Rebel Heart

Lyrics

I lived my life like a masochist
Hearing my father say "Told you so, told you so!"
"Why can't you be like the other girls?"
I said "Oh no, that's not me"
"And I don't think that it'll ever be"

Thought I belonged to a different tribe
Walking alone never satisfied, satisfied
Tried to fit in but it wasn't me
I said "Oh no, I want more"
"That's not what I'm looking for"

So I took the road less travelled by
And I barely made it out alive
Through the darkness somehow I survived
Tough love, I knew it from the start
Deep down in the depths of my rebel heart

I've spent some time as a narcissist
Hearing the others say "Look at you, look at you!"
"Trying to be so provocative"
I said "Oh yeah, that was me!"
"All of the things I did just to be seen"

Outgrown my past and I've shed my skin
Letting it go and I start again, start again
Never look back, it's a waste of time
I said "Oh yeah, this is me"
"And I'm right here where I wanna be"
I said "Hell yeah, this is me"
"Right where I'm supposed to be"

So I took the road less travelled by
And I barely made it out alive
Through the darkness somehow I survived
Tough love, I knew it from the start
Deep down in my rebel heart

So I took the road less travelled by
And I barely made it out alive
Through the darkness somehow I survived
Tough love, I knew it from the start
Deep down in the depths of my rebel heart (my rebel heart)
In my rebel heart

Credits

Written by Madonna, Tim Bergling, Arash Pournouri, Salem Al Fakir, Magnus Lidehall and Vincent Pontare
Produced by Madonna, Avicii, Salem Al Fakir, Magnus Lidehall and Vincent Pontare
Guitars and keys by Salem Al Fakir
Bass by Joacim Ottebjork

Album

Rebel Heart (Deluxe)

Song

This song leaked online in November 2014. While the demo had a lot of influence from Avicii, the final version has been completely reworked. Avicii later said in an interview that he thought his demo was better than the final track.

Although it's the title track of the album, it only features on the Deluxe and Super Deluxe versions, not on the Standard album.

Tour

"Before I sing this next song, which is what my life seems to revolve around, I want to thank all of my Rebel Heart fans for supporting me for over 3 decades."  While the song is all about self-discovery, Madonna made its performance at the Rebel Heart Tour all about the fans. Singing and playing guitar on the heart-shaped stage, she leads the audience into a wonderful singalong, while the screen shows a diverse mix of fan art, showing off the wide creativity of Madonna fans, as well as their devotion for their idol.