All the videos from this era = peak M visuals. I always thought another big inspiration for the Take a Bow clip was Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" In 1992, my high school literature teacher likened the character Lady Brett Ashley to Madonna as a present day comparison.. So when the video's backdrop centered on bullfighting, just like the novel, I thought : yet another influence! I know the video was primarily Madonna's Evita audition tape, but whatever the inspiration, it's a stunning piece of art, as were all the Bedtime Stories vids.
My favourite album!!! I was 13 when it came out, I have such special memories of this era. She served us ART! And the album has aged so well, and the videos are incredible
I always wondered what the public's reaction was when this was released. I actually bought this album on a two for 1 deal to buy what was then the new Hard Candy CD. I think it's madonna's most creative along with madam x for me.
Bedtime Stories was the first Madonna album I bought when I was old enough to buy/pick my own music. I was 14 when it was released. I love this album so much!!!! The Bedtime Story music video was EVERYTHING. I love it when M is weird & experimental. Human Nature hit hard & to the point. When I started listening to cassettes again recently, Bedtime Stories was the first cassette I purchased.
I remember this era and started with Madonna at the VMA. It was a flapper, Jean Harlow inspiration . The music of Bedtime Stories totally took me a new space musically. Erotica opened doors to her creativity. I was in my early teens in this era. Her videos at this time stood out artistically. When they premiered the music video for Bedtime Story there were adverts in LA previewing in the cinemas. It deserved to be seen that way. Thank you for revisiting M's Bedtime Stories❤❤❤
You Guys! Love you! Like Liberty, I had to 'work' to be a Madonna fan as a teen in rural NSW Australia! At 47, you FINALLY provide me a space that makes me welcome to embrace and love Madonna without criticism, I love tuning into you all. Bedtime Story the video and single was an amazing epiphany for me to embrace the Surrealist art movement (after Art Deco - Open your Heart/Express Yourself/Vogue of course!). Not only the Surrealism movement, but female artists of Surrealism. She taught me about Frida Kahlo, Leonor Fini, Leonora Carrington and one of my now forever favourite artists, Remedios Varo. This album was a lesson of love, loss, beauty and creation from our queen!
Agreed re her mid-late 90’s output…a nonstop time period of some of her best work. I know how mind blowing it is that it’s been 30 years. Definitely one of my top 5 albums. Btw- Tony, you’re adorable!
Oh of course! Yes that’s definitely when the humming started! That was right before the start of the Bedtime Stories era so she must’ve been into that device for her music
Love this album; thank you so much for this special discussion. I was so surprised in 1995 when TAB ruled the charts for seven weeks in the time of TLC, Boyz II Men, The Cranberries, full-swing alt and Alanis coming through the pipes. Like you said, it was a good time to be a fan… all the stations were playing a Madonna song. “I’ll Remember” and TUTBMP had sort of whet our palates and ushered in mid-90s “ballad Madonna,” but this one had that Canto-pop intro and Babyface’s runs, very thoughtful lyrics and *that video.*
So much fascinating insight and details on Bedtime Stories album/videos/era-this for me is the ultimate reaction video on the many awesome songs from this album. I luv many songs from this era but Sanctuary as Stefan said is so haunting and mesmerizing-the lyrics are so poetically beautiful and spiritual, and the melody, beat and vibe is addicting to listen to. I can listen and enjoy this album today, anytime over what’s currently out there.❤😊
one of the magic Trilogy to me .... between Erotica and Ray of Light ,this album is just Monumental ,cool,funky/Soul/RnBish flavoured songs ... Survival and Inside of me are my favourite tracks
Salvatore Dali reference in the Bedtime Story video: when she sings the line towards the end "All that you've ever learned, try to forget" - Salvadore Dali's The R@pe
I was 12 when the album came out and I remember I was absolutely obsessed with it- human nature music video made me gay and I knew , I have an excellent taste ! 😝 also bedtime story music video came out and then .. I become a hardcore fan .. I still am ! You guys are amazing by the way !
Wonder why they didn't release a anniversary copy of Erotica. They did with Like A Prayer and True Blue? I remember Bedtime Stories coming out. I was living in Sydney Australia in 1994 and I remember being homesick at some point and sat on the beach listening to Survival. Shame she never toured this album however she had Evita to get her head around.
My favourite musical style to listen to in general from all artists is Electronica and dance music but I absolutely love the BS album. It is one of my favourite albums by any artist from around that time. I was big in to TLC Crazy, Sexy, Cool album. I still go back and listen and still love that collection of work today. Digging on me is just incredible. I repeat and play that track every time when I'm playing the CSC album. When you hear Love won't wait you see just how the BS album could have went. ❤❤
I had mixed feelings when this album came out because I wanted to keep the ‘Vogue’ ‘Erotica’ stuff going. I do think that was pinnacle Madonna, but it grew on me.
OMG video for Human Nature is mind blowing simple yet so cool , I love how she danced w/ dancers around it was Fantastic. its very Madonna (b.tch im Madonna)
Wonder why they are so sparadic with iTunes single releases? They release a few each week then nothing for a month. Still waiting for Open Your Heart and Dress You Up
I loved Erotica single but not so much the album & love SEX book fast forward -boom New album Bedtime stories for the first time I heard it on Radio Secret I thought wow her Voice sounds so amazing it sounded so clear this time a bit more mature Madonna with the wisdom I Loved it., but my favorite single was Bedtime Story .
Not my favourite album - I don’t think this 90s r n b sound has aged very well which is probably why I only listen to bedtime story song and sanctuary but this album has the best set of music video’s especially the title track and the wonderful human nature
The hip-hop Madonna that showed herself intermittently circa 1990-1994 was "my" Madonna. I feel like 1994 was her last good year; then she had a kid and her music went to boring generic pointless electronica and became progressively more insufferable. But Justify My Love, Erotica, Secret - she was actually right there with Mary Blige and Mariah and others who pioneered signing over heavy hip-hop beats.
Hi guys, I am a big fan of your show. I kindly disagree with you in regards to the Bedtime Stories album. I think Madonna's strength was (especially in the 80's) that she had catchy tunes after catchy tunes. If you heard a Madonna song on the radio once or twice, it was in your ears. If you heard La Isla Bonita or Into the Groove, you started humming the song. True Blue and Like a Prayer from the start to the end (even the non singles) were great, you can dance to those songs and the ballads are outstanding (Live to Tell to Oh Father). For me the Bedtime Stories (and NOT story) album was the first album where I could barely find a radio friendly song (except Secret, Forbidden Love -her vocals are heaven-, and Take a Bow). The others were just... Meh... Yes, from a songwriting perspective, they were deep and autobiographical, but the melodies weren't enough memorable. Yes, over the years some songs are grew on me (like Bedtime Story, -but it"s still soooo Bjork, it needed some more work like Stuart did on the Celebration Tour to became HER song and not Bjork's.) And it didn't have a reeeaaal highpoint like Frozen or Like a Prayer, the album does not contain any signature songs. Yes, the music videos are GREAT, I think if she would have used a faster remix for Bedtime Story, it would have became her second Vogue. So, for me it's an average album, I like it, but not love it.
Music is always subjective. It depends on where we are in our lives when we hear something. This album resonated with me so deeply and I've always loved it. But it doesn't have to be that way for everyone. :)
An irrelevant album. Not provocative, not fresh, not creative, not innovative. Actually, one of her worst albums, along with everything she recorded after 2008.
FYI, I realize I mistakenly said 1995 in the very beginning... I know Bedtime Stories was released in 1994. forgive my slippage... :)
🥰
Madonna’s comeback. Super successful album. The critics applauded. Strong sales.
All the videos from this era = peak M visuals. I always thought another big inspiration for the Take a Bow clip was Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" In 1992, my high school literature teacher likened the character Lady Brett Ashley to Madonna as a present day comparison.. So when the video's backdrop centered on bullfighting, just like the novel, I thought : yet another influence! I know the video was primarily Madonna's Evita audition tape, but whatever the inspiration, it's a stunning piece of art, as were all the Bedtime Stories vids.
My favourite album!!! I was 13 when it came out, I have such special memories of this era. She served us ART! And the album has aged so well, and the videos are incredible
I always wondered what the public's reaction was when this was released. I actually bought this album on a two for 1 deal to buy what was then the new Hard Candy CD. I think it's madonna's most creative along with madam x for me.
Inside of me and sanctuary are my favourites from this album, just stunning.
