I'm Shirtless

Image from Madonnalicious.

Madonna's "Celebrate" single is set to go to radio August 3, and—will wonders never cease?—she's actually figured out a way to dash off a video for it while touring. According to Madonnatribe, she showed up at a D&G party at Gold last night with a camera crew and was filmed dancing ("Celebrate"-ing) with her tour dancers until four in the morning. (The image reminds me of the glammed-up, white-girl shuffle we saw in Truth Or Dare.)

A Madonna friend who's heard the song was pleasantly surprised:

"Heard ['Celebrate'] at the weekend—it's fantastic. I think [Madonna fans are] all gonna be impressed. It has a great pop melody, very summery with a kinda 'Holiday'-esque but  more upbeat vibe, she sings all the way through it so no rent-a-rappers, no long instrumental breaks or anything and a very, very catchy chorus. There's a funny spoken bit in the middle where she says something along the lines of, 'You look better with your shirt off,' which may explain all this silly 'take your shirt off' stuff she's been doing at the shows."

(This could lead to Madonna's own Evatastic "shirtless ones.")

Sounds like Madonna is ending her Warner years with a classic pop feel-good tune, forsaking the urban elements of Hard Candy and perhaps even the club edge of Confessions. It's a fine line between genius simplicity (Britney's "Toxic," Lady GaGa's "Just Dance") and Forrest Gump simplicity, so hopefully this will be more of the former than the latter.

After the hits album, coming in September, I'll be expecting...demanding...a deeper kind of Madonna record a la Like a Prayer and Ray of Light or some kind of an I'm Breathless/Evita curveball.

Partial lyrics are said to be very "Holiday"-esque (after the jump)...

"Celebrate" by Madonna

When the world's got you down
And there's trouble all around
You can stand up
You can stand up and say
I'm not gonna let it get the best of me

And when your love falls apart
You've got a broken heart
You can make it
You can make it all go away
Just follow me and you will see

CHORUS:
We all need a celebration
Celebrate
Celebrate
Let's join hands across the nation
Celebrate
Celebrate
Come together
Live forever
Celebrate
Celebrate
Celebration

Comments

[Ventura]

Very Lookin fwd to the single n possible video.

[Heph]

I like the lyrics, very simple but life affirming.

Yes, Matt I was hoping for a deeper album too. What with the betrayel of Christopher, the demise of her marriage, the Malawi adoption circus and turning "fitty" there is enough introspection for a double album.

I would really love a Pat Leonard collaboration. I think I´m yearning for an almost unplugged album with a strong focus on melody - no distratcions. She can always get the DJ´s into remix them for single´s. I would like to hear some ballads too and heare her exercise her vocal abilities.

But who know´s what her next project will be after the Greatest Hits. Perhaps directing another movie?

One thing is for certain the woman needs a good long vacation from it all.

P.s The catwalk in the Metropole looks spectacular. Not so keen on the leopard print dress she was sporting. Reminds me too much of the mid 1995-6s and of The Flinstone´s lol.

[denis]

hmmm.. I seriously hope those lyrics turn out to be fake. What's with the line from "History?" Anyway, I don't think Madonna has been entirely successful in recreating the fluff, simple lyrics from her first album. When she does, it invariably sounds kind of false to me.

I thought she looked pretty fab at the party...

[Ben]

I'm just glad she's putting a little effort into a video. And if she films at a party danicng...she'll look good. I wonder if Rissman or Klein is directing?

Those lyrics...eek.

And were there photos from this party online or was denis in attendance?

[John]

LOVE the lyrics...I can use this type of song now...great!!

[Alistair]

Matt - I heard the song last week and I can definitely tell you it's very classic M. Upbeat, non-stop dance, party, club song. Her voice sounded great. I only heard it once but I liked it alot immediately...as for the lyrics, I don't know if the ones you have posted above are really accurate. But then again, I only heard it once...

[Tomi Luka]

Regarding the next album...

I too would appreciate another Pat Leonard sighting, and deeper Like A Prayer/ROL kinda stuff. However, I don't think she'll do it anytime sound, 'cause she's been fighting the Adult Contemporary ghetto for a while, so I find it unlikely. I think she'll continue struggling to 'sound' younger.

Also, she's been flirting with punk-rock and "Latin" sounds for a while, how come she doesn't do an all-out record in either of these styles?

[Charley]

I've said this in the MadonnaTribe forum before, but I would love for her to hook up with producer Rick Rubins, as she has flirted with the more rock sounds at times during the past few albums.

[joe]

confirmed lyrics from Mtribe, not sure about the ones you posted Matt.

boy u got a reputation
but u gonna have to prove it
i see a little hesitation am i gonna have to show you
that if it feels right, get on your marks
step to the beat boy that's what it's for

put your arms around me
when it gets too hot we can go outside
cos from now just come here, let me whisper in yr ear
an invitation to the dance tonight

[kenneth]

Sounds right up my ally, although I have to say, that actually IS the principal lyric of "Holiday"!!!

(You can even sing it to the tune ...)

[EMB]

As long as it doesn't sample Kool and the Gang, I'll be happy...but if I hear one "C'mon!" or "Wah-hoo!" it'll be regulated to the skip pile (like Can't Stop, Don't Stop and American Pie.)

[daniel]

I like the lyrics even if they are not the real ones... they are simple and express the current moment of madonna's life when she says "And when your love falls apart /You've got a broken heart / You can make it", she may still feel something about her divorce. and the news about the video really excite me: madonna dancing in some sequences and her fans doing their thing in some parts of it, it looks like the vid will be great!!!

[Philippine Diva]

did she just say "Madonna" on her song? well anyway, what a great thing to end the contract with Warner, "CELEBRATION", she started it with HOLIDAY, she's ending still to celebrate.

another number 1 dance hit!

and with Live Nation, I wish she'd hook up again with Pat Leonard, I miss her Pop days.

i wish she'd collaborate with Mary J Blige and Coldplay!