iTunes = http://bit.ly/pC08jS
Bandcamp = http://bit.ly/o7IBlj

"Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery"

I've done Lady Gaga and Britney Spears and many of you have continually asked for Madonna. So here it is!

This song came out in 1989 from Madonna's album of the same name, and is one of the most recognizable, and popular songs of all time.

It's quite fitting the concept of the lyrics talking about a muse. Muse is defined as "to gaze meditatively or wonderingly". I always wonder where creativity comes from, why it hits us at certain times, and where it goes. This past month has been incredibly difficult. I lost track of my work, I was busy traveling and getting things together, and to top it all off -- my hard drive crashed. Luckily, since I'm used to this happening, I had backups and was able to retrieve 98% of my files (and my music files were safe). But still, it's all taking too much time from my passion -- arranging, writing, composing, transcribing, and more.

I'm learning now that part of a having a muse is in the concept of never giving up. What good is inspiration if it hits you when you're not around to notice it or tackle it? You can't force creativity, but you can force perseverance and completing work on a tough month. Maybe the idea comes in the form of a melody, lyric, an invention, a book, or a filmstory. No matter what it is, it's always amazing to never know when it will hit us.

And that's the beauty of this song. In it's ability to portray something as beautiful as a mystery, to something as vital to survival and creativity as a muse. We all have muses, we all have ideas, and we all can do great things.

I hope you enjoy this piece. It certainly was the most difficult arrangement I've made to date, and that has certainly made me stronger, smarter, and more appreciative of adversity and creativity.

More music at http://fororchestra.com

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Arrangement by Walt Ribeiro

Original Song = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79fzeNUqQbQ