I Rise

Album: Madame X (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This delicate, empowering ballad is a song of resilience in which Madonna is encouraging her listeners to rise above adversity.

    I rise, I rise
    I rise up above it, up above it


    Madonna has endured many things in her life and she is offering words of support to those who are battling stresses. She explained that she wrote "I Rise" as a way of giving to all marginalized people who feel they don't have the opportunity to speak their minds.

    Madonna added: "I hope this song encourages all individuals to be who they are, to speak their minds and to love themselves."
  • Madonna quotes Jean-Paul Sartre during the bridge.

    Freedom's what you choose to do with what's been done to you

    Madonna previously used Sarte's quote on her unreleased song "Freedom," which was recorded for her Rebel Heart album and leaked in December of 2015.
  • The song's intro features a sample of Emma González, a survivor of the 2018 shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. She talks about how young people aren't widely respected in the world of politics.
  • Madonna wrote the song with Jason Evigan. The American producer previously collaborated with her on her 2015 single "Ghosttown."
  • The Pride Intro Radio Remix by Tracy Young won the Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording at the 2020 ceremony.

Comments: 1

  • Rabbit Bunny from Westminster MdI love I Rise! Thank you Madonna for writing I Rise and giving me a voice! Thank you for being my friend and loving me!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Butch Vig

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.