Customer Reviews

Open Your Heart / White Heat

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Open Your Heart was the fourth single of five to be released from Madonna's multi-million selling No.1 third album True Blue. Released in the UK in December 1986, the song peaked at No.4 in the UK where it spent only 9 weeks on the chart and was the lowest charting single from the album. The song is criminally underrated because of this and deserved a lot more attention around the time of its release. It did, however, go to No.1 in the US, becoming her fifth US No.1 single.

Open Your Heart opens with a brassy and epic traditional pop beat that drives like the wind, setting the scene for the subject of the song and the mood it portrays. This beat is sparkly and instantly recognisable as one of Madonna's most unusual, before it dims down as Madonna begins her singing. "I see you on the street and you walk on by. You make me wanna hang my head down and cry. If you gave me half the chance you'd see, my desire burning up inside of me. But you choose to look the other way," sings Madonna. Her target is focused and she's determined to win over this man who obviously likes her but refuses to make a move. Madonna is taut and determined in her ways of persuasion. She's taking no rubbish and wants him to see sense. Madonna then goes on to sing a great bridge and an even more fantastic chorus. She then begins her second verse. Her determination seems to increase in this second verse, until she's telling us exactly what she'll do to get this man in the bridge, "Well I've got something to say. Don't try to run, I can keep up with you, nothing can stop me from trying, you've got to..." And then she goes into the second chorus with its classic lines, "Open your heart to me, baby. I hold the lock and you hold the key. Open your heart to me, darlin'. I'll give you love if you, you turn the key." The song carries on with its fabulous chorus as the song gradually fades out with Madonna's determination seemingly decreasing as it seems to be working on the man she's going after.

The video to Open Your Heart is brilliant. It opens with a young boy trying to sneak into a peep show of whom Madonna is the star. He is refused and has to wait outside until Madonna has finished her act. We finally get to see Madonna on a chair in her legendary conical bra - first with a black wig, before revealing her true bleached-blonde hair that dominated all but one (La Isla Bonita) of the videos from the True Blue album. All in all, Open Your Heart is a fantastic song with a brilliant video to match - another Madonna classic!

This single contains a 10 minute long remix of Open Your Heart. This remix version is one of the best remixes I have ever heard. If you don't have it, you're really missing a great remix.

This song takes my breath away it is so excellent. How can some people not relate to this? I certainly can. You like a guy but he doesn't notice you. The beat is thrilling, the lyrics rock, Madonn's voice sounds great. I love you soooo much, Madonna!

Length:: 0:23 Mins

Having followed Dame Madonna since 'Holiday' I am one of those updating their collection to CD, 'Open Your Heart' (this version) is totally 80's and therefore fantastic. It's the 'Hey....are you gonna go out with me or what....scared o' me or something' towards the end that cements it for me as an 80's Madonna lover (and as I was verging on puberty at the time,yes I was!). I had it on vinyl as a child but it had been consigned to the loft long ago due to the digital revolution, but it is the welcome return of a much under-rated old friend. I know people knock 80's overdubs but in their place they did good! although this is one of the longest remixes I owned as a kid, it still is one of the best for nostagia (even though then it was ahead of it's time)I really would recommend this to anyone that likes pop music.

This Madonna cd features 2 remixes of "Open Your Heart" . The first mix is the vocal 12" mix (10:35) and is too long and should have been around 6 or 7 minutes long.That is my only complaint of the cd . The Dub Mix is 6 1/2 minutes and shows that a shorter tighter mix works best. This song was the first Madonna track that went to number one when I began tracking Billboard's club charts in late 1986. She had a few before "Open Your Heart" and many after it(27 #1's in all)so you can trace her progress of her career from song to song. Some songs are classics and some are not ("Hanky Panky -not)--this remix is close but way too long,

Great remix of Open Your Heart! Not much different than the original but has an extra rhythm to it and additional lyrics. The dub isn't much different than the extended dance mix. If you're looking for a cheaper way to get this mix, buy the La Isla Bonita single, which is still rather cheap and in print!

why white HEART ? is not white HEAT ?

There is an exploration of the existential in Madonna's work now that shows a definitive maturity. I think that the ability that sets Madonna apart the most is not simply being someone who manipulates media well but in truth two things: One, she's not a big fan of TV or indulging in the media, beign a puppet to it in watching it. Two, Marianne Williamson talks about that people who become legends do so because they tap into the concept of what the human consciousness is available to, needing to develop and that rings within all of us. It is that work that interests the rest of us.

Another classic LP I HAVE ON MY ROOM WALL. OPEN YOUR HEART IS MY 2ND MOST FAVORITE MADONNA SONG.. BUY IT. OR JUST GET THE WHOLE TRUE BLUE ALBUM.