Mattress

June 6, 2009

You are so talented, Mattress. I love the tour poster. This bitch needs to hire your ass for various projects!
I think in this day and age, artists need to start extending a hand to the fans... much of the time they do it better than the 'professionals' that do a half assed job.

That's really sweet of you to say. Thanks. :vogue:

It would be cool if the opportunity to work on an official Madonna project ever presented itself but I sincerely doubt it ever would. Oh, that I had ten minutes on the phone with the producers of the forthcoming compilation...

June 6, 2009

I could easily get this effect by playing a CD (usually the original CD, not a burned CD where the songs are 128 kpbs) on a disc man (yea, remember those?) and plugging the headphones in half-way. It's really interesting to hear it like this throughout the ROL album.[b/]

Yes! That's how I first discovered it... I had The Immaculate Collection cassette in my little, yellow, waterproof Sony walkman ( :rotfl: ), and the cord caught and dislodged the headphone jack.

I was all :shock: and :dramatic: .

June 6, 2009

The second is the entry for the album in Matthew Rettenmund's Encyclopedia Madonna. The book was published in the Spring of 1995, so this was clearly a last minute addition to the book. (Hope everyone is able to read this quickie scan...)

I'll see if I can find more reviews from the major publications for you, cosmic_system.

June 6, 2009

I'd love to read some album reviews from Usa Today, NY Post etc

Here are two of my favorites. The first is from the December 15, 1994 issue of Rolling Stone magazine:

Rolling Stone

After the drubbing she has taken in the last few years, Madonna deserves to be mighty mad. And wounded anger is shot through her new album, Bedtime Stories, as she works out survival strategies. While always a feminist more by example than by word or deed, Madonna seems genuinely shocked at the hypocritical prudishness of her former fans, leading one to expect a set of biting screeds. But instead of reveling in raised consciousness, Bedtime Stories demonstrates a desire to get unconscious. Madonna still wants to go to bed, but this time it's to pull the covers over her head.

Still, in so doing, Madonna has come up with some awfully compelling sounds. In her retreat from sex to romance, she has enlisted four top R&B producers: Atlanta whiz kid Dallas Austin, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Dave "Jam" Hall and Britisher Nellee Hooper (Soul II Soul), who add lush soul and creamy balladry. With this awesome collection of talent, the record verily shimmers. Bass-heavy grooves push it along when more conventional sentiments threaten to bog it down. Both aspects put it on chart-smart terrain.

A number of songs – "Survival," "Secret," "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" (to which Me'Shell NdegéOcello brings a bumping bass line and a jazzy rap) – are infectiously funky. And Madonna does a drive-by on her critics, complete with a keening synth line straight outta Dre, on "Human Nature": "Did I say something wrong?/Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about sex (I musta been crazy)."

But you don't need her to tell you that she's "drawn to sadness" or that "loneliness has never been a stranger," as she sings on the sorrowful "Love Tried to Welcome Me." The downbeat restraint in her vocals says it, from the tremulously tender "Inside of Me" to the sob in "Happiness lies in your own hand/It took me much too long to understand" from "Secret."

The record ultimately moves from grief to oblivion with the seductive techno pull of "Sanctuary." The pulsating drone of the title track (co-written by Björk and Hooper), with its murmured refrain of "Let's get unconscious, honey," renounces language for numbness.

Twirled in a gauze of (unrequited) love songs, Bedtime Stories says, "Fuck off, I'm not done yet." You have to listen hard to hear that, though. Madonna's message is still "Express yourself, don't repress yourself." This time, however, it comes not with a bang but a whisper.

June 6, 2009

U slut! I love u..but u posted Into The groove...twice

:fag:

I fixed it... here's the link to IRBYL: http://www.mediafire.com/?zmyjzmmd0yz

(Also altered the description of the effect. It cancels out sounds that fall dead center in a stereo recording, leaving you with only what falls far left and far right in the mix. I was on my way out the door for work and pretty much explained it as the exact opposite, lol.)

June 5, 2009

I'm in a hurry right now, but you can wire almost any stereo to produce this effect, or use an audio file editor to simulate it. What it's doing is cancelling out sounds that fall dead center in a stereo recording, leaving you with only what falls far left and far right in the mix.

Here is Don't Stop - Full Length Isolated Center Channel: http://www.mediafire.com/?zftifjmmkkn

My favorite from Bedtime Stories using this effect is I'd Rather Be Your Lover. It basically becomes an http://www.mediafire.com/?zmyjzmmd0yz

I'll go through some of her stuff later and find the better ones to give examples. Here are snippets of the three off of the top of my head that produce interesting results:

Into The Groove (low harmony bridge followed by high harmony secondary chorus :inlove: ) http://www.mediafire.com/?rydymzmqnn5

Nothing Really Matters (you don't even notice the "bobbling" synth/bass in the full mix, and the end harmonies sound lovely) http://www.mediafire.com/?1otmiznmt30

Candy Perfume Girl (all minimalistic like, losing the guitar and bringing the lead vocal to the fore of the mix) http://www.mediafire.com/?qrnmgimyymj

June 5, 2009

Thanks, xela!

June 5, 2009

June 5, 2009

i remember so vividly coming home from work early to see the msn music london performance. i was still on dial up and i was like, why is this so the worst and pausing? i was totally clueless about how it all worked.

:demonic: I'm still on dial up half of the time, so feel sorry for me.

June 5, 2009

make acko get me CREAM by prince live. hes making me keep a bedtime sig for a month!!!

:lol: I'm in on this too, you have to keep it.

I love the new one.

June 5, 2009

Well at the time of these posts there were only around 500 websites. That's all. I think a lot of people probably learned about the internet through Warner Bros. early online efforts. They would get the brief mention on MTV news, and then they featured Madonna's page at the end of a big History Of Rock 'N' Roll documentary event in '94/'95.

E-mail addresses (mostly AOL) and website addresses began appearing as part of album credits in 1995 and picked up throughout 1996... during this time they started manufacturing CD-roms with videos and wallpapers and this evolved into enhanced CDs/singles.

It just kept growing and growing but it hit a new peak around 1998-1999 which is when computers became a little more affordable and AOL really put push behind their online services... remember all of the 2.0 crap? :lol:

June 5, 2009

did you know of it?

Hell to the no. :lol: I became aware of it during Bedtime Stories... I remember the "Secret" message. I had limited access through school but not any real access of my own until around 1997.

June 5, 2009

wow. i was sooooooooooo unaware of the internet in 90/91.

:lol:

June 5, 2009

love wont wait is everything and so is this:

mattress, HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!!

Mattress, that is one of the most beautiful tour posters I have EVER seen! Superlative work!

Thanks, all! :asian:

acko made me do it. :hurt:

June 5, 2009

Seriously?
God, it's like if it sounds like absolute shit, you just adore it. I mean... it just sounds BAD.

:lol:

I would like to hear a more polished version by Madonna.

Gary Barlow's version = dire.

June 5, 2009

This is from an archive of the madonna@mit.edu mailing list. You have to sift through a lot of crap and classifieds ("I waited outside her house for three weeks! I LOVE YOU MADONNA!" and "I have this video to trade for such and such magazine" x 2,000,000) so I've been going through and cherry picking posts pertaining to Bedtime Stories. It makes for an interesting time capsule of both Madonna and of the early days of the internet.

"Nobody is quite sure when the list started, though most think it began circa 1990-1991, when Madonna was cavorting on screen in Truth or Dare and in the video Justify My Love.

In 1992, the list was called madonna@mit.edu, and it was run for the next three years by a student named Joe who saved it from being shut down. The message volume on the mailing list soon became a burden for some people as membership grew, so Joe created the Madonna Digest. In March, 1995, Joe left for graduate school, and turned the list over to Jim, then a student at the University of Michigan. He moved the mailing list to madonna@umich.edu—how appropriate, considering Madonna was once a student there. Automation of the lists finally came with the advent of mlvc.org

June 5, 2009

THIRD INSTALLMENT, September/October 1994 postings... includes much of the week of the album release.

Date: Thu, 15 Sep 94 20:56:06 EDT

From: Smedley4 (at) aol.com

Subject: More SECRET information!!!

OKAY, EVERYONE. Hope you're sitting down, 'cause I got lots more exclusive

info about Madonna's brand new album. Just to summarize one last time,

here's everything I know about the album up to this point:

****************************

ALBUM TITLE: "BEDTIME STORIES"

Catalog Number: 4/2-45767

WEA Confirmed Street Date: Tuesday, October 25, 1994 (Major record stores

such as Tower Records will be open at Midnight on Monday, October 24th to

sell the new LP before anyone else)

TRACK LISTING (also includes any small notes that I know about each track):

1. "Survival"

2. "Secret"

--Scheduled release date for radio play: September 20th

--Scheduled release date for the single: October 6th

--Scheduled release date for the maxi-single: Mid-November

3. "I'd Rather Be Your Lover"

-- Me'Shell N'degeOcello, plays bass guitar

4. "Don't Stop"

5. "Inside Of Me" (rumored to be a re-visitation of "Where Life Begins") :rotfl:

6. "Human Nature"

7. "Forbidden Love"

8. "Love Tried To Welcome Me"

9. "Sanctuary"

10. "Bedtime Story"

-- co-written by Bjork and Nellie Hooper

11. "Take A Bow"

NOTE: Above is the official track listing from WEA. However, another

reliable source has also posted a message claiming that there are two other

track titles that aren't listed above. These haven't been confirmed, so they

may or may not end up on the album. The titles, with their respective

comments by the source, include:

1. "Oops, Sorry" - Madonna lashes out at her critics. Lyrics include: "I'm

No Bitch, Don't Hang Your Shit On Me." :rotfl:

2. "For You" - Madonna talks about how tough it is at the top.

MUSICIANS on the new album:

Me'Shell N'DegeOcello: Bass Guitar

Baby face: Drum programming, synthesizers, backing vocals

Dallas Austin: Drums, keyboards

Tommy Martin: Guitar

Colin Wolfe: Bass

PRODUCERS on the new album:

Nellie Hooper, Dallas Austin, Babyface, Madonna, David Hall

--(Note that Stephen Bray and/or Shep Pettibone are not rumored to be

working on this album)

******************************

I also have some lyrics from the new song "Secret", they go like this:

Things haven't been the same

Since you came into my life

You found a way to touch my soul

And I'm never, ever, ever gonna let it go

Hapiness lies in your own hand

It took me much too long

To understand

How it could be

Until you share your. . .

Secret with me

Something's coming over, mmmm....

Something's coming over me

My baby's got a secret. . . .

****************************

-----Warner Bros. online has posted a 30-second sample of the song, it is an

IBM .WAV file, but can be converted and played on a Macintosh using some

simple shareware sound utility programs also available for free through AOL.

-----Madonna has also posted her own exclusive recorded 50-second long,

spoken message on the computer message board, American Online. Below is a

text representation of the message, which is recorded by Madonna herself, in

her own voice. This is exactly what she says, word for word:

"Hello, all you Cyberheads!

Welcome to the nineties version of intimacy.

You can hear me. . .

You can even see me. . .

But you can't touch me. . .

Do you recognize my voice?

It's Madonna.

Often imitated, but never duplicated. . .

Or, should I say, often IRRITATED.

If you feel like it, you can download the sound file of my

new single "Secret," from my new album, "Bedtime Stories," which comes out

next month.

I just shot the video in New York, and will be premiering an exclusive sample

of it online. So check back soon. In the mean time, why don't you post me

and let me know what you think of my new song. And by the way, don't believe

any of those online imposters, pretending to be me. . . Ain't nothing like

the real thing.

Peace, out. . . ."

Hope this information helps. If all goes well, and my super-reliable,

TOP-SECRET source comes through for me, I'll have a complete copy of the full

album within a week or so. I'll be sure to keep you guys "posted." Bye for

now!!!!

---

Date: Thu, 15 Sep 1994 21:16:49 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: ALBUM TRACK LISTING

Thanks for the information about "Bedtime Stories" from 'Smedley4.' A

number of the tracks sound intriguing, though none anything

earth-shatteringly original.I hope the album has more than just 11 tracks on

it -- studio albums have generally been 12-14 tracks in the last few

years. Madonna may be planning to save a few cuts as B-sides for future

single releases.

I also hope that Madonna extends her messages calling for respect for gay

lifestyles to to the lyrics of her new album. The Girlie Show broke down

a lot of boundaries in this area but I think it is important that she

expresses her views in her music more directly than she has in the past

in songs such as "In This Life." Is anyone else interested in discussing

Madonna's music, as opposed to video and film, with respect to gay issues?

---

Date: Sat, 15 Oct 1994 22:13:06 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: SECRET REMIXES

Something's certainly going to come over dance clubs this fall. After

guarantee that "Secret" will be a sure-fire dance hit. The

mixes scream "dance club" atmosphere...the driving techno beat,

repetitive vocals, etc. "Secret" should sour to the top of the dance chart

in a matter of weeks after the maxi-single's release. (Why the hell are they

releasing the maxi so late in the U.S.?)

Of course, every dance song Madonna has released since "Like A Prayer" has

hit the top of the dance charts with the exception of "Rescue Me." _Erotica_

and _Like A Prayer_ both had three #1 dance hits.

Dance on...

---

Date: Sun, 16 Oct 1994 13:55:25 EDT

From: Joe Barco <jwb (at) MIT.EDU>

Subject: WWW page

Hi all,

I found out today that the Madonna homepage on the World Wide Web

(http://www.mit.edu:8001/people/jwb/Madonna.html) is the 3rd most accessed

document from someone's homepage at MIT. This is pretty impressive since about

500 people have homepages. My homepage, probably thanks to the Madonna page,

is ranked 4th in total accesses. Keep it up!

Also, I hope people have been calling the radio stations in their

hometowns requesting 'Secret.' Oh, and when the new album comes out, I hope

that people refrain from sending mail that starts with 'I just bought Bedtime

Stories, and I like it.' Otherwise, we are going to be flooded with 400+

messages in one day, and I don't think anyone feels like sorting through that.

Oh, I'm going to be adding a whole slew of pictures to the Madonna

homepage within the next few days. Keep looking for them.

P.S. If Madonna was reading this mailing list, wouldn't it be cool if

she gave us advance info about the next single/videos (hint hint)? :-)

---

Date: Sun, 16 Oct 1994 23:06:02 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: Let Down Your Guard

I agree with Robert's observation that "Let Down Your Guard" from the import

single of "Secret" is not very Madonna-esque. I think the short-breathed

vocals and "funk" synth beat is quite Prince-esque. It reminds me of much

of Prince's work in the 80's that was never released as commerical

singles, but was a big part of his body of work as a whole. The

compressed back-up singing, background noise (like a telephone call), and

sexual lyrics are also very Prince-esque.

Inititially I did not like the track much, but like "Bye Bye Baby," it

has grown on me...I can really get into the funky beat. Madonna is at

her funkiest in the song when she says "I'll take you for a little

ride." I love that part!

The track is an excellent b-side because, though it is perhaps not polished

enough for an album, it shows Madonna experimenting with different styles.

---

Date: Sun, 16 Oct 1994 21:35:34 -0500

From: dhanna (at) mail.sas.upenn.edu (David B Hanna)

Subject: The Virgin Tour

I notice that a lot of people on this list are "newer" fans, beginning from

the _Like a Prayer_ phase or the _Erotica_ phase. I kinda find that

interesting, as during those times it seemed to be when she was _losing_

fans, not gaining them. (People might think otherwise, but at least

amongst my peers, it was rather uncool to be liking Madonna.) But it's

cool that people will go against the trends for her... By the way, the

first album I ever bought was _Like a Virgin_, not that that means

anything...

---

Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 18:08:26 -0400 (EDT)

From: Andre Passero <5PASSERO_A (at) spcvxa.spc.edu>

Subject: ATTN ALL MADONNA FANS IN NEW YORK!!!!!!!!!

Hello all,

I am writing now to invite all who are interested and who

live in the New York area to Tower Records, October 24th, around 11:30

or 11:45 PM to get your copy of Bedtime Stories. It should be fun

because we could get the album and also have a chance to meet one another.

