Tag Archives: Madonna

The Message Behind the Music-March 5

Posted on March 5, 2026 by expressyourself4him

Inspiration Behind Material Girl:

Madonna’s Material Girl was inspired by the rapid spread of materialism in the 1980’s. Although Madonna possessed an internal desire for luxury and wealth, she addresses the superficial nature of people giving expensive gifts for something in return. After graduating from high school in Rochester, Michigan, Madonna moved to New York City to follow her dreams. The success of Material Girl propelled Madonna to become a legendary female singer.

Biblical Application:

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,” Hebrews 13:4-5.

Exegesis of Material Girl:

Some boys kiss me, some boys hug me
I think they’re okay
If they don’t give me proper credit
I just walk away

Madonna doesn’t mind attention from the opposite sex. However, when she doesn’t receive a certain level of respect, she simply walks away.

They can beg and they can plead
But they can’t see the light, that’s right, that’s right
‘Cause the boy with the cold hard cash
Is always Mister Right

Madonna isn’t bothered by flattery or gifts. Yet someone with financial stability in his bank account is what Madonna is searching for.

‘Cause we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl

Living in New York City as an aspiring singer wasn’t easy for Madonna. Subsequently, she became a material girl living in a world full of materialism.

Some boys romance, some boys slow dance
That’s alright with me
If they can’t raise my interest then I
Have to let them be

Madonna enjoys dancing and romance. However, the guy she is looking for must be impressive or else she’ll lose interest quickly.

Some boys try and some boys lie but
I don’t let them play, no way, no way
Only boys that save their pennies
Make my rainy day

Madonna doesn’t have any patience for liars and players. She is looking for prudent and shrewd individuals who possess a vision for the future.

‘Cause they are living in a material world
And I am a material girl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl

Madonna had an intuition that material possessions would continue to climb in value, making this lifestyle hard to sustain.

Living in a material world
(Material)
Living in a material world
Living in a material world
(Material)
Living in a material world

This chorus drives home the foresight of being financially responsible.

Boys may come and boys may go
And that’s alright you see
Experience has made me rich
And now they’re after me

Life experiences have made Madonna popular and wealthy.

‘Cause everybody’s living in a material world
And I am a material girl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl

This journey as a material girl elevated Madonna into the category of rich and famous.

Living in a material world
And I am a material girl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl

Perhaps this repetitive chorus is meant to reinforce Madonna rise in pop culture.

A material, a material
A material, a material world

Once you reach this status of a material girl, the world expects you to stay here.

Living in a material world
(Material)
Living in a material world
Living in a material world
(Material)
Living in a material world

This became Madonna’s mindset.

Living in a material world
(Material)
Living in a material world
Living in a material world
(Material)
Living in a material world

Fame and fortune changed Madonna.

Final Thoughts:

As I entered high school, Madonna was seeking to become to next great female singer. Along the way to the top, Madonna continued to push the envelope in her lyrics and music videos. By the time I graduated from college, Madonna had gone off the deep end, losing touch with the Catholic girl growing up in Michigan. God gives human beings free will to do and live as they choose. Maybe, God willing, this prodigal daughter will come to her senses at some time before her singing career ends. As for now, Madonna has become the material girl from this song.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 82: Everything Changes

Posted on April 23, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When Kathy Troccoli arrived on the music scene, to me she became the Christian version of Madonna. Over the years, Kathy has amassed 18 number-one radio hits, 19 Dove Award nominations, 2 Dove Awards, and 3 Grammy nominations. What separates Troccoli from Madonna and other secular artists is her music ministry that is now approaching 30 years on stage, performing and touching lives.

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you], Romans 12:2.

Everything Changes was one of those cross over songs that you could hear on Christian and secular radio stations. While I never attended one of her concerts, I was touched by the message she shared on several different radio interviews. Being attractive, popular, and a Christian is rare to see in this day and age, but when you put your hope and faith in Jesus, anything is possible.

by Jay Mankus

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When the Fire Inside Flickers Out

Posted on July 20, 2015 by expressyourself4him

If you’re star gazing on a clear night, you might just catch a glimpse of a shooting star.  However, by the time you point in this direction to show others most vanish, flickering out before you can share this special moment.  This dying flame is reminiscent of individuals who lose their spark, joy for life.

And the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale, Revelation 6:13.

Madonna’s song Lucky Star, released in 1983, refers to the old adage of wishing upon a star.  Similar to Disney’s theme, both lyrics paint the picture of a fantasy world where your dreams come true.  Unfortunately, when your prince, princess or pot of gold never arrives, hope is replaced with doubt as stars of promise die out.

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever, Daniel 12:3.

When I was young, life was filled with great expectations, places to go, people to meet and mountains to climb.  Yet, every adult reaches a point in their lives when its hard to wake up.  Perhaps the life you envisioned hasn’t turned out as you thought.  Or in my case, the road I set out on has changed, leaving me dazed and confused.  Thus, when the fire inside flickers out its time to fall on your knees, open up God’s Word and pray for the Lord to raise you up on eagle’s wings to get you through the tough times.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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House of Horrors

Posted on May 8, 2013 by expressyourself4him

As I went to bed last night, everyone was talking about the horrific discovery within a house in Cleveland, Ohio.  With Breaking News alerts regularly appearing on the bottom of my television screen, the title House of Horrors became the obsession of cable news networks.  Like the Weather Channel drooling over yet another named winter storm, Fox News made it seem that nothing else in the world mattered.  Surrounding the house like vultures, scanning the area for another neighbor or friend of Ariel, Onil and Pedro Castro to interview live, this event became the latest media feeding frenzy.

While the full story is yet to be told, any case of child abduction, rape, sexual abuse and torture is one too many.  These 3 woman have been stripped of their innocence, violated beyond what anyone should ever endure and had their mind filled with nightmare images of this decade long ordeal.  Though the media is still looking for answers into the moral depravity of these 3 brothers, Hollywood has left a trail of bread crumbs to follow.

Copy cat crimes are nothing new, a pattern law enforcement have tackled for over a century.  At first glance, this appears to be similar to the case in Germany, exposed 2 years ago.  However, when you consider Americans have become like Romans 1:21-27, exercising freewill to chase after sexual fantasy’s, the actions of the Castro brothers don’t appear as irrational as first thought.  When you add increased sexual content within movies, immoral television shows and pornographic videos to this equation, 3 sexual predators are born.  In addition, George Michael pleaded for your sex in his lyrics of a song, Madonna crawled along a set like a pussy cat hoping to arouse you and modern day hip hop / rap stars continue to degrade women in their music videos.

For now, what’s done is done.  Nothing can take back the years stolen from these 3 women.  Yet, there are proactive steps one can take to help heal these wounded souls in Cleveland.  First, pray for Amanda, Michelle and Gina by name, asking God to cleanse their minds from the living hell they endured.  Second, you can fast for a day, going without food to either donate the funds you would have spent to these girls or seek the Holy Spirit for further areas of prayer each so desperately need.  Finally, keep your eyes open locally, so that something similar never happens again.  Follow the words of Colossians 4:2-6, staying alert so that future plots like this House of Horrors will be foiled before they ever begin.  Just do it!

by Jay Mankus

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