Madonna - Oh Father | REACTION | This Video Though...

[@ChrisW-17]

This is probably one of the most emotionally moving videos ever made. Stunning visuals and storytelling.

[@Francisco-xu8ef]

You stumbled onto a hidden gem. I feel like this song gives us a rare glimpse of the real Madonna.

[@santiagohardy2728]

Agreed. 100% agree. I recall seeing the video when it first premiered on MTV, i still have it on VHS in my archives. Every time i see the video, i wonder if her father getting angry with her for playing dress up with her recently deceased Mother's personal belongings actually happened.

[@FindingMadonna]

Props to the patron who recommended this one. It's one of my favorite Madonna songs and videos. There are two men in the video (her father when she's a child) and her husband/boyfriend when she's an adult. The father isn't physically abusive, just verbally and clearly grieving. The husband is physically abusive and while many think it's about her first husband Sean Penn, she's said he never physically abused her. But clearly it's inspired by both of those relationships, which is why she vaguely says it's about "male figures in her life." It's such a beautiful and powerful video. I understand why the song wasn't a pop hit (can you imagine hearing it on the radio??) but I think the video deserved and still deserves more attention. It's one of the best ever. David Fincher and Madonna are a match made in heaven (they even dated briefly).

[@rk41gator]

There is at least a third, the Priest (Father). "Father I have sinned." We might add a fourth......God? or perhaps, religion.

[@FindingMadonna]

@@rk41gator Definitely! There are always lots of layers to Madonna's writing. When people try to discredit her writing or say she doesn't write her stuff, they just don't know what they're talking about.

[@macey74]

@@rk41gatorthank you so much …. I always said there were four. You are the first person I know to put this into words.

[@jaquettajones]

The death of her mother at such a young age has always defined her. She has talked about a lot through the years. She comes from a large devout Catholic family. Have to assume her father was a repressed man so I am not surprised that he would not discuss this song.

[@JB-pl1iu]

It's a sin thar this song and video are so underrated compared to her other classics. It's a masterpiece.

[@JaDav40]

It broke a streak of 17 consecutive Top Ten hits for her going back 5 years, and I like it better than all 17 of them.

[@BSu-ym5mo]

FYI-The synthy intro is a continuation from the previous track “Dear Jessie,” a baroque pop lullaby.

[@myfriendisaac]

7:37 “You once had the power, I NEVER FELT SO GOOD!” 🔥💯😭 Madonna is brilliant!

[@williammaddox6363]

One of my all time favorites of hers. This entire album is amazing.

[@carriebizz]

I'm Australian and madonna was my first concert here in Melbourne Australia in 1993, I was 16. I love her music it means so much.

[@MiguelMikeLopez]

I loved the fact you made your research to understand the background ❤

[@murrayhonahni746]

She had just divorced Sean Penn when the album was released. In 1989. He was an abusive alcoholic. Till Death Do Us Part is also about the failed marriage.

[@jean-francoisdufour6109]

She was a genius. Still is.

[@mr29]

One of the most hauntingly beautiful videos ever made. Bravo to Madonna and David Fincher.

[@johnzarate9212]

This song is so emotional and amazing!!! The feels it causes is sadness and Triumph! Such a roller-coaster of emotions.

[@1aigrobe]

Very interesting that you check the facts about the song, thats in part why i like following your channel and listen to your comments!

[@SalvoG]

I appreciate that!

[@poeticsunsetescapes]

Totally agree. It's refreshing that he takes the time to get some sense of context. I've always read who writes, plays, sings, and produces, plus chart performance and inspiration! I could totally be his music-geek friend - and I'm proud of that 😅

[@sarasotarebel2445]

I really like that as well. So many other reaction channels make assumptions and ask questions, then wait for the viewers to respond afterwards. You don't see the results unless you go back and read the comments later. Who has time for that? The best thing in my opinion is to do the research up front so you can provide an informed opinion of the video and that results in a more constructive conversation with the viewers. SalvoG has the right formula for a reaction channel.

[@thekookooman1991]

I'm not a huge Madonna fan, but this song and video have always choked me up. The line "If you never wanted to hurt me, why am I running away?" hits hard.

