Turn Up the Radio

Album: MDNA (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Its refreshing to learn that in this age of iPods and the internet, when our Pop Queen wants to escape, she still gets in her car, and turns on the radio full blast. "When the world starts to get you down and nothing seems to go your way… turn up the radio," she sings over the Martin Solveig produced beat.
  • We hear Madonna singing in this song of how she's "sick and tired of playing this game." It's not the first time she's complained about the games we play. On "Cherish" she croons, "So tired of broken hearts and losing at this game," and on her Hard Candy track "Voices," she sings, "Then you say you're sorry. You play the game so well."
  • Fashion photographer Tom Munro directed the video, which was shot in Florence, Italy in the midst of Madonna's epic MDNA world tour. We see the Queen of Pop taking a road trip through Italy in the back of Cadillac convertible and there's a cameo from the singer's much-younger boyfriend Brahim Zaibat.

    Madonna's driver says at the end, "La festa è finita, adesso allacciati la cintura strongest," which translates as '"The party is over now, fasten the seatbelt, bitch."

Comments: 1

  • Rabbit Bunny from Westminster MdTurn Up the Radio is a brilliant Rock song by Madonna-In alternate parallel universe, this song goes to #1 on the Rock Charts!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.