Mooncrown11 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 So I wanted to possibly start a new weekly feature on the forum to discuss Madonna's music-past and present. I used to post a similar thread on Absolute Madonna and I really enjoyed it and have missed it so I hope people will enjoy it here as well. It's a pretty simple concept: I hit shuffle on my Ipod for M songs and pick the first one that comes up and then everyone comments on the song. You can post that you love it, hate it, or are indifferent to it. You can also add personal stories and memories or your own interpretation of the song's meaning - anything goes really. Feel free to also post favorite videos, performances, covers, remixes, and chart info if any. I really enjoy reading other fans opinions, stories, and feelings about different songs as they have sometimes made me see a song in a whole new way or even appreciate a song I didn't think much of before. So no song is off limits for discussion (I'm talking to you Jimmy Jimmy). I also will take requests if you want to message me to have a certain song featured. So here goes nothing! Sanctuary [spoken:]Surely whoever speaks to me in the right voiceHim or her I shall followWho needs the sun, when the rain's so full of lifeWho needs the skyIt's here in your arms I want to be buriedYou are my sanctuaryWho needs the sun, when the rain's so full of lifeWho needs the sky, when the ground's open wideIt's here in your arms I want to be buriedYou are my sanctuaryWho needs a smile, when a tear's so full of loveWho needs a home, with the stars up aboveIt's here in your heart I want to be carriedYou are my sanctuaryWho needs the light, with the darkness in your eyesWho needs to sleep, with the stars in the skyIt's here in your soul I want to be marriedYou are my sanctuary[spoken:]And the earth was void and emptyAnd darkness was upon the face of the earthIs all of this pain so necessaryYou are my sanctuary[spoken:]Surely whoever speaks to me in the right voiceHim or her I shall followAs the water follows the moon, silentlyWho needs the sun (with fluid steps)Who needs the sky (around the globe)Who needs to sleep (I hear your voice)You are (you are) my sanctuaryYou are (you are, you are)You are (you are) my sanctuary This is one of my absolute favorites from the Bedtime Stories album. It is beautifully written and sung and has a haunting, almost eerie quality which I find so interesting. The spoken lines from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass "Voices" poem also add to the mysterious quality of the song. Who is she speaking to in the song, a lover, her mother, a higher power? I'm not sure if she has ever revealed what the song is about (please share if you have any quotes from her about the song's meaning) but I personally get a very spiritual vibe from it in the lyrics as well as her delivery. I think this is one of her more experimental outings and I for one would have loved to see a video for this song - maybe a future tour interlude? One can only dream... What do you all think of this song? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad_On_Her Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Love love love it! Great song. I adore Bedtime Stories it's such a great album Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoquinn Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Love the song, both for its production/overall sound and lyrics. Hauntingly beautiful (a tired phrase, but I don't care.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rachelle of London Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 My fave song of all time! I have some of the lyrics tattooed on my back! I was JUST listening to it. It's perfection! It's amazing! It's brilliance! THIS is music! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoquinn Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 My fave song of all time! I have some of the lyrics tattooed on my back! I was JUST listening to it. It's perfection! It's amazing! It's brilliance! THIS is music! Would you mind telling which lyrics are tattooed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooncrown11 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Would you mind telling which lyrics are tattooed? I was going to ask the same thing! So many brilliant ones to choose from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rachelle of London Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 "Who needs a home with the stars up above" I have it in my mums handwriting. I got it on the 18th anniversary of BS albums release. I didn't even realise the date until later on there were all these tweets about it. Amazing thread for an amazing song! Everyone I play it for LOVES it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sloane Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 lol... Sanctuary. Okay, have to confess, I haven't heard this song since BS came out and, even then, only once. I'm a remix gal and don't usually pay attention to full albums.. songs beyond singles.. unless I instantly like them (such as Till Death Do Us Part from LAP, Don't Stop from BS, a couple from Erotica). It wasn't until ROL that I REALLY paid attention to M's full albums (except for LAP, which I love start to finish). The exception is AL. I don't know that full album too well. Anyways, I just went and listened to Sanctuary now. It's not bad... not my cup of tea, but the intro is pretty. I can see what others would like in it. Short of True Blue and LAV, BS is probably my least favorite M album AS A FULL ALBUM. I LOVE the era, DON'T GET ME WRONG. I LOVE THE SINGLES, VIDEOS, etc. Just not into R&B sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooncrown11 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Here's the Herbie Hancock song Watermelon Man that is sampled in Sanctuary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrolla Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I agree with Sloane, BS is probably my least favorite album as whole. I NEVER find myself listening to the album tracks themselves. And Sanctuary was probably one of my least favorite, even of those! I do a like the singles, especially Secret and Human Nature. The videos from this era were very, very well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rachelle of London Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Herbie Hancock is amazing! He was at a few of the MDNA shows! Watermelon Man = flawless Sanctuary = flawless extravaganza I'm full on stanning out right now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooncrown11 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 "Who needs a home with the stars up above" I have it in my mums handwriting. I got it on the 18th anniversary of BS albums release. I didn't even realise the date until later on there were all these tweets about it. That's awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rachelle of London Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Bedtime Stories is my personal favourite. It's the album I associate with my first memories. Singing in the kitchen with my sister when I was three with it playing in the cassette player. It just takes me back to an amazing time. She collaborated with some of my fave producers Dave Hall, Dallas Austin, Babyface, Nellee Hooper etc. despite working with such famous and acclaimed producers from the rnb hip hop world Madonna still retained a Madonna sound. BS bridges the gap between Erotica and ROL perfectly and she naturally falls into STR and Evita. She had so much to say after the sex