I've always thought this song to be not only the most beautiful song Madonna has ever recorded, but also an interesting paradox in the meaning.
At face value, the song is clearly about a young child who is abused by her father, who grows up and breaks free of the violence.
However, I like to read between the lines on things. I see this as also being about someone who is in an abusive relationship (much like Madonna's relationship with Sean Penn) and how much it echoes the same violence she received from her father as a child. She was not only physically abused by her father, but her lover is now treating her the same way. She is plagued by memories of the abuse she endured in her childhood. She was sure she had broken free of it, but only landed in the same situation as an adult.
@mikeygoestohollywood I don't think she means to note physical abuse from her father in the song or video but, of course, the video/lyrics does speak to child abuse big time. I think in context to Madonna, in the video, she is struggling with losing the connection with her father after her mother's death. He becomes angry and starts drinking; she in a way loses her father when she loses her mother. The broken relationship with her father leads to the abusive (emotionally and physically) relationship with the husband. In the end she is able to walks away from the relationship...
@mikeygoestohollywood I don't think she means to note physical abuse from her father in the song or video but, of course, the video/lyrics does speak to child abuse big time. I think in context to Madonna, in the video, she is struggling with losing the connection with her father after her mother's death. He becomes angry and starts drinking; she in a way loses her father when she loses her mother. The broken relationship with her father leads to the abusive (emotionally and physically) relationship with the husband. In the end she is able to walks away from the relationship with her husband while OR because of fixing the relationship with her father.
I've always thought this song to be not only the most beautiful song Madonna has ever recorded, but also an interesting paradox in the meaning.
At face value, the song is clearly about a young child who is abused by her father, who grows up and breaks free of the violence.
However, I like to read between the lines on things. I see this as also being about someone who is in an abusive relationship (much like Madonna's relationship with Sean Penn) and how much it echoes the same violence she received from her father as a child. She was not only physically abused by her father, but her lover is now treating her the same way. She is plagued by memories of the abuse she endured in her childhood. She was sure she had broken free of it, but only landed in the same situation as an adult.
Just my take on it.
@mikeygoestohollywood I don't think she means to note physical abuse from her father in the song or video but, of course, the video/lyrics does speak to child abuse big time. I think in context to Madonna, in the video, she is struggling with losing the connection with her father after her mother's death. He becomes angry and starts drinking; she in a way loses her father when she loses her mother. The broken relationship with her father leads to the abusive (emotionally and physically) relationship with the husband. In the end she is able to walks away from the relationship...
@mikeygoestohollywood I don't think she means to note physical abuse from her father in the song or video but, of course, the video/lyrics does speak to child abuse big time. I think in context to Madonna, in the video, she is struggling with losing the connection with her father after her mother's death. He becomes angry and starts drinking; she in a way loses her father when she loses her mother. The broken relationship with her father leads to the abusive (emotionally and physically) relationship with the husband. In the end she is able to walks away from the relationship with her husband while OR because of fixing the relationship with her father.