Madonna’s ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ Rips Off a Yoko Ono Song
Madonna‘s “Papa Don’t Preach” is one of the most famous pop songs by one of the most conic singers who ever lived. It sounds an awful lot like a song by Yoko Ono — a noncommercial artist if there ever was one! Yoko deserves some credit for paving the way for one of the most beloved pop songs of the 1980s.
Madonna’s ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ sounds like the most famous Yoko Ono song
Yoko released her track “Walking on Thin Ice” in 1981. Madonna released “Papa Don’t Preach” in 1986. Some fans have noticed strong similarities between the two. Both songs deal with serious topics. Both have bold vocals. And both use dramatic beats that keep listeners hooked. Could it be more than a coincidence? Let’s take a closer look.
“Walking on Thin Ice” has a strong, driving beat. It sounds like footsteps on a frozen road. The music feels sharp and powerful. It captures a special era of music where disco music was gradually morphing into new wave.
“Papa Don’t Preach” also uses a marching beat. It sounds like a person moving forward with a hard decision. The rhythm in both songs pushes the story ahead. It adds drama and tension to each moment. Yoko’s song came first, and her beat style was new for the time. Madonna’s beat sounds almost like a cleaner version of it. That’s why some fans think Madonna borrowed from Yoko’s work.
Madonna’s ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ has some of the same emotional power the Yoko Ono song
“Papa Don’t Preach” tells the story of a young woman who is pregnant. She decides to keep the baby, even if her father doesn’t agree. It’s about standing up for what she believes in.
“Walking on Thin Ice” is about life and death. Yoko sings about how we all take risks every day. She talks about choices that can change everything.
Both songs deal with fear and strength. They focus on women making hard decisions. The emotions in both songs feel very real. That shared message could be why the songs feel connected.
The vocals sound similar
Yoko’s voice in “Walking on Thin Ice” is sharp, clear, and full of feeling. She sings with emotion and power. Her voice cuts through the music.
Madonna uses a similar vocal style in “Papa Don’t Preach.” She sings with strength but also shows she’s scared. Her voice has that same “on-the-edge” feeling that Yoko’s has. Both songs push boundaries. It’s not just what they sing. It’s how they sing it. They both deliver their words like they really mean them. That makes their songs hit even harder.
Yoko made “Walking on Thin Ice” to show that music can talk about real things. She mixed dance music with deep thoughts. That was rare at the time. Madonna did something similar with “Papa Don’t Preach.” She talked about teen pregnancy on the radio. That made people talk.
Yoko took the first step by mixing truth with music. Madonna followed with a pop version that reached a bigger crowd. Some people think Madonna turned Yoko’s bold style into a hit.
Fans of both artists can agree on one thing. Yoko walked on thin ice first. And Madonna followed in her footsteps — walking right behind her in the snow.
