funkpill said:

The jam heah

The absolute fave

"Secret" is arguably Madonna's best 90s single It's sexy and seductive and the video is excellent.

SoulAlive said:

funkpill said:

The jam heah

The absolute fave

"Secret" is arguably Madonna's best 90s single It's sexy and seductive and the video is excellent.

Her boobs are excellent in that video.

This album just flows right from beginning to (almost) end. I usually skip "Bedtime Story" though (DON'T SHOOT! lol). I could never really get into it.

I still have no idea how you quote posts properly on the Org since the "improvements"...

But, snap. Love the whole album besides 'Bedtime Story' - it's completely out of place.

scorp84 said:

This album just flows right from beginning to (almost) end. I usually skip "Bedtime Story" though (DON'T SHOOT! lol). I could never really get into it.

I think this is my fav madge album. And I love Bjorks flipped way of talking about their collaboration.

rlittler81 said:

I think she started off wanting a straightforward R&B/Soul/Hip-Hop album but she started to get into European acts like Massive Attack, Bjork and Everything But The Girl and wanted to go in that direction too after most of the songs were done. That's why she had Nellee Hooper and Daniel Abraham go back and remix a few of the songs. She probably wishes she'd just made the whole album with Nellee in the first place.

Probably not, she doesn't actually like using only one collaborator and it's not like Nellee gave a new sound to stuff like "Survival" or "Inside Of Me", they still sound very R&B of the time and definitely not European ("Sanctuary" a bit more, but it's still based on the Herbie Hancock sample). Plus she had a fallout with him when they had differences over the ROL album. And while the fans say "Bedtime Story" is what created the new electronica Madonna, she never performs it live, so it's possible she's actually glad not the whole thing was with Nellee. And last but not least, the label wouldn't have allowed her at the time to record a pop version of Bjork's Debut, it was already a big step they allowed "Bedtime Story" to be a single with a high budget video.

LiveToTell86 said:

rlittler81 said:

I think she started off wanting a straightforward R&B/Soul/Hip-Hop album but she started to get into European acts like Massive Attack, Bjork and Everything But The Girl and wanted to go in that direction too after most of the songs were done. That's why she had Nellee Hooper and Daniel Abraham go back and remix a few of the songs. She probably wishes she'd just made the whole album with Nellee in the first place.

Probably not, she doesn't actually like using only one collaborator and it's not like Nellee gave a new sound to stuff like "Survival" or "Inside Of Me", they still sound very R&B of the time and definitely not European ("Sanctuary" a bit more, but it's still based on the Herbie Hancock sample). Plus she had a fallout with him when they had differences over the ROL album. And while the fans say "Bedtime Story" is what created the new electronica Madonna, she never performs it live, so it's possible she's actually glad not the whole thing was with Nellee. And last but not least, the label wouldn't have allowed her at the time to record a pop version of Bjork's Debut, it was already a big step they allowed "Bedtime Story" to be a single with a high budget video.

Not true, originally, Madonna had asked Bjork to work with her on an entire album. Bjork declined the collaboration but finally agreed to at least work with her because one of her male best friends was a huge Madonna fan. The compromise, one song. LOL The way Bjork has talked about it is brutal to Madge.

sosgemini said:

Not true, originally, Madonna had asked Bjork to work with her on an entire album. Bjork declined the collaboration but finally agreed to at least work with her because one of her male best friends was a huge Madonna fan. The compromise, one song. LOL The way Bjork has talked about it is brutal to Madge.

I don't see how that has anything to do with what I said, but reports about Bjork's involvement have always been inconsistent. Sometimes she says "Bedtime Story" was written for Madonna but other reports said it was just a rejected song later on she used as a B-side ("Sweet Intuition") with most of it written by Nellee and Marius. Some other reports said Madonna wanted a duet with Bjork and she refused, saying their encounter should be "random, like both drunk in a pub". I never actually heard the full album thing and it's unlikely Warner would have ever supported that. They had a clear direction with "This Used To Be My Playground" and "Rain" for her.

