For me, I never read it as an actual playground. As many have mentioned, it is more about innocence and a comfort of being a child when you can run to somewhere or someone who can make it all okay. It's like your safe place. Being adult means that you have to rely on yourself seeing the persons or the things you love grow old and disappear. It always makes me cry when it gets to the part where she sings:
And why do they always say "Don't look back"?
Keep your head held high. Don't ask them why
because life is short.
Both the melody and the lyrics of this part are very emotional. It is sad because we all know it is true. The speaker is struggling to let go of the precious past, while everybody else seems to move on, saying there is no use in lamenting about it. The contrast between reason and sentimentality makes this song stronger and more realistic. Some feelings are not good for us, but we just can't help it. This is my favourite of all Madonna's songs because it captures the universal feeling of nostalgia in a simple and sincere manner.
For me, I never read it as an actual playground. As many have mentioned, it is more about innocence and a comfort of being a child when you can run to somewhere or someone who can make it all okay. It's like your safe place. Being adult means that you have to rely on yourself seeing the persons or the things you love grow old and disappear. It always makes me cry when it gets to the part where she sings:
And why do they always say "Don't look back"? Keep your head held high. Don't ask them why because life is short.
Both the melody and the lyrics of this part are very emotional. It is sad because we all know it is true. The speaker is struggling to let go of the precious past, while everybody else seems to move on, saying there is no use in lamenting about it. The contrast between reason and sentimentality makes this song stronger and more realistic. Some feelings are not good for us, but we just can't help it. This is my favourite of all Madonna's songs because it captures the universal feeling of nostalgia in a simple and sincere manner.