Tower Records have been sort of vague in there response to selling

the album a little early, but I think they will. If the absolutly refuse,

we could go to HMV records who promised to give the album out early.

Mabey we could even get some publicity for this. :-)

I am very excited about this so I would like to hear what you think

about it.

OK hope to see you there.

Andre

---

Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 18:06:25 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: BILLBOARD UPDATE 10/22

My previous "Secret Billboard Update" form is being altered to the

broader "Billboard Update" to allow for the inclusion of all Madonna

singles, albums, and videos on the charts including the Girlie Show

video, the forthcoming _Bedtime Stories_, and subsequent singles released

from the album. Enjoy...

_Billboard_ October 22, 1994

"Secret" ©(D)(V)

==========================================================================

Chart This Week Last Week Weeks on Chart

==========================================================================

Hot 100 Singles Chart 4 9 3

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot 100 Airplay 3 7 3

Hot 100 Singles Sales 18 18 2

Top 40/Mainstream Airplay 4 11 3

Top 40/Rhythm Crossover 15 22 2

Hot Adult Contemporary 15 19 3

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

MTV Video Monitor 7 NEW 1

VH-1 Video Monitor 5 NEW 1

==========================================================================

"Secret" becomes Madonna's 22nd Top 5 hit. This consolidates her record

for most Top 5 hits by a female artist and places her third, behind Elvis

Presley and The Beatles, for most Top 5 hits by an artist or group in the

rock era. Billboard commentator Fred Bronson notes that Madonna is

fourth in number of top 10 hits, behind Elvis (38), The Beatles (33) and

Stevie Wonder (28). The next release off her new album will enevitably tie

her for third (she currently has 27 top 10 hits).

Last weeks Top 3 continue to hold their places though they all are

declining in total points. "I'll Make Love To You" shows little signs of

giving up the top spot anytime soon. Madonna's stagnating singles sales

prevent her from exceeding "All I Wanna Do" or "Endless Love." If her

singles sales improve, she should easily capture the #2 spot next week.

There is little competition for "Secret" behind it on the charts. Fred

Bronson notes that "You Want This" is the lowest entry from "janet."

debuting at #60. Sorry Janet, we don't want this (I couldn't resist).

MTV seems to be showing a return to its Madonna-worshipping days, giving

"Secret" top ten airplay in its first week of release.

"I'll Remember" ©(D)(V)(M)(X)(T) Certified Gold

==========================================================================

Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay 9 6 4

Adult Contemporary Recurrents 1 1 2

==========================================================================

"I'll Remember's" strong presence on the recurrent charts hints that it

is fast becoming a "classic" pop ballad.

"The Girlie Show-Live Down Under"

==========================================================================

More on the album...

I am kinda disappointed with it... I don't think I've ever felt this way

after getting a new Madonna album... I'm just not a big fan of R&B-type

shtick and those Babyface songs are really formulaic. Oh well... some

songs are really good, though. And if they release ambient mixes of

"Bedtime Story" I think I will be in heaven. Though that would be really

weird if Madonna released some ambient stuff... I think it would be nicer

if more of the album sounded like "Bedtime Story" b/c ambient is the wave

of the future *swoon*.

Enough posting for me. Hope you all, at least, like the new album!

---

Date: Sun, 23 Oct 1994 05:26:48 -0500

From: rob (at) snuffy.penfield.ny.us (Rob Smith)

Subject: USA TODAY Review!!!

YES!!! Friday's edition of USA TODAY gave Madonna's BEDTIME STORIES 3 and

a half stars out of four!!! Fucking awesome!!! It mentions several tunes,

and calls 'Human Nature' "the best cut". I guess we will all find out

Tuesday!!!

---

Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 22:39:10 +1000 (EST)

From: Evan Spurway <ev (at) insane.apana.org.au>

Subject: Another copy of BS

I happily purchased my copy of Bedtime Stories a few hours ago (released

Down Under first!). Definately a contrast to most other M material and I

must say that it is slightly disappointing that there are no dance

tracks.

It may take a while to 'settle into' this album especially if you are

used to a more up beat Mo.

Do you have comments on the Secret remixes.. are there many

'dancier' tracks on the remixes?

---

Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 10:26:58 -0400 (EDT)

From: AVERYM (at) queen.lsc.vsc.edu

Subject: B.S. reviews

I hope you all are axious for the release of BS tomarrow (tues).

I read two decent reviews that I thought you would be interested in seeing.

US magazine has few but good words to say about the cd. USA Today (SAt/Sun)

has a wonderful review of the pop diva's seventh full record.

Well boys and girls, i'm sure that there will a lot to say over the internet

tomarrow. Good luck and happy listening.

Avery

PS Listen up for Bedtime Story, the

title track to be released soon!

---

Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 18:41:22 +0800 (WST)

From: Cheryl Dane-Stewart <girlie (at) tartarus.uwa.edu.au>

Subject: I Got bedtime Stories!

Hi all!

I Just got 'Bedtime Stories' and I'm on my second way through it. It's

pretty good, but I think it will take a while to get to really like all

the songs. My favourites are 'Human Nature' (definitely a Madonna song

in its attitude and style) and 'Take a Bow". I'm disappointed there are

no real dance tracks on the album, not of the likes of 'Express

Yourself' or 'Vogue' anyway.

Can't wait to hear what the rest of you guys think. I also can't

believe that the album was released in Downunder before the States.

It's nice to know we're ahead of you in some things, not just time.

Oh, and for all of you who debated the line happiness lies in your own

hand, you're going to love 'I'd Rather Be Your Lover.'

---

Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 11:41:16 +0000 (GMT)

From: "Ms A. Roberts" <A.Roberts (at) liverpool.ac.uk>

Subject: Mads&Ruby

Hi all

I don't know if everyone was fortunate enough to catch the interview last

night but it was pretty good. Ruby Wax did not ask questions, she was

trying to give Madonna advice on ageing, wrinkles and double chins Madonna

just screamed with laughter through most of it. I was slightly dissapointed

as There was no mention of her album or any future tours but I got over this

it was good seeing Madonna so happy.

There was alot of talk about babies and love, I think Mads may have someone

hidden away, she looked really good and as I say very happy.

Ruby had a rummage through Madonna suit case and personal hand bag she carrys

some strange things around with her e.g. crotchless knickers & bra, blow

bubbles, cabbage patch doll and then the usual things.

I would like to report in more detail but I have to go - I am in work!

---

Date: Sun, 23 Oct 1994 15:02:41 -0700 (PDT)

From: tgo (at) netcom.com (Thomas Go)

Subject: NY TIMES & MADONNA!!!!

For those of you who live in the NY area, pick up the NY Times.

There is a review/interview with Madonna and Bedtime Stories. After

reading the article you do get a sense of how Madonna is feeling these

days.."loniness". It's a great article which goes through her phases.

There are 5 great pictures of Madonna, one from her Virgin year,

the other is a pic. of her in Material Girl, another in BA with the

pony tail, lastly one from GS, one more pic. of her in 1994. with heavy

dark eye shadows.

What is interesting about this article is that it said,

That she'll have more TV appearence and an eventual tour to go with the

album, though she hasn't plan it yet. She continues to run her company,

Maverick. One project is a film based on Arlyne Brickman's life as a

Mafia Bookkeeper. For those of you who is interested in this story line

...it said it is described in Teresa Carpenter's book "Mob Girl".

Those of you who could get this article get it and read it...it

really provide you a lot of insight of Madonna and her personilty. In

the article I found out that the floor above her has a lot of boxer

pictures...and the biggest pic. with Muhammad Ali with something saying

we love you Madonna. She also has a painting from Picasso.

One thing is that the new album sounds like it'll have more R&B to it..

but how it it not....I think the subtitle of this article is "Return

to innocence".

Can't wait till tuesday!!! BS!!!!!!

---

Date: Mon, 24 Oct 94 10:27:09 EDT

From: bn (at) phantom.com (B Lee)

Subject: Reminder!

Hello guys and Brian Daher in ohio stae:

a Reminder..tonight MTV 9:30 pm EST, there is a Madonna's

Special! So don't miss it..

---

Date: Sun, 23 Oct 1994 18:50:28 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: Tower Release

I have confirmed that Tower Records at 66th and Broadway will be open at

midnight tomorrow to sell copies of Bedtime Stories! Everyone in the New

York area come and prepare yourselves to be "tucked in" that evening by

Madonna's new album.

Happiness is when "Bedtime Stories" lies in my hands!

---

Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 13:49:18 -0700

From: chaney.35 (at) postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu (mick chaney)

Subject: bedtime nightmares

well you all who have the cd already.....SUCK!!!!! i have to wait til

tomorrow. so do not fret brian you and i in columbus home of the

ohio-state cow patties will be the last 2 to get it. in the mean time i

will this to my janet jackson cd. just a joke

---

Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 19:59:45 -0400

From: VIPE428 (at) aol.com

Subject: Here's the Mercury article!

DESPERATELY SEEKING SOMETHING

RICHES, FAME -- MADONNA HAS IT ALL. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN SHE STILL DOESN'T

WANT SOMETHING MORE

First of two parts

By SHERYL GARRATT

Special to the Mercury News

'THAT'S near Madonna's house,'' says the cabby as I read out the Miami

address. ''It is Madonna's house,'' I reply, so impressed by this information

that I'm unable to speak for the rest of the journey.

We swing past Sylvester Stallone's home and then pull up in front of a

smaller, more anonymous one. The only indication that someone famous lives

here are the black cloths draped behind the gates to block the view. As I

press the buzzer, a Jeep pulls up.

''Say hey to Madonna for me,'' the driver yells cheerily as the gates swing

open to a driveway flanked by a tall, straight avenue of palm trees leading

to a lighted fountain. At the gatehouse, a shadowy, black-clad figure that I l

ater learn is the caretaker, Albert, points me toward the house, and as I get

there, another man in black jeans and T-shirt swings open the entrance

grille. Madonna's assistant isn't here, he says, but she won't be long. I sink

into an overstuffed sofa in the living room, and he disappears. I'm on my

own in Madonna's house.

Once the request for an interview had been granted, this had all been

remarkably easy. There were no pre-conditions as is often the norm these

days.

As Madonna is later to tell me, ''I'm a big girl. If I don't want to answer a

question, I can just tell you.''

Celebrities rarely let journalists into their homes. Nor do they generally

hand out their phone numbers or invite you over to play with their stereo

while they're out. I'm still convinced that this is some sort of test, that

I'm being watched. I start to feel ridiculous sitting so rigidly, and I have

a look around.

The house is beautiful in a simple, expensive yet unostentatious way. The

furniture is tasteful, minimal and comfortable.

Downstairs a large, cool living room leads to a formal dining room at one

end, an office/TV room at the other. Doors open onto the garden. The

impression is neat, ordered, free of clutter, but lived-in, too -- this is no

showcase home.

Finally, Madonna's assistant, Caresse Henry, arrives, full of apologies, calli

ng out until Madonna's new puppy, Pepito, comes tumbling downstairs to join

us. A handsome, playful, white pit bull, he was a present for Madonna's 36th

birthday two weeks before, and is so intent on sniffing, licking and jumping

that he has to be taken away again before I can listen to the record.

It's hard to judge music when you hear it once, but what I heard of ''Bedtime

Stories,'' the new record, sounded good. Some of it sounded great. It's a

more mature sound. There are songs here, not the dance-based doodles of

''Erotica.''

Four of the tracks are produced by Nellee Hooper, and one of these --

''Bedtime Story'' -- was written by him with Icelandic songstress Bjork.

Babyface wrote two tracks, singing backing vocals on ''Forbidden Love.'' The

rest were by R&B songwriters/producers Dallas Austin and Dave Hall. The theme

is not sex but love.

Henry and I talk about the new album. ''Did you really like it?'' she asks

anxiously. ''Maybe people will write something nice now. I just hope they'll

all go and pick on someone else for a change.''

The unease in the Madonna camp is understandable. These have not been an easy

two years. Since the release of ''Truth or Dare,'' it seems she can do little

right.

TRUTH OR DARTS

Proud of the film documenting her ''Blonde Ambition'' tour, she had granted

more interviews than ever before, and familiarity bred contempt. Even more

hype surrounded the release of her ''Sex'' book, followed by the

disappointing ''Erotica'' album and the critically panned film ''Body Of

Evidence,'' all of which were seen as signs of her decline.

Tabloid stories this year have portrayed Madonna as a sad, sagging figure

resorting to lesbian affairs to hide her loneliness. An ill-judged appearance

on David Letterman's late-night talk show in which frequent vulgarities were

used led to a similar thrashing.

The usual remedy for American celebrities is the confessional: some

expression of regret, followed by the public airing of a hitherto private

problem. But Madonna is not up for such staged soul-searching. Instead, she

has a theory.

''I'm being punished,'' she tells me calmly after we meet the next day. ''I'm

being punished for being a single female, for having power and being rich and

saying the things I say, being a sexual creature -- actually, not being any

different from anyone else, but just talking about it. If I were a man, I

wouldn't have had any of these problems. Nobody talks about Prince's sex

life, and all the women he's slept with. . . . I'm being punished for having

a sex life. For enjoying it and for saying that I enjoy it. I really think

it's that simple.''

The Madonna I meet is nothing like the Madonna in her photographs: She looks

younger, smaller. This Madonna has short, yellow-blond hair slicked back from

a very pretty face with minimal make-up: black mascara, red lipstick. She is

wearing a long black dress, black bra peeping fashionably out between the

narrow straps, high-heeled mules, a pale blue ribbon tied round one ankle. She

is relaxed, friendly and has a loud, open laugh.

INTO THE GROOVES

Nellee Hooper, she says, was a logical choice for the new album. And

''Bjork's album is one of my favorite for years -- it's brilliantly

produced.''

Lyrically, I say, there's not so much about sex and more about . . .

''Romance,'' says Madonna. ''Or the loss of. Unrequited love.''

Has the sex theme gone as far as it can?

''I tried to make a statement about feeling good about yourself and exploring

your sexuality, but people took it to mean that everyone should go out . . .

and have sex with everyone, and that I was going to be the leader of that. So

I decided to leave it alone. . . . Sex is such a taboo subject, and it's such

a distraction that I'd rather not even offer it up.''

The night before we met, while I was at her house listening to the record,

Madonna was at the mall. She went to a movie with one friend, no bodyguard.

People stared. Three girls sitting in front turned around to ask if anyone

had ever told her she looked a lot like Madonna. And Madonna said yes,

actually, she heard it all the time.

It's easier to do in Miami than anywhere else, she says, but she goes out

like this often.

''I don't care if there's 60 people outside my apartment in New York, I'm

going out for a walk, and if they follow me, they follow me. I will not be a

prisoner.' ''

But isn't that dangerous?

''I don't think about it. I just do it. I can't afford to be so careful, to

cut myself off from the rest of the world. . . . People always say to me,

'Aren't you frightened? Where's your bodyguard?' But it's all of that that

attracts attention, and I just can't function that way.''

The next film Madonna wants to see is ''Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.'' The

best she's seen recently is ''Spanking the Monkey.'' Before that, the last

one she really loved was ''The Piano.'' Knowing this, her last two choices of

acting roles make more sense. Both must have looked great on paper.

Her co-stars in ''Body of Evidence'' were Willem Dafoe and Joe Mantegna, both

acclaimed actors. The director was Uli Edel, known for the art-house hits

''Christiane F'' and ''Last Exit To Brooklyn.''

TRUE BLECCH

The story -- about a woman who may or may not have deliberately killed her

rich, aging lover with adventurous sex -- appealed to Madonna, and she liked

the plot twists. But in the last week of shooting, the ending was changed.

''I fought it every step of the way,'' she says. ''But I had no control.

Woman who has sex must die: That is the theme of that movie, but it wasn't

that way to begin with.''

What the critics wrote was that Madonna was awful. She isn't particularly

good. But her co-stars aren't any good either. ''I got the blame for

everything,'' she says. ''It was like I wrote it, produced it, directed it

and I was the only one acting in it.''

