Killers Who Are Partying

Album: Madame X (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Killers Who Are Partying" finds Madonna reeling off a number of persecuted minorities from around the world.

    I'll be Islam, if Islam is hated
    I'll be Israel, if they're incarcerated
    I'll be Native Indian, if the Indian has been taken
    I'll be a woman, if she's raped and her heart is breaking


    Other marginalized people that Madonna invokes include gays, Africans, the poor and children.
  • During an interview with NME, Madonna was asked whether as a white woman of privilege she can really claim to have an affinity with all the minorities that she lists.

    "But I'm a human being," Madonna responded sharply. "And they're human beings. And I've always fought for the rights of marginalized people so it's not like I woke up one day and decided I was going to be the voice of a certain minority. I consider myself a marginalized person, I feel like I've been discriminated against my whole life because of the fact that I'm a female and now I am discriminated against because of my age. I am saying 'no, we belong together' and it's a song about unifying the soul of all humans. And I have the right to say that I want to do that."
  • The post chorus and bridge is sung by Madonna in Portuguese, influenced by her years living in Lisbon. They translate as:

    The world is wild
    The path is lonely
    The world is wild
    The path is lonely
    It is, it is, it is, it is
    It is, it is, it is, it is
    It is, it is, it is, it is
    It is, it is, it is, it is

    I know what I am
    And I know what I'm not (Am, am, am, am)
    I know what I am
    And I know what I'm not (Am, am, am, am)
    The world (Wild is the world)
    Wild is the world (Is wild)
    Wild is the world (It is, it is, it is, it is)

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."