Voices
Madonna (feat. Justin Timberlake) Lyrics
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Treat me like a curse
And tell me I'm your savior
I'll never know the stranger
I used to know so well
Waiting for your answer
Is a kind of torture
Are you walking the dog, 'cause that dog isn't new
Are you out of control, is that dog walking you
Haven't you had enough, now your time is up
Baby show me your hand
Voices start to ring in your head
Tell me what do they say
Distant echoes from another time
Start to creep in your brain
So you're playing 'round, like it's on rewind
You blew it so often that you start to believe it
You have demons so nobody can blame you
But who is the master and who is the slave?
First you say you love me
Then you wanna leave me
Then you say you're sorry
You play the game so well
I bought your illusion
You're the greatest salesman
How could I refuse you
When you sold it to yourself
Are you walking the dog, 'cause that dog isn't new
Are you out of control, is that dog walking you
Haven't you had enough, now your time is up
Baby show me your hand
Voices start to ring in your head
Tell me what do they say
Distant echoes from another time
Start to creep in your brain
So you're playing 'round, like it's on rewind
You blew it so often that you start to believe it
You have demons so nobody can blame you
But who is the master and who is the slave?
The lyrics of “Voices” by Madonna (feat. Justin Timberlake) delve into the complexities of a dysfunctional relationship where there is a constant power struggle between the people involved. The opening lines of the song, “Who is the master? Who is the slave?” set the tone for the track as it explores the roles each person plays in the dynamic. The singer is torn between the idea of being both a curse and a savior to their partner, while also struggling to come to terms with the fact that the person they once knew has changed.
As the song progresses, Madonna questions the other person’s motives, pointing out that they seem to be out of control, with their actions controlling them instead of the other way around. The repetition of the line “are you walking the dog, cause that dog isn’t new, are you out of control, is that dog walking you?” highlights this idea of being caught up in a cycle that leads to self-destructive behavior in relationships.
The chorus then shifts to focus on the voices that start to ring in one's head when they’re in a toxic situation. These voices are the distant echoes of past experiences that begin to creep in and make it harder for them to navigate their current situation. The lyrics urge the singer to break free from this vicious cycle and take control of their lives, questioning who the real master and slave are in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Who is the master? Who is the slave?
Questioning the power dynamics in a relationship.
Treat me like a curse
Asking to be treated badly.
And tell me I'm your savior
Wanting to be seen as a hero.
I'll never know the stranger
Feeling like the person they knew has changed.
I used to know so well
Reflecting on a past relationship.
Waiting for your answer
The anxiety of waiting for a response.
Is a kind of torture
The emotional distress caused by waiting.
Could I grow accustomed to this kind of hell?
Wondering if they can handle the pain of this relationship.
Are you walking the dog, 'cause that dog isn't new
Questioning the control in the relationship.
Are you out of control, is that dog walking you
Asking if they are being controlled by their partner.
Haven't you had enough, now your time is up
Implying that the relationship is over.
Baby show me your hand
Asking to see their true intentions.
Voices start to ring in your head
Referring to the inner monologue of thoughts and doubts.
Tell me what do they say
Questioning the validity of these thoughts.
Distant echoes from another time
Memories from the past resurfacing.
Start to creep in your brain
Describing the haunting nature of these thoughts.
So you're playing 'round, like it's on rewind
Going back and forth in the relationship.
You blew it so often that you start to believe it
Feeling regret for past mistakes.
You have demons so nobody can blame you
Acknowledging past traumas or mistakes.
But who is the master and who is the slave?
Questioning who has power in the relationship.
First you say you love me
Describing the fickle nature of the relationship.
Then you wanna leave me
Feeling like the partner constantly changes their mind.
Then you say you're sorry
Apologizing for hurting the other person.
You play the game so well
Acknowledging their partner's ability to manipulate the relationship.
I bought your illusion
Feeling like they were deceived.
You're the greatest salesman
Acknowledging their partner's ability to sell lies.
How could I refuse you
Feeling like they were powerless to resist the other person's charm.
When you sold it to yourself
Realizing that the other person was lying to themselves as well.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, BMG Rights Management
Written by: . MADONNA, TIMOTHY MOSLEY, NATE HILLS, HANNON LANE, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind