As others have said, the video is loosely based on the themes and style of the film, Metropolis, which was a post-World-War-One German film about corporate greed (timely to this day), the Industrial Revolution and the modern near-slavery of lowly workers. The quote at the end is from the movie, and gives you a hint of what the video's about. The creepy dude is the 'mind'... he's the head of some sort of factory and doesn't concern himself with the work conditions of the factory, as long as he's making money. The workers are the 'hands'... the ones who do all the work and are treated terribly. Madonna represents the 'heart'.... basically the person who brings the mind and hands together... they need to work together in harmony in order to be successful. The movie has a few more elements to it that Madonna's video does not, but that's the gist of the inspiration. Madonna adds to this an anthem of female empowerment. Living a life of luxury high above the terrible environment of the workers in the factory.... she's in a gilded cage, probably the wife or daughter of the creepy dude. When she begins to speak, the one worker is able to hear her, and heeds her call, which manifests itself in the form of her cat (referring to the female anatomy). Through 'expressing herself' she gets her man, and in the guise of 'male drag' (playing on outdated ideas of gender roles in society and the work force) gets the workers to revolt against their unjust working conditions.
Yes, the quote at the very end is straight from the movie Metropolis, and the set is trying to evoke the urban industrial city in the movie. The themes of a ruling class living in huge high rises and the worker class living below ground and toiling away are right from the movie. A must-see classic movie!
At the time, the most expensive video made and one of 4 Madonna videos directed by David Fincher who went on to director Gone Girl, Fight Club, Se7en, etc. I think their best collab was the Bad Girl video.
This is a perfect example of how, pre-internet, a new Madonna video would have us heading to Blockbuster Video to find a movie or to the library to find books or look up paintings and artists that inspired Madonna's visuals. She always made sure we were learning something.
Hey Man, the video was a few things the set with the gears was inspired by "Metropolis"by Fritz Lang., there is a lot of metaphor here...mainly, people can't read minds, "if you don't say what you want, you can't get what you want"-Madonna ... she also explained that no one chained her to the bed, she chained herself to reflect being chained by ones own desires...I get the vibe that you are a musician and it makes it that much more fun to see the reactions for a discography like this one where she started at point A in 1983 and just grew artistically with every consecutive thing she released until at least 2008 and kept on releasing stuff that the fans connected with (however divided) than the general public until 2019 and is working on a new album now with the same guy who produced her 2005 Confessions On A Dancefloor Album and was musical director for this last tour, the one with 1.6 million people on Copacabana Beach in Brazil.
This number was from her groundbreaking 1990 Blonde Ambition Tour that set the standard for how pop music concerts are produced. Glad you noticed and appreciated her fashion sense. She would go on to become not only as a pop music and cultural icon but also as a trendsetting fashion icon. She’d win prestigious awards for her fashion style and during her career she collaborated closely with elite designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier, the House of Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, among others. Always enjoyed your reactions. Appreciate your Madonna journey.❤😊
Inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis, Express Yourself depicts Madonna as the wife of a factory overseer; a balding, stern-looking man who wears a suit and monocle. In a green evening gown, she and her pet cat gaze out of a penthouse and down at the sweaty, muscly men who work for her husband. One of the workers notices her and is intriguedby her. Two things then happen in tandem. One is that Madonna’s cat escapes the penthouse, eventually ending up in his care. The second is that she changes out of her evening wear and into a suit and monocle, à la her husband. She shows up on the factory floor in said outfit and performs the choreography. In the context of the video, the dance summons the worker (still holding the cat) up the elevator and to her bedroom, where the two have sex. It ends with her husband noticing his employee’s absence, and, presumably, putting two and two together.
Yes please do a full Madonna deep dive. You won’t regret it, she is the greatest female pop star ever with the most diverse discography and incredible videography.
G'day it's Steven from down under again I was 19 years old when this song was released and this was the year i met my soon to be wife and the mother of my children. Thank you for taking me down memory lane. ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF POP!
Yes please ...a deep dive is definitely warranted...so much to unpack and unpick...and I felt certain you'll get and appreciate the artistry and the imagery she employs and embodies...her discography,videography,and visual performances/tours so worthwhile ...and once she'd demonstrated her commercial mettle she was able to gain more and more creative control of her career,image and music....and really blazed a trail for other artists to follow
If you like the rasp you should check out the like prayer version of the Blonde Ambition tour. As a lifetime fan of Madonna, it is so fun to see someone just discovering her, you are starting a fun journey
hi, this video was a remix version that became more famous than the original version contained in the record, the demo version leaked a few years ago shows an even stronger voice
First time watching your reactions, and with Madonna no less!!!! Excellent!!! Yeah, man. Go for her, full mode. Music, videos live presentations. She is the best and paved the way for the rest. Go for her. You won’t regret it.