Her next film, ''Dangerous Game,'' was produced by her own company, Maverick,

and again had a strong team: Abel Ferrara and Harvey Keitel, fresh from their

success with ''The Bad Lieutenant.'' Madonna plays a TV actress who sleeps

with the director (Keitel) and the lead actor (James Russo) during the film

she is making. As the director, Keitel shouts at Madonna, telling her that

she can't act, that she's worthless. I wonder why she subjected herself to

this, and she insists that she didn't.

''In the original film, I turn it around,'' she says, explaining that in the

script her actress character manipulates both director and actor, destroying

their De Niro/Scorsese type friendship, and emerges a new star. ''I know a

lot of people have that point of view about me in real life, so I thought I

could take that and do a great performance. . . . Even though it's a (bad)

movie and I hate it, I am good in it.'' Many of those who've seen it agree.

She has two projects in development right now, both being written specially

for her. All she'll say is that she's being very, very careful, and will make

sure this time that the director agrees with her ideas.

''I don't have the power in the film industry that I have in the music

industry,'' she says, explaining that even though Maverick produced

''Dangerous Game,'' Ferrara had the final cut. ''The director is the one in

control. . . . That's what happened to me with Abel. Because it was an

entirely different movie when I made it -- it was such a great feminist

statement, and she was so victorious at the end. I loved this character.

MATERIAL, GIRL

''But the way he edited it, he completely changed the ending,'' she says.

''He had me killed, which was never supposed to be, and he edited out all the

brilliant things that I said. . . . When I saw the cut film, I was weeping. .

. . If I'd have known that was the movie I was making, I would never have

done it, and I was very honest with him about that. . . . I keep coming to

the same conclusion: That I have to be a director.''

Control. Control is the key to Madonna's appeal, and the reason why girls

especially loved her.

At a time when feminism seemed to be asking women to choose between pleasure

or progress, Madonna came along and said you could have it all: power, sex,

glamour, money. Yet, she says, women have also been her most vocal critics.

''There's a whole generation of women -- Courtney Love, Liz Phair, even

Sandra Bernhard to a certain extent -- who cannot bring themselves to say

anything positive about me even though I've . . . paved the road for them to

be more outspoken. . . . But . . . they slag me off any time anybody asks

what they think of me or compare them to me.''

And as Madonna gets older, it also becomes apparent that, for the moment at

least, she hasn't got it all. Her relationships are subjected to the intense

scrutiny her celebrity invites, and when they end, the media find it hard to

conceal their pleasure.

WHO'S THAT GUY?

Do you think you idealize romance? Madonna laughs. ''Absolutely. Yeah.''

Will you ever find the romance you're looking for?

There's a long pause. ''I'll probably never find someone who has everything.

. . . You read a book like 'Catcher in the Rye' or something Hemingway wrote,

you see 'The Way We Were' and you go, 'Oh my God, that's the kind of man I

want, that's everything.' Well I won't find someone that's everything, but I

want to get pretty damn close. Then I figure my friends can fill in the rest.

. . .

''You want someone that has power, success, talent, but the more success they

have, the less you're going to see them. I have a crazy schedule, I'm always

all over the place, so I need someone who's more stable, but then I get . . .

angry because they're not out being ambitious like I am. It's hard to find

that middle ground. I'm having a really hard time, you know. Finding that

perfect person.''

COMING TUESDAY IN LIVING: Trapped in the spotlight

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 13:49:49 -0400 (EDT)

From: "Roger Thomas Whiting II" <whiting1 (at) student.msu.edu>

Subject: Bedtime Stories

The best song has to be Human Nature. The worst is for sure Don't Stop.

The in the thanx notes: the Shep Pettibone thing was a hoot.

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 19:35:22 -0400 (EDT)

From: MCDERMO1 (at) MUVMS6.MU.WVNET.EDU

Subject: BEDTIME STORIES REVIEW

BEDTIME STORIES REVIEW

by Jim McDermott

***** (Five stars out of five)

I thought I'd give my impressions of the new album before reading any of

the other opinions about it. This will hopefully make my review more

interesting and unique.

For those of you who know that I am a staunch Madonna defender, let me say

that my rating of the album and defense of such is not completely biased! I'll

try to back up my opinion in the following critique...

SURVIVAL (****) - A solid work that is catchy and introduces the mood of

the entire album. It is firmly esconced in the R&B theme, and it has a good,

steady beat. It seems like one of those songs that you can sing yourself more

easily than the others on the radio. This might be a release, but probably

later next year.

SECRET (*****) - This is, as evidenced by the chart, quite a hit! Madonna

has a great register, and the beat is danceable, dance track or not. Everybody

I know loves the song, and it's also one that you can hum and sing with. The

repetitiveness might initally seem bland, but I believe this is to reemphasize

the background music which is excellent. Madonna's music is always good because

the beat, rhythm, etc. are always top notch. (As a note on the video, Madonna

herself said that the song is about loving yourself (platonically), and not

really about masturbation. However, to paraphrase something Madonna has said

earlier about her being a lesbian, "If it's important for you to think it's

about masturbation, fine. If it's important for you to think it's about

self-love, fine.")

I'D RATHER BE YOUR LOVER (*****) - Perfect blend of hip-hop, rap, and pop.

Madonna's voice virtually oozes from the lyrics while the background harmony in

the chorus gushes. Madonna holds notes successfully proving that she CAN sing.

Michelle NdegeOcello's rap fits the song, and doesn't seem a token intrusion to

the song as most other singers (who shall remain nameless) are apt to do. I had

previously envisioned this as a duet with Madonna and Michelle, but this song

didn't disappoint in the least!

DON'T STOP (****) - It seems like a 70's song at the beginning, and

gradually emerges as a 90's R&B hip-hop mixture. This is a good, solid song

that will probably be released as a single sometime next year. It has dance

potential, and faster remixes would certainly be a hit. Madonna's vocal quality

and rhythm are good here, and this could be one of those songs that you listen

to a lot without realizing how much you like it until you turn it off and start

singing or humming it!

INSIDE OF ME (*****) - An ethereal, bittersweet melody with lush imagery.

This is a tribute to lost love that is both sad, and yet full of love and hope.

The first time I listened to it, it moved me considerably. If I didn't know

better, I'd think Madonna had read my thoughts and made them a song. This is

the one song that I think Madonna proves that she can outsing ms. janet on her

own turf. She seems to almost sound like her at certain points, which is

altogether fitting consider janet's appropriation of Madonna's style. What's

good for the goose...!

HUMAN NATURE (*****) - This is DEFINITELY one of the best songs on the

album, and one I hope she releases. This is definitely a middle-finger to her

critics, and - though she has publicly made up with him - one I couldn't help

associating with David Letterman. ("Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about

sex! 'I must'a been crazy'..."Did I stay too long?") What a great slap in the

face without being directly insulting. The "I'm not your bitch don't hang your

shit on me" is a classic! "Express Yourself, don't repress yourself" is bound

to be the next catch-phrase, and is cool appropriation of her own material.

This is perfect, considering the hip-hop form she is imitating/parodying. The

background music does seem like a Snoop Doggy Dog Song, but Snoop never sounded

this good!

FORBIDDEN LOVE (****) - This subtle, gorgeous song reminds me of dancing

in a living room in candlelight with your lover. This song is reminiscent of

past Divas whose songs often were heard only by a limited audience. To try to

define the meaning of the song itself would ruin it for each person until

they have heard it. It's one of those songs that could mean isolation, wants,

desires, homosexuality, etc. Some people may not think this is a good song, but

try dancing with your significant other to it, and you'll see why I give it

four stars!

LOVE TRIED TO WELCOME ME (*****) - Have I overused the word gorgeous yet?

This has another bittersweet element that I personally could identify with.

Isolation, feeling unworthy of love, guilt, redemption, and pain are all

wrapped up and delivered here. Madonna has never been more in her element,

artistically. "Love tried to break me...," and the ensuing music interlude were

perfectly done. This song gave me shivers. I's enough to make you want to hold

Madonna (if you didn't already) and tell her everything will be o.k., and

that's she is worthy of love! Though it isn't necessarily autobiographical, the

delivery is such that she makes you almost forget that.

SANCTUARY (*****) - This is where Madonna begins her descent into the

world of grunge and new age music. Eerie, dark, and mysterious, Madonna coos

about the "darkness in your eyes", and the "ground opening wide", and being

"buried" within her lover's arms. "Who needs the sun, who needs the sky, who

needs to sleep" seems almost the antithesis of RAIN's hopefulness upon first

glance. However, the message seems (almost unbelievably) one of love and

desire! This song made me think of Madonna as a vampire... (Good idea for a

video, M, if you're listening!) The subtle mix into Bedtime Story is perfect,

and completely sets up the mood...

BEDTIME STORY (*****) - Tied with "Take a Bow" for the best song on the

album! Madonna finally fufills my hopes, and makes a single that grunge bars

will probably play! Bjork, Nellee Hooper, and Mrius DeVries did a fantastic job

on this one! This is truly a "fuck"-song! The mind boggles at all the future

bumping and grinding that will be done with this one! This mixes imagery with

the most modern sound we have today. Madonna once again invades a completely

foreign environment and makes it her own. She is truly the chameleon here,

blending in just right with the beat to create an unreal, ethereal sound.

It's an interesting comparison with "Words" from Erotica: "Words are useless,

especially sentences, they don't stand for anything..."

TAKE A BOW (*****) - This one made me cry. I admit it. I listened to it,

and it literally made me weep it was so beautiful. I could picture Madonna

singing this in a classy nightclub, after walking outside in the falling

snow... "I've always been in love with you..." started the tears, "no more

masquerade" made me bring out the tissues, and "you'd break my heart" made

the tears turn into sobs. A hopeful, I will always love you-type of song that

is reminiscent of "Sleepless in Seattle" or "An Affair to Remember" (Ironic

considering Madonna's involvement with Warren Beatty, and his remake, "Love

Affair." I have a feeling we may have discounted her feelings for him a little

too easily. This would also be a song for Sean. I don't think she'll ever get

over him, really. I know how she feels, and she too, is only taking a moment to

look back and say "I love you" before moving on forever. If she really is

planning on settling down and having a baby soon, then perhaps this is more

appropos than we think....)

ALBUM DESIGN: Beautiful pictures that show Madonna as a real person, but yet

still the most beautiful looking woman in the world. Humorous, seductive, and

innocent, she's playing the theme to the hilt. I still say the pink and blue is

an indicator that she's either pregnant or going to be sometime soon...

OVERALL IMPRESSION: I can't help but feel that Madonna, despite the hateful

nature of the critics of the past year, has finally found someone or something

that is making her extremely happy...This is an album full of love, both

bittersweet and romantic. It hit me that she really hasn't had a truly lush

romantic ballad (I'll remember seemed more bittersweet, imo) except for Crazy

for You, and I think these far outdo that one song. These songs are PERFECT for

her comeback. I can see them being played on VH-1 over and over, ad infinitum.

MTV might touch on the rougher ones like Secret (obviously), Bedtime Story, and

I'd rather be your lover. We'll have to see. The fun part now will to be to see

the different videos she makes for each. Myself, I could see a video for almost

every song on the album. However, I'll make a speculative order guess below

about the individual releases....

PREDICTIONS:

1. Secret

2. Bedtime Story

3. Take a Bow

4. Human Nature

5. Forbidden Love

6. Don't Stop

7. Love tried to welcome me

FINAL ANALYSIS: A fantastic album, a landmark in her career that will certainly

give her several chances for new #1 hits, and will no doubt reestablish her as

the queen of pop. I see a tour in the works...

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 09:46:13 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: Re: BILLBOARD UPDATE 10/29

_Billboard_ October 29, 1994

By now everyone should be enjoying copies of the new C.D....here is an

update on Madonna's presence on the charts.

"Secret" ©(D)(V)

==========================================================================

Chart This Week Last Week Weeks on Chart

==========================================================================

Hot 100 Singles Chart 4 4 4

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot 100 Airplay 3 3 4

Hot 100 Singles Sales 14 18 3

Top 40/Mainstream Airplay 3 4 4

Top 40/Rhythm Crossover 15 15 3

Hot Adult Contemporary 10 15 4

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dance/Club Airplay 18 NEW 1

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

MTV Video Monitor 3 7 2

VH-1 Video Monitor 2 5 2

==========================================================================

"Secret" holds its #4 position for a second week in a row while the songs

in the top three spots hold firm for a third week. Although all of

the songs in the top three are decreasing in points, Billboard commentator

Michael Ellis notes that due to Boy II Men's larger decreases with

respect to "All I Wanna Do," Sheryl Crow is a shoe-in for the top spot

next week. He expects that in the next two or three weeks, Madonna and

"Another Night," a hit by Real McCoy in the #5 position, will fight it

out for the top spot.

"Secret's" failure to exceed the top three is not due to a lack of

airplay, but rather modest singles sales. "I'll Remember" had the

same problem in its initial weeks on the chart. If Madonna's singles

sales do not reach the top 5, there is little chance of her holding the

top spot. I expect that next week "Secret" will be #3, exceeding "Endless

Love" but still falling in behind Boyz and Sheryl Crow.

"Secret" has a strong debut on the Dance/Club Airplay chart at #18,

without yet the release of a maxi-single.

MTV certainly seems to have gotten over their reluctance to play Madonna,

giving her monitored airplay at #3. "Secret" is even stronger on VH-1,

coming in at #2 in only its second week on the charts.

"I'll Remember" ©(D)(V)(M)(X)(T) Certified Gold

==========================================================================

Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay 14 9 5

Adult Contemporary Recurrents 1 1 3

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

VH-1 Video Monitor 25 26 ?

==========================================================================

"I'll Remember continues to have a strong presence on recurrent airplay

charts and actually rises a spot on the VH-1 video monitor.

_Bedtime Stories_ will make its Billboard debut in next weeks issue (or

perhaps the week after). R.E.M.'s monster falls to the #2 spot this

week, displaced by Boyz II Men who regain their #1 position for a fourth

week. R.E.M. and Boyz II Men seem to be the only major threats to

_Bedtime Stories_ debut position...I expect a debut in the top 3,

hopefully #1. Madonna has not had a #1 album since _Like A Prayer_

(sebsequent releases all peaked at #2), so this would show that she is truly

back on top again.

================================================================

Ed Sadtler "Happiness lies in your hand

Columbia University It took me much too long to understand"

ehs12 (at) columbia.edu -Madonna

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 94 15:27 EST

From: Adam Perkins <0006921880 (at) mcimail.com>

Subject: BS, a body of work

Well, I'm on my second listen through of BS. The verdict is in:

MADONNA IS THE QUEEN OF ALL LIVING BEINGS!

The album is simply brilliant. It looks like Maddie might be returning to

the Grammy's this year...Although BS as a song dosn't excite me, I'm hoping

the remixes will. It has the potenitial to really rock...

Survival was pretty cool...SECRET is obviously old news...I'd Rather Be Your

Lover rules, maybe the best song on the album. A video with Me'Shell whatever

would certainly be cool...Don't Stop is very much like Can't Stop, only much

dreamier. Actually, the whol album is...Inside of Me, well, the jury is out...

Human Nature was nice, but since I've only heard it once, not much else to

say...the end of the album is weaker than the first...but as a whole, ALL of

the songs really fit nicely. I'm sure Inside of Me and some of the other ones

that weren't as good as IRBYL the first time will grow to be my faves, as

the songs on EROTICA like Deeper and Deeper, Bad Girl, and Why It's So Hard

Did.

The MTV special was tottally unexpected. Comments-some clips were REALLY long,

especially some of the old vids, which we all have seen OVER AND OVER, not the

less played stuff. The Truth or Dare doctor visit almost lost me, as The

Warren is starting to rattle my nerves. The ending was nice, except Maddie

WORE TO MUCH GODDAMN MAKEUP! I think she could look so much better without

that eye shadow. I really liked the clips from BAD GIRL, EROTICA, and

True Blue. (as I posted not long ago that it was DEBI MAZAR in TB)

Well, that's my opinion, and I don't care about yours... (I'm kidding! :-)

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 15:36:57 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: BS First Impressions

Here are my very first impressions of Bedtime Stories after listening to

the tracks two or three times each. What do others think?