Bedtime Stories was the first Madonna album I bought when I was old enough to buy/pick my own music. I was 14 when it was released. I love this album so much!!!! The Bedtime Story music video was EVERYTHING. I love it when M is weird & experimental. Human Nature hit hard & to the point. When I started listening to cassettes again recently, Bedtime Stories was the first cassette I purchased.
I remember this era and started with Madonna at the VMA. It was a flapper, Jean Harlow inspiration . The music of Bedtime Stories totally took me a new space musically. Erotica opened doors to her creativity. I was in my early teens in this era. Her videos at this time stood out artistically. When they premiered the music video for Bedtime Story there were adverts in LA previewing in the cinemas. It deserved to be seen that way.
Thank you for revisiting M's Bedtime Stories❤❤❤
How Sanctuary merged into Bedtime Story was insane and you can't get that with streaming! Same as COADF! 😍
You Guys! Love you! Like Liberty, I had to 'work' to be a Madonna fan as a teen in rural NSW Australia! At 47, you FINALLY provide me a space that makes me welcome to embrace and love Madonna without criticism, I love tuning into you all. Bedtime Story the video and single was an amazing epiphany for me to embrace the Surrealist art movement (after Art Deco - Open your Heart/Express Yourself/Vogue of course!). Not only the Surrealism movement, but female artists of Surrealism. She taught me about Frida Kahlo, Leonor Fini, Leonora Carrington and one of my now forever favourite artists, Remedios Varo. This album was a lesson of love, loss, beauty and creation from our queen!
So happy you found us and thank you for sharing your story! Madonna makes the people come together ❤
Agreed re her mid-late 90’s output…a nonstop time period of some of her best work. I know how mind blowing it is that it’s been 30 years. Definitely one of my top 5 albums. Btw- Tony, you’re adorable!
She hummed in I’ll Remember which came out before Secret.
Oh of course! Yes that’s definitely when the humming started! That was right before the start of the Bedtime Stories era so she must’ve been into that device for her music
Love this album; thank you so much for this special discussion. I was so surprised in 1995 when TAB ruled the charts for seven weeks in the time of TLC, Boyz II Men, The Cranberries, full-swing alt and Alanis coming through the pipes. Like you said, it was a good time to be a fan… all the stations were playing a Madonna song.
“I’ll Remember” and TUTBMP had sort of whet our palates and ushered in mid-90s “ballad Madonna,” but this one had that Canto-pop intro and Babyface’s runs, very thoughtful lyrics and *that video.*
Nothing will ever be as good as the Patrick Leonard produced madonna of the 80's PERIOD!
I agree.
😪
I think her signature humming stretches as far back to Open Your Heart, or at least a hint of it in woven into to that song.
Great episode! Excellent conversation! And yes, amazing album. ❤️
So much fascinating insight and details on Bedtime Stories album/videos/era-this for me is the ultimate reaction video on the many awesome songs from this album. I luv many songs from this era but Sanctuary as Stefan said is so haunting and mesmerizing-the lyrics are so poetically beautiful and spiritual, and the melody, beat and vibe is addicting to listen to. I can listen and enjoy this album today, anytime over what’s currently out there.❤😊
one of the magic Trilogy to me .... between Erotica and Ray of Light ,this album is just Monumental ,cool,funky/Soul/RnBish flavoured songs ... Survival and Inside of me are my favourite tracks
Bedtime stories video reference the Armenian film The Color of Pomegranate. Amazing film, masterpiece!
Bedtime Stories Is One Of My Favourite Madonnas álbums I think is much better than “Hard candy “ and “Mdna “
Hope we get a reissue soon ❤️❤️❤️
Don’t hold your breath - she’s given us nothing substantial since the campaign was announced in 2021 😢
bummed I missed the live stream. thank you Ben for briefly mentioning Frankie Knuckles… one of my all time faves!!!
I was 13 years old 😢❤️❤️❤️
Human Behavior - Human Nature. I C U Madonna!
My HS senior year!!!
From Popjustice: Susan Thomas - Naptime (codename)
Salvatore Dali reference in the Bedtime Story video: when she sings the line towards the end "All that you've ever learned, try to forget" - Salvadore Dali's The R@pe
I was 12 when the album came out and I remember I was absolutely obsessed with it- human nature music video made me gay and I knew , I have an excellent taste ! 😝 also bedtime story music video came out and then .. I become a hardcore fan .. I still am !
