Frozen
Lyrics
You only see what your eyes want to see
How can life be what you want it to be
You're frozen
When your heart's not open
You're so consumed with how much you get
You waste your time with hate and regret
You're broken
When your heart's not open
Mmmmm, if I could melt your heart
Mmmmm, we'd never be apart
Mmmmm, give yourself to me
Mmmmm, you hold the key
Now there's no point in placing the blame
And you should know I suffer the same
If I lose you
My heart will be broken
Love is a bird
She needs to fly
Let all the hurt inside you die
You're frozen
When your heart's not open
Mmmmm, if I could melt your heart
Mmmmm, we'd never be apart
Mmmmm, give yourself to me
Mmmmm, you hold the key
You only see what your eyes want to see
How can life be what you want it to be
You're frozen
When your heart's not open
Mmmmm, if I could melt your heart
Mmmmm, we'd never be apart
Mmmmm, give yourself to me
Mmmmm, you hold the key
Mmmmm, if I could melt your heart
Mmmmm, we'd never be apart
Mmmmm, give yourself to me
Mmmmm, you hold the key
If I could melt your heart
Credits
Written by Madonna and Patrick Leonard
Produced by Madonna, William Orbit and Patrick Leonard
Keyboards and additional programming by Marius De Vries
String arrangement by Craig Armstrong
Additional arrangement by Patrick Leonard
Album
Single
This single kicked off Madonna's more spiritual Ray Of Light-era, inspired by Kabbalah and Lola's birth. Released on February 23, 1998, Frozen was critically very well acclaimed and became a #1 hit in the UK, Spain, Italy and Japan. Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On' kept it from the #1 spot in Canada, France and Germany. In the US it was certified Gold, but it peaked at #2, leaving the top spot to the forgettable 'All My Life' by K-Ci and JoJo. This made her the artist with the most #2 hits in the Billboard Hot 100.
In a Sp!n interview, Madonna discussed the production of the song:
"I was obsessed with the movie The Sheltering Sky and the whole Moroccan orchestral superromantic man carrying the woman he loves across the desert vibe. So I told Pat that I wanted something with a tribal feel, something really lush and romantic. When he started playing some music, I justed turned the DAT on and started freeassociating and came up with the melody."
In Belgium, the song was forbidden on radio and in stores by a court judge in 2005 because an unknown local artist Salvatore Acquaviva claimed it plagiarized a song he had written 20 years earlier. The ridiculous court decision was overturned in 2014.
In 2021, a short remix by Sickick took TikTok by storm. In December, Madonna teamed up with Sickick to officially release the remix on streaming platforms. In March 2022, the Sickick remix was updated with guest vocals by Nigerian singer Firebox DML and promoted with a new music video.
Video
Madonna and director Chris Cunningham went to the Californian Mojave desert to film this stunning video, which was inspired by the movie The English Patient and the work of Martha Graham. Madonna - in a black Gaultier dress and a black octopus wig - plays some kind of ice queen in the desert, who's left by her lover.
Her hands are painted with Henna tattoos (which would quickly lead to a new rage among youngsters). The special effects are amazing; Madonna changes into a dobermann or a bunch of crows. That's why, among other awards, the video was praised for 'Best Special Effects' on the 1998 MTV VMA's. There are also remix videos; the Stereo MC Mix and the Calderone Club Mix, with different parts and shots.
To promote the Sickick Remix, featuring Fireboy DML, Madonna made a new music video, directed by Ricardo Gomes. It was released on March 10, 2022.
On March 31, 2022, another remix video followed, again directed by Ricardo Gomes. It was set to the same Sickick remix, but now with guest vocals by 070 Shake.
Tour
On the Drowned World Tour Madonna wears a black & red Geisha-dress by Arianne Phillips, covering the stage with the 26ft-long sleeves. Frozen is the first song of the very theatrical Geisha-part of the show. After a very eastern-inspired group dance, it flows into the submission-domination game of Nobody's Perfect.
Frozen was the only Ray Of Light song performed on the Re-Invention Tour. Compared to the DWT, it is a very sober performance, with Madonna singing all alone on stage. The simplicity of the performance however accentuates her beautiful voice. On the screen there is a beautiful video called Flex by Chris Cunningham, showing two nude bodies in each others arms.
The big surprise of the 2009 leg of the Sticky & Sweet Tour was Frozen, which replaced Hung Up in the Futuristic Rave segment. Paying homage to the original video - which is displayed on the screen - the performance starts dark and slow, with a playful sample of the ditched Hung Up. Reminiscing the same choreography, Madonna is trapped in the cage of the circular screen.
But after two verses, a techno beat kicks in, releasing her from the cage. While only humming through the chorus, she gives strength to her fellow female dancers. Then the boys join Madonna in a choreography set to a sample of Calvin Harris' 'I'm Not Alone'. A vocodered interlude of Open Your Heart, which shares the same song theme, symbolizes the difference between man and woman. As Frozen kicks back in, Madonna brings boys and girls together in a final group dance.
Frozen was the surprise song in the Latin / Gypsy Segment of the Rebel Heart Tour on 4 shows (Detroit, San Jose, San Diego & San Antonio).
A full 10 years after Sticky & Sweet, Frozen got a place again on a tour setlist. Even more, critics and fans alike named it as a highlight of the Madame X Tour. Belgian choreographer Damien Jalet developed a gorgeous choreo for Madonna's daughter Lola and projected the dance on screen, while Madonna was visible behind.