acko Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 In Hear This, A.V. Club writers sing the praises of songs they know well. This week, we’re featuring our favorite songs that only appeared on soundtracks. “Beautiful Stranger,” Madonna (1999)The unlikely duo of Mike Myers and Madonna has been an ideal match ever since Madonna’s unabashed pitch for her 1991 movie on Saturday Night Live, when she invited Wayne Campbell to play Truth Or Dare. She also guested as Linda Richman’s pal Liz Rosenberg on her program “Coffee Talk” when Barbra Streisand showed up. The creative partnership works because Madonna, though serious, always seems game, and Myers, though frequently goofy, is also creatively inventive. So Madonna was an obvious yet inspired choice to kick off the soundtrack for Myers’ 1999 Austin Powers sequel, The Spy Who Shagged Me. The collaboration resulted in “Beautiful Stranger,” Madonna’s best song that never appeared on a regular Madonna album. Building off her electronica dance reinvention from 1998’s Grammy-winning Ray Of Light, “Beautiful Stranger” was less ethereal, but just as dance-floor ready. She co-wrote the song with William Orbit (her Ray Of Light collaborator), achieving a psychedelic pop confection that offered a few of her most indelible hooks. The song managed to bridge Madonna’s silky dance pop with the ’60s period piece Myers was aiming for; dance flute has never sounded so enticing, and Madonna’s voice so sweetly seductive. And its hypnotic appeal was a natural background for a song about infatuation with someone you haven’t even met. For a potential one-off, “Beautiful Stranger” wound up with quite a storied history: It won the singer a Grammy for “Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media.” Madonna realized the song’s strength as well, and eventually included it in two of her greatest-hits collections. It also added momentum to Madonna’s comeback for the then-looming 21st century: She used it as the fourth song in her set on her 2001 Drowned World Tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 One of my favorite Madonna songs ever from one of the best summers of my life. I will always have a special place in my heart for this little piece of pop perfection. da da da da da da da da da da da! Beautiful stranger... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Medoner Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 LOVE beautiful stranger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacket Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 This is probably my most played Madonna song. I absolutely ADORE it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip The Switch Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 'nough said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pud Whacker Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Such a marvelous time. She was fun and sexy again after all the drear of Something to Remeber, Evita and Ray of Light. I say that with love. I love all those other projects but the world was in dire need of the sexy feel good madonna again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acko Posted June 16, 2015 Author Share Posted June 16, 2015 Yes Pudsicle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pud Whacker Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivy Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 The only good thing about this piece of shit movie. Praise (Jesus) Madonna! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acko Posted June 16, 2015 Author Share Posted June 16, 2015 The only good thing about this piece of shit movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivy Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 ??? I usually adore English Humour much more then american / aussie humour, but this was a piece of cliched shit. Give me George, Mildred, Basil, Miss Slokiem and Benny Hill anyday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horn Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 If not mistaken, M & WO wrote the song in WO's living room floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horn Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 And I still remember ICON fan club site keeps promising fans the commercial single would be out anytime soon but it didn't and forced fans to buy the album instead. As a result, the soundtrack album sold > 1m in the US and certified Platinum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karbatal Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 If not mistaken, M & WO wrote the song in WO's living room floor. She seems to write the best things when there are not fornitures and she's in some dark corner. She should write the next album stucked in a metro wagon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david86 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 My friends [not fanz] love her in this video, beautiful, happy and healthy. they kept saying that especially during cheekdonna era.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Barthes Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 I remember the premiere on Radio One, out of the blue a new Madonna track and the video premiere thinking she was looking fucking sexy and gorgeous. Madonna's movie singles are the best Crazy for you Gambler (europe) Into the groove Live to tell Who's that girl Causing a commotion The look of love (europe) Vogue (sort of) Hanky Panky ( i adore it) This used to be my playground I'll remember you must love me (even though i hate Rice/Llyod weber) Beautiful Stranger Time stood still ( i know, not a single but should have been instead of American Pie) Die another day Masterpiece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spazz Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 amazing video great pop song funny and iconic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5iVe Elements Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Yaaasssss! I was indifferent to this song back then but I never changed the channel when it was on MTV and even sang along beyond my control The power of Madonna! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 I liked it but never appreciated how much non stans love IT! Ive been in a car with 2 of my friends and its their all time fame Madge song. It was on ALL THE TIME in the UK, it got to number 2 because S Club 7 (a kiddie show/band) was at number 1 but stayed on the charts for about 4 months. It was on tv and reported back then that it was one of the most played and requested songs of ALL TIME! I was proud of her, the same way American Pie was huge here. Yet look at nowadays and the amazing Ghosttown that went nowhere? I dont understand how this world works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runa Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Would love to hear it live once again ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyto Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 The production and harmonies are perfection on this track. It should've been nominated and won Record of the Year, of Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the very least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick00 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Another missed opportunity for US top ten hit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royal T Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 she's so hot it this video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJM Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 One of my favorite songs and videos! I was 8 when this came out and it sure was my jam at the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasteinmen Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Takes me back to the Summer of 99, when I became obsessed with the Queen of pop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bluejean Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Well I LOVE this song! But "the best song that never appeared on a regular Madonna album" is Into The Groove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Lecter Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Summer of 99 What a year. What a song. Everyone loved it and her. Bloody S Club 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikki Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I liked it but never appreciated how much non stans love IT! Ive been in a car with 2 of my friends and its their all time fame Madge song. It was on ALL THE TIME in the UK, it got to number 2 because S Club 7 (a kiddie show/band) was at number 1 but stayed on the charts for about 4 months. It was on tv and reported back then that it was one of the most played and requested songs of ALL TIME! I was proud of her, the same way American Pie was huge here. Yet look at nowadays and the amazing Ghosttown that went nowhere? I dont understand how this world works. and that wasn't even a big hit (on madonna terms), just your average madonna song (on how it's doing on the charts) yet when you do some digging, you'll find that it's the second most played song of the year in europe behind britney's baby one more time (which is probably britney's BIGGEST hit..) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasta Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Great song. Great vocals. Not a fan of the video tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 what a great song and video....one of her sexiest perf....those eyes... (and imaging the meltdowns if internet was what it is now...."oh....what a cheap vid....the green screen and M just making the same moves.....") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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