"Survival" - A spritely mid to fast tempo tune. Lacks the energy of a dance

track like "Vogue" or "Erotica," but pleasing to listen to. In the

lyrics she speaks of "living to tell...my story," an apparent likeness to

"Live To Tell." Blends sounds of the 70's, 80's, and 90's.

"Secret" - I love this mid-tempo first release, especially the acoustic

guitar and madonna's sunlight vocals. One of the album's best tracks.

the ambiguity of the lyrics adds to the overall sense of mystery and

provides for a large array of interpretation.

"I'd Rather Be Your Lover" - Perhaps the funkiest track of Madonna's

career. The profound influence of Sly and the Family Stone on Madonna's

work is evident in this track. The bass is great and the refrain is

catchy, not to mention a sentiment that I can relate to entirely ("we can be

friends but I'd rather be your lover")

"Don't Stop" - Like "Survival," sounds as much 80's as 90's in sound. A

little more R&B influence than usual for Madonna. The production is a

bit "soft:" a more hardcore dance version is definitely in order.

"Inside Of Me" - A beatiful ballad, slow but not lagging due to the

integration of samples from Aaalliyah's "Back And Forth." Madonna's

reflection on her mother and how, though she is gone, she will always be

somewhere inside, is genuinely touching. The Madonna who acts like she

"doesn't care" in the public eye and is crying "when no one is watching"

definitely fits into the picture I have developed of her as a person in

the last few years...a person living in darkness and light. One of the best

tracks on the album, definitely release material.

"Human Nature" - The most 90's sounding of the albums's eleven tracks.

The instrumentation even recalls a bit of the gangster rap sound of Snoop

Doggy Dog, especially at the beginning. Lyrically, Madonna makes a very

honest statement to the world, one long overdue. "Oops I didn't know I

could talk about sex." I think this one should definitely be released not

only because it is a great song but because it will really help people to

better understand Madonna as a courageous, real person rather

than a cold exhibitionist.

"Forbidden Love" - Madonna and Babyface blend their vocals beautifully.

When Madonna breaks into the refrain, her rich, deep vocals are fantastic.

The underlying whispering is great too. The theme of "Forbidden Love" is one

that many can personally relate to. Calls back to the 80's, like many

other tracks on the album, in Madonna's call to "Wishin' on the Stars."

Another possible release.

"Love Tried To Welcome Me" - By this point, the album is losing a

little momentum with an additional mid-tempo number. But for a song that

most likely was not intended as release material, it is a satisfying

addition to the album. Lyrics are at their best when Madonna says

"Instead of spring-it's always winter and my hear has always been a

lonely hunter." Madonna paints the picture of a lonely person -

undoubtably an underlying quality to her life as a star she refers to in

"The Face" interview.

"Sanctuary" - Madonna pulls the listener in with a whisphered voice into

the songs most seductive and mystical track - a song that certainly would

not have sounded out of place on _Like A Prayer_. Flaunts Madonna's

knack for giving a love song an intriguing twist, in this case viewing

her lover as a "sanctuary." The images of burial, light and dark, and

marriage are powerful. I like to here her talk as well as

sing...probably the most innovative and one of the best tracks on the

album.

"Bedtime Stories" - By now the album is in desparate need of a strong

dance tune. This song seems on the brink of breaking into a fast paced

techno tune from the very beginning but never totally takes of...the

remixes I'm sure will remedy that. The lyrics are unlike anything

Madonna has sung, but of course she took no hand in writing them...I have

not figured them out yet but it seems that their is some interest in the

powers of intoxication, be it by sleep, love, drugs, or all three.

"Take A Bow" - "Take a bow/The night is over" - no question that this

song is the ending to an album by the title "Bedtime Stories." Madonna

calls on her favorite Shakesperean line "all the world is a stage" as

well as her proverbial referance "say good-bye," that we have heard in

both "I'll Remember" and "Goodbye To Innocence." The instrumentation is

distinctly Babyface, a little too Toni Braxton for my taste, but not

bad. Madonna's claim that this "masquerade is getting older" seems to

imply some sort of a sundown of her career...but I seriously doubt this is

her last album (especially given her contract). Any comments on this? In

any case, a good, though uncharacteristically slow ending. Madonna has

never before ended an album with a ballad, but it is appropriate to the

theme of this album.

Well, if you were patient enough to read all my commentary, thanks. I

like all of the songs-the album is very consistent-but it is definitely

very slow, lacking any raging dance number (of course we find

pounding dance hits on the maxi-single for "Secret" and inevitably will

on other subsequent dance releases). Clearly, though the album has a

sleepy quality to it, sharply contrasting anything she has done before.

BS is as much of an Adult Contemporary album as it is a Top 40/Mainstream

album, though it does cater to the R&B/Rhythm Crossover crowd with the

Babyface tracks and "Human Nature." For this reason, the album could

easily capture mass market appeal, certainly buch broader than _Erotica_

which alienated the Adult Contemporary and more conservative top 40

audiences with its boldness and blatent sexual content. If the world is

willing to except this new incarnation of Madonna after what proceded it,

the album has the potential to be her biggest success since _Like A Prayer_.

Just my first impressions...

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 11:47:26 +0100

From: spapadim (at) di.epfl.ch (Spyros Papadimitriou)

Subject: BS review

Hi guys,

The album is just brilliant. I don't think it's going to have a huge commercial success ( Do you see what she meant now in the FACE interview when she said :

My fame is going to take a different shape?). Anyway.

my favourites from the album are: Inside of me

Forbidden love

Love tried to welcome me

Sanctuary

Bedtime story(dying for the remix)

Thanx Madonna

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 14:29:53 -0400 (EDT)

From: zheng wang <zhwang (at) das.harvard.edu>

Subject: Feeling to BS

Those who haven't got BS may stop here. (But I feel strange if you haven't!!)

I feel really good after I listened BS 2 times! (I bought it this am).

Do you know which one I love the most? "Take a Bow"! maybe because I came

from China... The beginning & the chorus really like Chinese melody... but

I cannot remember the song's name! They didn't indicate it... The friend

who said it's from a 70's Chinese song (Sorry I forgot your name!), is it

excerpt from a certain Chinese song (What's the name? feel like from Taiwan)

or just a Chinese-style melody? Can you tell me?

Survival --- A-

Secret ---- A

I'd Rather be your lover --- B-

Don't Stop --- C (Meaningless)

Inside of me ---- B+ (What a wonderful voice!)

Human Nature --- A (Really interesting!)

Forbidden Love --- B+ (Background vocals are pretty good)

Love tried to welcome me --- B- (Melody is not satisfactory)

Sanctuary --- A- (Interesting background sounds)

Bedtime Stories --- C+ (Not so good as hits in "Erotica")

Take a Bow --- A

P.S. In "Bedtime Stories", the "Learning" in lyric is mistaken, is it?

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 03:53:53 -0400

From: Anestler (at) aol.com

Subject: MTV special

It is really cool, 90 minutes including parts of Bad Girl, Erotica and

Justify My Love videos and a new European interview (she looks disgusting).

MTV Online says it repeats Sat 3:30 and Sun 2pm

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 94 11:32:34 CST

From: Bring Your Love to Baby Fish Mouth <J372%NEMOMUS.BITNET (at) mitvma.mit.edu>

Subject: Smooth, really...

***********************************************************

* Everyone should have the album, but if you don't *

* and you don't want for anyone to ruin the big *

* surprise(s), DON'T READ THE FOLLOWING POST. *

* It contains some revealing details about "Bedtime *

* Stories." *

********************************************************

"Bedtime Stories" is really smooth...which is pretty much what I was

expecting, since reading the review in "Entertainment Weekly" and

reading the posts on this list.

There really are no fast dance tracks on this album! I kind of think

that perhaps this album is as much of a laid-back groove as much as

"Erotica" was a total dance pulse. I had an inkling that Madonna was

going to do more work like she did with Andre Betts, and I think this is

pretty close.

"I'd Rather Be Your Lover" simply slams. The beat is sexy and I love the

bass line (way to go, Me'Shell.) It's so hard to describe why the song

is good; it just WORKS. I know that generalization is the enemy of all

art, but Madonna just confounds the ability to specify here...

"Don't Stop" is a really smooth jam. Great funky guitar! It's a pretty

upbeat song; it reminds me of the spirit of Madonna's earlier work.

"Human Nature" is weird...I like the door slams and her whispering, but

some of her vocal styling rubs me the wrong way.

I would like to say that "Bedtime Story" really sucks, but I can only

say that it is disappointing. A collaboration between Bjork, Nellee

Hooper and Madonna really struck me as intriguing. Instead, there's too

much Bjork and not enough Madonna. The melody (if that's what you want

to call it) is pretty weak, but then I've found most of Bjork's work to

be pretty weak.

Want to hear a lovely song? "Take A Bow" is that song. It's one of her

best ballads; Babyface's beat is written all over it, but they work

really well together on this song.(The other Madonna/Babyface songs left

me...wanting.) It kind of reminds of a Carpenter's song. Please don't

shoot. I think it has that bittersweet touch that a lot of their music

has. I love this song already.

I guess the other songs have yet to grow on me...but I know that I like

them. The ones I mentioned just really grabbed me. I know this post is

pretty self-indulgent, but I thought I would express myself, not repress

myself.

>BTW, the picture is REALLY bad. Note to Mads-girlfriend, STOP WITH THE EYE

>SHADOW ALREADY! God, that was a photoshoot, not a remake of Dark Shadows!

Hold the phone! The whole Patrick Demarchelier shoot was wonderful! I

happen to LOVE the dark eye makeup look; it's going to be big on models

in the next year. I looked at these pictures and said "Those who think

Madonna looks old - EAT THIS." I think she looks great!

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 14:48:42 -0400 (EDT)

From: "Eric A Walter" <waltere1 (at) student.msu.edu>

Subject: who else...

Before I read another post exactly like the one I am about to write, I am going

to add my two cents, if you please. IMHO, Madonna: A Body Of Work was a

spectacular effort on the part of MTV. Three cheers! It kinda reminds me of

her MTV10 performance... they really did grow up together. And how she's grown

(!!!). I particularly liked the old footage and the fades from old versions of

videos to new(er) videos. It kind of shows her progression, as does the whole

show through her videos, the change in her voice (noticable in the interview

segments), and the growth of her ideas. Brings back all the sweet memories

that a half-hour Rockumentary could never do. Kudos to MTV's new paean to our

goddess!!!

About Bedtime Stories... No one stayed open til midnight around here, so I

bought it bright and early this morning. I;'ll have to say I was scared by

everyone's "oh my god, it's really different," and "it's not like her," and

"Well, it's just not something I'm used to." These aren't exact words, but

that's the impression I got. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I

popped it in the player. I only got to the first three seconds of "Bedtime

Stories" before I had to go to work. I have yet to hear the last four tracks,

but I love every song so far. Now, I'm no record reviewer, but I love her

diversity. She seems to be in a more laid back groove, reminiscent of "Secret

Garden" and "Where Life Begins." And although not all the lyrics are as

challenging as I might have expected, her (new?) sound is very smooth and

mellow. It's a welcome change (not that I don't love her earlier dance tracks

as well!). Of course, she has her double entendres. Presumably she is talking

to an insensitive friend/lover in "Human Nature," but she could just as easliy

be talking about the stick-up-their-ass conservatives who have been bludgeoning

her since the get-go. Yeah, she gets her little jabs in there (what was I

thininking... I must have been crazy...).

Just a question... How might I get a hold of a Limited Edition anything?

I asked at record stores, and they seem to know nothing of a Limited Edition

BS Disc.

Also, for anyone out there who doesn't have it already, I highly recommend

the CD single of "Secret". "Let Down Your Guard" is on this one, and although

it took a few runs through, I like it better each time I hear it. I also like

to sing to the instrumental of "Secret."

Hats off to our beloved. She's put out another hot one for us (but more

importantly, for her). I love her dearly for her honesty and her

perserverance. I know that she'll never fall in my lifetime. I just wonder...

If a tour is in her future (and I hope she doesn't jump into a tour too soon

or she'll kill her voice), how is she going to perform a lot of her new songs?

I have faith she'll come up with something... she'd just better come to more US

cities this time !

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 94 21:59:38 EDT

From: Supercat <rtj (at) pegasus.rutgers.edu>

Subject: Bedtime Stories-YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey all,

What can I saw about Bedtime Stories: BEST DAMN MADONNA ALBUM EVER!!!

Move aside "Like A Prayer" (yeah, it "was" my favorite Madonna album) 'cause

a new thing is in town and its name is "Bedtime Stories". Madonna sure knows

how to satisfy this fan (you go lady 'cause you are all that and then some!)

Before I continue my almighty worship of BS, I must first declare what I did

not (*GASP*) like about it. The title track should not have been on

here. Sorry folks, but it was so annoying. Well, I think a good remix

will make it as good as it should have been.

You should all check out the review of the album in this week's

"Entertaintment Weekly". I think it correctly depicts what this album

is all about: The lyics are very autobiographical

Anyway, let me tell you what is so great about Bedtime Stories:

1-This album is unlike any other album she have out there. It's

definately R&B sounding with a bit of hip hop here and there. It

does not contain dance tunes such as her great dance hits "Vogue" or

(my personal favorite) "Express Yourself". However, what you will

discover is that our goddes has venture into a new kinda of music and

as a result she is able to give us something new, something

refreshing, something incredible. She has also introduce us to her

new and improve angelic, beautiful and breathtaking voice!

2-Album tracks

My favorite songs (and I have to say songs because I don't have "a"

favorite) are Inside Of Me, Human Nature, Don't Stop, Secret, Take A

Bow and Forbodden Love (both produce by Babyface).

a-Inside Of Me-->take about angelic, our diva sound like an angel in

this song. The chorus is fantastic especially the way M sings it.

This would make a perfect single.

"I will alway have you

Inside of me

Even though your're gone

Love still carries on

Love

Inside of me" (take out your tissues: you'll need them:) )

b-Human Nature--> This is the song that lash out at her critics: in a

very funny way!! The versus laeding up to the chorus cracks me up.

It's very funky too. It should be release as a single.

c-Don't Stop--> here is a smooth dance song. It's something like "Back

and Forth": it'll make you want to shake you body in a cool manner. No

it's not a hardcore dance groove as "Vogue" or "Into The Groove" but

it's good.

d-Secret--> You all know I'm crazy about this song It's one of the

groovy dance song on here.

e-Forbidden Love--> Babyface have done it again. With the aid of this

producer Madonna has created a beautiful song here! the lyics is wick!

f-Take A Bow--> The same can be said about this babyface contribution.

It's a sad song that I really got into the first time I listen to it.

get into the groove of "Take A Bow" all but try not to cry.

g-I'D Rather Be Your Lover--> well, Madonna I would rather be your

lover too than just a crazy fan .

h-Sanctuary-->It puts me in a good mood! I don't know what else to

say! You have to hear it to understand.

i-Survival-it's ok but there is something about it that is perventing

me from getting into the song. It's a good song nevertheless.

j-Bedtime Stories--> after listening to it I can now understand why it

was not the first release.

Well, those are my brief comments on the album tracks. Again, this

is my favorite Madonna album and I respect the lady for coming back

with a bang! Later and enjoy the new Madonna

Brian (Take A bow)

P.S. "These are my lips, But they whisper sorrow

This is my voice, But it's telling lies.

I know how to laugh, But I don't know happiness

And I must confess, Instead of spring-it's always winter

And my heart has always been, A lonely hunter"

-Madonna-"Take A Bow"

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 94 01:44:00 UTC

From: rain (at) genie.geis.com

Subject: Bedtime Stories.

Bought BEDTIME STORIES earlier in the day, and have listened to it 1.8 times

already. It's probably a little too early for me to get into any heavy

discussion, but I have mixed feelings about the album. Some of the songs

feel like revisions of older material -- e.g., "Don't Stop" sounds like a a

new version of "Everybody." It has basically the same message. Instead of,

"Get up and dance, c'mon everybody, do your thing," the lyrics here go "Get

up on the dance floor for everything is groovin'." Even though the

proverbial dance material isn't present, I don't think I exactly missed it.

