Beautiful Stranger ● 20 Years - BuzzJack Music Forum

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Beautiful Stranger ● 20 Years

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Liam.k. View member profile	11th June 2019, 05:18 PM Post #1
BuzzJack Idol Joined: 8 December 2010 Posts: 50,948 User: 12,472	Dsh0TfIKhoE It's 20 years since the release of 'Beautiful Stranger', Madonna's last single of the 90s. The song was included on the soundtrack to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and won the battle to become the coveted first single. Teaming up again with William Orbit, the pair inject 60s psychedelic pop into their Ray of Light sound to produce a playful, groovy(baby) song that has instrumentation reminiscent of The Beatles. 'Beautiful Stranger' was a huge success, particularly in the UK where it dominated the airwaves, spending five weeks at #1 on the radio airplay charts. It broke the record for number of plays in a week (2,462), eventually racking up 44,483 plays by the end of 1999 to become the year's most played song. It resulted in Madonna achieving her second highest debut sales (136k), although this wasn't enough to overcome the debut of S Club 7's 'Bring It All Back'. In the US, the record company decided not to release the physical commercially, yet it still managed a #19 peak on the strength of radio play. The accompanying music video was an extension of the Austin Powers film, with Madonna portrayed as a spy, a "master of disguise", who is seducing all the top agents. What follows is a fun, goofy video as Austin attempts to fight off fantasising about Madonna as he watches her perform in a club, finally succumbing to her charm. It's some much needed lightheartedness following the serious Ray of Light era and ended up receiving three nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards, including a win for Best Video from a Film. 20 years on, how do you rate 'Beautiful Stranger'?


Liam.k. View member profile	11th June 2019, 05:22 PM Post #2
BuzzJack Idol Joined: 8 December 2010 Posts: 50,948 User: 12,472	'Beautiful Stranger' was remixed for the clubs by Victor Calderone: drsr5pTFnFM Only included on the setlist for Drowned World Tour, although it did make one-off appearances on tour in 2008 and 2016: 88ngZbPKjeU Madonna's win at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards: OdUpZpnY5Lo


vibe View member profile	11th June 2019, 06:25 PM Post #3
BuzzJack Platinum Member Joined: 31 August 2010 Posts: 8,790 User: 11,763	She seems to have forgotten about this track . It needs to feature on the x tour. Non fans seem to really enjoy this song , it’s a low vocal and I’m sure she can pull this one of live. When released it broke airplay records . Beaten to number 1 by s club 7 - bring it all back .


HausofKubrick View member profile	11th June 2019, 09:38 PM Post #4
⬛ Joined: 17 February 2011 Posts: 56,208 User: 13,007	Can't say this is a massive favourite of mine and it does seem fairly forgotten but it's fun enough. The music video is a riot though!


Liam.k. View member profile	12th June 2019, 07:24 PM Post #5
BuzzJack Idol Joined: 8 December 2010 Posts: 50,948 User: 12,472	For such a successful song, this seems to have been largely forgotten about, which is a shame. I loved this as a kid, I don't rate it quite as high as I did but it's still a great amount of fun.


Tafty³³³ View member profile	12th June 2019, 11:33 PM Post #6
I found the love, I found the love in me Pronouns: He/Him Joined: 13 December 2007 Posts: 87,447 User: 5,042	By far and away the worst single she's ever had. Absolutely vile. Thank God it's largely forgotten about.


Liam.k. View member profile	14th June 2019, 01:49 PM Post #7
BuzzJack Idol Joined: 8 December 2010 Posts: 50,948 User: 12,472	We've got a Chart Battle Replay game of 'Bring It All Back' vs. 'Beautiful Stranger' in the charts forum. Show Madge your support, it's a tight race! http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=223051 QUOTE(Jonjo @ Jun 13 2019, 12:33 AM) By far and away the worst single she's ever had. Absolutely vile. Thank God it's largely forgotten about. Her worst?


Jessie Where View member profile	14th June 2019, 01:56 PM Post #8
Break the tension Joined: 7 March 2006 Posts: 88,946 User: 51	Such a classic, it was the first Madonna single I bought at the age of 12. When I was really young it was my favourite song of hers, but obviously it's not anymore.