BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986
“Live to Tell” is the lead single from American singer Madonna’s third studio album True Blue (1986). Originally composed by Patrick Leonard for the score of the film Fire with Fire, the instrumental was shown to Madonna, who decided to use it for then-husband Sean Penn’s film At Close Range. Madonna wrote all the lyrics, co-composed the melodies, and co-produced it with Leonard. The song was released as the lead single from True Blue on March 26, 1986 by Sire Records.
A pop ballad, the song includes instrumentation from guitars, keyboards, drums and a synthesizer, and its lyrics deal with deceit, mistrust and childhood scars. It is also about being strong, which Madonna recalled in an interview that she thought about her relationship with her parents, while writing the lyrics. The music video, directed by James Foley, shows Madonna’s first image makeover, featuring her with a cleaner look, shoulder-length wavy golden blond hair, conservative wardrobe and subtle make-up. This toned down blond appearance was inspired by Marilyn Monroe, a performer Madonna had previously been influenced by.
“Live to Tell” was generally well received by music critics, who frequently referred to it as the best ballad of her career. It was also a commercial success, becoming Madonna’s third number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and her first number-one on the Adult Contemporary chart.
“Live to Tell” was released in the United States in March 1986. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 49, reaching the top position eight weeks later, where it remained for one week. It became Madonna’s third number-one single in the US, and her second number-one that is featured in a film after “Crazy for You”. The song was a crossover success, topping the Adult Contemporary chart for three weeks, and peaking at number three on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart. In Canada the song debuted at number 79 of the RPM singles chart in April 1986, and reached the top of the chart for two weeks in May 1986, staying on the chart for a total of 23 weeks, It was ranked at the second position of the 1986 RPM Singles year-end chart.
In the United Kingdom, “Live to Tell” was released on April 21, 1986. The next week, the song debuted at number ten on the UK Singles Chart, peaked at number two, and stayed 13 weeks on the chart. It was held from the top spot by Falco’s “Rock Me Amadeus”. “Live to Tell” was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in May 1986, for shipment of 250,000 copies of the single across the United Kingdom. According to the Official Charts Company, the song has sold 280,000 copies in the UK.
Across Europe, “Live to Tell” topped the Eurochart Hot 100 for two weeks, and the singles chart in Italy,[35] as well as peaking inside the top ten in Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland.[36][37][38][39] It was also certified silver by the Syndicat National de l’Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for shipment of 250,000 copies in France.
SIDE A:
Live To Tell (LP Version) 5:50
SIDE B:
Live To Tell (Edit) 4:37
Live To Tell (Instrumental) 5:49
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Live To Tell | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1986 | Live To Tell | U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | #1 |
| 1986 | Live To Tell | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play/Maxi-Singles Sales | #3 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – 0-20461, Sire – 9 20461-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, SRC pressing
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Downtempo, Synth-pop, Ballad
CREDITS:
Design – Jeri McManus
Engineer, Mixed By – Michael Verdick
Photography By – Herb Ritts
Producer, Written-By – Madonna, Pat Leonard*
NOTES:
From the forthcoming Madonna album on Sire Records and from the Orion Motion Picture “At Close Range”
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Mullard 12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tube Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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