Musically, the song combines pop and classical styling, with lyrics that talk about teenage pregnancy, and the choices that come with it. The teen gossip Elliot would hear outside his recording studio inspired him to write it.
Papa Don't Preach
Madonna Lyrics
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'Cause I was always your little girl
But you should know by now
I'm not a baby
You always taught me right from wrong
I need your help, daddy please be strong
I may be young at heart
The one you warned me all about
The one you said I could do without
We're in an awful mess
And I don't mean maybe, please
Papa don't preach I'm in trouble deep
Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
But I made up my mind, I'm keeping my baby, hm
I'm gonna keep my baby, hm
He says that he's going to marry me
We can raise a little family
Maybe we'll be all right
It's a sacrifice
But my friends keep telling me to give it up
Saying I'm too young, I oughta live it up
What I need right now is some good advice, please
Papa don't preach, I'm in trouble deep
Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
But I made up my mind, I'm keeping my baby, hm
I'm gonna keep my baby, ooh ooh
Daddy, daddy if you could only see
Just how good he's been treating me
You'd give us your blessing right now
'Cause we are in love
We are in love (in love), so please (so)
Papa don't preach, I'm in trouble deep
Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
But I made up my mind, I'm keeping my baby, hm
I'm gonna keep my baby, ooh ooh
Papa don't preach, I'm in trouble deep
Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
Papa don't preach, I'm in trouble deep
Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
Papa don't preach (Oh, I'm gonna keep my baby)
Papa don't preach (Ooh)
Papa don't preach (Don't stop loving me daddy)
Papa don't preach (I know I'm keeping my baby)
The song "Papa Don't Preach" by Madonna talks about a young girl who has become pregnant and the ordeal that follows as she tries to decide whether or not to keep the baby. The song is written in a conversational style, directed towards her father who she knows will be disappointed in her. She acknowledges that she is young at heart but insists that she knows what she is getting herself into, and that she needs her father's support in her difficult situation.
The song also addresses the societal pressures that surround teenage pregnancy as the singer is told by her friends that she is too young to keep the baby and should "live it up". She acknowledges that keeping the baby is a sacrifice but makes up her mind to do so because she is in love with the father of the child and wants to start a family with him.
In the end, she pleads with her father to see how good her partner has been treating her and begs him not to stop loving her. The song's ultimate message is one of empowerment, urging young mothers to make their choices and stand by them, despite societal pressures and disapproval from loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Papa I know you're going to be upset
Father, I am aware that you will be disappointed
'Cause I was always your little girl
As you have always treated me like your little girl
But you should know by now
You ought to know by this time
I'm not a baby
I am not a child anymore
You always taught me right from wrong
You have always taught me the difference between right and wrong
I need your help, daddy please be strong
I need your support, father, please be strong for me
I may be young at heart
Though I may be youthful in spirit
But I know what I'm saying
I understand what I am talking about
The one you warned me all about
The person you warned me to stay away from
The one you said I could do without
The person you told me I do not need
We're in an awful mess
We have found ourselves in a difficult situation
And I don't mean maybe, please
And it is not an uncertain scenario, please
Papa don't preach I'm in trouble deep
Father, do not admonish me, I am in significant trouble
Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
Father, do not reprove me, I have been unable to sleep because of this
But I made up my mind, I'm keeping my baby, hm
But I have decided to keep my baby, hmm
I'm gonna keep my baby, hm
I intend to retain my child, hmm
He says that he's going to marry me
He has expressed his intentions to marry me
We can raise a little family
We can form a small family
Maybe we'll be all right
Maybe we will be okay
It's a sacrifice
It requires making sacrifices
But my friends keep telling me to give it up
But my friends keep insisting that I should abandon this
Saying I'm too young, I oughta live it up
Claiming that I am too young and I should enjoy life instead
What I need right now is some good advice, please
At this moment, what I need is some good counsel, please
Daddy, daddy if you could only see
Father, if you could only perceive
Just how good he's been treating me
Just how well he has been treating me
You'd give us your blessing right now
You would give us your approval right now
'Cause we are in love
Because we are in love
We are in love (in love), so please (so)
We are in love, so please
Papa don't preach, I'm in trouble deep
Father, do not lecture me, I am in significant trouble
Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
Father, do not admonish me, I have been unable to sleep because of this
But I made up my mind, I'm keeping my baby, hm
But I have decided to keep my baby, hmm
I'm gonna keep my baby, ooh ooh
I intend to retain my child, ooh ooh
Papa don't preach (Oh, I'm gonna keep my baby)
Father, do not reprove me (Oh, I am going to keep my baby)
Papa don't preach (Ooh)
Father, do not admonish me (ooh)
Papa don't preach (Don't stop loving me daddy)
Father, do not lecture me (do not stop loving me, daddy)
Papa don't preach (I know I'm keeping my baby)
Father, do not admonish me (I know I am retaining my baby)
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Brian Elliot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@madonna
Happy 35th anniversary 'True Blue'! Hope you enjoy the HD version of 'Papa Don't Preach'. Also, make sure to download/stream the album here: https://Madonna.lnk.to/TrueBlue
@pineapple-yo8py
Thank you. Maybe next La Isla Bonita.
@luisdi2108
Amazing 💙
@alves.gleyson
NEXT ... La Isla Bonita Please
@camaradanilson
#FREEBRITNEY
@ladona1875
Incredible, Thank you so much!!!! ❤️ ✌🏼
@brendawilliams8832
I am 77 now. She was an icon back in the day and she is still an icon to me.
@vertbeke7977
👍
@emiliyam19
She totally is, her new tour is incredible..
@PincoPallino-zh8wm
I am surprised you listened to Madonna in your late 30s/early 40s. My older brother and his friends were in their late 20s and they didn't care for her or most 80s pop. I was 17-18, so I was pretty much the target audience.