Mooncrown11 Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 Artwork by Yziik To have and not to holdSo hot, yet so coldMy heart is in your handAnd yet you never standClose enough for me to have my wayTo love but not to keepTo laugh, not to weepYour eyes, they go right throughAnd yet you never doAnything to make me want to stayLike a moth to a flame, only I am to blameBa ba da ba ba ba, what can I do?Ba ba da ba ba ba, I go straight to youBa ba da ba ba ba, I've been toldYou're to have, not to holdTo look but not to seeTo kiss but never beThe object of your desireI'm walking on a wireAnd there's no one at all to break my fallLike a moth to a flame, only I am to blameBa ba da ba ba ba, what can I do?Ba ba da ba ba ba, I go straight to youBa ba da ba ba ba, I've been toldYou're to have, not to holdYou're to have, not to holdYou're to have, not to holdLike a moth to a flame, only I am to blameBa ba da ba ba ba, what can I do?Ba ba da ba ba ba, I go straight to youBa ba da ba ba ba, I've been toldYou're to have, not to holdYou're to have, not to holdYou're to have, not to holdYou're to have, not to holdTo break my heart This song I feel often gets overlooked coming after the one-two punch of the beautiful ballads Frozen and The Power of Goodbye but it is also a stunning song. I find its seductive melody to be almost hypnotic. As with much of the ROL album, her vocal delivery is perfect - so warm and intoxicating , like a warm wave washing over you. The lyrics are also pretty interesting except I wish she would have chosen a line other than "like a moth to a flame" which in addition to being a cliche, was also featured heavily in Janet Jackson's "That's the Way Love Goes" earlier in the decade. But no matter, as the song is still gorgeous and a testament to her magical partnership with Pat Leonard and William Orbit who produced the track. Anyone else especially love the ending with her humming and the whispered "only I am to blame?" Gives me chills! What do you think of this song? Is it "to have" or "not to hold" for you?
dmoquinn Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 It's not a particularly standout track for me, but I do appreciate its smooth, almost spiritual tone that really cements its place in Ray of Light. I wouldn't really seek to play that song specifically when I'm listening to music, but I do like when it comes on.
Guest Rachelle of London Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 My fave song from Madonna! Love it! Love the demo! Love the lyrics! Love it all
Guest Rachelle of London Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 Mooncrown! All the songs you choose are my faves!
Flip The Switch Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 Whoop you love this song right? I remember that. Still a fav from the album. Frozen/TPOG/THANTH
nick00 Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 I always liked this track.....it's interesting & somewhat unusual. Good choice!
Mooncrown11 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Posted June 30, 2014 Mooncrown! All the songs you choose are my faves! Glad to hear that chellehighness - thanks for the feedback
Mistachristopha Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 best song on rol for me, skin a close second. and yes, love the demo as well
Raf Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 I love this song! Always have, it's one of my favorites from ROL. Question. Does anyone remember what does she whisper in the background? I remember it was explained in the Madonna Rising special, but can't remember what she said!
MPowered Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 I think it's fairly overrated, but I reckon that it's a good song. Never really cared much for it, but it has grown on me over the years. Very good production and I love the eerieness of the song. My favourite part is the little Shanti/Ashtangi sample somewhere near the end of the song. I think it could've PERFECTLY as an interlude if there had ever been a Ray of Light Tour.
Guest Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 another one of my faves!!!! great in every point....how she delivers the mood is incredible
Guest whatatramp Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 BAH BAH BAHD BAHH BAHH BAHH WHAT I CAN I DOOOOOO
s7ven Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 My fave song from Madonna! Love it! Love the demo! Love the lyrics! Love it all I'm with you, I love everything about this song.
Genevieve Vavance Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 I love it, it's my third favourite after Frozen and Shanti
Guest Rachelle of London Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 This is the song of life! It even caused the most drama in the elimination thread It's STUNNING!!!!!
Nonoka Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 Love it! My favourite part is the "like a month to a flame, only I'm to blame" part, the music kinda gets higher pitched at that point for a short time, don't really know how to describe it, but that's a lovely moment! Wish it would be a bit longer. But yep, great song overall too. Not as great as Skin or Sky Fits Heaven as far as non-single album tracks go, but those songs are absolute crown jewels anyway. This one's a small jewel!
RebelHart Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 didnt this track steal 'Has to Be''s spot on the album? this song is still great though very madonna with a slight latin flare to it...would have been nice in the latin section of DWT
Jazzy Jan Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 Beautiful song that also has a certain eerie atmospheric quality to it. Gorgeous vocals and production.
Humberto77rj Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 It has a downtempo samba throughout it. I love this song much!!!
whyme? Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 I was crazy for this song for a looong time. Used to play it on the piano too. It's so emotional and dark and mysterious!
Mooncrown11 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Posted June 30, 2014 My fave song from Madonna! Love it! Love the demo! Love the lyrics! Love it all Does anyone have a link to the demo version? I'm not sure if I've heard it and I can't seem to find it. Thanks!
Plaything Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 It's also one of my faves on ROL. I like it more than Power of Goodbye to be honest. I know it's probably not single material but I totally get lost in it, especially the last minute is gorgeous...kind of like a surreal painting and you just get lost in it. Has To Be should have followed it on the album instead of Little Star IMO.
Crystal Coffin Posted July 1, 2014 Posted July 1, 2014 Why is this woman so amazing? Her music fucks us.
le smoking Posted July 1, 2014 Posted July 1, 2014 It's been in my top 10 fav Madonna songs since I first heard it
Guest Rachelle of London Posted July 1, 2014 Posted July 1, 2014 Does anyone have a link to the demo version? I'm not sure if I've heard it and I can't seem to find it. Thanks! https://m.soundcloud.com/madonnagr/to-have-and-not-to-hold Used to be palates all over YouTube but has been removed
Mooncrown11 Posted July 1, 2014 Author Posted July 1, 2014 https://m.soundcloud.com/madonnagr/to-have-and-not-to-hold Used to be palates all over YouTube but has been removed Thanks a million chellehighness! I was looking for it on you tube! I think I may have heard it a long time ago but can't remember. Will listen when I get out of work . Thanks again
Mad_On_Her Posted July 2, 2014 Posted July 2, 2014 One of my favourites from ROL. Much, much much better than The Power Of Goodbye. I would have much preferred to see this as a single than that awful song
rocknrolla Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 One of my favorites off ROL my first thought was that I also prefer it to POG. It has a moody, downbeat vibe similar to a lot of the BS album, only I didn't really like a lot of those songs when I do this one for some reason. I tend to strongly prefer the songs on ROL that Pat was NOT involved with for some reason, but that's a whole different topic.
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