METROPOLIS - 1927 sci-fi silent film directed by Fritz Lang. This was Madonna's inspiration. Watch that film and you'll be able to interpret this video better. Her dance number at the top of the stairs though - imho the most iconic dance solo by a female artist (* don't miss the crotch grab). I then realized that she was Michael Jackson's true artistic rival, more than Prince. Fun fact: this was the most expensive music video ever made when it came out in 1989 (thank you, Pepsi!). It's still in the top 5 as of 2024. The cost was definitely worth it - a true masterpiece.
This song was inspired by Jennifer Grey- yes, of Dirty Dancing fame. Grey and Madonna became very close working in Bloodhounds of Broadway. Jennifer was going through a very turbulent time with longtime boyfriend Matthew Broderick ( yep, Ferris Bueller ). The lyric “Don’t go for second best, Baby” is a cheeky nod to Grey’s character Frances “Baby” Houseman. Grey has said in numerous interviews that she took great pride being the muse for this iconic tune.
This 1989 remix took the Euro-club sound that had started to bubble up on the dance floor (think S-express and Soul II Soul) and shoved it into everyone's living rooms. Up until this point, most 'remixes' were just extended versions with a few production variations. This version was a complete rebuild of the song that stood on its own. Shep Pettibone helmed this, as well as the remix for "Keep It Together", most of the Erotica album, and of course "Vogue".
Go watch the live version from the Blonde Ambition Tour. It's the opening number, and it's I C O N I C. It's literally this whole video coming to life. And she rocks it hardcore!
Papa don’t Preach video next!! Great video, plus one of the first times Madonna used a more rock vocal. You’ll love it. Actually, you’ll prolly love her from true blue on because that sounds weaves into her discography moreso from that album forward. However, if you’re gonna deep dive, I’d suggest holding off on videos. Madonna’s music is audio and visual. A pioneer to the music video format and a lot of her music and evolution is best seen as it evolves, grows, and shifts with her sound and her personal and political messaging throughout the decades.
I'll let you google everything about the video, but my favorite quote comes directly from Madonna. Speaking on the various themes of the video, but specifically the cat imagery, she simply said, "pussy rules the world." Gotta continue with your Madonna dive, you won't regret it✌
This is the song that kinda sorta set off the Gaga/Madonna feud as Gaga was accused of ripping off the beat of Express Yourself for Born This Way. It got so heated that Madonna worked Born This Way into Express Yourself as a mashup during a tour to prove that it was a carbon copy. It's still a pretty heated debate to this day.
You should see her presentation on a MTV Awards with this song live. Was impressive because she pulled live vocals with a very demanding choreography.
She is the greatest music video artist. Nobody comes even close. I said, nobody.
As others have said, the video is loosely based on the themes and style of the film, Metropolis, which was a post-World-War-One German film about corporate greed (timely to this day), the Industrial Revolution and the modern near-slavery of lowly workers. The quote at the end is from the movie, and gives you a hint of what the video's about. The creepy dude is the 'mind'... he's the head of some sort of factory and doesn't concern himself with the work conditions of the factory, as long as he's making money. The workers are the 'hands'... the ones who do all the work and are treated terribly. Madonna represents the 'heart'.... basically the person who brings the mind and hands together... they need to work together in harmony in order to be successful. The movie has a few more elements to it that Madonna's video does not, but that's the gist of the inspiration.
Madonna adds to this an anthem of female empowerment. Living a life of luxury high above the terrible environment of the workers in the factory.... she's in a gilded cage, probably the wife or daughter of the creepy dude. When she begins to speak, the one worker is able to hear her, and heeds her call, which manifests itself in the form of her cat (referring to the female anatomy). Through 'expressing herself' she gets her man, and in the guise of 'male drag' (playing on outdated ideas of gender roles in society and the work force) gets the workers to revolt against their unjust working conditions.
The music video is based on the silent movie Metropolis.
Yes, the quote at the very end is straight from the movie Metropolis, and the set is trying to evoke the urban industrial city in the movie. The themes of a ruling class living in huge high rises and the worker class living below ground and toiling away are right from the movie. A must-see classic movie!
