Tell me this:

WHY didn't her video for Bad Girl (one of her best songs IMO, by FAR her best video) get the airplay it deserved on MTV? Admittedly I wasn't watching videos heavily @ this time but I only saw it broadcast 3 times How can you beat a great looking video w/ an intriguing story (which is SO rare, unfortunately) and Chris Walken as an angel of death??? BRILLIANT, so good I bought that friggin DVD, lol!

Anyway, did MTV play it more than I know? Did VH1 play it at all? Was the song on radio? What the hell happened here?

bad girl, drunk by 6
kissin some kinda strangers lips
smoked too many cigarettes today
I'm not happy
I'm not happy

Here's my theory...


Around late 1992/early 1993,Madonna was going through a slight backlash,at least here in the States.There were so many things going on in her career at this time (the "Sex" book,the "Body Of Evidence" movie,the media frenzy surrounding her sex life,etc),and as a result,I think her music didn't get the full attention it deserved.The 'Erotica' album is one of her strongest,most amazing albums ever but people were more focused on her image,her nude body...lol...and that "Sex" book.The music became secondary.Of course,this is partly her fault.

So,when "Bad Girl" was released as a single in early 1993,the public ignored it,even though it came with an incredible video.

I had no problem catching that video, but I guess it would have been rotation on MuchMusic or CBC's Video Hits here in Canada. I remember the video and song became really popular with my sister and I. My sister bought the "Bad Girl" cassingle.

Madonna sat down and performed it on Saturday Night Live, which was awesome.

I remember having that feeling like alot of people were sleeping on this record because she was so overexposed in the media, so I totally concur with DavidEye's theory. I was 12 at the time so I didn't really understand why all of a sudden she became censored even in our own household. I didn't see the "Erotica" video `til years later, for example.

To this day, I don't hear much mention of this song which is a shame. Really one of her greatest songs and videos.

CinisterCee,I love that photo


There's also another photo that I love from this era.It's on the cover of the "Deeper And Deeper" single.Madonna has a big cigar in her mouth,and a grin on her face.

Yeah, DavidEye!

CinisterCee said:

For years,I have loved that photo.It perfectly captures her playful,erotic attitude back then,doesn't it?

CinisterCee said:[quote]

The girl ain't that cute but she photographs so well. Great pic, the eyes are killer



Really? I never saw that, nice! Did she sound good or did she fuck it up? lol

DavidEye said:

That's a shame I don't know much about that album (didn't buy it) I remember not being so impressed w/ Secret (that was on there, right?) but this video was amazing IMO...

"Bad Girl" is a classic Madonna song.It sounds really sad and dramatic.


"what happens now,I know I don't deserve you
I wonder how I'm ever gonna hurt you
can't bring myself to let you go...

I don't mean to cause you any pain
But I love you just the same
And you'll always be my baby.."

CalhounSq said:

You silly! "Secret" is from the 'Bedtime Stories' CD (1994)

I remember seeing it all the time on VH1 often.

One video they never showed that much I thought was "Nothing Really Matters" I still havent seen that video 2 this day.

Bad Girl was one of my last favorite songs and videos by Madonna. I like Christopher Walken, so that was really a dope concept and video.

DavidEye said:

I agree with this..they got tired of her antics pushing sex down the publics throat..so when she had a song and vid that was about something other, something deeper, they had no time for it..like the boy who cried wolf sort of.

her videos have almost always and consistently been good, and the only person i can even think of that even comes close to the level of genius of her videos is Bjork.

And Bad Girl (imho) is probably one of the standouts in a career marked with video as art. it has everything you could hope for in a video: a solid story line, with a firm begining, middle, end, and a point, excellent acting, excellent filming, excellent direction.

but sadly few people have seen it...
it's one of my all time favorites, and probably the only music video that has ever made me tear up.

I agree with the aforementioned theories. It really is unfortunate, because "Bad Girl" is THE best song and video from "Erotica." Saying it's her best video might be a little silly though. What about "Oh Father?" That is the song and video that made me a fan.

What are your top 5 Madonna vids? Mine would be:

1. Oh Father
2. Bedtime Story
3. Bad Girl
4. Like a Prayer
5. Open Your Heart

cborgman said:

Bjork is the only person who BEATS Madonna, in my opinion. Her videos are pure art!

in no particular order:

1. Human Nature
somehow manages to be hilariously tongue in cheek and sexy at the same time. no story, but highly styalized, and no matter how many times i see it, the choreagraphy still blows me away.

2. Bad Girl
the story alone makes it worth it, not to mention the fine acting, editing, and direction. Christopher Walken is the cherry atop it all.

3. Express Yourself
story is a little trite, but have you ever seen someone look like they are living in a futuristic yet art deco world? the camera work on this is incredible.

4. Like a Prayer
fantastic story, clever concept, and a bit shocking. they don't get much better than this.

5. What It Feels Like For a Girl
provocative, angry, and really interesting. It was so ironic that this video was banned from airplay, because had it been a guy in the driver's seat, no one would have betted an eye.


"what it feels like for a dumb boy" edit
[This message was edited Wed Apr 30 11:29:52 PDT 2003 by cborgman]

5.Cherish. Lookin' good!!!
4.Like A Prayer. Just...cuz
3.Bedtime Story
2.Human Nature
1.Frozen

---

Moonbeam said:

It's my opinion Moonie, not silly at all

Please, I thought "Bad Girl" was one of the worst singles off the album. They tried with the video, went all out with it, production values out the ying-yang, and it still didn't help. I think the reason it didn't do well was becuase it wasn't that strong of a single.

I can't believe everyone likes that song so much. It didn't even break the top 20 here in US; it only got up to 36. Of course, not that the charts are God or anything, but in this case I agreed with it.

gnations said:

"Bad Girl" is actually my favorite song from that album.It's the most heartfelt song on the album.No,it didn't become a big hit,but see my theory above for an explanation why.

Moonbeam said:

I must admit,I have never seen a Bjork video! Where do you guys see her videos at? She's never on MTV.

Moonbeam said:

My Top 5 Madonna videos would be...

1) "Like A Prayer"
2) "American Life (the uncensored version)"
3) "Music"
4) "Justify My love"
5) "Vogue"

I don't have a top 5, but the "Bad Girl" video whoops all kinda ass... Liked "Express Yourself" too...