que não sou (é, é, é, é)
O mundo (wild is the world)
Wild is the world (é selvagem)
Wild is the world (é, é, é, é)

I know what I am (God knows what I am)
And I know what I'm not (and He knows what I'm not)
Do you know who you are? (Mm)
Will we know

Wild
To come to you

Overall Meaning

Madonna's song Killers Who Are Partying has an intense message about standing in solidarity with those who are facing oppression and discrimination. The lyrics address various groups of people who are marginalized and vulnerable, ranging from the LGBTQ+ community to the poor, the Native Indians, and women who have been raped. Madonna's powerful lyrics state that she will stand with these communities in the face of persecution or discrimination, even if it means adopting their identity or experience.

The lyrics challenge the listener to consider their own identity and position in society, asking if they know who they are and if they will also stand up for those who are facing injustice. The lines "I know what I am and I know what I'm not" suggest a strong sense of self-awareness, while the repeated line "the world is wild, the road is lonely" emphasizes the difficulty in standing up for what is right in the face of a harsh and unjust world.

Overall, the lyrics of Killers Who Are Partying are a call to action for listeners to stand with those who are oppressed and marginalized, and to use their own identities and experiences to fight for a more just world.

Line by Line Meaning

I will be gay, if the gay are burned
I am willing to take on the identity of anyone who is oppressed or targeted. I stand with the LGBTQ+ community and fight against their persecution.

I'll be Africa, if Africa is shut down
If the world chooses to ignore the problems and failures of Africa, I will make sure to draw attention to them. I will use my voice and platform to encourage change and progress.

I will be poor, if the poor are humiliated
I refuse to sit idly by and watch the poor be shamed and treated unfairly. I will empathize with them and use my privilege to lift them up.

I'll be a child, if the children are exploited
I won't let anyone take advantage of innocent children. I will be their protector and voice for justice.

I know what I am And I know what I'm not
I am confident in my own identity and values. I know who I am, what I stand for, and what I won't tolerate.

I'll be Islam, if Islam is hated I'll be Israel, if they're incarcerated I'll be Native Indian, if the Indian has been taken And I'll be a woman, if she's raped and her heart is breaking
I stand in solidarity with any group that is being persecuted, incarcerated or victimized. I believe in their basic human rights and justice.

Do you know who you are? (Mm) Will we know when to stop?
We must all know our own identities, values, and boundaries. We must also be willing to recognize when oppressive behaviors need to stop.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Madonna Ciccone, Mirwais Ahmadzai

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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