Madonna hints at being in love again at 60 as she finally unveils new single Medellin after four year wait
IT has been four long years of waiting for Madonna’s legions of dedicated fans. But today she finally unveiled the music she’s been working on behind closed doors after becoming a virtual recluse in Portugal — and it’s a major reinvention which promises to divide opinion but, of course, demand attention. The Queen of Pop […]
IT has been four long years of waiting for Madonna’s legions of dedicated fans.
But today she finally unveiled the music she’s been working on behind closed doors after becoming a virtual recluse in Portugal — and it’s a major reinvention which promises to divide opinion but, of course, demand attention.
The Queen of Pop released single Medellin online at 5pm tonight, a reggaeton-inspired duet with rising Colombian star Maluma in which she hints at being in love again at 60.
It’s clear she still feels as youthful as ever, with lyrics — in full below — telling how she “took a pill and had a dream” about going back to her youth and feeling 17 again . . . the age she landed her first big break.
Medellin, named after Maluma’s home town, also reveals Madonna’s softer side, as she hints at having to let go and accept fate. She sings: “I took a trip that set me free, forgave myself for being me.”
A striking new shoot to accompany the release sees Madge in a wedding dress-inspired gown and veil — paired with a rhinestone cowboy hat while smoking a cigar.
Not a look for everyone, but somehow it works.
Medellin is the first track from upcoming album Madame X, which has a bonus tracks deluxe version and will see Madge unveil her new Madame X character who she describes as “a professor, a head of state, a prisoner and a prostitute” — among a host of other things.
On the new track with Maluma she said today: “I met him backstage at the (MTV) Video Music Awards and he was very sweet.
“The next day he sent me flowers and said what a great honour it was to meet me.
“Then I heard from his manager that he wanted to collaborate with me so I started listening to his music more closely, all the reggaeton that he does, and thinking, let’s do something slightly different but which still has a connection to the music that he makes and is still also connected to Madame X.”
‘I FOUND MY TRIBE’
The track — which left me flat at first but grew thanks to a catchy latin feel — looks set to be a summer smash, with fans gushing and rave reviews from critics.
A track-listing for the rest of the album, which has merchandise including a £12 red Madame X eyepatch, reveals titles including Dark Ballet, God Control, Killers Who Are Partying and I Don’t Search I Find.
Madge added on Wednesday: “Lisbon is where my record was born. I found my tribe there and a magical world of incredible musicians that reinforced my belief that music across the world is truly all connected and is the soul of the universe.”
On Wednesday next week she will appear in London to unveil the accompanying video on MTV, with industry insiders saying it will be typically eye-catching and controversial.
To quote Madge — she’s well and truly back, b*tches.
What she is saying
HERE’S what I think the Queen of Pop is singing about in her new single . . .
Lyrics: One two one two one two cha cha cha One two two one two one cha cha cha
Meaning: This is Madonna introducing herself as one of her new personas, the Cha-Cha instructor, to fans.
Lyrics: I took a pill and had a dream (me too)/ Me too I went back to my seventeenth year/ Allowed myself to be naïve (tell me)/To be someone I’ve never been (I Love)/Love it!
I took a sip and had a dream/And I woke up in Medellin (you like)/You love it/The sun was caressing my skin (I Love)/Another me could now begin
Meaning: Madonna hints at being in love again at the age of 60. She insists she feels as youthful as ever admitting to taking drugs and going back to her youth when she first emerged on the scene.
Lyrics: Sipping my pain just like champagne/ Found myself dancing in the rain with you/I felt so naked and alive (show me)/For once I didn’t have to hide myself
Meaning: Madge is showing off a new, softer side and lets her hair down and goes with the flow.
Lyrics: If I fall in love/If you love and we stay there, no, no, Mommy, because mommy got married. We built a cartel just for love/ Venus was hovering above us I took a trip that set me free/ Forgave myself for being me
Meaning: Her comeback track also seems to hint at Madonna’s openness to finding love again and Maluma croons in Spanish about wooing her.
READ ON FOR MORE OD SIMON BOYLE’S BIZARRE COLUMN
Pint with an ‘Ed on it
ED Sheeran has a pub on his sprawling Suffolk estate – and now he’s got his own booze to drink there.
Japanese company Konishi has created two beers inspired by the superstar singer and named after him ahead of Ed’s gig in Osaka on April 23.
The Ed Sheeran Junmai Ginjo is themed around his red hair and tastes “orange and tangy”.
And the Ed Sheeran Sparkling Sake, is billed as being as “mellow and charming” as him.
His face is on the bottles too.
I’d still go for the booze US boyband Hanson created, which they called MMMHops after hit 1997 single MMMBop.
Id vid will go down a Stormzy
STORMZY will be racking up views on his comeback video – as I can reveal he has got Idris Elba to star in it.
Being shot this week, it will be for his first new music in two years, and getting Idris on board is bound to make a splash.
A source close to the grime MC said: “Stormzy is a fan of Idris’ work and they know each other through the industry.
“He is really close to launching his return and is doing the video over the next few days.
“He has always loved Idris’s work and he is raring to go with this video because he knows his fans will love it too.”
London-born Stormzy was a big winner at last year’s Brit Awards and made history in 2017 by becoming the first grime artist to land the No1 spot in the UK album chart, with his debut Gang Signs & Prayer.
It’s a hard act to follow but Hollywood star Idris has been working hard on his music career for years and last week played a DJ set at Californian festival Coachella.
He can give Stormzy some advice for his headline slot at Glastonbury in June, then.
Mabel marvel
WHEN you look this good, it’s no wonder Mabel demands people “Don’t Call Me Up”.
This snap features on the cover of her album, High Expectations, out July 12.
The Brit said: “It’s about the expectations I have of myself, other people’s of me and vice versa. I want to send a positive message to everyone.”
Shawn Mendes review, O2 Arena, London
★★★★☆
IF there were any doubts about Shawn Mendes’ talent, they evaporate when he performs live.
The Canadian singer is only 20 but he was captivating on stage for the first of three nights in London on Tuesday.
Bouncing from more recent soft rock songs such as In My Blood and Mercy to pop hits including Stitches was effortless – and the 20,000 fans there gave their approval with deafening screams.
His mum Karen, originally from Somerset, flew in for the show and was joined by several members of his family, who still live on this side of the Pond. Referencing them on stage, Shawn said: “I’ve got so much family here in the crowd tonight, I love you so much.”
He came alive as he performed tracks from his three studio albums and proved he has the voice to carry even bigger songs.
Make no mistake, Shawn is here to stay.
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