You guys are amazing by the way !
Wonder why they didn't release a anniversary copy of Erotica. They did with Like A Prayer and True Blue? I remember Bedtime Stories coming out. I was living in Sydney Australia in 1994 and I remember being homesick at some point and sat on the beach listening to Survival. Shame she never toured this album however she had Evita to get her head around.
My favourite musical style to listen to in general from all artists is Electronica and dance music but I absolutely love the BS album. It is one of my favourite albums by any artist from around that time. I was big in to TLC Crazy, Sexy, Cool album. I still go back and listen and still love that collection of work today. Digging on me is just incredible. I repeat and play that track every time when I'm playing the CSC album.
When you hear Love won't wait you see just how the BS album could have went. ❤❤
I was always happy she took this swerve into R&B and I too am a huge Madonna dance fan. The mood of the album just works so incredibly well
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I had mixed feelings when this album came out because I wanted to keep the ‘Vogue’ ‘Erotica’ stuff going. I do think that was pinnacle Madonna, but it grew on me.
humming- I think I'll remember was the 1st one
sorry-a day late
Yup! Totally forgot she was humming in that!❤
OMG video for Human Nature is mind blowing simple yet so cool , I love how she danced w/ dancers around it was Fantastic. its very Madonna (b.tch im Madonna)
Do we think the tour would’ve been called The Lucid Tour? Or The No Regrets Tour. Based on her website merch!
Oh maybe! I never thought about that but definitely could’ve been
Wonder why they are so sparadic with iTunes single releases? They release a few each week then nothing for a month. Still waiting for Open Your Heart and Dress You Up
I loved Erotica single but not so much the album & love SEX book fast forward -boom New album Bedtime stories for the first time I heard it on Radio Secret I thought wow her Voice sounds so amazing it sounded so clear this time a bit more mature Madonna with the wisdom I Loved it., but my favorite single was Bedtime Story .
Hola, guys!!!
22:40 she HMmmmmmmMmmmmMmmm before in I'LL REMEMBER !!!
What is the correct release date in USA?
October 20th or 25th?
October 25. We could only get together to record on the 20th…
Not my favourite album - I don’t think this 90s r n b sound has aged very well which is probably why I only listen to bedtime story song and sanctuary but this album has the best set of music video’s especially the title track and the wonderful human nature
One more thing: Bjork re-used some of her word from this song to the Bedtime Story song: ua-cam.com/video/47pslSyGdIw/v-deo.html
The hip-hop Madonna that showed herself intermittently circa 1990-1994 was "my" Madonna. I feel like 1994 was her last good year; then she had a kid and her music went to boring generic pointless electronica and became progressively more insufferable. But Justify My Love, Erotica, Secret - she was actually right there with Mary Blige and Mariah and others who pioneered signing over heavy hip-hop beats.
Hi guys, I am a big fan of your show. I kindly disagree with you in regards to the Bedtime Stories album. I think Madonna's strength was (especially in the 80's) that she had catchy tunes after catchy tunes. If you heard a Madonna song on the radio once or twice, it was in your ears. If you heard La Isla Bonita or Into the Groove, you started humming the song. True Blue and Like a Prayer from the start to the end (even the non singles) were great, you can dance to those songs and the ballads are outstanding (Live to Tell to Oh Father). For me the Bedtime Stories (and NOT story) album was the first album where I could barely find a radio friendly song (except Secret, Forbidden Love -her vocals are heaven-, and Take a Bow). The others were just... Meh... Yes, from a songwriting perspective, they were deep and autobiographical, but the melodies weren't enough memorable. Yes, over the years some songs are grew on me (like Bedtime Story, -but it"s still soooo Bjork, it needed some more work like Stuart did on the Celebration Tour to became HER song and not Bjork's.) And it didn't have a reeeaaal highpoint like Frozen or Like a Prayer, the album does not contain any signature songs. Yes, the music videos are GREAT, I think if she would have used a faster remix for Bedtime Story, it would have became her second Vogue. So, for me it's an average album, I like it, but not love it.
Music is always subjective. It depends on where we are in our lives when we hear something. This album resonated with me so deeply and I've always loved it. But it doesn't have to be that way for everyone. :)
An irrelevant album. Not provocative, not fresh, not creative, not innovative. Actually, one of her worst albums, along with everything she recorded after 2008.