It was overdone in the prior album, and I felt EROTICA didn't work because

of that (among other reasons). "Love Tried to Welcome Me" would have been

nicer, if she had stuck to the strings only. But then that awful thumping

just gets in the way of things. I have yet to hear anyone who uses

classical musicians with synths effectively, save for maybe Jerry Goldsmith

and Mark Isham.

I do like the closing song, "Take a Bow." Nice song and melody, with a

nice lulling effect. It sounds like a lullaby (soundwise), even though the

song seems to be more about herself and her fame. Here the synths are put

to good use (in the others songs, I felt it was a bit intrusive) -- they do

add that necessary dimension to the song without thumping all around (and

giving me a headache <g>). The song is perfectly placed at the end, and the

strings are quite lovely as they fade out to the lyrics, "Say good-bye, say

good-bye..." So at least there's one song on there I really like. I did

like the opening track, "Survival." I was pleased to hear Niki and Donna

again; their voices really complement Madonna's and often gives her songs an

extra texture that makes it great to listen to.

I'm not too certain about the mainly R&B influenced material, however. It's

not exactly my favorite type of music, so I may not appreciate the work as

much as some others. I also questioned the use of samples; I found that

fairly intrusive. It also makes for the oddest songwriting credits I've

seen so far. Anyone who is heard in the song is credited! I never thought

I'd see Herbie Hancock's name up there with Madonna's.

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 22:26:36 -0400 (EDT)

From: SMCDOWE1 <SMCDOWE1 (at) ithaca.edu>

Subject: BS

I don't know about the rest of you, but I sorta feel sorry for Shep Pettibone.

He got a little thank you in her credits, but that's all. I mean they've

worked togehter soooooo much. I hope they pair up again, because he's a good

producer. let me know what you think.

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 22:29:09 -0500 (CDT)

From: royster fredrick don <royster (at) ux5.cso.uiuc.edu>

Subject: Re: BS

Shep is good with the occasional song, but bad as an entire album

Producer. I personally felt Erotica was Justify My Love/Rescue ME/Vogue

changed around. I felt Bad Girl the only compelling song.(Of course this

is just my opinion) I mean Vogue is definitely one of the best Madonna songs.

i'm glad to see her going into a new direction, but would have at least

like to hear one or two dance numbers. As for Dont Stop, I loved it.

Sometimes you just like hearing a song that makes you dance, not one that

specificaly makes you think a lot, but just grooves(Why do you think

people like mindless pop like Ace oF Base).

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 02:56:45 -0400

From: DMIN6405 (at) aol.com

Subject: BS

Well, I know this is the millionth time someone on this list has said this,

but I LOVE BEDTIME STORIES!! So far my faves are Survival, I'd Rather Be

Your Lover, Forbidden Love, Love Tried to Welcome Me, Bedtime Story, and of

course, one of her best ever, Take A Bow. Actually, the only song I really

don't care for is Sanctuary. Maybe it'll just have to grow on me, but I

don't really like it now.

A question though:

In one of the songs with Babyface(Forbidden Love? I think)

while M is singing, you can hear a male's voice (presumably Babyface's) in

the background softly singing or saying something. Well, I just wanna know,

do any of you know the words he says/sings? I can't figure them all out!

Hey! I also got up early today, just to grab a copy of BS when the store

opened. My one day a week to sleep late(I have a 1:00 class), and I woke up!

But it was worth it!

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 22:00:07 EST

From: "CORY BOYD" <BO921359 (at) arus.ubishops.ca>

Subject: huh?

i am really surprised at the number of people who are disappointed

with the cd (ok, not that many were, but i'd expect none) and i was especially

surprised how many people who did like it, didn't like the title

track. this and human nature were by far my two favorites and i think

the bjork influence is obvious and wonderful. bedtime stories (the

song) is new ground for madonna and i think she handles it

beautifully.

and if anyone cares, i give it **** 1/2 out of five and say it has

bumped like a prayer and become my favorite album, and not just because

it's new. i really like the new sound and think it's her most

creative work yet.

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 00:37 EDT

From: WSEIFRIED (at) middlebury.edu

Subject: I finally listened to it!!!

Hi guys! I'm new on the net and this is my first message. So, I'll try

and keep it short cause I know how it feels to get like 200 messages a day

on my account.

First off, I'd like to say the new album is simply divine. It will take getting

used to, but it is definitely a breath of fresh air. I do agree, however,

with those who would have liked a few more dance tracks.

Take a Bow is absolutely the best song on the album! I think they get

progressively better(w/the exception of Bedtime Story- which is good, don't

get me wrong) throughout the entire album, the best ones starting w/#6.

Two questions. Does anyone else think that Bedtime Story has a style similar

to that of Tori Amos? Also, what famous person does Madonna look like on

the cover(besides herself!)? My non-Madonna fan friends have said Marilyn

Monroe and Delta Burke(blech!) Any thoughts on this? :rotfl:

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 05:44:02 -0400

From: DaveyGee (at) aol.com

Subject: MTV

Hi All. I don't post much but love reading all the good "stuff".

I missed the MTV segments :>( on Our Lady Today I work from

4:30pm to 12:30 am and forgot (gasp) to have my better half

tape it for me. Does Anyone know if there will be a rebroadcast

over the weekend???

I love every second of Bedtime Stories, I musta Played it at least

a half dozen times today. The poor girl I work with. <g> She's

actually gonna go out and buy it herself. I cant wait to see which

song is the next #1 release from the Album.

Enough rambling. see ya all Love David

Feel it in your body Sing La De Da De Don't Stop Madonna

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 94 01:21:00 UTC

From: r.juzwiak (at) genie.geis.com

Subject: Rich's Review...

Hey everybody!!

Big surprise...here's my reivew of "Bedtime Stories!". I'll take it song-by-

song at first:

1. "Survival" - Love it! The lyrics ("I'll never be an angel...") are

frank but also really humourous (in a tongue-in-cheek kinda way). Love the

production! Niki and Donna sound great, as usual, and one of the major

drawbacks of the album (in fact the ONLY major drawback) is that they only

appear on this one track.

2. "Secret" - Of course, it's a masterpiece. Loved it since the second I

first heard that 30 minute clip, and keep loving it more and more. Can't

wait for the remixes!

3. "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" - Really intriguing. I half expected Madonna

to start rapping when I heard the beat (which, any rap fan will know, shows

up in many tunes). Love Me'Shell NdegeOcello's bass and rap. Only weak

point are the lyrics which I find confusing ("...I'd even be your brother"

?? was she trying to find a word to rhyme with lover?).

4. "Don't Stop" - One of the most upbeat songs on the album, though it's

not too dancey. Reminds me of "Right Here/Human Nature" by SWV (listen to

the intro again, and THEN tell me it doesn't) but also somewhat reminicient

of the 70's. No deep meaning here, just a fun song that, once remixed, will

tear up the club charts (and un-remixed, the regular pop charts).

5. "Inside of Me" - Hmmm. I think the lyrics are absolutely beautiful, but

they don't seem to go along with the production (which reminds me of "Where

Life Begins"). As a whole, I like it, but it's pretty "strange".

6. "Human Nature" - YES! Fell in love with it the second I heard it! The

lyrics are some of her best and most personal. Along with "Survival", this

song proves that she's not forgetting "Erotica" or even aplogizing ("I'm not

sorry") for it by releasing a "romantic" album.

7. "Forbidden Love" - Really good. Didn't like it on the first listen, but

I've grown to like it a lot. Her voice really goes with Babyface's. The

subject matter suggests perhaps homosexuality or interracial dating, or some

kind of "hush-hush" taboo.

8. "Love Tried To Welcome Me" - Nice. I like the arrangement, and the

lyrics are some of the most personal on the album (and it is an incredibly

personal album). Very romantic, quiet-stormish.

9. "Sanctuary" - I don't know. REALLY dark. The tone suggests death, but

the lyrics suggest otherwise. Could be a dedication to the man she wants to

married (she states, "I want to be married" blatantly).

10. "Bedtime Story" - OK, am I the ONLY one who loves it? It's so

infectious and it's very Bjork-ish. On the weird-side (though this is NOT

bad at all), a really nice dance (I wouldn't call it techno, but probably

trance) song about sleeping.

11. "Take A Bow" - God, it's amazing. Sure, we've heard the production

numerous times before, but it's never sounded so fresh. The lyrics are

really beautiful. Perfect closing for the album. I'd like to think that

the song is a metaphor of a relationship (c'mon this IS Babyface), but they

do have shades of Madonna hanging up her bra and quitting show biz. Or she

could've written it as a tribute to the end of anything she's ever done

(perhaps even the Girlie Show "All the world loves a clown"). I don't

know...

All in all, it's a great album. I wouldn't call it a total R&B album, but

it's as close as she's going to get. I think it's themed along the

romantic/feelings lines. It's uncomparable to "Erotica" -- they're totally

different in almost everyway. I think it's Madonna's most personal album

since "Like A Prayer" and perhaps more personal than that. People will

appreciate her sensitivity and realness which are apparent, once again.

Anyway, here are my picks for the singles after "Secret":

1. "Take A Bow"/"Bedtime Story" - "Take A Bow" will blaze up the Pop and

R&B charts, while "Bedtime Story" will have a plethora of mixes that will

land it atop of the Dance charts.

2. "Don't Stop" - Radio stations around me have ALREADY been eating this

one up, and remixes by David Morales, Steve "Silk" Hurley, and MK will only

add to this.

3. "Love Tried To Welcome Me" - Perhaps it'll have to be made a little more

upbeat, but with the marketing, it'll become a slow-jam classic.

That's all I can speculate for now

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 17:32:52 -0500 (EST)

From: 00brhart (at) bsuvc.bsu.edu

Subject: What happened to Melissa?

What happend to Melissa (M's assistant)?

Who is Caresse Henry?

What happend to:

"If you ever leave me I'm going to fucking kill myself?"

WHAT'S THE STORY? and I don't mean BEDTIME either.

So somebody who knows about this better write back and explain

someting to me.......

I'm waiting...... :rotfl:

---

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 94 23:01:24 EDT

From: Supercat <rtj (at) pegasus.rutgers.edu>

"Don't Stop" is not the worst song on

Bedtime Stories. It is sort of funky-a smooth jam. I think the worst song is

"Bedtime Stories". It is so disappointing.

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 22:48:18 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject:

I think Bedtime Stories biggest strengths are Madonna's vocals, stronger

and more diverse in style than ever, and the thematic continuity of the

album. Every song ties into the next thematically (especially the last

three), to the overall theme of the album, the theme of Madonna's career

(frequent references to earlier work such as "Live To Tell," "Into The

Groove," and "I'll Remember"), and to Madonna's life (her feelings of

lonliness and desire to settle down expressed in "The Face" interview).

My predictions for releases are as follows:

1. "Secret" - hopefully #1 in the next two weeks!

2. "Take A Bow" - already rumored to be the next release and the perfect

song for the holiday season

3. "Bedtime Story" - we know Madonna is already working on the filming of

a video for this one and techno mixes are inevitable

Other possibilities are "Survival," "Don't Stop" (with dancier radio

mix), "Inside Of Me," and "Human Nature." The album is so consistently

excellent that it is hard to tell the releases for sure...it has to be

her first album completely free of filler tracks! (as Billboard says "no

baggage").

Thanks to everyone who wrote to me saying they appreciated my review...I

of course have though of much more to say since but I will spare you the

time for know.

---

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 10:44:52 EST

From: "CORY BOYD" <BO921359 (at) arus.ubishops.ca>

Subject: alternative? no

just a short note.

one, i really dont agree that bedtime stories is an alternative

sound. someone even went as far to say alternative radio may finally

play madonna. don't hold your breath. it's a great song, and battles

with human nature for my favorite track on the album, but alternative

it is not. i think it's the closest thing to dance music on the

album.

second, i am a little bit scared about the lyrics to take a bow. all

i know is that if i was going to stop making music after a brilliant

career, i would love to leave off with a single like this. i hope

this isn't what M intends to do. i agree that it sounds a bit like

the clown music in GS as well

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 22:13:07 -0400 (EDT)

From: Funkdafied <bsagel (at) emoryu1.cc.emory.edu>

Subject: Bedtime Stories

Briefly,

--Take a Bow is the complete shit. Babyface bullshit is sounding all the

same musically, but the song is Absolutely Wonderful and both of them

deserve a lot of credit. Definitely number one, even versus anything

Michael Jackson can come up with.

--I am really upset over the title track. As a big fan of Bjork's, I

expected something much better from her. You can tell Madonna is trying

her best to sing in her awkward style, and it doesn't fit. Hopefully the

remixes will be better.

That's all for now, but I am ecstatic over Take a Bow. Amazing.

---

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 20:53:37 -0400 (EDT)

From: Andre Passero <5PASSERO_A (at) spcvxa.spc.edu>

Subject: Bedtime Stories sales!!!!!!!

Hey you guys,

I know that numbers are not that important to true fans like us,

but they couldn't hurt. Mtv news said that at a Tower records in

California, they have sold over 300 albums . At an HMV in NY,

it was reported that Bedtime Stories is selling as good as if not better

than the REM cd Monster. This is really good news, I think.

Anyway, at the record stores near my house, they have all sold

at least half their inventory. I get soooooooo happy when I hear stuff

like this. I figured that if every record store in the country sold

about 5 of these records a day during this week, the album may go platinum

But I will leave all the demographical work to the

statistics majors and I will go back to loving a wounderful piece of art.

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 21:52:49 -0400

From: Damion001 (at) aol.com

Subject: Bedtime Story

Who said that the song Bedtime Story was annoying? My dear, I was stunned as

I listened to it. I find it unbelievable that the Material Girl was able to

create this kind of a song, which works on the mind in the same way a great

Jimi Hendrix song does. Listen to it with the sound as loud as it can go baby

and it will send you to new heights. It's visionary, it's cosmic--and

Madonna's at the center of it all!

I'm so glad that Me Shell appears on the CD also. Me Shell and Madonna make a

great pair.

---

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 20:04:18 +1000 (EST)

From: cs445098 (at) lux.latrobe.edu.au (Mickov Todorche)

Subject: Brilliant Bedtime Stories !!!

BRILLIANT BEDTIME STORIES IN AUSTRALIA !!! !!!

What more can I say, but join everyone so far in expresing our utmost

satisfaction with the Bedtime Stories album, Madonna's latest and one of

the best albums in her career!

I was truly amazed by the quality of the album, the fine melodies,

boasting with R&B sound, the groovie dance tracks, namely DON'T STOP,

and to some extent SURVIVAL, I'D RATHER BE YOUR LOVER and

HUMAN NATURE (Letterman, watch out!). Not to even mention the ballads

and slow tracks, which really shape the whole album to be a very

personal story of her past, her experiences, hopes and interests.

I bought my copy on Monday, 24th at 12:34 pm (afternoon),

at Melbourne's VIRGIN MEGASTORE, which means that it was

around 8:00 pm in America on the 23rd. Does this mean that I was one of

the very few people on the planet to have had the album a bit earlier

than most of Madonna's fans. I think it does!

After listening to it about 20 times so far, I must say that Madonna and

the whole team really outdid themselves. Such beautiful tracks, I am

really looking forward to spending my summer with BEDTIME STORIES, don't

you just love it, summer is coming, and Madonna with it, on the

dancefloors of the nightclubs, on the radio waves and the waves at the

beach!

Here's a very short commentary:

SURVIVAL: As one guy put it, it really introduces the album content

well. A sign of things to come, and this track - one of my

fave on the album, couldn't help but think that it's some sort

of a retrospect on her life and endurance. Donna and Niki

sound great. Single release ?!? Maybe. * * * * * stars

SECRET: Great choice for the first single release. An utterly good song

a guaranteed #1. No. 1 in single sales in AUS. * * * * *

I'D RATHER BE YOUR LOVER: This one's O.K, quite satisfactory, but pales

just a bit in comparison to the rest. * * *

DON'T STOP: Just listen to that 70's musical violin stroke in the

background. So groovie, I wonder why some ppl are a bit

reserved about this song. Lyrics aren't everything, but

what's wrong with pumping to the beat on the dancefloor.