LiveToTell86 said:

sosgemini said:

Not true, originally, Madonna had asked Bjork to work with her on an entire album. Bjork declined the collaboration but finally agreed to at least work with her because one of her male best friends was a huge Madonna fan. The compromise, one song. LOL The way Bjork has talked about it is brutal to Madge.

I don't see how that has anything to do with what I said, but reports about Bjork's involvement have always been inconsistent. Sometimes she says "Bedtime Story" was written for Madonna but other reports said it was just a rejected song later on she used as a B-side ("Sweet Intuition") with most of it written by Nellee and Marius. Some other reports said Madonna wanted a duet with Bjork and she refused, saying their encounter should be "random, like both drunk in a pub". I never actually heard the full album thing and it's unlikely Warner would have ever supported that. They had a clear direction with "This Used To Be My Playground" and "Rain" for her.

So because you haven't heard it, Bjork is a liar?

Cinnie said:

SoulAlive said:

"Secret" is arguably Madonna's best 90s single It's sexy and seductive and the video is excellent.

Her boobs are excellent in that video.

scorp84 said:

This album just flows right from beginning to (almost) end. I usually skip "Bedtime Story" though (DON'T SHOOT! lol). I could never really get into it.

I was never all that crazy about the title track,either.It's edgy and adventurous but I don't think it's a great song.

sosgemini said:

LiveToTell86 said:

I don't see how that has anything to do with what I said, but reports about Bjork's involvement have always been inconsistent. Sometimes she says "Bedtime Story" was written for Madonna but other reports said it was just a rejected song later on she used as a B-side ("Sweet Intuition") with most of it written by Nellee and Marius. Some other reports said Madonna wanted a duet with Bjork and she refused, saying their encounter should be "random, like both drunk in a pub". I never actually heard the full album thing and it's unlikely Warner would have ever supported that. They had a clear direction with "This Used To Be My Playground" and "Rain" for her.

So because you haven't heard it, Bjork is a liar?

Huh? I said at least 2 different scenarios that were supposedly coming from Bjork. Her stories are being inconsistent about the whole Madonna collaboration, that's all. About the full album thing, I didn't say she lied, but Warner wouldn't have allowed it even if both M & B agreed on it.

bow down once again bitches!! MADONNA !!

such a lush album....

"LOVE TRIED TO WELCOME ME"...........

LiveToTell86 said:

sosgemini said:

So because you haven't heard it, Bjork is a liar?

Huh? I said at least 2 different scenarios that were supposedly coming from Bjork. Her stories are being inconsistent about the whole Madonna collaboration, that's all. About the full album thing, I didn't say she lied, but Warner wouldn't have allowed it even if both M & B agreed on it.

No, I think it's the same story. She was asked to work on an album. She offered a song (who knows if it was written for Madge or not) and thought it best that they keep it at that. How is that inconsistent? It's just, originally, in her youth she was less PC about sharing her feelings. Now, she's more reserved. It's the same way she talks about Lars Von Trier. Originally, she let it all out but now she is much more diplomatic.

Just my take...

LiveToTell86 said:

rlittler81 said:

I think she started off wanting a straightforward R&B/Soul/Hip-Hop album but she started to get into European acts like Massive Attack, Bjork and Everything But The Girl and wanted to go in that direction too after most of the songs were done. That's why she had Nellee Hooper and Daniel Abraham go back and remix a few of the songs. She probably wishes she'd just made the whole album with Nellee in the first place.

Probably not, she doesn't actually like using only one collaborator and it's not like Nellee gave a new sound to stuff like "Survival" or "Inside Of Me", they still sound very R&B of the time and definitely not European ("Sanctuary" a bit more, but it's still based on the Herbie Hancock sample). Plus she had a fallout with him when they had differences over the ROL album. And while the fans say "Bedtime Story" is what created the new electronica Madonna, she never performs it live, so it's possible she's actually glad not the whole thing was with Nellee. And last but not least, the label wouldn't have allowed her at the time to record a pop version of Bjork's Debut, it was already a big step they allowed "Bedtime Story" to be a single with a high budget video.

