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)
You Must Love Me
Madonna Lyrics
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This isn't where we intended to be
We had it all
You believed in me, I believed in you
Certainties disappear
What do we do? For our dream to survive?
How do we keep, all our passions alive
As we used to do?
Deep in my heart, I'm concealing
Things that I'm longing to say
Scared to confess, what I'm feeling
Frightened you'll slip away
You must love me, you must love me
You must love me
Why are you at my side?
How can I be, any use to you now?
Give me a chance, and I'll let you see how
Nothing has changed
Deep in my heart, I'm concealing
Things that I'm longing to say
Scared to confess, what I'm feeling
Frightened you'll slip away
You must love me, you must love me
You must love me
Madonna's song "You Must Love Me" was written specifically for her portrayal of Eva Peron in the film adaptation of the musical "Evita". The song represents the moment when Eva realizes that her time is running out and she confesses to Juan Peron that she is scared and concealing her true feelings, but still needs his love and validation. The lyrics speak to the universal experience of holding on to dreams and passions through turbulent times and seeking the support and understanding of those we love.
The opening lines, "Where do we go from here? This isn't where we intended to be. We had it all. You believed in me, I believed in you. Certainties disappear. What do we do? For our dream to survive? How do we keep, all our passions alive as we used to do?", suggest a sense of confusion and disillusionment in the face of unexpected obstacles. Eva acknowledges that the couple's dream may fail if they do not work together, but she also pleads for them to reconnect with their passion for each other.
The chorus, "Deep in my heart, I'm concealing things that I'm longing to say. Scared to confess what I'm feeling, frightened you'll slip away. You must love me", further emphasizes Eva's vulnerability and fear of losing her partner. Through her words, she is subtly reminding him of their love and urging him to stay committed to her. The song's final lines, "Why are you at my side? How can I be, any use to you now? Give me a chance, and I'll let you see how. Nothing has changed", further drive home the point that despite their struggles, Eva still believes in their love and desires to rekindle it.
Line by Line Meaning
Where do we go from here?
What direction should we take now?
This isn't where we intended to be
Things didn't go as planned
We had it all
We were once in control and happy
You believed in me, I believed in you
We had faith in each other
Certainties disappear
Things become uncertain
What do we do? For our dream to survive?
How can we make sure our shared goal remains achievable?
How do we keep, all our passions alive
How do we maintain our enthusiasm for each other and our goals?
As we used to do?
Like we did in the past.
Deep in my heart, I'm concealing
I'm hiding something inside me
Things that I'm longing to say
Words I wish to express but keep inside
Scared to confess, what I'm feeling
Afraid to reveal my true emotions
Frightened you'll slip away
Terrified you'll leave me
You must love me, you must love me
I need your love and devotion
Why are you at my side?
What's your reason for being with me?
How can I be, any use to you now?
I feel that I could no longer be of help to you
Give me a chance, and I'll let you see how
Allow me an opportunity to show you what I can do
Nothing has changed
Things are still the same between us
You must love me, you must love me
I need your love and devotion
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RDrRD1989
One of the most beautiful songs ever written... Madonna's voice is so emotional.
Her 1997 Oscars Performance of this song was brilliant.
@jessefrost6375
RDrD1983 I agree! But the Sticky & Sweet tour performance of YMLM was so much better ((my opinion))
@hikerchicmerlot7424
she sings with so much vulnerability and emotion...I forgot how much i liked this song. Well the whole soundtrack, actually.
@RDrRD1989
@HikerChic Merlot So nicely put. That is why I love her voice❤
@xxxTIN0xxx
@Jesse Frost I agree. Her live version in 2008 is the best by far.
@cy1841
She sings with so much passion, appealing to the audience....simply unsurpassed!
@kimma508
When this song played during the movie is when I started crying. It was so beautifully done and you could feel the emotions. I have been a Madonna fan since the 80s and I am still a fan in 2020.
@chrisgross5409
kimma508 such a beautiful song
@Mr.EmeraldTheGreen
Me too, I liked her when her first record came out, and think she nailed this role, this film, and the soundtrack! This is my favorite song on this record, but I rarely listen to it, for it always make me cry...
@kimma508
@Mr. Emerald The Green I have been a fan of Madonna’s since the 80s as well. Whenever she came to Philly I went to her concerts. Madonna shined in Evita. She was amazing and I left the movie theater crying.