If you watch the film clip in conjunction then the meaning becomes more apparent. Also knowing that Madonna's mother died of breast cancer when she was 8 years old also helps. Taking these factors into account, the song meaning becomes more apparent. Madonna wasn't abused as a child but she did in reality run from her father's extremely strict catholic upbringing when she got the chance. She and her father are estranged in real life. The song would suggest that he was simply cold after the death of her mother and that he ruled with an iron fist, but not abuse.
If you watch the film clip in conjunction then the meaning becomes more apparent. Also knowing that Madonna's mother died of breast cancer when she was 8 years old also helps. Taking these factors into account, the song meaning becomes more apparent. Madonna wasn't abused as a child but she did in reality run from her father's extremely strict catholic upbringing when she got the chance. She and her father are estranged in real life. The song would suggest that he was simply cold after the death of her mother and that he ruled with an iron fist, but not abuse.