The year was 1989. The album, a #1 record around the world, and in the USA unleashed five consecutive hits, including "Express Yourself" 🎉
At the time, the most expensive video made and one of 4 Madonna videos directed by David Fincher who went on to director Gone Girl, Fight Club, Se7en, etc. I think their best collab was the Bad Girl video.
This is a perfect example of how, pre-internet, a new Madonna video would have us heading to Blockbuster Video to find a movie or to the library to find books or look up paintings and artists that inspired Madonna's visuals.
She always made sure we were learning something.
100%
This iconic music video is ranked at number one on Slant Magazine's "100 Greatest Music Videos".
Hey Man, the video was a few things the set with the gears was inspired by "Metropolis"by Fritz Lang., there is a lot of metaphor here...mainly, people can't read minds, "if you don't say what you want, you can't get what you want"-Madonna ... she also explained that no one chained her to the bed, she chained herself to reflect being chained by ones own desires...I get the vibe that you are a musician and it makes it that much more fun to see the reactions for a discography like this one where she started at point A in 1983 and just grew artistically with every consecutive thing she released until at least 2008 and kept on releasing stuff that the fans connected with (however divided) than the general public until 2019 and is working on a new album now with the same guy who produced her 2005 Confessions On A Dancefloor Album and was musical director for this last tour, the one with 1.6 million people on Copacabana Beach in Brazil.
Her discography is a must indeed. If you start at the beginning, you'll see a very interesting evolution.
so good to hear you will be doing her full discography you won't be disappointed.
Ahhh a full Madonna deep dive into her discography would be amazing. I’d definitely pay extra for that.
This number was from her groundbreaking 1990 Blonde Ambition Tour that set the standard for how pop music concerts are produced. Glad you noticed and appreciated her fashion sense. She would go on to become not only as a pop music and cultural icon but also as a trendsetting fashion icon. She’d win prestigious awards for her fashion style and during her career she collaborated closely with elite designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier, the House of Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, among others. Always enjoyed your reactions. Appreciate your Madonna journey.❤😊
She's a living legend ❤. Please more Madonna reactions 😊
Inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis, Express Yourself depicts Madonna as the wife of a factory overseer; a balding, stern-looking man who wears a suit and monocle. In a green evening gown, she and her pet cat gaze out of a penthouse and down at the sweaty, muscly men who work for her husband. One of the workers notices her and is intriguedby her. Two things then happen in tandem. One is that Madonna’s cat escapes the penthouse, eventually ending up in his care. The second is that she changes out of her evening wear and into a suit and monocle, à la her husband. She shows up on the factory floor in said outfit and performs the choreography. In the context of the video, the dance summons the worker (still holding the cat) up the elevator and to her bedroom, where the two have sex. It ends with her husband noticing his employee’s absence, and, presumably, putting two and two together.
Now the video/radio version is a remix by Shep Pettibone. The album is very different.
Her MTV movie awards performance of this is SOOOOOO good! Her and 2 backup singers/dancers. It was ICONIC!
Yes please do a full Madonna deep dive. You won’t regret it, she is the greatest female pop star ever with the most diverse discography and incredible videography.
I think you really get who she is! I'm a die hard since 1982 so many videos reflect the decade they were made...soo go for it!! Enjoy the ride!!!
yesss finally a music video by madonna reaction!!!
G'day it's Steven from down under again
I was 19 years old when this song was released and this was the year i met my soon to be wife and the mother of my children.
Thank you for taking me down memory lane.
ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF POP!
I was 9 and Madonna already blew and shaped my young mind
Love ur Madonna reactions ❤
What an iconic song and era
Yes please ...a deep dive is definitely warranted...so much to unpack and unpick...and I felt certain you'll get and appreciate the artistry and the imagery she employs and embodies...her discography,videography,and visual performances/tours so worthwhile ...and once she'd demonstrated her commercial mettle she was able to gain more and more creative control of her career,image and music....and really blazed a trail for other artists to follow
A good reaction video might be the What if Feels Like for a Girl Music video
If you want to hear her raspy vocals live, check this same song at The Girlie Show Tour.
I love how you like all the little details with M. She has always known how to work the camera.
If you like the rasp you should check out the like prayer version of the Blonde Ambition tour. As a lifetime fan of Madonna, it is so fun to see someone just discovering her, you are starting a fun journey
The Queen of Pop
hi, this video was a remix version that became more famous than the original version contained in the record, the demo version leaked a few years ago shows an even stronger voice
Definitely start from the beginning if you do her albums!
