Swap out the backbeat and “Hung Up” could be a playful teenybopper tune from any era about a smitten girl waiting for a boy to call. Far deeper are the existential issues raised by “How High.” On that cut, Madonna questions her old Material Girl priorities, pondering the meaning of life and the legacy she’s leaving behind. Forward motion and healthy risk-taking are the focus of “Jump,” which calls family a dependable safety net. “Get Together” exposes love at first sight as an illusion. A terrific picture of friendship, “Push” thanks someone who spurs on the singer to greatness (“Every race I win, every mood I’m in/Everything I do, I owe it all to you … because you push me”). Spirituality ranges from Hebrew chanting on a track about Genesis 22 (“Isaac”) to songs about a sweet hereafter (“Let It Will Be,” “Future Lovers”), however …
Madonna’s much-publicized zeal for Kabbalah makes it difficult to interpret references to God any other way. “Like It or Not” features the disc’s only overt sexual reference (“I’ll be the garden, you’ll be the snake/All of my fruit is yours to take”). Elsewhere she blurts, “If you don’t like my attitude then you can F off” (“I Love New York”).
Madonna’s spirituality is off-kilter, but it has the artist re-evaluating her hedonistic past and asking important questions about life. Despite a couple of gaffes, her pulsating Confessions ranks with Music and Ray of Light as lyrically strong entries in her discography.
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.
