The video version is so much better than the album version, imv. Can't wait till you see it! The story goes she wrote the song for Jennifer Grey after breakup with her boyfriend at the time. Madonna's live performance of this song in the Blond Ambition tour is iconic!
Oh okay, cool...so I was sorta right. It seems like she was giving direct advice to someone on how to handle a bad relationship. Look forward to seeing the video and live performance!
This song became a Madonna classic, but not this version, that would never be used again, but the radio and video versions were the ones that made it. It was about female empowerment but ironically became one of her greatest gay anthems as time went by, I guess because of the title and the overall attitude that's highlighted in the video. By this time her main audience was changing fast from the teenage girls (that were no longer teens) to the gay community. Her VMA performance of this song is great, consider reacting to it after the official video, it's worth watching 👌
I definitely hear the whole 'empowerment' angle. From the resolute lyrics to the big and showy chorus. It sounds anthem-framed. Interesting about her audience change. I know Madonna has a large gay following. So this album transitioned her away from the kids and teens? Def. gonna watch the VMA performance during this Like a Prayer 'chapter.'
@@AceM-Reacts Yes, it seems her audience was growing with her, so the subject naturally changed. Madonna was 31 at this point, and being as honest to her creative process as she is, it would became harder and harder to connect with kids and very young teens and she would quickly be mimicking her younger self. On the other end, her audience was also growing up and at this point she had evolved so fast that her early teenage imagine already looked dated. So it was the right move bringing up more serious themes and sophisticated sounds and a more 'young-adult' image. And the gays had always been there, of course, by sheer identification, but it was the teenage girls' behavior that she affected the most in the first years. But her work from this point to the next 3 years will turn her into the ultimate gay icon. But no spoilers 🤫 Glad you're doing the VMA 💯
I totally forgot about the album version....and I own the album. LOL The music video version seems to be more popular and the version most people recognize. I do like this version too though.
The version on the music video is oustanding, this song is one of the jewels on her crown. It will become more iconic with the release of the music video and the live performances on the VMAs and of course in the legendary "Blonde Ambition Tour". Perhaps you don't remember but a certain "Lady something" tried to steal the melody. the structure and the overall message of this song, although "that" other song will be always remembered as Express Yourself 2.0 LOL
So I'ma take a wild guess and say that you're referring to Lady Gaga! LOL I remember a lot of people saying that she swaggerjacks Madonna. Honestly I couldn't say for sure, I'm not really into her music. The only songs of hers I'm familiar with are Pokerface and Bad Romance.
@@AceM-Reacts well there are plenty of serious material evidence for those claims lol Wait until the era when the LG song came out and Madonna's subsequent era when she responds to it through her own work and it becomes very interesting 🗣️💅
@@AceM-Reacts Well, it will be interesting if you compare both songs, I mean, once you watch the music video for Express Yourself and then that blatant copy called "Born this way", I'd love to listen to your opinion about it. The worst thing is that woman lied about Madonna "giving her bless", something which M herself denied. Anyway, that was the end for the mother monster... LOL
I agree with the other comments. The video and live versions I think will change your grade. Also, do a quick wiki read on the 1927 Fritz Lang film Metropolis. The video quotes and references the film.
This album is a bit of a first divorce record (there will be another) as well other serious topics. Completely different music and what was played on the radio. The horns are all but gone.
What to say… Please watch the video ( one of the most expensive videos ever made), the live performances from her Blond Ambition Tour and from the VMA’s. She was on top form on all of them.
Jennifer Grey says this song was written about her and Mathew Broderick but I think it's a little more autobiographical, literally in some places. "You don't need diamond rings or eighteen karat gold" is a reference to her engagement ring that was stolen from a hotel (along with a sapphire and diamond bracelet-both gifts from then husband Sean Penn). And "fancy cars that go very fast, you know they never last" is a reference to the 1956 coral colored Thunderbird (wedding present from Sean) that Madonna crashed into a tree, because she was on the phone (car was repaired and later sold at auction).