Masterpiece!! I was 5 when i saw this video and since then i’ ve been obssesed with her until now!!! Love the Queen
She sings in the same manner as in this song in "Open Your Heart" and "Papa Don't Preach", you should check them out.
Yes do a deep dive!! 🎉
Madonna ❤
First time watching your reactions, and with Madonna no less!!!! Excellent!!! Yeah, man. Go for her, full mode. Music, videos live presentations. She is the best and paved the way for the rest. Go for her. You won’t regret it.
Blond ambition live performance you will be shocked how good it is! Madonna is unique 25 number #1 hits in many countries unbelievable!
METROPOLIS - 1927 sci-fi silent film directed by Fritz Lang. This was Madonna's inspiration. Watch that film and you'll be able to interpret this video better. Her dance number at the top of the stairs though - imho the most iconic dance solo by a female artist (* don't miss the crotch grab). I then realized that she was Michael Jackson's true artistic rival, more than Prince. Fun fact: this was the most expensive music video ever made when it came out in 1989 (thank you, Pepsi!). It's still in the top 5 as of 2024. The cost was definitely worth it - a true masterpiece.
The wet kitty metaphor narrative is strong in this one!
This song was inspired by Jennifer Grey- yes, of Dirty Dancing fame. Grey and Madonna became very close working in Bloodhounds of Broadway. Jennifer was going through a very turbulent time with longtime boyfriend Matthew Broderick ( yep, Ferris Bueller ). The lyric “Don’t go for second best, Baby” is a cheeky nod to Grey’s character Frances “Baby” Houseman. Grey has said in numerous interviews that she took great pride being the muse for this iconic tune.
This 1989 remix took the Euro-club sound that had started to bubble up on the dance floor (think S-express and Soul II Soul) and shoved it into everyone's living rooms. Up until this point, most 'remixes' were just extended versions with a few production variations. This version was a complete rebuild of the song that stood on its own. Shep Pettibone helmed this, as well as the remix for "Keep It Together", most of the Erotica album, and of course "Vogue".
If you do a fully Madonna discography, I'm signing up to Patreon immediately.
The best artist ever❤
Go watch the live version from the Blonde Ambition Tour. It's the opening number, and it's I C O N I C. It's literally this whole video coming to life. And she rocks it hardcore!
I can see you speechless when you react to American Life Director's Cut 😂
More of the Queen.
Papa don’t Preach video next!! Great video, plus one of the first times Madonna used a more rock vocal. You’ll love it. Actually, you’ll prolly love her from true blue on because that sounds weaves into her discography moreso from that album forward. However, if you’re gonna deep dive, I’d suggest holding off on videos. Madonna’s music is audio and visual. A pioneer to the music video format and a lot of her music and evolution is best seen as it evolves, grows, and shifts with her sound and her personal and political messaging throughout the decades.
Madonna YES YES YES
I'll let you google everything about the video, but my favorite quote comes directly from Madonna. Speaking on the various themes of the video, but specifically the cat imagery, she simply said, "pussy rules the world." Gotta continue with your Madonna dive, you won't regret it✌
I love❤ yours videos ...from Brasil 💛💚🇧🇷
You gotta do “Bad girl” music video
This is the song that kinda sorta set off the Gaga/Madonna feud as Gaga was accused of ripping off the beat of Express Yourself for Born This Way. It got so heated that Madonna worked Born This Way into Express Yourself as a mashup during a tour to prove that it was a carbon copy. It's still a pretty heated debate to this day.
Here you have her videography
🥰💯💋❤
🔥✌🏻🔥
I would stick to her videography and her live tours.
She is a visual and performance artist. You can’t just listen to the records.
Trust.
Hey dude.... this video is based in a German Film: "Metropolis".... (mind control).
Madonna is the queen, Kylie Minogue is the goddess! More Kylie please.
Is the guy the same one whos kisses Madonna in her Rain video 4 years later?
❤🇧🇷🇺🇸💚💛💚💛💚💛💚💛💛💚💛
Hi dude, do you want some fan advice? View the videography in chronological order. It's less extensive and a lot of fun, you'll enjoy it.
😎👍
review Burning Up please
Now React to Michael Jackson Music Videos or his underrated songs.
I recommend song me against the music Britney & Madonna the legend of pop music to you.
you need to do janet jackson reactions. Try reacting for black cat