[@pgko7123]

Another Madonna great ballad: "This Used to be my Playground" which was used in the movie, A League of Their Own.

[@rogethedogde]

She always did the best videos back in the day.

[@IDONTLIKEMONDAYS-w2h]

I rarely listen to Madonna but this song touches me. I recently filed for divorce after 34 years from a man who was terribly abusive to me and our kids.😢😢

[@darnell49]

🙏🏿❤️🙏🏿❤️

[@gozzywozzy485]

Best song ever. Decades have past and yet this song and video still move me. Masterpiece

[@jeffbartholomew1152]

I’m glad someone directed you to this one. Not many reactors get to this one and it’s one of her best imo

[@EAB82]

One of the most underrated singles and videos of all time. I love everything about this song.. visuals, vocals, and symbolism (the pearls dropping among others). I look forward to seeing you react to more of Madonna. She is no doubt the best story creators in her music videos

[@rk41gator]

"Why am I running away" is such an insightful question. Anyone who has been in an abusive situation, especially a child, runs away or at least feels uncomfortable when anger erupts even as an adult. They wrongly feel it is their fault ("Oh, Father I have sinned") but do not feel they have the power to correct or stop the situation. Much later in life, the fear continues and so the running away continues until the person realizes why and takes away the power. As stated in Ruiz's book "The Four Agreements", it is we who allow the abuse to become personal. We have the power to not agree with the abuser. Madonna's is such a powerful message,.

[@jonclingan193]

Madonna is legendary 13 UK number singles and 12 uk number 1 albums plus 2 number 2 albums. I went to the celebration tour in london last December it was awesome

[@manlymuscle2367]

I ❤the depth and detail you put into your reviews. I also ❤that you are so authentic - invested in the music and your followers. Most of all, I ❤ and appreciate your sensitivity and honest emotional reactions. You’re personality is beautiful - YOU are beautiful… and so very enjoyable to watch. It makes me happy. 😊

[@DestinyPifer]

One of my favorite songs because it relates to my own life. I grew up in an abusive household with an abusive father. So the song really hit me hard.

[@Kaia6485]

Madonna has always had the best videos. She really wanted to be a successful screen actress which never panned out but she truly shines when hiring the best directors of the time to make her music videos. They really are 5 min masterpieces. Her combination of music and video storytelling really made her a true artist well beyond her pop star status.

[@timothysassanella272]

Just as a note - she has a Golden Globe and other awards from Evita... and she was incredible in Evita.

[@vagnermw]

It snowed last night and I woke up thinking about this song and my father, who passed away almost two years ago… still moved by this song in 2024…

[@dalestark9505]

this is a masterclass in how to make a stunningly masterpiece of a video - matched with the equally brilliant song. still makes me tear up.

[@sasapejcin3568]

Song and video both masterpieces!

[@rk41gator]

Glad you take the time to think, but also share your emotions.......on to 100.000! (you deserve it)

[@joannetyndall3625]

My favourite track of hers.So sad x

[@kennethbarboza9406]

This song and video always makes me cry. It's a strong theme. We can notice how hard could be her childhood. Really awesome that way you review the info related to the video, album and lyrics, in order to understand the concept. Excellent! Greetings from.Costa Rica! 🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷

[@claudeghanimeh1728]

AMAZINGGGG REACTION 🌟 THANK YOU 👑

[@rowanmayfair9249]

This video and song are one of my faves. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe the same director did the Bad Girl video, and it is just as stunning. Two of my faves besides Human Nature.

[@ms.b9093]

David Fincher! He did Vogue too!

[@rowanmayfair9249]

@ms.b9093 YES!!! When you watch them the similarities are striking but they're still all different and beautifully shot. That photographers eye. All 3 of those videos are breathtaking.

[@marciodesouza2166]

A genius, a strong and emotional video, Madonna has this dramatic side, telling her own story! You don't see videos like this, only Madonna, the QUEEN of POP culture

[@darrellthorpe7654]

This video was directed by David Fincher, who later went on to direct the films, Alien 3, Seven, The Game, Fight Club, Panic Room, Zodiac, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo among other movies. He also directed Express Yourself & Vogue by Madonna, Janie’s Got a Gun by Aerosmith, Cradle of Love & LA Woman by Billy Idol, Freedom 90 by George Michael, Roll with It by Steve Winwood & Say You Will by Foreigner.

