Download "Live to Tell"
Live to Tell by Madonna
Release Date
Performed by
MadonnaAbout
“Live To Tell” is a haunting, emotional ballad that served as the lead single from Madonna’s third album True Blue. Released March 26, 1986, the song was also featured in then-husband Sean Penn’s film At Close Range, which premiered April 18, 1986.
The Patrick Leonard-produced song uses mostly synt...
Live to Tell Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I have a tale to tell
Sometimes it gets so hard to hide it well
I was not ready for the fall
Too blind to see the writing on the wall
[Chorus]
A man can tell a thousand lies
I've learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secret I have learned
'Til then, it will burn inside of me
[Verse 2]
I know where beauty lives
I've seen it once, I know the warm she gives
The light that you could never see
It shines inside, you can't take that from me
[Chorus]
A man can tell a thousand lies
I've learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secret I have learned
'Til then, it will burn inside of me
[Post-Chorus]
The truth is never far behind
You kept it hidden well
If I live to tell the secret I knew then
Will I ever have the chance again?
[Bridge]
If I ran away, I'd never have the strength to go very far
How would they hear the beating of my heart?
Will it grow cold, the secret that I hide? Will I grow old?
How will they hear? When will they learn? How will they know?
[Chorus]
A man can tell a thousand lies
I've learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secret I have learned
'Til then, it will burn inside of me
[Post-Chorus]
The truth is never far behind
You kept it hidden well
If I live to tell the secret I knew then
Will I ever have the chance again?
[Chorus]
A man can tell a thousand lies
I've learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secret I have learned
'Til then, it will burn inside of me
Live to Tell Q&A
Who wrote Live to Tell's ?
Live to Tell was written by Patrick Leonard & Madonna.
Who produced Live to Tell's ?
Live to Tell was produced by Patrick Leonard & Madonna.
When did Madonna release Live to Tell?
Madonna released Live to Tell on Wed Mar 26 1986.
What did Madonna say about "Live to Tell"?
Madonna commented on her new look for the music video:
After a while I got sick of wearing tons of jewelry—I wanted to clean myself off. I see my new look as very innocent and feminine and unadorned. It makes me feel good. Growing up, I admired the kind of beautiful glamorous woman—from Brigitte Ba...
Has this song ever been involved in controversy of any kind?
Yes. During her 2006 Confessions Tour, Madonna performed “Live to Tell” wearing a crown of thorns while hanging from a mirrored cross. This provoked the wrath of the Vatican.
Madonna then released a statement about it:
I am very grateful that my show was so well received all over the world. But t...