Madonna's 'Bedtime Stories' still radiates with sensuality, defiance (Review)



Madonna released "Bedtime Stories" in 1994. The album went on to sell more than 7 million copies. (Warner Bros.)

By the mid 1990s, the shock and awe of her sexual subject matter had been dwarfed by the hard-hitting beats of R&B, hip-hop and, eventually, electronic music. What's was a mega pop-star to do?

Michael and Janet Jackson (perhaps Madonna's only two equals at the time) had already faced such a dilemma head on. The latter was busy perfecting her work with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, peaking with 1993's pop-R&B fused "Janet."

Meanwhile, MJ found himself not only trying to match his sister, but also attempting to join the wave of New Jack Swing, which he accomplished with 1991's masterful "Dangerous."

Now it was Madonna's turn. Enter "Bedtime Stories," an album often overlooked because it was sandwiched between her most controversial work ("Erotica") and, arguably, her best ("Ray of Light").

"Bedtime Stories" arrives on heavyweight vinyl for the first time on Aug. 16 (You can order it on Amazon Friday). The album, which sold more than 7 million copies, is best remembered as Madonna's response to the changing sonic landscape and a post "Erotica" backlash from the morality police.

Yet, if "Bedtime Stories" was Madonna dialing things back, it certainly came with a backhanded smack across the face. "Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about sex," she sings on "Human Nature." "And I'm not sorry."

"Human Nature" is the perfect example of where Madonna's evolution was taking her in 1994. The track not only serves as a middle finger to critics ("I'm breaking all the rules I didn't make"). It also comes with a head-bobbing hip-hop beat courtesy of Dave Hall, best known for his work on Mary J. Blige's "What's the 411?"

That shift to trendy R&B can also be found on the Isley Brothers-sampled "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" and the impassioned (and catchy-as-hell) "Secret," helmed by TLC producer Dallas Austin.

Aside from tackling urban trends, "Bedtime Stories" foreshadows Madonna's brilliant electronic music that would come later in the decade. The opening track "Survival" is perfect for cascading across the dance floor, while Madonna does her best Kylie Minogue impersonation on "Inside of Me."

Of course, Madonna wasn't the first artist to chase a trend or two to multi-platinum success. But if "Bedtime Stories" has a shortcoming it's the failure to fully conquer 1990s R&B in the same way Jackson's "Dangerous" climbed to the top of the New Jack Swing Mountain.

Still, the final two tracks on "Bedtime Stories" are the most noteworthy because they offer an emphatic exclamation point. The title song, penned by Bjork, indicates the work that would show up on "Ray of Light" more than any song.

Then there's "Take a Bow," which melds Babyface and Madonna's writing styles. Perhaps Madonna chose it as the closer because of the memorable tagline "The show is over, say goodbye."

But "Take a Bow" also serves as an emphatic statement: While Madonna was figuring out her next phase, she was still more than capable of delivering the best romantic ballad of her career.

Yes Bal! The cover is gorgeous and I imagine, as with most, it makes all the difference to see it on a vinyl size opposed to a CD size. I'd love to see the inside fold as well.

What's proved to be your highlights from the album?

Yes Bal! The cover is gorgeous and I imagine, as with most, it makes all the difference to see it on a vinyl size opposed to a CD size. I'd love to see the inside fold as well.

What's proved to be your highlights from the album?

Is the vinyl coloured? It would look so good in that minty blue colour that the inside of the CD case was.

Hey sorry for butting in lol but I love this album so much I just have to

Forbidden Love, Human Nature, Secret, Inside of Me and Take A Bow are definitely my highlights.

This album is so underrated! It's my favourite album by her tbh, it's perfect for my taste. It's such a great R&B album

Well the Sanctuary-Bedtime Story moment has always been incredible, but I'm starting to appreciate a lot more like Secret, Forbidden Love, Survival and many more. It's a really solid album that I'm only just discovering properly <3

You mean the actual vinyl record itself? Looking on Amazon, the middle section is that gorgeous blue colour but the rest is the standard black.

Will Erotica be the next album to properly hit me?

So far Bedtime Stories (which used to be bottom 2) has ascended up my rankings and my bottom 5 will probably look something like:
09. Bedtime Stories
10. Madonna
11. Erotica
12. Like A Virgin
13. Hard Candy

Yes, the vinyl itself. They so should release it with that colour...

There's a distinct lack of MDNA in that bottom 5!

MDNA has no place there It has real stinkers but it also has a tonne of absolute bangers. Although tbf, it's probably the album I listen to in full least, but there are so many songs that I play away from the album. I'm probably being too kind to it tbf, but let's place it at 8th in my ranking~

Shame because the album could have been so good, especially following her divorce. Imagine if she went through the motions, from the vengeful 'Gang Bang' to the forgiving and sad 'Best Friend'. Those would make great tracks to bookmark each end of the album and made it feel like a journey like Confessions was.

Aww i've never really made that connection before but it would've made perfect sense with a more cohesive and streamlined middle between the two tracks. Yeah imagine each song getting progressively more forgiving as the album went along. Beyoncé 'LEMONADE' vibes ~