[@adrianoluz1108]

Wow I've never seen a reactor doing such a good research about the subject during the reaction, you're good! I really hope you do more Madonna, there's a lot to dive into her music and videos❤

[@jdemd1977]

Thank you for reacting to this video. I think it is one of her most highly underrated songs, especially when combined with the video. This was Madonna expressing the deepest pain of her life. If you ever get the chance to watch Madonna's groundbreaking documentary, "Truth or Dare," she discusses this pain, and you get to see Madonna's father and step mother show up to one of her concerts. There was definitely some tension there, but you also can tell Madonna craves her father's love and is trying to reconcile with her dad. From what I can tell, Madonna seems to have made up with her father since then. 💙👑

[@alxmrjr288]

I still get chills when I hear the strings

[@irina1296]

Please, do more Madonna reactions in the future. She's a very versatile, creative and unique artist!

[@gozzywozzy485]

It's interesting that you picked that particular line from the song "you didn't mean to be cruel, somebody hurt you too". After this line, the song actually transforms in a slightly different direction. This is when the electric guitars join the fray, and although the song still maintains its grieving retrospective nature, the tone shifts ever so slightly to a more uplifted approach, almost as if she is still hurting but now starting to heal - so musically we are on the upswing, and lyrically, she's hit a realisation. This song truly is magnificently crafted!

[@DeanTailor]

That Chester Kamen overdub was the last run of that tape, as it were. The first time was with the musicians while Madonna sang the vocal in the booth. The second time, she came about and gave everyone notes, did it again, and that's the take. They just overdubbed that guitar. Real music played by real musicians in the moment is why this sounds so good.

[@yannickratineau3943]

MASTERPIECE !

[@anthonyblakely399]

Madonna had many issues about men which that was the issues of her father. However, this song, along with other songs like "Papa Don't Preach, " that served as healing methods to her pains with her relationship with her father. If you want to know her issues just react to her songs. 😊😊😊

[@Mania28]

When I look back I’ll be able to say, you didn’t mean to be cruel, somebody hurt you too. This is the damaging cycle of abuse. Such a powerful lyric.

[@geli-anton]

A major artist and beyond

[@sirex02]

When you ignore the hype and negative press surrounding Madonna the mega star and deep dive into her catalog and see her as bonifide singer and musician. Respect! Request? Madonna live Hung Up/ A New Level. Pantera cover 2008 please!

[@blueeyes4910]

love this song and madonna music

[@ehuffnsd]

Madonna's mother Madonna Louise Fortin-Ciccone(whom Madonna was named after) was diagonsised with breast cancer when she was pregnant with her 6th child. Madonna and Silvo "Tony" Ciccone were told they could treat the cancer and kill the fetus or have the child but the cancer would progress and become terminal. after consulting their parish priest and bishop and elected to have the baby. Madonna Sr wrote a letter to each of her six children for them to read at the age of 30, the age Madonna Sr died. Madonna's 30th was aug 1988 the same time her marriage to Sean Penn ended. Madonna was moved by tje letter which inspired the recoeding sessions that became Like A Prayer dedicated to her mother who taught her how to pray. Madonna was 5 when her mother died. the scenes of her as a child are from her memory. she says her father was emotionally distant as all men in the 60s and strict were but not abusive some of the song is dramatic purpose. but the video handles the cycle of abuse with abused children often having abusive partners as it was rumored Sean Penn was abusive. the autobiographical is her mother's lips swen shut. the breaking of the pearls. Madonna and her father get along really well and in Life With My Sister, Madonna -Christopher Ciccone her younger gay brother said their father wasnt abusive but old school.

[@stevenalexander403]

G'day it's Steven from down under A beautiful and poignant song It's great that younger generations are enjoying the artistry of Madonna. ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF POP!

[@soilofk]

A MASTERPIECE!!!

[@riaanbehr7976]

Promise to try is even more beautiful. Such a gem. A very very sad song. I hope you will react to it ❤

[@timothydeweese6931]

David Fincher outdid himself on this video.

[@sassymess7111]

This was one of my favorites from her. Definitely about her life.