I only made the last remark in jest as she said several times the album was difficult to make due to the number of different producers and she didn't work with any of them, other than Nellee, again. Since then she slimmed down her producers to one or two mostly.

I absolutely love this song,it's my favorite. It's so dreamy.

rlittler81 said:

I only made the last remark in jest as she said several times the album was difficult to make due to the number of different producers and she didn't work with any of them, other than Nellee, again. Since then she slimmed down her producers to one or two mostly.

She did say that, but I guess she got used to that since then. It was just a big step from going to Pat's or Shep's home anytime she wanted to than waiting on producers who she had to share with TLC. She did work with Babyface after that but their tracks didn't make the ROL album, same for Nellee except the Marvin Gaye cover got a release.

Since BS she had 5 albums and 2 of them have 3 producers (Music & COADF) and HC has 2 if you count Timbaland and his entourage as one. But since she wanted ROL to be produced by Nellee only, I guess at the time she felt that way indeed (though ROL has several songwriters still).

LiveToTell86 said:

rlittler81 said:

I only made the last remark in jest as she said several times the album was difficult to make due to the number of different producers and she didn't work with any of them, other than Nellee, again. Since then she slimmed down her producers to one or two mostly.

She did say that, but I guess she got used to that since then. It was just a big step from going to Pat's or Shep's home anytime she wanted to than waiting on producers who she had to share with TLC. She did work with Babyface after that but their tracks didn't make the ROL album, same for Nellee except the Marvin Gaye cover got a release.

Since BS she had 5 albums and 2 of them have 3 producers (Music & COADF) and HC has 2 if you count Timbaland and his entourage as one. But since she wanted ROL to be produced by Nellee only, I guess at the time she felt that way indeed (though ROL has several songwriters still).

It would be intersting to hear those tracks in between "Bedtime Stories" and "Take A Bow".

VinnyM27 said:

LiveToTell86 said:

She did say that, but I guess she got used to that since then. It was just a big step from going to Pat's or Shep's home anytime she wanted to than waiting on producers who she had to share with TLC. She did work with Babyface after that but their tracks didn't make the ROL album, same for Nellee except the Marvin Gaye cover got a release.

Since BS she had 5 albums and 2 of them have 3 producers (Music & COADF) and HC has 2 if you count Timbaland and his entourage as one. But since she wanted ROL to be produced by Nellee only, I guess at the time she felt that way indeed (though ROL has several songwriters still).

It would be intersting to hear those tracks in between "Bedtime Stories" and "Take A Bow".

but take a bow is from bedtime stories, that doesn't make sense...you mean you want to hear songs between the bedtime stories era and the time something to remember was released right?

EmeraldSkies said:

I absolutely love this song,it's my favorite. It's so dreamy.

When I got this CD in 1994,my mother kept borrowing it just to hear "Take A Bow" She loves that song.

alphastreet said:

VinnyM27 said:

It would be intersting to hear those tracks in between "Bedtime Stories" and "Take A Bow".

but take a bow is from bedtime stories, that doesn't make sense...you mean you want to hear songs between the bedtime stories era and the time something to remember was released right?

I assume he meant between Bedtime Stories & Ray Of Light.

I'm not sure if Nellee laid down any stuff for her at that point, it was clear she only wanted to use him for producing with songs she did with Pat, Rick and Babyface but he refused due to her not sharing credit for writing (that's the supposed beef). However, Babyface did confirm they did 2 songs together, one of them another ballad and another resembling "Creep" if I remember well, wish we could hear these...

CHIC0 said:

bow down once again bitches!!

[Edited 8/31/10 5:31am]

LiveToTell86 said:

alphastreet said:

but take a bow is from bedtime stories, that doesn't make sense...you mean you want to hear songs between the bedtime stories era and the time something to remember was released right?

I assume he meant between Bedtime Stories & Ray Of Light.

