White Heat
Madonna (Ciccone) Lyrics


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A copper.
How do ya like that boys, a copper.
And we went for it, I went for it
Treated him like a kid brother
And I was gonna split fifty-fifty with a copper.
They were there waitin' to pin a medal on him
(Come on get up, get your hands up!)
Yeah, that's it, a nice gold medal for the copper
Only maybe he's gonna get it sooner than he thinks!

Get up stand tall
Put your back up against the wall
'Cause my love is dangerous
This is a bust

Get up stand tall
Put your back up against the wall
'Cause my love is dangerous
This is a bust

You think you can have my love for free
Well I've got news for you
That's not the way it's gonna be
So don't come hangin' round my door
If you're not ready to give
You're not gonna get much more
I don't want to live out your fantasy
Love's not that easy, this time you're gonna
Gonna have to play my way
Come on make my day

Get up stand tall
Put your back up against the wall
'Cause my love is dangerous
This is a bust

Get up stand tall
Put your back up against the wall
'Cause my love is dangerous
This is a bust

Can you feel the rhythm of my mind
Boy, I've got so much to give
But I don't want to waste my time
I can't let my heart put on a show
'Til you surrender baby
You've got to let it go
I don't want to live out your fantasy
Love's not that easy, this time you're gonna
Gonna have to play my way
Come on make my day

Get up stand tall
Put your back up against the wall
'Cause my love is dangerous
This is a bust

Get up stand tall
Put your back up against the wall
'Cause my love is dangerous
This is a bust

Drop your weapons, you'd better come clean
I've got you covered, I'll catch you
When you fall to me
I'm not gonna hurt you, 'cause I'm not that kind
We're not goin' nowhere 'til you have a change of mind

(You haven't got a chance, come out with your hands up)
Come out with your hands up, the man says
How do ya like that, 'ma?
Here's my answer, you dirty

I don't want to live out your fantasy
Love's not that easy, this time you're gonna
Gonna have to play my way
Come on make my day

Get up stand tall
Put your back up against the wall
'Cause my love is dangerous
This is a bust

Get up stand tall
Put your back up against the wall
'Cause my love is dangerous
This is a bust

(Get up, stand tall)
Come on baby make my day
('Cause my love is dangerous)
Gonna have to play my way (This is a bust)

(Get up, stand tall)
Put your back up against the wall
('Cause my love is dangerous)
This is a bust

Get up, get up, get up, get up (Stand tall)
('Cause my love is dangerous)
This is a bust

I'm so good for you, baby here I come (Get up, stand tall)
I'm gonna get to you before the day is done
('Cause my love is dangerous)
This is a bust

(Get up, stand tall)
Come on baby make my day




('Cause my love is dangerous)
Gonna have to play my way (This is a bust)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Madonna's "White Heat" song can be interpreted as a story of a criminal who, with his accomplices, encountered a police officer (copper). They treat him like a "kid brother" and try to split their loot with him. However, the officer turned the tables on the alleged criminals by arresting them. The rest of the song is Madonna warning her lover that she won't just give her love freely without the necessary commitment. She warns him that love isn't always easy, and he has to play by her rules. The lyrics of the chorus are a nod to the police scenario presented earlier in the song, calling for a stand-off between Madonna's love and the love of the potential lover.


Musically, "White Heat" song is driven by a rock guitar riff, adding more energy to the somewhat tense story presented in the lyrics. The song was produced by Madonna and produced by Stephen Bray and Patrick Leonard. It was the fifth and final single from her third studio album, "True Blue."


Line by Line Meaning

A copper.
I came across a police officer.


How do ya like that boys, a copper.
I found a police officer and I'm surprised to see one.


And we went for it, I went for it
I went ahead with my plan of committing a crime.


Treated him like a kid brother
I pretended to be friendly and treated him like a younger sibling to take him off guard.


And I was gonna split fifty-fifty with a copper.
I planned to share the profits equally with the police officer.


They were there waitin' to pin a medal on him (Come on get up, get your hands up!) Yeah, that's it, a nice gold medal for the copper Only maybe he's gonna get it sooner than he thinks!
They were waiting to award him a medal, but I plan to bring him down with my criminal activity.


Get up stand tall Put your back up against the wall 'Cause my love is dangerous This is a bust
This is a raid, so raise your hands and be prepared to face the consequences of my dangerous love.


You think you can have my love for free Well I've got news for you That's not the way it's gonna be So don't come hangin' round my door If you're not ready to give You're not gonna get much more
You cannot have my love without making any effort. Don't come to me if you're not prepared to put in your fair share.


I don't want to live out your fantasy Love's not that easy, this time you're gonna Gonna have to play my way Come on make my day
I don't want to fulfill your desires for a perfect love, this time you have to play by my rules.


Can you feel the rhythm of my mind Boy, I've got so much to give But I don't want to waste my time I can't let my heart put on a show 'Til you surrender baby You've got to let it go
I have a lot to offer, but I won't waste my time if you're not willing to surrender your heart to me.


Drop your weapons, you'd better come clean I've got you covered, I'll catch you When you fall to me I'm not gonna hurt you, 'cause I'm not that kind We're not goin' nowhere 'til you have a change of mind
Stop pretending and surrender, I won't harm you but you won't escape until you change your ways.


I'm so good for you, baby here I come (Get up, stand tall) I'm gonna get to you before the day is done ('Cause my love is dangerous) This is a bust
I am who you need, and I will come to claim you before the day ends because my love is dangerous and this is a planned attack.




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PATRICK LEONARD, MADONNA CICCONE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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