[@Guy-lo3ld]

Very good reaction. I'm glad you appreciated the track and video. 👍🏻

[@zanyzander]

One of her best ballads and a top 3 video of hers.

[@manlymuscle2367]

Madonna is…and will always be a genuine, legendary diva - singer, dancer, actress (despite not being so great & all the bad reviews). This song & video are extremely moving and powerful. Sadly, I can personally relate… except my terrible relationship was with my mother.

[@timothysassanella272]

Salvo! Maddona is a homegirl - she was born in Bay City, and called Detroit her home. Her local shows have been the best of show... ever. I worked for Ticketmaster for several years and saw most of the greats. Her shows... are the tops, so much better than you might expect.

[@kh2099-z5f]

Please do Madonna's FROZEN vid...

[@brentgunderson1349]

If you read the rest of the song description it explains the video more. It's all right there on original page you looked at, if you just kept scrolling another paragraph or two.

[@michaelwalker5257]

This one is on her Immaculate Conception collection of videos. An amazing counterpoint from the same collection is "Cherish", which hardly ever gets reacted to...but it's beautiful, truly beautiful, and will make you fall in love with Madonna. "Papa Don't Preach" (with Danny Aiello) is another great counterpoint from the same album.

[@marcoizaguirre8099]

Papa don’t preach is from True Blue. Cherish and this song are from Like a Prayer.

[@lufshpq]

My favorite Madonna song

[@bruceblakeslee2751]

David Fincher directed four Madonna videos: “Express Yourself (1989),” “Oh Father (1989),” “Vogue (1990),” and “Bad Girl (1992)”.

[@JoeTheLion1]

Maybe you know this, its directed by David Fincher- Fight Club, Girl Gone. Se7en, etc. He directed 4 of her videos and they were involved for a while. After directing Express Yourself, the most expensive video of the time, he wanted to film Oh Father. Later, she said “You wanted to make this video for the song and no one liked the song and I went to bat for you and now I have to make a video by Tuesday.” As Fincher explained, “I said, ‘What’s the song called?’ She said, ‘Vogue.’” Only a weekend to film the video that became one of her most known hits. I totally request/recommend you react to the last Madonna video he directed - Bad Girl

[@jackie_jrml]

Stunning song and video. Thank you for reacting to it. I appreciate that you take the extra time to learn and understand.

[@kevinrichards2230]

After her mother died when she was 8; she didn’t have a great relationship with dad who then married the nanny. Also explains her Baggage in future relayionships. She and her dad came to good terms as they both got older

[@Vertigotheatre1]

Keep the Madonna reactions coming.

[@escapingboredom6958]

This is a hidden gem

[@caranofarusoliveirasousafa844]

Madonna ❤

[@Peterrdee]

Brb just crying my eyes out

[@charlesr63]

All of the publicity around Madonna is about her controversial aspects but when you look a little deeper she’s extremely poignant in her work. I often resist watching this video because of the emotional aspect and symbolism. It’s so moving. She’s an amazing artist.

[@Rainbow-yh6ov]

What’s so moving about the beginning, and the music, is that the little Madonna is playing outside and inside he mother dies. That’s when the music changes. It IS directed as how her father’s drinking made him more abusive. The direction of this is BRILLIANT!!!!

[@luisalbertocalla6649]

Beautiful song and beautiful video. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@hansolo3504]

“Maybe someday, when I look back I’ll be able to say. You didn’t mean to be cruel. Somebody hurt you too.”

[@monikabeki6838]

Thanks so much for that Patreon request! A b-side song so important to me! When I was 11a I listened to it the first time. Same year I found out, that my father suffering from addiction wasn’t even my Father. My biological father also just didn’t give a fuck-Until he died! So this song and this album meant the world to me, made me feel understood and not alone! So even though I am not a big Madonna Fan, I will always love her for saving my ass from drowning!

[@MattJocks]

Promise To Try, about still trying to deal with her mother's death, also has a powerful video.

[@jluebs]

Promise to Try is in my top ten fave Madonna songs.... but for the record she didn't release the song or make a music video for it... the video you'll find is an excerpt from her Truth or Dare movie.

