| "Live to Tell" | ||||
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| Single by Madonna | ||||
| from the album True Blue | ||||
| Released | March 26, 1986 | |||
| Recorded | 1985 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
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| Madonna singles chronology | ||||
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| "Live to Tell" on YouTube | ||||
"Live to Tell" is a song by American singer Madonna included on her third studio album True Blue (1986), and the 1986 film At Close Range. A pop ballad with torch influences, its lyrics talk about deceit, mistrust and childhood scars. Originally conceived as an instrumental by producer Patrick Leonard for the score of Paramount's film Fire with Fire (1986), it was rejected by the studio, who deemed it unfit for the movie. Leonard then presented the track to Madonna, who decided to use it for At Close Range, which stars her then-husband Sean Penn. She wrote the lyrics, came up with a bridge and a few melodies of her own, and co-produced the track alongside Leonard.
In the United States, “Live to Tell" was released on March 26, 1986, in anticipation of the film's release in April; it also serves as the lead single for True Blue. In Australia and most European countries, the song's release date was April 14. Upon release, it was lauded by critics who applauded Madonna's vocals, and deemed it a highlight in True Blue. In retrospective reviews, it has often been referred to as one of her finest ballads. Additionally, "Live to Tell" was commercially successful, becoming Madonna's third number-one in the US Billboard Hot 100, and her first number-one on the Adult Contemporary chart.
The music video, directed by James Foley, shows the singer in a more demure, toned down appearance, inspired by actresses such as Grace Kelly, intercut with clips from At Close Range. Madonna has sung "Live to Tell" on four of her concert tours, the most recent being the Celebration Tour of 2023―2024. The song's performance on 2006's Confessions Tour caused controversy, as it had the singer hanging from a mirrored cross simulating a crucifixion; religious groups condemned the number as an act of hostility toward the Roman Catholic Church. Madonna responded by saying that her main intention with the performance was to bring attention to the millions of children dying in Africa. "Live to Tell" has been covered by a handful of artists, particularly for tribute albums.