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)
Thief of Hearts
Madonna Lyrics
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You're a thief of hearts and now you'll have to pay
How many licks does it take?
You're a thief of hearts and now you'll have to pay
Which leg do you want me to break?
You'll be sorry, you'll be sorry
Here she comes, little miss thinks she can have
Here she comes, acts like she's your best friend
Then you turn your back and she's off with your guy
She's a thief of hearts
What will happen to the thief of hearts
What she's done is a crime
She's a thief of hearts
Someone, please arrest her
She's a thief of hearts
No one ever takes what's mine
And gets away with it
Not this time
Here she comes, acting all dejected
So you give advice and she gives you her poison
Here she comes, little miss black widow
First, she spins her web and she's stealing your boyfriend
She's a thief of hearts
What will happen to the thief of hearts
What she's done is a crime
She's a thief of hearts
Someone, please arrest her
She's a thief of hearts
No one ever takes what's mine
(Thief of hearts) bitch
You'll do it, you'll take it
You'll screw it, you'll fake it
Undo it, you'll break it
You're over, you can't take it
You'll do it, you'll take it
You'll screw it, you'll fake it
Undo it, you'll break it
You're over, you can't take it
You can't take it, not what's mine
I could break you
'Cause what you've done is a crime
Bitch
He's mine
Here she comes, little miss thinks she can have his child
But anybody can do it
Here she comes, little Susie ho-maker
Thinks she'll get respect if she screws it
She's a thief of hearts
What will happen to the thief of hearts
What she's done is a crime
She's a thief of hearts
Someone, please arrest her
She's a thief of hearts
No one ever takes what's mine
Bitch
You'll do it, you'll take it
You'll screw it, you'll fake it
Undo it, you'll break it
You're over, you can't take it
You'll do it, you'll take it
You'll screw it, you'll fake it
Undo it, you'll break it
You're over, you can't take it
You can't take it, not what's mine
You'll be sorry, 'cause what you've done is a crime
She's a thief of hearts
Thief of hearts, what she's done is a crime
She's a thief of hearts
Thief of hearts, no one ever takes what's mine
She's a thief, thief
She's a thief, thief of hearts
No one ever takes what's mine
You're a thief of hearts and now you'll have to pay
How many licks does it take?
You're a thief of hearts and now you'll have to pay
Which leg do you want me to break?
Stop bitch
Now sit your ass down
In "Thief of Hearts," Madonna sings about a woman who steals other people's partners. The song highlights the singer's distaste for the thief, who she refers to as a "bitch." The chorus repeats that she is a thief of hearts and demands that she face the consequences for her actions. Madonna describes the thief as cunning and manipulative, pretending to be friends with the women whose partners she covets. When no one is looking, she steals their boyfriends, leaving them feeling heartbroken and betrayed. The song paints the picture of a woman who preys on others' weak moments, and the singer warns that sooner or later, the woman will have to face the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Bitch
Addressing the target of the song with contempt.
You're a thief of hearts and now you'll have to pay
You have taken away what belongs to me and you will face the consequences.
How many licks does it take?
A rhetorical question implying that the target of the song is not as innocent as they may seem.
Which leg do you want me to break?
A serious threat to the target of the song, suggesting that they are in for a world of hurt.
You'll be sorry, you'll be sorry
A warning for the target of the song to back off or else face the singer's wrath.
Here she comes, little miss thinks she can have
What she wants in a blink of an eye
Describing the target of the song as someone who is used to getting their way quickly and easily.
Here she comes, acts like she's your best friend
Then you turn your back and she's off with your guy
Describing the target of the song as someone who is manipulative and two-faced, gaining trust only to betray it.
What will happen to the thief of hearts
What she's done is a crime
Someone, please arrest her
The singer is equating the target of the song's behavior to a criminal act and calling for justice.
No one ever takes what's mine
And gets away with it
Not this time
Possessive language, implying that the singer will not tolerate anyone taking what belongs to her.
Here she comes, acting all dejected
So you give advice and she gives you her poison
Here she comes, little miss black widow
First, she spins her web and she's stealing your boyfriend
Further elaboration on the target of the song's manipulative behavior and how she takes advantage of others by appearing vulnerable and then attacking.
You'll do it, you'll take it
You'll screw it, you'll fake it
Undo it, you'll break it
You're over, you can't take it
Taunting the target of the song, suggesting that they are not strong enough to handle the consequences of their actions.
You can't take it, not what's mine
I could break you
'Cause what you've done is a crime
Bitch
He's mine
Continued possessive language, asserting the singer's ownership over the person being fought over, and suggesting that the target of the song has overstepped their boundaries.
Here she comes, little miss thinks she can have his child
But anybody can do it
Here she comes, little Susie ho-maker
Thinks she'll get respect if she screws it
Further elaboration on the target of the song's manipulative and disrespectful behavior.
Stop bitch
Now sit your ass down
A final insult and command for the target of the song to back off and stop their behavior.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Shep Pettibone, Anthony Shimkin, Madonna Ciccone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Die Another Day
The only good thing about that sucky film is this song