backlash, the interviews, the looks, the videos are all epic. I personally think Madonna really proved her artistic ability with this album. I cannot wait for the 20th anniversary this October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Jan Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Mooncrown, so glad you have continued your great Song of the Week thread. Everyone at Madonnantion is in for a treat because Mooncrown's song of the week was a highlight on Absolute Madonna and Mooncrown is one of the most positive and knowledgeable Madonna fans around. He reminds me a lot of Whoopie and Mattress with his love and knowledge for Madonna music and sharing that information. I love Sanctuary. The lyrics are just beautiful and her vocals are gorgeous. One of my favourite tracks on Bedtime Stories. A very different type of song for Madonna as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooncrown11 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Mooncrown, so glad you have continued your great Song of the Week thread. Everyone at Madonnantion is in for a treat because Mooncrown's song of the week was a highlight on Absolute Madonna and Mooncrown is one of the most positive and knowledgeable Madonna fans around. He reminds me a lot of Whoopie and Mattress with his love and knowledge for Madonna music and sharing that information. Aww thanks Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightshade Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Fantastic song. Evocative. It really begs for visual treatment on tour or something. This was probably my favorite song on that album when it first came out. Eventually, I fell in love with others - but this one will always be my first love from that record. It's absolutely gorgeous. There are so many great little production nuances like the little flute darting about, the growling guitar, and the twinkling blips that take the song out at the end as the synth-strings swell up into the atmosphere. It's beautifully alien. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooncrown11 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 It's beautifully alien. Great description! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick00 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I love almost all M albums, but BS is one of the few that I can listen without needing to skip any songs. Sanctuary & Bedtime Stories tracks on the album showed her growth as an artist & moving further away from her more commercial sounding music from the eighties. I also miss M during the BS time period because she was willing to release unconventional singles & videos for BS & HN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip The Switch Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaything Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 It's one of the best songs on the album and definitely underrated. This + Bedtime Story = perfection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 my instant favourite from BS, and there are a lot of great tracks....it's simply haunting. her voice combined with Watermelon sample is just magic.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkspur Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I'll never forget hearing this song for the first time. I love how Bedtime Stories ends in a dream like state and then Take A Bow sounds like a lullaby. It felt like she was moving on. I had this song on repeat. It beautifully continues the music on Bedtime Stories but becomes more atmospheric which I love! ...and Madonna's voice! The idea of a sanctuary is also very appealing to me. ..and yes Mooncrown! LOVE your Song of the Week and you are amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooncrown11 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 I'll never forget hearing this song for the first time. I love how Bedtime Stories ends in a dream like state and then Take A Bow sounds like a lullaby. It felt like she was moving on. I had this song on repeat. It beautifully continues the music on Bedtime Stories but becomes more atmospheric which I love! ...and Madonna's voice! The idea of a sanctuary is also very appealing to me. ..and yes Mooncrown! LOVE your Song of the Week and you are amazing! Thanks Lisa - you are pretty amazing yourself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatatramp Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Masterpiece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkspur Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Thanks Lisa - you are pretty amazing yourself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Barthes Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Madonna was obsessed by Joi's album at the time and Sanctuary has the same sexy southern RnB vibe as Sunshine and the rain produced by Dallas Austin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatatramp Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 ^ I still need to listen to the pendulum vibe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtzlplk Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 SANCTUARY is the Avant Garde song of Bedtime Stories followed by Love Tried To Welcome Me... I love it how MADONNA use samples as she used to... did she sample anything in MDNA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love Technician Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) I love EVERYTHING about this song. It has such a dark, yet romantic vibe. The way it transitions into Bedtime Story is spine tingling. Also love the Walt Whitman poem... 1Vocalism, measure, concentration, determination, and the divinepower to speak words;Are you full-lung'd and limber-lipp'd from long trial? from vigorouspractice? from physique?Do you move in these broad lands as broad as they?Come duly to the divine power to speak words?For only at last after many years, after chastity, friendship,procreation, prudence, and nakedness,After treading ground and breasting river and lake,After a loosen'd throat, after absorbing eras, temperaments, races,after knowledge, freedom, crimes,After complete faith, after clarifyings, elevations, and removingobstructions,After these and more, it is just possible there comes to a man,woman, the divine power to speak words;Then toward that man or that woman swiftly hasten all--nonerefuse, all attend,Armies, ships, antiquities, libraries, paintings, machines, cities,hate, despair, amity, pain, theft, murder, aspiration, form inclose ranks,They debouch as they are wanted to march obediently through themouth of that man or that woman.2O what is it in me that makes me tremble so at voices?Surely whoever speaks to me in the right voice, him or her I shall follow,As the water follows the moon, silently, with fluid steps, anywherearound the globe.All waits for the right voices;Where is the practis'd and perfect organ? where is the develop'd soul?For I see every word utter'd thence has deeper, sweeter, new sounds,impossible on less terms.I see brains and lips closed, tympans and temples unstruck,Until that comes which has the quality to strike and to unclose,Until that comes which has the quality to bring forth what liesslumbering forever ready in all words. Edited June 10, 2014 by Love Technician Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCD Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I love the hazy, magic, dream like quality of a lot of songs off BS and this song is my stand out favorite from the album. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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