Song of the day: Frozen

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



It was with this single that Madonna turned into the Ray Of Light-era, which would be an important turning point. Released in February 1998, it showed Madonna's new style, inspired by the Kabbalah. Critically very well acclaimed, it 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.

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

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'/'The Sheltering Sky'. 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.



On the Drowned World Tour Madonna wears a black & red Geisha-dress by Arianne Philips, 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.