Love your Madonna reactions and in the order you going! ❤ PS: after u watch the music video, you should check her performance at the 1989 MTV video music awards for this song! ❤
The radio/video version is much better. The album cut is overwhelmed by horns and a rather pedestrian arrangement that sounds like something by Steve Winwood.
The album versions of a song often miss something. The radio edit which is heard in the official video is much more dynamic and tighter and has a lot of oomph not to mention intriguing visual appeal
This album came out after Madonna’s turbulent marriage with Sean Penn ended. There are a lot of heavy topics on Like A Prayer.. one being her rocky relationship, but also so many other huge things. This was the album where Madonna went from just a pop star to a true artist. The raw emotion and honesty from her on this album was really quite stunning. She held nothing back on this one. As for this song, it was a hit! However this version only appears on the album. She used a remix for the video and the radio (and every greatest hits album it’s ever appeared on).. and I think you’ll like it a lot better. I more or less agreed with everything you said in your critique.
And also, this is the only version that would have worked on the album, within the context of its organic sounds. The remixes are clubby. The 7" version is similar to this LP version.
The video version is so much better than the album version, imv. Can't wait till you see it! The story goes she wrote the song for Jennifer Grey after breakup with her boyfriend at the time. Madonna's live performance of this song in the Blond Ambition tour is iconic!
Oh okay, cool...so I was sorta right. It seems like she was giving direct advice to someone on how to handle a bad relationship. Look forward to seeing the video and live performance!
They don't play it much any more. Agreed! You reviews are good!
I agree with the other comments: the video version is so much better. I look forward to seeing what you think!
Looking forward to it!
This song became a Madonna classic, but not this version, that would never be used again, but the radio and video versions were the ones that made it. It was about female empowerment but ironically became one of her greatest gay anthems as time went by, I guess because of the title and the overall attitude that's highlighted in the video. By this time her main audience was changing fast from the teenage girls (that were no longer teens) to the gay community.
Her VMA performance of this song is great, consider reacting to it after the official video, it's worth watching 👌
I definitely hear the whole 'empowerment' angle. From the resolute lyrics to the big and showy chorus. It sounds anthem-framed. Interesting about her audience change. I know Madonna has a large gay following. So this album transitioned her away from the kids and teens? Def. gonna watch the VMA performance during this Like a Prayer 'chapter.'
@@AceM-Reacts Yes, it seems her audience was growing with her, so the subject naturally changed. Madonna was 31 at this point, and being as honest to her creative process as she is, it would became harder and harder to connect with kids and very young teens and she would quickly be mimicking her younger self. On the other end, her audience was also growing up and at this point she had evolved so fast that her early teenage imagine already looked dated. So it was the right move bringing up more serious themes and sophisticated sounds and a more 'young-adult' image.
And the gays had always been there, of course, by sheer identification, but it was the teenage girls' behavior that she affected the most in the first years. But her work from this point to the next 3 years will turn her into the ultimate gay icon. But no spoilers 🤫
Glad you're doing the VMA 💯
I totally forgot about the album version....and I own the album. LOL The music video version seems to be more popular and the version most people recognize. I do like this version too though.
You will change your opinion after you hear the video Version...but I love this album version as well.
Child you need to watch the VMM MTV 1989 live performance of Express Yourself its good.HEYwhen you get the chance react to DEEE LITE (POWER OF LOVE)
Will definitely wactch and will also add the song recommendation to my list!
The version on the music video is oustanding, this song is one of the jewels on her crown. It will become more iconic with the release of the music video and the live performances on the VMAs and of course in the legendary "Blonde Ambition Tour". Perhaps you don't remember but a certain "Lady something" tried to steal the melody. the structure and the overall message of this song, although "that" other song will be always remembered as Express Yourself 2.0 LOL
So I'ma take a wild guess and say that you're referring to Lady Gaga! LOL I remember a lot of people saying that she swaggerjacks Madonna. Honestly I couldn't say for sure, I'm not really into her music. The only songs of hers I'm familiar with are Pokerface and Bad Romance.
