Open Your Heart

"Open Your Heart" is the fourth single by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her 3rd studio album True Blue and was released on November 12, 1986 by Sire Records. It later appeared remixed on the 1990 compilation album The Immaculate Collection.

Song information

The song was produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard. Although a huge hit in the U.S., peaking at #1, Madonna could only reach #16 in Australia with "Open Your Heart", breaking a run of nine consecutive Top 10 singles.

The song was the opener for the Who's That Girl Tour in 1987. Madonna also performed the song on her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour. She hasn't performed the song live with vocals since then, only using it as a brief musical interlude on her 2001 Drowned World Tour.

Open Your Heart was originally a rock/pop song that had been written for Cyndi Lauper, although it was never played to her. The Temptations expressed interest in the song, but did not record it. In the meantime, Madonna recorded it, altering lyrics and, along with Patrick Leonard, adding a bassline which turned the song into a rock/dance track (rather than the original rock/pop track). The song was the first recorded for "True Blue" in late 1985. The Temptations' management decided that they wanted to record the song after all, but upon hearing that Madonna had already recorded it, changed their mind.

Despite being originally written in English, a Spanish version of the song titled "Abre Tu Corazón" was recorded by Venezuelan rock singer Melissa (originally born in Peru, Melissa moved to Venezuela at an early age), who released it in March 1986 on her "Melissa III" album. Considering Madonna first released the song on the "True Blue" album three months afterwards, Melissa's "Abre Tu Corazón" can be considered the first released version of the song, although it is possible that Madonna's version (for which she received a co-writer's credit) was recorded first.

The Extended Version of the song features extra Madonna vocals where she says: "Well, are you gonna go out with me or not? What's the matter, you scared of me or something?"

The song appears in the opening of the 2002 film Crossroads. Britney Spears' character lip syncs in her room with a brush in her hand, pretending it's a microphone. A Madonna poster is visible during the scene.

Music video

In the music video which was shot at Echo Park in Los Angeles, California, Madonna portrays an exotic dancer who befriends a young boy, played by a child actor/dancer Felix Howard.[1]. This video was originally to be directed by Madonna's then-husband Sean Penn, but in the end the final honours went to Jean-Baptiste Mondino, who went on to work with Madonna on her videos for "Justify My Love" (1990), "Human Nature" (1995), "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" (1996), "Don't Tell Me" (2000) and "Hollywood" (2003).

The video was also nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards. The video has been described as paying homage to Liza Minnelli as the character Sally Bowles in the Bob Fosse-directed film musical Cabaret.

Madonna also decided to use one of her favorite artists work in the video, Tamara De Lempicka. Groups were outraged at the use of a minor entering a strip club and sharing a kiss with Madonna at the end. Madonna described the video as a statement about innocence.[2]

This video was ranked #37 on VH1's 50 Sexiest Video Moments.

• Director: Jean-Baptiste Mondino
• Producers: David Naylor, Sharon Oreck
• Director of Photography: Pascal Lebegue
• Production Company: O Pictures

Tracklistings and formats

• US 7" Single

1. "Open Your Heart"
2. "White Heat" (LP Version)

• US 12" Single

1. "Open Your Heart" (Extended Version)
2. "Open Your Heart" (Dub)
3. "White Heat" (LP Version)

• UK 7" Single

1. "Open Your Heart" (Remix)
2. "Lucky Star" (Edit)

• UK 12" Single / UK Limited Edition 12" Picture Disc

1. "Open Your Heart" (Extended Version)
2. "Open Your Heart" (Dub)
3. "Lucky Star" (Full-Length Version)

Official Versions

• Album Version (4:18)
• Extended Version (10:37)
• Remix (3:59) Vinyl/Tape Only
• Dub (6:42)
• Video Version (4:25)
• Remastered Version from The Immaculate Collection (3:51)
• Rafelson Writer's Demo (3:59) Unreleased

Charts

Chart	Peak Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay	1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales	2
U.S. Billboard Club Play	1
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	12
Australia	16
Belgium	4
Canada	4
Chile	1
France	24
Germany	17
Ireland	2
Israel	1
Italy	5
Japan	1
Netherlands	7
South Africa, Republic of	8
United Kingdom	4
United World Chart	1

Cover versions

• The Madonna tribute compilation Virgin Voices II contained a cover by Israeli singer Ofra Haza.
• A dance version was recorded by the group Mad'House for the album Absolutely Mad.
• A hi-NRG dance version was recorded by Who's That Girl for the album Exposed.

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