Madonna’s “Live to Tell” at No. 1 Today in 1986

Madonna reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the third time on this day 30 years ago with the pop ballad “Live to Tell” (1986). The hit also topped the Adult Contemporary chart for three weeks and was featured in the motion picture soundtrack of the crime drama film “At Close Range” starring Sean Penn, who at the time was her husband. Its lyrics revolve around trust issues stemming from her childhood and wounds left behind. Check out the music video and you will notice a more subdued appearance compared to what Madonna was generally known. She had previously starred with Penn in the British adventure comedy film “Shanghai Surprise” (1985) where she donned a Marylin Monroe-esque wardrobe, which she decided to preserve and incorporate in its production.