@@AceM-Reacts well there are plenty of serious material evidence for those claims lol Wait until the era when the LG song came out and Madonna's subsequent era when she responds to it through her own work and it becomes very interesting 🗣️💅
@@AceM-Reacts Well, it will be interesting if you compare both songs, I mean, once you watch the music video for Express Yourself and then that blatant copy called "Born this way", I'd love to listen to your opinion about it. The worst thing is that woman lied about Madonna "giving her bless", something which M herself denied. Anyway, that was the end for the mother monster... LOL
I agree with the other comments. The video and live versions I think will change your grade. Also, do a quick wiki read on the 1927 Fritz Lang film Metropolis. The video quotes and references the film.
Interesting! I haven’t seen the movie, but I have heard of it. I’ll give it a read over before checking out the video.
The video version is completely remixed and is more dance electronic. Can't wait for you to react to it. My top Madonna song of all time.
Interesting! Look forward to seeing it.
Hello, recently the Dirty Dancing actress revealed that this song Madonna wrote it with her in mind
Interesting! Yeah, the song sounds inspired.
This album is a bit of a first divorce record (there will be another) as well other serious topics. Completely different music and what was played on the radio. The horns are all but gone.
The horns are so prominent on the album cut. It'll be interesting to hear the song with them not so pronounced.
What to say… Please watch the video ( one of the most expensive videos ever made), the live performances from her Blond Ambition Tour and from the VMA’s. She was on top form on all of them.
Definitely gonna check out all 3!
@@AceM-Reacts🙌🏼🙌🏼
Jennifer Grey says this song was written about her and Mathew Broderick but I think it's a little more autobiographical, literally in some places. "You don't need diamond rings or eighteen karat gold" is a reference to her engagement ring that was stolen from a hotel (along with a sapphire and diamond bracelet-both gifts from then husband Sean Penn). And "fancy cars that go very fast, you know they never last" is a reference to the 1956 coral colored Thunderbird (wedding present from Sean) that Madonna crashed into a tree, because she was on the phone (car was repaired and later sold at auction).
Love your Madonna reactions and in the order you going! ❤
PS: after u watch the music video, you should check her performance at the 1989 MTV video music awards for this song!
❤
The radio/video version is much better. The album cut is overwhelmed by horns and a rather pedestrian arrangement that sounds like something by Steve Winwood.
LOL! Good ol' Steve Winwood. I reacted to one of his songs not too long ago and yeah I think it was horn-y.
The album versions of a song often miss something. The radio edit which is heard in the official video is much more dynamic and tighter and has a lot of oomph not to mention intriguing visual appeal
Cool. Can't wait to see it!
I completely agree with you. It’s a bit messy. The music video version is soooooooo much better. I think you’ll enjoy it much more.
✌🏻👍🏻✌🏻
The way yall are talking, it sounds like the video will be fire! Looking forward to it.
@@AceM-Reacts Video is fire, but the song itself has a different sound. Much more put together. Looking forward to the reaction.
✌🏻✌🏻
This album came out after Madonna’s turbulent marriage with Sean Penn ended. There are a lot of heavy topics on Like A Prayer.. one being her rocky relationship, but also so many other huge things. This was the album where Madonna went from just a pop star to a true artist. The raw emotion and honesty from her on this album was really quite stunning. She held nothing back on this one.
As for this song, it was a hit! However this version only appears on the album. She used a remix for the video and the radio (and every greatest hits album it’s ever appeared on).. and I think you’ll like it a lot better. I more or less agreed with everything you said in your critique.
Thank you! I appreciate that and look forward to delving deeper into Like a Prayer. I'm definitely more curious about the video now.
The album version is FUNK, while the other versions are pop/dance
And also, this is the only version that would have worked on the album, within the context of its organic sounds. The remixes are clubby. The 7" version is similar to this LP version.