One of the best!!! A definite single release. * * * * *

INSIDE OF ME: What a touching, ethereal, and somewhat sad song. Another

one of my fave. Possibly a release. * * * * *

HUMAN NATURE: "I'm not your bitch, don't hang your shit on me"

The lyrics say it all. "Express yourself, don't repress

youreself "(I though it was REGRESS) Another clue.

Someone connected it to Letterman, rightly so, and the

rest of the bloody critics. What the heck, this is how

Madonna criticises. Love this funky song, made me laugh.

A release?!? I would hope so. * * * * *

FORBIDDEN LOVE,

LOVE TRIED TO WELCOME ME: Really great slow songs, one of 'em is a

definite singles release and rightly so.

So good for slow-dancing. Both: * * * * *

SANCTUARY: This is a dark one, this. Almost morbid. A very fine

melody, the lyrics too. Another one of my fave, very

profound, and an intersting intro to Bedtime Story.

Indeed it's an interesting intro to a whole new sphere

of Madonna's musical orientation. Deserves our attention and

certainly our appreciation. Release?!? Unsure. * * * * *

BEDTIME STORY: Not bad, not bad at all. So Bjorkesque, so new for

Madonna, don't dismiss it so easily. Profoundly

meaningful lyrics. A very interesting side of Madonna's

musicality. The grunge influences are more than obvious

and it will win Madonna more deserving audience.

I'm really unsure about a singles release. * * * *

TAKE A BOW: Indeed take a bow to this, the PIECE DE RESISTANCE !!!

So heartwarming, so honest, so beautifully composed,

arranged and sung. Credits to Babyface too for this

superb ballad, a composition of almost unrivalled

musical quality. When I first heard it, I had a literal

arrest of the senses, instantaneously falling in love

with this song, a Madonna EVERGREEN, trust me.

This is a definite release, as I said an evergreen that

will skyrocket to the No.1 spot and hold it for at least

5 weeks. * * * * * (I wish I had more stars)

As it turns out, all of the album tracks are my faves, and I hope yours

too. Such originality with the baby-pink and baby-blue album colours,

hopefully with a broader meaning than just nice bedtime colours, however

one can only innocently speculate as to this "broader meaning". And if

the blue and pink are indeed the very baby signs, then I would be more

than glad.

"Bedtime Stories" was certainly beyond all my expectations in terms of

its quality, however one can hardly compare it with the issue-raising

"Erotica", because to me they appear very different and yet causal. The

stories in BEDTIME STORIES are ones of human character and in

particularly Madonna's past and her experiences and therefore the album

closely reveals Madonna's attitude, behaviour and personality. Perhaps I

am wrong, I only wish Madonna would give her views on what "Bedtime Stories"

meant to her.

To anyone who hasn't bought the album, I thoroughly recommend it, and I

hope you enjoy at as much as I do. Finally, one thought springs in my

mind, a hopeful thought that soon enough we would be able to sing along

live to these songs on Madonna's next tour, just like we did on the

Girlie Show. Infact on the 26th of November, it'll be 1 year since staging

the Girlie Show at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and me and Madonna

exchanging *smiling glances* across the catwalk. It's true, I had a

golden circle seat and I was by far the tallest guy (6.4 ft). Jelous?

---

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 94 00:52:57 CST

From: "I'm not your Baby Fish Mouth, don't hang your sh*t" <J372%NEMOMUS.BITNET (at) mitvma.mit.edu>

Subject: Re: BS

>I don't know about the rest of you, but I sorta feel sorry for Shep Pettibone.

>He got a little thank you in her credits, but that's all. I mean they've

>worked togehter soooooo much. I hope they pair up again, because he's a good

>producer. let me know what you think.

Yes, yes, yes! I wonder if her little "thanx for understanding" meant

that she was sorry the world isn't ready for the genius of their

combined talents... I am sad that Shep didn't even produce ONE track.

Those of you who dislike Shep or think his production style is "tired,"

look at the what he's done: "Rain," the 1990 "Express Yourself,"

"Erotica," "Deeper and Deeper," "This Used To Be My Playground,"

"Vogue..." The list goes on. And I miss him...

Maybe Maverick will let him remix some of "Bedtime Stories." We can

hope, Scotty!

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 23:02:25 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: BS Billboard Review

Presenting...

_Bedtime Stories_ review from _Billboard_ magazine October 29, 1994:

"The Queen of Pop pulls another doozie from her bag of tricks, with the

help from a cast of savvy conspiritors. This time, rather than shocking

with sexual antics, or even trying to break musical ground, Ms. M sticks

to a pop recipe that yields hits galore, with excess baggage. Most

seductive offerings are pop smash "Secret," catchy opener "Survival,"

funky "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" (featuring Me'Shell NdegeOcello on

bass), dance floor gem "Don't Stop," tribal jam "Human Nature," and

Babyface collaboratio "Take A Bow." A holiday feast for top 40, rhythm

crossover, and AC."

Well...they admit that she is the "Queen" but I would rather hear a

discussion of well used talent rather than the image of a magician

pulling a trick from a bag with help of "conspirators." Madonna (IQ 140)

needs no bag of tricks...just her awesome voice and creativity! A

standard Billboard review...saying little of substance about the album.

I am really getting into "Sanctuary"...it is so dark and haunting. I can

see Madonna in an enclosed space only lit by stained glass, buried in the

arms of her lover, engaged in the ritual of marriage. Her voice just

seeps into me.

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 14:59:02 -0400 (EDT)

From: "Eric A Walter" <waltere1 (at) student.msu.edu>

Subject: BS First Impressions

Oh there's so much more to say than what I've hinted at here. I know many will

be upset by the length, but I'm just 'spressin myself. I loved evety song the

first time I heard them. I think this album (as a whole) is better than

Erotica in terms of love at first (sight?).

Ed Sadtler writes his 1st impressions of Bedtime Stories:

> "Survival" - A spritely mid to fast tempo tune. Lacks the energy of a dance

> track like "Vogue" or "Erotica," but pleasing to listen to. In the

> lyrics she speaks of "living to tell...my story," an apparent likeness to

> "Live To Tell." Blends sounds of the 70's, 80's, and 90's.

Wonderful tie-in with "Live To Tell." She portrays herself as someone who

refuses to be victimized, a stance she often takes.

> "Secret" - I love this mid-tempo first release, especially the acoustic

> guitar and madonna's sunlight vocals. One of the album's best tracks.

> the ambiguity of the lyrics adds to the overall sense of mystery and

> provides for a large array of interpretation.

I agree. Somehow, I like it better with the album than as an independent

single. It makes more sense (am I crazy?) on the album. (?)

> "Don't Stop" - Like "Survival," sounds as much 80's as 90's in sound. A

> little more R&B influence than usual for Madonna. The production is a

> bit "soft:" a more hardcore dance version is definitely in order.

A friend of mine and I were discussing this yesterday. He said, 'The lyrics

are so bubble gum." I have to agree. They are not very... challenging. Of

course, Madonna would not release something to the public if she wasn't happy

with it (foregone conclusion), so my friend went on to defend it with, "It's

kina like the 90s version of Into The Groove." Fluffy lyrics, but fantastic

rhythms and instrumentation. A good song no matter what. In slight opposition

to Ed, I would like to suggest that there is really no place on the album for a

hardcore dance track. IMHO, it's more of a sit down and move your head around

and sing along if you want to album than a get up and jump on the bed album.

It is *Bedtime Stories* after all.

> "Inside Of Me" - A beatiful ballad, slow but not lagging due to the

> integration of samples from Aaalliyah's "Back And Forth." Madonna's

> reflection on her mother and how, though she is gone, she will always be

> somewhere inside, is genuinely touching. The Madonna who acts like she

> "doesn't care" in the public eye and is crying "when no one is watching"

> definitely fits into the picture I have developed of her as a person in

> the last few years...a person living in darkness and light. One of the best

> tracks on the album, definitely release material.

Yes. I agree that this song is very demonstrative of her personality and the

way she's been living privately.

> "Human Nature" - The most 90's sounding of the albums's eleven tracks.

> The instrumentation even recalls a bit of the gangster rap sound of Snoop

> Doggy Dog, especially at the beginning. Lyrically, Madonna makes a very

> honest statement to the world, one long overdue. "Oops I didn't know I

> could talk about sex." I think this one should definitely be released not

> only because it is a great song but because it will really help people to

> better understand Madonna as a courageous, real person rather

> than a cold exhibitionist.

I just love the sacrasm. Her "if I were a man" argument pops up and breathes

fire on the censors, and the parenthetic "what was I thinking" and "I must have

been crazy" poke fun at those who think she should be repentant for her "sins."

A great song. Madonna's anthem, definitely.

> "Love Tried To Welcome Me" - By this point, the album is losing a

> little momentum with an additional mid-tempo number. But for a song that

> most likely was not intended as release material, it is a satisfying

> addition to the album. Lyrics are at their best when Madonna says

> "Instead of spring-it's always winter and my hear has always been a

> lonely hunter."

This song was buzzin in my head all day long today. It sticks very well, and I

think it would make an excellent release.

> "Sanctuary" - Madonna pulls the listener in with a whisphered voice into

> the songs most seductive and mystical track - a song that certainly would

> not have sounded out of place on _Like A Prayer_. Flaunts Madonna's

> knack for giving a love song an intriguing twist, in this case viewing

> her lover as a "sanctuary." The images of burial, light and dark, and

> marriage are powerful. I like to here her talk as well as

> sing...probably the most innovative and one of the best tracks on the

> album.

Do you think the line mentioning marriage is prophetic? Lets hope so. I'd

like to think that she's ready to make amends for her trouble with her first

marriage. Not make amends, exactly... moore like I think she's learned about

living with people (as if it's even my place to say) and might just be ready

for marriage.

> "Bedtime Stories" - By now the album is in desparate need of a strong

> dance tune. This song seems on the brink of breaking into a fast paced

> techno tune from the very beginning but never totally takes of...the

> remixes I'm sure will remedy that. The lyrics are unlike anything

> Madonna has sung, but of course she took no hand in writing them...I have

> not figured them out yet but it seems that their is some interest in the

> powers of intoxication, be it by sleep, love, drugs, or all three.

Very surreal and Bjork-ish. I can totally hear Bjork singing this song, but

that does not exclude Madonna's ability to do equally as well (if not

better). I copngratulate M on delving into new and challenging genres. She

is a true artist to borrow from others and further the beauty.

> "Take A Bow" - "Take a bow/The night is over" - no question that this

> song is the ending to an album by the title "Bedtime Stories."

This totally fits.

> proverbial referance "say good-bye," that we have heard in

> both "I'll Remember" and "Goodbye To Innocence."

Don't forget This Used To Be My Playground, as equally melodramatic a song.

> Madonna's claim that this "masquerade is getting older" seems to

> imply some sort of a sundown of her career...but I seriously doubt this is

> her last album (especially given her contract). Any comments on this?

Scared me for a minute. Although this song would be the perfect anthem for the

ending of M's career, I don't want the magic to end so soon. I think she may

be alluding to a (temporary) change of pace. What with rumors of marriage (and

children?) and the little boy in the secret video, she may want to settle down

a bit. (?)

> any case, a good, though uncharacteristically slow ending. Madonna has

> never before ended an album with a ballad, but it is appropriate to the

> theme of this album.

Yes, it is definitely an appropriate ending. I think (can feel it in my bones)

that this will be a BIG HIT if/when it is released. If it is not released,

Madonna would be a fool no to realize the artistic acclaim and monetary gains.

As she is no fool, I feel confident that this will see radio airplay. I want

to cry when I hear this song.

Thank you for reading this far. I means a lot to me that others care what I

think. I don't know If I would have made it to the end, thus you are a braver

soul than I... Just remember, Ed started it. (just kidding)

---

Date: 27 Oct 94 00:03:10 EDT

From: Gregg Hlavacek <73134.3306 (at) compuserve.com>

Subject: BS nervous breakdown symbolism

I've been on this list since way back when someone else was moderating

it, and I've mostly been lurking in the last year, but I thought that

tonight, I'd have to put in my $0.02...

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this earlier, but Bedtime

Stories is a very cohesive album, on par with, if not better than, Like

A Prayer. Where Like a Prayer seems to tell a story from her childhood

through to her adult years, Bedtime Stories seems to tell a story

about her life as a star.

Each song has a logical progression into the next. (This is probably

going to be lengthy, so skip if you're not in the mood, but if you don't,

the reading will at least be good.) It begins with Survival, which acts

as the proverbial introduction a body of work: "here's my story/no risk

no glory"

What may appear at first to be a collection of songs about romance and

bitter relationships (with the press, perhaps) may actually all unite to

create a metaphor for a nervous breakdown. Now, I'm not a psychology

major, but I think that this might be an interesting way to look at the

album.

Support: All (or just about all) of the romantic songs are not quite what

you would fit into the "romantic song" mold. They indicate a very troubled

and honest view of relationships. I know of a few traits that I possess

myself; i.e. Love Tried to Welcome Me, Sanctuary... They also get

progressively more disturbing as the album plays.

The album starts out refreshing, light, and easy with Survival, Secret,

I'd Rather Be Your Lover, and Don't Stop. It takes a turn into something

more intimate, regarding the loss of her mother in Inside of Me. She then

lashes out at the press or an ex in Human Nature; creates a private

area for her taboo lover in Forbidden Love. Love Tried To Welcome Me

almost seems written by a disturbed person. I can just imagine her,

trembling slightly, indicating her hands, and singing "These are my

hands/But what can they give me?" After the loneliness of LTTWM, she

almost seems like she's lost all control in Sanctuary. Even her use of

the word "sanctuary" seems to indicate this, show that she needs a place

away, an asylum. The startling contrast in the object of her questions

also shows to convey this, with the implied preference of rain to the sun,

open ground to the sky, tears to a smile, and you get the idea. The

height of her nervous breakdown is in Bedtime Story, where nothing

seems to make sense to her anymore, unconsciousness is idealized,

and everything is reduced to the simple basics that "we're all still wet/

longing and yearning." She's coming out of her "Bedtime Story" (sorry,

couldn't resist) when she says "All that you've ever learned/try to forget/

I'll never explain again."

Take a Bow proves a superlatively excellent choice as a final track.

While musically a bit mainstream for my tastes, it effectively conveys

that she's come out of her breakdown, and has a wiser, truer, and more

mature way of looking at things.

The interpretation of this album can be taken to deeper levels, where

she is having a breakdown over a lover, the media, being a star, or

being alone.

I know this is a bit long (warned ya guys), but I thought it was a

valid interpretation of what the album may mean. Perhaps this is not

what Madonna meant to convey, nor do I mean to convey that she had a

nervous breakdown, but whether consciously or unconsciously, this album

may have been psychotherapy for her.

Once again, sorry so lengthy. I wish I could have been more eloquent, but

the points I wanted to make are all there (I think.. it's late..). Let

me know what you guys think.

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 94 16:02:31 -0800

From: byron (at) kron.cs.csufresno.edu (Byron Douglas Youngblood)

Subject: BS songs

thought I'd give my opinion on my new copy of "Bedtime Stories", and

say that in general I thought it was a good piece of work!

I had been watching MTV with my kids as they were growing up, and so had a pretty good knowledge of what there was out there....after 1992, I stopped

watching most of the time. The alternative/grunge and nasty-rap was getting

me down. Yeah, I"m old, but still I wasn't hearing joyful noise anymore.

I was thrilled to get into BS after Erotica and its somewhat sexual mode,

although it was danceable!! Sex, to me, is a great but private matter, after

all. "Bedtime", the single, was weird and dark to me - too grunge but it is

nice that Mads can venture into all musical areas. This is stuff even MY mom

will listen to.

