Don't Try To Resist Me
With thanks to Francis Healy (whose Rapidshare page is full of crazy rarities) via this blog, here is Peter Rafelson's original demo for "Open Your Heart," pre-Madonna. 
It's fascinating to hear how different it was lyrically before Madonna's involvement—she definitely earned her credit on this one. This has never been one of my favorite Madonna songs (though I do like it), but it's probably been unfairly forgotten and could use a re-invention on the next tour. It certainly had one of her best videos, and I remember buying the 12" single at Genesee Valley mall in Flint, Michigan (maybe at a Coconuts?) and being ecstatic over the cover art.
Good thing Madonna doesn't surf the 'Net looking at blogs—it would seem every sound she's ever uttered in a recording studio has been leaked somewhere, which would drive a control freak like her nutso.
I don't believe GVM had a Coconuts "back in the day"... it was Record Town and Music World ...Now ask me why I remember that...
Posted by: John Logsdon | April 08, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Hey there hiv boys! Still warshipping your old has-been diva Madogna? How sad that Mariah is being hailed by the media as the record breaker of the week while Madogna's achievements on the top 10 (wow, who cares) go unnoticed. 18 NUMBER ONES!Madogna? Only 12. Looks like she'll have to buy another baby. lol
Posted by: madonaisold | April 08, 2008 at 07:29 PM
I knew you'd know. I can't remember which is was...it was the one deeper in. I can picture it. I usually bought stuff across the street at that one. Was THAT a Coconuts? And then the groovy little record store on the other side that was more alternative.
Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | April 08, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Wow to "madonaisold" ... it's sad that her fans are such animals. I think the diva vs. diva thing is stupid even though I at times perpetuate it. But "hiv boys?" I think her fans are even stupider than Mariah. I guess if you sing about butterflies to a group of people long enough their brains melt.
Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | April 08, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Matt--I was wondering if you've seen a clip from ITV's Headcases which CGIs celebrities & then parodies them (sort of like a CGI Spitting Image). The first show ended with a CGI Madonna (on YouTube here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ARVbcbxzhyw ) who turns out to be very, um, ballsy indeed.
Posted by: | April 09, 2008 at 07:48 AM
I forgot to fill in my info before sending you the YouTube link. Anyhow, I've been thinking a bit about the U of Chicago lately. I saw a Philip Glass (he was there in the 50s) doc here at the Philadelphia Film Festival over the weekend. Plus, if I had graduated ontime it would be my 25th reunion this year (not that I would go anyway). Maybe next year I'll go for me "real" (as it turned out) 25th. . .
David Bevington's coming to Philly next month to do a Harper Lecture on "Hamlet's 2 Fathers" or some such. Why can't we have you come to talk about Madonna instead?
Posted by: ciarán | April 09, 2008 at 08:44 AM
That Madonna clip is bollocks...literally! :0) Yes, I think Madonna is far more important than Hamlet and sings better, too.
Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | April 09, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Matthew,it should be one of your favorite songs. "Open Your Heart" was one of her best songs...EVER! That, along with "Vogue" and "Take a Bow".
Posted by: mark | April 11, 2008 at 10:05 PM
You know, I was doing a little bit of web searching about this and via an interview with Gardner Cole at madonnatribe.com and it is Jason Scheff of Chicago that is doing the vocal.
I swear, I learn something new about this woman's career every single day.
Posted by: Dan | April 12, 2008 at 11:38 AM