[@ingvarjensen1088]

If you had read further the Wikipedia article - the video is explained there! So just go ahead ;-)

[@lunablack3378]

madonna express yourself...die another day...take a bow...material girl...hollywood

[@Andrea.S.Alvey12]

It's what a lot of baby boomers grew up with. She with her father, me with my mother and evil stepfather, Michael Jackson with his monstrous father . . . I think some got by with lighter treatment, but yeah. It's generational. Children learn it from their parents and, unless they manage to break out of the cycle, they grow to teach it to their children. I'm not sure I like the song, which is a first for me. I don't think I can pinpoint exactly why I don't like it? Mostly I adore Madonna's music. So much talent in one human.

[@mayLibertyprevail1a]

The song has a "scattered" feel to it--probably to go along with the jumble of emotions it portrays. I think that's why it never felt quite right for me.

[@ch8989-dk6jd]

Bro this is the best song of Madonna ... sometimes tears drops from me to be the honest.

[@SuperQueenMadonna]

Y’all realize Madonna collaborated with the great director David Finch. Google his movies. He also did Vogue . She helped him get into movies

[@cheyenneburgess9717]

My favorite

[@todddepue681]

It should be noted that she and her father have had a very good relationship for many years now. As for never discussing this song/video with her....from what she has said they never really talk about her work or success. I doesn't seem like she's resentful of this in any way, but rather finds it grounding. She's one of 8 kids so I think he just never wants to be thought of as singling her out. He's always attended her concerts. Even this week, although he's in declining health, she posted a picture of them together at her show in Detroit.

[@senorgato70]

When Madonna released this song, I knew she no longer cared about her commercial success, not in a bad way. This song was clearly a deep, emotional song that wasn't a conventional ballad. This song, coupled with Promise To Try on the Like A Prayer album were so, so powerfully emotional. I love your reactions as you delve into more about the songs and the artist than surface level commentary.

[@onehealerone8954]

Wow, I forgot about this song❤

[@TheBlueDanube1]

To make more sense of the beginning, you have to listen to the album with Dear Jessi/Oh Father. It’s an amazing transition!

[@MrBfg586]

The music video was directed by David Fincher.

[@jamesr2164]

A trailblazer. Truly one of the last living musical legends (the 6th best-selling artist of all time; the top female), and that is why she is still to this day the best-selling female musical recording artist in history.

[@PDC1987]

She is the fourth best selling artist of all time, behind only the Beatles, MJ and Elvis. Please don’t tell me you’re using that ridiculous chartmasters website as a source. It is complete fiction and not related to a single charts company or certification house anywhere in the world.

[@JaysonSan-xp1zp]

That was great 👍

[@LesaLardner-Brown]

One of my fave Madonna tracks

[@AmyW-qo4se]

Never heard this one before. Learned something new about her. An interesting song and video. We learn something new too at times. Later

[@TheOGJLaw]

More Madonna!

[@AmyW-qo4se]

Never heard this one from her. Different, interesting & you learn something about her too.

[@zivb4100]

nice to see that someone whos not a fan got toched by this song too :)

[@carriebizz]

Also this song is my childhood with my stepdad

[@garycambridge5513]

This is a masterpiece video - it’s a shame it hasn’t been fully restored yet - she doesn’t seem to treat her videography with any care since uploaded to KZbin 😢

[@ivansuarez4754]

Oh, man, once you start reacting and analyzing Madonna's videos, you will never stop. She has a lot, A LOT, of great videos that tell amazing stories. She usually references classic films, paintings and even books in her videos. She does her homework. I saw you reacted to Like a Prayer (one of the best videos ever made). I can also suggest Frozen, Bedtime Story and This used to be my playground, just to start.

[@kiddoiam]

You should really watch her Bad Girl video. It will leave you speechless. Added bonus - Christopher Walkon

[@FindingMadonna]

The David Fincher videos are all great. So much going on in them.

[@rk41gator]

This is a powerful video addressing abuse. For another, you might look at Phil Collin's song and video for 'No Son of Mine' which also addresses family abuse.

[@sulleyk2064]

thank you for reviewing this vid/song. I say review because you seem to be relying on info about the song rather than actually providing you're own reaction. Wikipedia is great! However, it seems to be a substitute for your own reaction. Has SalvoG become a read Wikipedia reaction channel rather than your own reactions channel?