The MTV special was really good. It was something to hear Madonna's

voice throughout, and the changes her voice and face have gone thru. Her

voice is huskier now, and that progression is fairly normal for someone who

smokes and of course, uses her voice a lot. Face? Well - she could look

more youthful if she didn't smoke and if she toned down the make-up a little.

Also, she has gotten her weight down quite a bit, and after 30, one has to

be careful... she is in super shape, but it'll show more in the cheeks, thus

they say it's sometimes good to haul around that xtra 5 lbs. The severly

short haircuts tend to be prettier when one's younger, for that reason.

Well, 'nuff said (other than, NO she was NEVER fat; just healthy!!) I

still love her!!! May the FORCE be with her......

---

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 12:54:27 -0400 (EDT)

From: ZIGFREID <peterw (at) io.org>

Subject: Hey Babyface.....

...... could someone please tell Babyface that there's probably a way to

change the tempo on his MIDI program. Geez every song on Bedtime Stories

is exactly the same tempo. Bring back Pat Leonard!

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 17:53:30 -0400 (EDT)

From: Joseph L Nunez <jn33+ (at) andrew.cmu.edu>

Subject: Let's Get Unconscious...

Well, everyone here is STOO-PID if they find any errors in Bedtime

Stories, joke!

No, seriously, I just wanted 2 comment on what sum of these people are saying:

1. THIS SOUNDS LIKE NOTHING JANET JACKSON HAS MADE!! I was astounded

when I saw someone say this...just cause it has a large R&B influence

doesn't make it Janet Jackson-like (this is no insult to Ms. Jackson).

R&B has wider parameters than what people think.

2. The title track, "Bedtime Story" is unique, different, and superb!

At first, I used to not like Madonna's different approaches to music (I

hated LIKE A PRAYER at first). Something new always scared me, until I

realized that NEW MUSIC is the best thing to make. There is uniqueness

written all over BEDTIME STORIES! I liked EROTICA at first because it

was TOO true to her music. I agree w/ the person who said EROTICA was

simply an extension of Shep Petibone's Vogue/Express Yourself dance

music. The more R&B material on EROTICA was good, this new album goes a

whole new dimension beyond that!

3. MADONNA HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING CLOSE TO THIS BEFORE THEREFORE IT IS

GREAT!!!

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 22:42:12 -0500

From: rob (at) snuffy.penfield.ny.us (Rob Smith)

Subject: My BEDTIME STORIES REVIEW

What an album!!! It definitely is different than her previous work. This

is my review of the album...

BEST SONGS (In order of appearance, not by favorites) -

1) "Survival" - it kind of reminded me of her early stuff, ironically her

old song "Angel" (a line in the new song is "I'll never be an angel".) The

backing vocals were really good, but then again they have Madonna, Niki,

and Donna, who are always good together...

2) "Secret" - I can't stop humming this song!!! Its definitely one of the

strongest songs here.

3) "Take a Bow" - What a romantic song. I put it up there with "Promise To

Try" for tear jerkers. That, "Live To Tell", and this are the only Madonna

songs I have cried to. Today wasn't a good day, so I was a total sucker

for a breakdown and this song did it. More related to Madonna, it made me

think of Madonna as the clown at the end of THE GIRLIE SHOW ("All the world

loves a clown", she sings). This is my favorite song on the album.

The rest, while not bad, haven't really hit me yet, although "Human Nature"

is growing on me. It just exudes attitude (total M!!!). I wish the girls

were on more of the songs though, although they are fine the way the are.

On a more negative note, Rochester, New York's paper, THE TIMES UNION, gave

a really snotty review of the album, the headline being MADONNA'S "BEDTIME

STORIES" ARE A SNOOZE. Hello? I happen to think its one of her best, next

to LIKE A PRAYER. The critic goes on to say, "Ultimately, Madonna is

little more than the world's highest paid hooker, because what she sells is

sex". Hello, again? What an asshole! That would have been fine if this

were EROTICA he were talking about, but I think that little insult was

totally inappropriate for the new direction she's going in. Some people

just can't let go...

---

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 17:17:41 -0500 (CDT)

From: royster fredrick don <royster (at) ux5.cso.uiuc.edu>

Subject: New but not so new

Hi All

I'm thoroughly enjoying BEdtime Stories. After about 4 or 5

lisenings, i even like the title track. It's very trance-ambient like.

And I really like Human NAture. I like almost all of the songs. While

musically Madonna is going in new places(Love the NEw Jack Swing thing,

and new vocal inflections) but Lyricaally, she's treading some old

ground. Not that this si a bad thing, the lyrics are great. She talks

about "Live to Tell" in sanctuary,"Getting on the dance floor" in Don't

Stop (Used in Vogue,basic concept of Everybody) I think I wish I was

Your Lover's chorus is ripped right out of Justify My Love" ANd she talks

about Expressing Yourself in Human Nature, and of course SAy Goodbye is

uese in Take A Bow, I'll Remeber,In This Life, This Used to be My

Playground....., and she even uses HAppiness lies in your own hadn in

Both Secret and I wish I was your Lover. AS I said, i think repeating

motifs are agood thing, since this is such a new style musically for

madonna, she wanted her fans to associate it with the themes of earlier

works. It really is a great Album, beats tha pants of Erotica any day of

th week, and is almost of "Like A Prayer" stature. Almost.

---

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 00:34:34 -0400 (EDT)

From: zheng wang <zhwang (at) das.harvard.edu>

Subject: New Feelings to BS

Sorry for another mail about my feeling, but...

After one more day my impression to some songs have changed somehow.

Yesterday Now

Survival -------------- A- B+ Not so attractive

Secret ---------------- A A

I'd Rather be your lover B- C+ Tell me how to love this song?

Don't Stop ------------ C C+ ditto

Inside of me ---------- B+ B+ Why I expect a totally different style...

Human Nature ---------- A A+ More & more fascinated by this song!!!

Forbidden Love -------- B+ A- Feel it too short

Love tried to welcome me B- A Suddenly fall in love with it... M's lonely?

Sanctuary ------------- A- A New & charming style of M.

Bedtime Story --------- C+ B A little weird... Not as good as "Erotica".

Take a Bow ------------ A A+ Ohhhhhhhhhhh......

Before reading the following please be aware overall I love BS very much!

1. My overall impression is still not good enough, 'cos there're 6 fading

endings among 11 tracks. I don't like fading ending 'cos the lack of strength.

track 4--8 are all fading endings... In "Erotica" there're only 4 among 13,

In "I'm breathless" 4 among 12. Of course fading ending fits for songs like

"Live to tell", "Like a Prayer", but I feel it not fit for many songs here.

Your opinion?

Notice that "Express Yourself" & "Vogue" both have attractive intro &

ending, I feel "I'd Rather", "Don't Stop" & "BS" lack of this.

2. Cooperate with so many artists... there's variety of style & voice among

all tracks. It's not bad, but I felt a little incoherent... Especially, if

skip over track 3 & 4, I'll feel much much better!

3. I feel more & more happy 'cos more and more say they love "Take a Bow"!

Maybe it's time to introduce Chinese music to you all... Kidding. Since 2

years ago I prefer American music to Chinese. (I came to USA 45 days ago)

Classmates said I'm traitor... Of course, there ARE some Chinese music very

very beautiful!

And I really really hope the suspicion caused by "Take a Bow"(I even don't

want to say it) NOT true!!!

4. "Take a Bow", "Human Nature" are rockets to Billboard #1! & "Sanctuary",

"LOve tried to welcome me", "Forbidden Love", "Bedtime Story"(Must have a

dance single, isn't it)... "TaB", if released next, maybe will bring USA a

warm, beautiful & romantic winter...

---

Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 23:18:32 -0400 (EDT)

From: Andre Passero <5PASSERO_A (at) spcvxa.spc.edu>

Subject: New Madonna film and other stuff!

Hello all,

I heard today on the radio and tv that Madonna was chosen to be

in the film called "Four Rooms" directed by 4 different directors.

She is going to be directed by a female, Her name escapes me at the moment,

but one of the other directors is Quinton Tarintino. I don't know what

the film is about but she is starring with Bruce Willis. Could be very

different. They also mentioned that she will be in some flick where he

sorry, she plays the part of a witch. Anybody know anything else about this.

Since everyone is giving their opinion about Bedtime Stories,

I would like to share also.

But what could I say except that I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! It is so

beautifully done. I also feel that her extraordinary vocals is what makes

the album so wounderful. Someone posted that her vocals are not that great

and all I have to say is that is bullshit. Though she may not have a

strong high octave, her ability in other ranges are magnificant. I really

do consider her a great singer, YES A SINGER. I hate it when people say

that she is a great business woman and she knows how to manipulate the

media, because that brushes off her talent. Her voice is very seductive

and can easily put me in a trance. But anyway, I love the album.

My favorite song is again "Take A Bow". I also really love the darkness

of "Sanctuary". Everytime I listen to that, nice and loud in the dark,

I picture what the video could be and it is amazing. I was picturing

a Dracula type of seduction, blending love and darkness.

Well, this is my 2 cents. Enjoy the album

---

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 14:31:16 -0500 (CDT)

From: Hyland Kevin Robert <k-hyland (at) ux4.cso.uiuc.edu>

Subject: no review, I promise

Suggestion to first listeners of BS album: don't follow along w/the lyric

sheet. It makes each song seem slow and dull.

I was worried that BS would be compared to Music Box since it was said

that there were many ballads. I don't think anything compares.

I haven't read any messages about the Q-sound effects at the end of

"Bedtime Stories." "Travelling, travelling..." I think it has to do

with dreaming and deep sleep. The video (if made) during this part has

to be great.

Any video subsequent to "Secret" HAS to be totally different. No more

walking down a street or singing into a studio mike. No other song on BS

allows that IMO.

---

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 23:41:49 -0500 (CDT)

From: BWG001 (at) ACAD.DRAKE.EDU

Subject: secret moves up!

Hi everybody,

I just caught Showbiz today on CNN. According to them this week, the top five

look like this:

5. Real McCoy

4. Ini Comoze - ??? (never heard this song before...that's Des Moines for ya)

3. Madonna

2. Sheryl Crow

1. Boyz-II-Men

There weren't any really big acts moving up before her (although Bon Jovi was

number 6) so as long as Madonna continues to gain sales and airplay, it should

have no trouble making number one. The maxi-single next week should really

help a lot.

Bedtime Stories should be debuting on the album chart in two weeks, hopefully

in the top spot. I'll leave the rest of the chart info for whoever happens to

get the new issue of Billboard first.

---

Date: Fri, 28 Oct 1994 14:57:28 +1000 (EST)

From: cs445098 (at) lux.latrobe.edu.au (Mickov Todorche)

Subject: Very Short !!!

Hi all,

About the dark and haunting "Sanctuary", do you think that it could

possibly be released as a feature song in the upcoming "Interview with

the Vampire" with T.Cruise, B.Pitt... Just speculating! It's probably

too soon, after Secret.

How could some ppl dislike "Don't Stop", there's nothing wrong with

lyrics that really make you wanna dance, groove and pump. The lyrics

are quite appropriate for the melody, for the mood of the song. Sure

they are not as stimulating as "Bedtime Story", but you just got to

accept that this is a different kind of song, a song with a message of

its own.

---

Date: Sat, 29 Oct 1994 12:17:03 -0400 (EDT)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: More BS Breakdown

My thoughts on Bedtime Stories similar to Gregg's:

Perhaps he missed it, but I did post to the network earlier

that I thought it was her most cohesive album from beginning to end, each

track related to the next and related to her life and career as a

whole...all under the umbrella of the theme of Bedtime Stories.

In "Sanctuary" her preference for the darker of the two

extremes is absolutely haunting...I see her in a sanctuary lighted only

by a dark stained glass window...cut off from the world in a bond of

"marriage" with her (presumably unfound) lover. The isolation of

"Sanctuary" becomes near oblivion in "Bedtime Story:" "let's get

unconciousness." The song leaves her in a void (communication doesn't work

for her anymore). The last song, as you said, is the perfect closing.

It puts the album "to bed:" "curtains down," "say good bye," etc.

Perpetual lonliness and pain recurs throughout each track on

the album: In "Inside of Me" she is crying behind the eyes of the

public, in "Human Nature" she speaks of being "silenced by bitterness and

lies," in "Love Tried To Welcome Me" she says "lonliness has never been a

stranger" and "instead of spring - it's always winter and my heart has

always been a lonely hunter," and in "Take A Bow" she says good bye to a

lover (and a world) that took her love "for granted" leaving her with a

"broken heart."

The album can't help but make me sad whenever I listen...half the tracks

apply almost directly to experiences in my life (ie. "I'd Rather Be Your

Lover," "Forbidden Love," "Survival," "Human Nature." "Human Nature"

especially: me locked in a "narrow room" and "silenced by bitterness and

lies:" never again! The narrow room is like being in the closet: anyone

else relate to this?

Thanks to anyone who got through the end of this lengthy message.

---

Date: Sat, 29 Oct 1994 19:07:19 -0700 (PDT)

From: Gary Corduan <gcord (at) netcom.com>

Subject: "Mistah Kurtz - he dead"

[Life is short, this piece is long, and no-one should feel obligated to

spoil a Saturday evening or Sunday breakfast by working through this --

for those who remain, one sees that the album that Bedtime Stories seems

most frequently compared to is Like a Prayer -- both come at self-

created crossroads in her life, which is the basis of what follows]

Nixon had six crises (and then a very long seventh) -- Madonna has had

three by my count, the private one of her mother's death, the public

collapse of her marriage to Sean Penn, and the extended self-inflicted

damage of the Body of Evidence Project (book/film/album, which remains, even

so, her most significant work, her most significant negotiation of self)

Following upon the self-mocking but also self-congratulatory litany that

began the Virgin Tour video ("I wanted to be famous, I wanted everybody to

love me"), the disaster of her marriage would seem to have brought with it

her first real (public) experience of unqualified Failure, and with it an

acute sense of (a forced return to) being _only_ mortal, splitting her

irrevocably from the media image she had constructed for herself and her

public (the placement of the Pepsi commercial "home movie" at this moment

is significant) -- the album that followed upon this crisis (Like a

Prayer) gave us a set of unified and strongly introspective (and

retrospective) lyrics, even as the unity of pop stance and idiom that had

held the first three albums together musically almost necessarily fell

apart (they had become inadequate to her life)

The Body of Evidence Project was admirable in every way _conceptually_ and

then came undone in the execution for more reasons than there is space to go

into here but almost all of which are linked to the importance and degree of

personal psychic risk it must have had for her -- in the long build-up of

publicity that preceded its arrival, there was a sense that she was willing

herself to cross a threshold ("enter freely and of your own will") that she

had been maneuvering herself toward in a progressing series of evasions,

and that the marriage had tried to cross in a backwards fashion -- in the

failings of its actual execution, she offered to her enemies the weapons

with which to attack the vulnerabilities she had exposed

The album that follows this crisis (Bedtime Stories) is more adept at a

unity of (pop) artifice and she is able to protect herself for five

conscutive tracks through the negotiation of a new Plausible Identity,

parcelling out the moments of self-exposure ("you have to say one really

disarming thing") in a context of affirmation (in what at times also

approaches an exercise in self-erasure: even the voice that we know turns

itself into someone other) -- but then (after a sort of prologue given by

Forbidden Love), she drops the mask entirely for three consecutive and

progressively terminal songs (Love Tried to Welcome Me, Sanctuary, and

Bedtime Story) -- this is the heart of the matter

Love Tried to Welcome Me has its closest melodic precursor in This Used to

Be My Playground, but, in its pivot on the phrase "Love tried to break me"

(which turns the initial longing of the title into the terms of a betrayal),

effectively severs the possibility of traditional nostalgia -- Till Death

Do Us Part, from Like a Prayer, straddles this track and the next (Sanctuary)

and takes Like a Prayer's Promise to Try with it into its grave (one can

splice in here the scene at her mother's grave from Truth or Dare) --

betrayed by Love itself, retrosepctive longing shifts and finds its content

in the inversion of values and its expression in the negation of life --

Bedtime Story is the natural, long-awaited, and long-expected culmination of

this (and it is appropriate that the words are penned by someone else, so

that the expression of its intent is already halfway to its fulfillment) --

it is the hedonistic negation of the first track (Survival (and, with it, of

Live to Tell)) and the escape clause to Rescue Me -- in its way it

"completes" the Sex book, and, to the extent that that book sought to give

expression to what had been unsuccessfully deferred by her wedding ceremony,

takes us back to a view (with the spectre of her mother in the background)

of what was really at stake in that marriage

---

Date: Sun, 30 Oct 1994 14:35:00 -0500

From: BRATULIC ROBERT <bratuli (at) ecf.toronto.edu>

Subject: After the Dust Settled ...