I'm not sure if Nellee laid down any stuff for her at that point, it was clear she only wanted to use him for producing with songs she did with Pat, Rick and Babyface but he refused due to her not sharing credit for writing (that's the supposed beef). However, Babyface did confirm they did 2 songs together, one of them another ballad and another resembling "Creep" if I remember well, wish we could hear these...

Babyface and Madonna recorded a few songs together.One was titled "Don't Talk To Strangers" and it was described as very similiar to "Take A Bow".Babyface was understanding when Madonna decided to go in a different direction,saying "Madonna doesn't need to repeat herself".

I don't think she achieved what she was trying to do with this album until "You Must Love Me" from the Evita soundtrack. "Bedtime Stories" sounds lush and warm because of her focus on her vocals ... which mostly sound strained and uncomfortable - except the title track.

shorttrini said:

Check this outtake, from the album, out.

interesting

UptownCitizen said:

I don't think she achieved what she was trying to do with this album until "You Must Love Me" from the Evita soundtrack. "Bedtime Stories" sounds lush and warm because of her focus on her vocals ... which mostly sound strained and uncomfortable - except the title track.

Back then, Madonna was never one to polish a vocal track, or keep rerecording it to perfect it. She always went for the raw, earlier take. It's especially evident on Erotica and Like A Prayer, compared to earlier slickly-produced things like Madonna and Like A Virgin, or even True Blue. There's some sort of interesting juxtaposition between the raw vocals and the lush production of the tracks on Bedtime Stories.

This was her best work IMHO.

The only album of hers that I can actually listen 2.

[Edited 8/31/10 8:35am]

ernestsewell said:

UptownCitizen said:

I don't think she achieved what she was trying to do with this album until "You Must Love Me" from the Evita soundtrack. "Bedtime Stories" sounds lush and warm because of her focus on her vocals ... which mostly sound strained and uncomfortable - except the title track.

Back then, Madonna was never one to polish a vocal track, or keep rerecording it to perfect it. She always went for the raw, earlier take. It's especially evident on Erotica and Like A Prayer, compared to earlier slickly-produced things like Madonna and Like A Virgin, or even True Blue. There's some sort of interesting juxtaposition between the raw vocals and the lush production of the tracks on Bedtime Stories.

on. point.

Not to get off-topic but that's what's wrong with Bab's post Broadway Album work and dare I say Prince's post Emancipation work too.

One of the few times Madge performed 'Bedtime Story' live ...

2nd fave M album, very close after Erotica!!!

Best cuts, in order from best to worst (all killer no filler, IMO)

Inside of Me

Love Tried to Welcome Me

Forbidden Love

I'd Rather B Your Lover

Secret

Survival

Human Nature

Bedtime Story

Sanctuary

Don't Stop

Take a Bow

...I always thought TAB was the weakest. Fantastic video, great production, great lyrics but...the song itself, just the melody / chorus / hook...i couldn't believe it seemed to be her return to popularity when it came out. Never would have thought it'd be her longest running #1...i'm glad she has (wisely) kept it out of her tours.

That said, if she does tour next year with no new album, BS deserves it's own section in the show. it's the ONLY album she hasn't featured properly on tour - if Hard Candy and American Life get their own tours, this one should too. It's ridic. In fact, every album has either gotten it's own full tour or been one of TWO albums prominently featured in the set; and this one gets the shaft every time! I know she claimed DWT was also in support, but get real 2 acoustic / country western re works of Secret and Human nature don't count.

Virgin Tour - Madonna, LAV

WTG Tour - True Blue, WTG sdtk

BA Tour - Like A Prayer, I'm Breathless

GS - Erotica

DW Tour - Ray of Light, Music

RIT - American Life

CT - Confessions

S&S - Hard Candy

what gives Madonna??? many r&B fans who primarily like the urban, the funk, the soul LOVE Bedtime Stories and we are cheated every time. at most she does one song, but more often it's used as an interlude (RIT) or it's a remix (S&S version of HN was great, though).

give us Love Tried and maybe Survival, at least!!!