After letting my BS impressions stew for a few days, I have

the following musings:

Songs that I find very addictive:

1. Bedtime Story

2. Sanctuary

3. I'd Rather be Your Lover

4. Inside of Me

5. Don't Stop

Songs that I prefer to skip:

1. Survival

2. Forbidden Love

3. Take a Bow

Survival 7/10

--------

Recipe:

40% Janet Jackson (That's the Way Love Goes)

30% Cherish

30% Why's It So Hard

Token pop offering. Sweet. Innocuous. Forgettable.

Secret 8/10

------

Ancestors: Bad Girl

It's the most low-key song on the CD, which makes it a

surprising first single. All the radio-play makes it a

natural favorite for anyone just buying BS. However, with

time I think it'll settle into the category occupied by Oh

Father, and Bad Girl.

I 'd Rather Be Your Lover 10/10

-------------------------

Ancestors: Bye Bye Baby, Love Song

Maximally funky. Need I say more.

Don't Stop 9/10

----------

Ancestors: Deeper and Deeper, Vogue

Feel-good dance music, with a salute to 70's disco.

Inside of Me 9/10

------------

Ancestor: Where Life Begins, NOT Promise to Try

Even though supposedly about her Mother, when the goddess of

sex brings out intimate breathy effects, soft vibes,

saxophone, cheesy synths, a bimbo voice, and the

testosterone-stimulating "I will always have you inside of

me", it's time to blow a wad, not call long-distance.

I think M intentionally makes potentially sexually-explicit

lyrics readable in 2 or more ways though. Look at Like a

Prayer, Where Life Begins, Secret, and many more.

Human Nature 7.5/10

------------

Madonna flames her detractors to music, which sounds

vindictive and petty. However, musically too weird to

disregard. More of a novelty or experiment. This will

certainly never be released as a single.

Forbidden Love 7/10

--------------

Not particularly Madonnaesque. Unremarkable.

Love Tried to Welcome Me 8/10

------------------------

Ancestor: Something to Remember (from I'm Breathless, c'mon!)

Madonna does Englebert Humperdinck. Easy-listening music on

an FM station on a quiet, cloudy Sunday afternoon. Part of

the set of songs on this album that make critics call this

album a "mature" work. Something mom would like.

Sanctuary 10/10

---------

Ancestors: Secret Garden, Words

A brilliant jazz/funk tone poem on M's love/death fantasy.

Music for The Crow. Not top 40 material.

Bedtime Story 10/10

-------------

Ancestors: William Orbit remixes of Erotica, I'll Remember

The coolest and most forward-looking piece of all. Madonna

creates a new style of music, fusing Orbital, William Orbit,

New Age orbits, and Q-Sound.

Take a Bow 7/10

----------

The opening pentatonic melody makes me squirm. $yrupy,

$entimental $tuff that is $urely $ingle material. Radio-

ready, as Peter said. The string ending is pretty though.

What all these reviews show is how differently we are all

attracted to M's oeuvre, yet still find common ground for

discussion.

---

Date: Sun, 30 Oct 1994 12:55:10 -0500 (EST)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: Brilliant Connections

Gary spoke of the many correlations between the music of "Bedtime

Stories" and earlier music in Madonna's career. Picking up this thread of

thought, I would like to offer a complete look at these correlations.

The album's opening track, "Survival," clearly calls on the words of

"Live To Tell," but presents a Madonna who doesn't simply "hope" she

lives to tell, but knows that she will. The "lies" that "burned inside

of her" in "Live To Tell" are clearly still there, but she has managed

for better or worse ("heaven or "hell"). The powerful message of

"survivorship" is very powerful and links over to "Rescue Me," a song in

which she calls for deliverance ("rescue") and respect. Whereas in

"Rescue Me" she calls on love for help, in "Survival" she declares herself

a survivor on her own.

"Inside Of Me" relates closely to "Promise To Try." Both pieces are

reflections on her mother's death. She speaks of a "picture" of her

mother in both songs. In "Promise To Try," this image is escaping her.

She wonders if her mother will see her "when she stumbles and falls."

She fears that she will lose a sense of her mother, but promises to "try"

and hold on to it. "Inside Of Me" speaks of her not merely trying, but

suceeding. She realizes her mother will always be a "part of" her and

when she awakes at night scared, she is not presented with a fading image

but a comforting picture and the comforting knowledge that her mother is

"watching over" without doubt.

"Love Tried To Welcome Me," "Sanctuary," and "Take A Bow" are as Gary

said songs in which Madonna "takes off her mask." The underlying sense

of darkness that was expressed through odes to masechistic sex and failed

relationships, namely "Erotica," "Bye Bye Baby," "Bad Girl" and "Waiting,"

takes on a more direct and honest form. Madonna does not hide that she

herself is the one who's lonely rather than someone merely playing the part of

a lonely person (Note that in "Bad Girl," the cinematography is done such

that Madonna seems to be playing a part rather than being the character

herself) "Take A Bow" can't help but remind one of the themes of

the "Girlie Show" with its circus and stage-show imagery ("clowns and

curtains". Of course, this links seamlessly to Madonna's final statement

in the "Girlie Show:" an image of her as an unmasked clown.

There are a number of other connections on the album, but these are those

that I think are most stunning. Clearly "Bedtime Stories" contrasts with

the earlier works in that Madonna appropriates vulnerability and

lonliness for herself and in doing show does not seem weak but stronger

and more secure than ever.

Any other ideas on connections?

---

Date: Mon, 31 Oct 1994 00:07:02 +0800 (WST)

From: ngcf (at) encserver.en.hkp.hk (Tony NG Chung-fat)

Subject: Can someone forward articles from alt.fan.madonna?

Hi, I had tried reading the articles in alt.fan.madonna

but only found a few. Can someone who has access to

all articles of alt.fan.madonna pls forward some

of the articles from that newsgroup, esp. the bad

reviews of Bedtimes Stories so as to balance the all

the good reviews here in our mailing list.

I find this album quite good with the exception of

Don't Stop and the opening track Survival. Thanks

for everyone for enlightening me on the meaning

of "Take A Bow". Let's all wait patiently to

the debut of Bedtimes Stories in Billboard 200

and also a possible #1 on Billboard Hot 100 for Secret.

Tony Ng at ngcf (at) encserver.en.hkp.hk

PS: Is it worthwhile to buy the remixes of Secret if

I had already got the Secret single which includes

"Let Down Your Guard"?

---

Date: Mon, 31 Oct 94 02:42:00 UTC

From: r.juzwiak (at) genie.geis.com

Subject: "Bedtime Story" NO!!

Am I the only one who thinks that the release of "Bedtime Story" as a

seperate single would be a BIG mistake? It really has no radio potential

(even though it's quite amazing) and I'm afraid it would be Madonna's first

single not to go Top 40. The SMARTEST think to do, IMHO, would be to

release a double A-side of "Take A Bow"/"Bedtime Story" that way she'll have

a dance, R&B, AC, and pop hit all together, AND if radio stations wanted to,

they COULD play "Bedtime Story" (since it's just about given that "Take A

Bow" will go to #1) but wouldn't have to for Madonna to have a hit. Anyone

agree?

---

Date: Mon, 31 Oct 1994 11:10:50 -0500 (EST)

From: "Brian J Dillard" <dillardb (at) student.msu.edu>

Subject: bedtime story

sorry to burst your bubble, bratulic, but this song doesNOT showcase madonna's

ability to create a new form of music, as you stated. it is my fave song on the

album, but the reason i like it is that it sounds like violently happy part II.

violently happy being one of the 11 exquisite tunes bjork and nellee hooper

crafted for bjork's 'debut.' the blueprint for the song is right there. weird

sonic noises, gutteral sounds, the eerie noises coalesce and the beat kicks in.

the melody never really shows up--very techno. sure, it sounds great, but to

credit madge for being a pathfinder is a bit absurd. . . .

---

Date: Mon, 31 Oct 1994 12:57:26 -0500 (EST)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: BS is a Release

Despite insistent claims on the list that "Bedtime Story" would be a poor

release or should be consigned to the b-side of "Take A Bow," that does

not change the fact that Madonna began the filming of this video before

the video for "Take A Bow" and though it is not necessarily the second

release, it will be a major release from the album.

A agree that "Take A Bow" has more potential on the charts: it comes

closer to the type of songs that stay at the top of the charts (like

those of Boyz II Men and All 4 One) than anything she has done. "Bedtime

Stories" doesn't really have singable melody but perhaps a radio remix

will make it more suitable for the airwaves. Furthermore, I think it is

great that Madonna wants to present a release that IS a departure from

the mainstream to show an added dimension to her work. "Bedtime Story"

may not make the top 10 but it could easily call a following from

college-aged audiences that lean towards alternative music.

---

Date: Sun, 30 Oct 1994 18:28:07 -0500 (EST)

From: Ed Sadtler <ehs12 (at) columbia.edu>

Subject: BS Releases

After considering the album in more depth, these are my firm conjectures

for releases:

1. "Secret"

Hopefully a future #1 on Singles, Dance, and Adult Contemporary charts;

maxi-single release on Tuesday?

2. "Bedtime Story"

Madonna has found elderly Asian women for what promises to be an

intriguing video; probably not #1 potential, but perhaps top 5;

enevitable techno-oriented maxi-single and #1 club smash.

3. "Take A Bow"

Madonna is filming a video in Spain for this one; should shoot to the

top of the charts because of its broad pop appeal; "Don't Stop" is a

possible b-side with great (needed) remixes on maxi-single.

4. "Survival"

A number of radio stations have already picked this one out as a hit

and first tracks are almost always release; another sure-fire dance hit

for Madonna; perhaps too light for radio but a radio remix could

perhaps give it top 5 potential.

Madonna may stop with four to be safe but further releases may include:

5. "Human Nature"

R&B appeal makes this a release choice that may well pay off; Madonna

also might feel that her message in this song necessarily must go public;

would require significant censuring.

6. "I'd Rather Be Your Lover"

This funky tune could be successful because of its R&B appeal; Madonna

probably would like the idea of presenting a song and video

collaboration with Me'Shell.

---

Date: Mon, 31 Oct 1994 10:02:30 -0500 (EST)

From: Brian D Daher <bdaher (at) magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>

Subject: Her new SIGNATURE song

I think Take a Bow is the perfect next single and will be a pop smash! This is

the perfect Madonna "signature" song, meaning, she can end every show she ever

does from now on singing this song.

After that, Don't Stop should be the next single. I imagine that Bedtime

Stories will be the fourth single but don't ever expect "Human Nature" to be

released. Radio stations do not play songs that contain the word "shit." It's

a good song, but it won't get played, I'm sure of it.

I must confess, I didn't like BS when I first heard it. But after a few

Entertainment Weekly (this is paraphrased heresay) said that "Erotica" embraced

her gay fans and this album embraces her black fans. What do people think

about that comment?

---

Date: Mon, 31 Oct 1994 15:16:03 -0500 (EST)

From: William McBrine <wmcbrine (at) clark.net>

Subject: Madonna's new boyfriend - not Letterman

The Halloween issue of _People_ magazine, p. 39, says:

Madonna has a new boyfriend. He's Carlos Leon, a Cuban-born cyclist in

his late 20's, whom she met recently in Manhattan's Central Park. The

way we hear it, Madonna first spotted Leon biking during one of her

frequent jogs in the park. A source says Madonna finally approached him,

remarking about his "nice sunglasses," and the two have been

romantically involved ever since.

Leon, who also works at the front desk of a New York City gym, has

traveled with Madonna twice to Miami and most recently to Paris, where

she has been promoting her new CD, _Bedtime Stories_.

---

Date: Mon, 31 Oct 94 0:09:59 EST

From: Le Roi du Monde <gmurray (at) skidmore.EDU>

Subject: single predictions

I have very much enjoyed reading everyone's predictions for

BEDTIME STORIES's single releases, so I will add mine...

1. Secret

-excellent choice for first release; a happy song that has

broad interpretation; great acoustic instrumentation; catchy, fun,

danceable and romantic

2. Take A Bow / Bedtime Story

-keeps Madonna on the dance floor with great remixes of

perhaps her greatest club hit ever while producing a striking song and

video that will have pop, AC, and R&B appeal for sure while getting

Madonna's message across perfectly

3. Survival

-catchy, meaningful, but not too bitter or dark; short enough

for lots of radio airplay & can be remixed for clubs

4. Forbidden Love

-addictive, innovative, and will seem to continue Madonna's

new "romantic" image just in time for spring

5. Don't Stop or I'd Rather Be Your Lover

-since Me'Shell's duet with John Mellancamp was such a huge

hit I think this could work. Otherwise radio will love to talk about

how Madonna has returned to her roots with Don't Stop.

I think that the people who think "Human Nature" will be

released are misguided. Let's not forget the line "I'm not your

bitch, don't hang your shit on me". If Madonna was going to release a

song with "bitch" in it, she would've already done so with "Thief of

Hearts", a more appealing song to the mainstream. "Human Nature" is

very personal and experimental...though the whispering, foul language,

jazzy/bass sound, and aggressiveness could fit in very well on "Erotica".

This song would certainly be misunderstood and would undermine

Madonna's new nicer girl image. Not a release for sure.

I think "Sanctuary" also fits in this category. A wonderful

song, one of the best on the album, but not commercial material.

Madonna should know by now that people will not listen to songs about

death (Oh Father and Bad Girl)..

Personally, I would love these songs to be the releases:

1. Secret

2. Forbidden Love

3. Sanctuary

4. Inside of Me

5. Human Nature

But I am not the shallow, Puritanical American public.

Has anyone noticed that the song "Bedtime Story" is the only

song in which Madonna never says the title. Isn't this ironic, being

that it's the TITLE track of the album?!

---

Date: Sun, 30 Oct 94 19:12:57 CST

From: "Don't hang your sh*t on Baby Fish Mouth" <J372%NEMOMUS.BITNET (at) mitvma.mit.edu>

Subject: Songs I Love

>So far, the two songs i dislike the most from BS are I'd Rather Be Your

>Lover, and Don't Stop. DS especially has kind of less than intelligent

>lyrics. The rest of the album is incredible.

So far, the two songs I like the most from "Bedtime Stories" are "I'd

Rather Be Your Lover" and "Don't Stop."

Both songs have the grooviest (that's just about the only word that

applies...) beat on the album. By the way, I can think of a lot of "less

than intelligent" songs by Madonna that happen to be THE BEST!

---

(More later...)

June 4, 2009

Please MATTRESS make a poster for the TOUR.

Tour book/poster cover concept:

I envision a trippy show that begins with Madonna biting into a poisoned apple. :lol:

June 4, 2009

Love the extra footage in the remix videos. Thanks for posting!

June 4, 2009

What he said.

June 3, 2009

I like the clip. Looking forward to the full video.

June 3, 2009

I didn't even know "Dress you up" was a proper single

June 3, 2009

QUOTE (acko @ Jun 3 2009, 03:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay someone tell me what upside down cover is the original cuz I've only ever seen one..
since day one..& it's upside down facing up

Left: First US Pressing. The standard cover around the world.
Right: Second US Pressing. All subsequent US pressings have used this variation of the sleeve.

June 3, 2009

The Pajama Party 3/18/95
...

And, here is where, oops!, her bosoms come flying out.

June 3, 2009

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Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Official MILES AWAY video

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

I've heard a lot of Madonna fans say they're over her

Official MILES AWAY video

Official MILES AWAY video

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

Bedtime Stories Appreciation Thread!

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