Bad Girl ● (1993) ● 'Erotica'

 

http://i47.tinypic.com/4p015.jpg

 

An early Song of the Week as today celebrates the 20th anniversary of Madonna's one and only performance of Bad Girl.

 

Background

Track number six on her most controversial album to date, Erotica, Bad Girl was released as the third single in February 1993 (although it was originally intended to be the second), one month after the erotic thriller Body of Evidence in which Madonna stars. It was written and produced by Madonna and Shep Pettibone with Anthony Shimkin also helping on the writing and its lyrics defines a woman who drinks to cure her pain.

 

"Such unbridled sensuality is only part of the picture Madonna paints; far more telling is "Bad Girl," a slow, sorrowful look at the sort of woman who uses drunken debauchery as a mask for her pain. Deftly sketched, it shows the other side of the stereotypical good-time girl, and its chorus -- "Bad girl, drunk by 6/Kissing someone else's lips" -- is as sobering as it is sad. Simply hearing the quaver in her voice as she insists "You'll always be my baby" is enough to break any listener's heart.

 

This is hardly a celebration of loose living, and given the anything-goes image Madonna has cultivated in recent months, it may seem somewhat out of character for the singer. Look closer, though, and the message behind "Bad Girl" fits quite nicely with the rest of the album. Because as much as the single "Erotica" may insist that "There's a certain satisfaction/In a little bit of pain," Madonna understands that the playful punishment of S&M seems trifling when compared to the heart-rending anguish of a bad relationship. And that kind of pain she doesn't need."

J.D. Considine, Pop Music Critic, The Baltimore Sun

The song had very moderate success in the charts, reaching only #36 on the US Billboard Chart, breaking Madonna's run of 27 consecutive Top 20 singles and becoming her first single to miss the Top 20. Bad Girl did however reach the Top 10 in Italy, Canada and the UK, but unfortunately its short chart run in the latter country meant it only racked up UK sales of 75,000. Its chart performance resulted in fourth single 'Fever' being released only four weeks later.

 

The only time Bad Girl has been performed live was January 1993 on Saturday Night Live, where she also performed Fever.

 

Opinion

Bad Girl is my favourite single from Erotica. The first time I heard it was this time last year when Bad Girl was previously Song of the Week, but I loved it straight away. It's really emotional and her vocals, especially on the live version, are perfect! The video is a personal favourite of mine too. It's such a shame that this neither appears on any of her tours nor greatest hits album - it certainly seems to be well received on Buzzjack.

 

Versions

Album Version [5:23]

Radio Edit [4:38]

Extended Mix [6:29]

Video Version [6:08]

 

Videos

Official Music Video:

 

 

Saturday Night Live performance:

 

 

If you have any requests for Song of the Week, feel free to PM me or SweetCandy!

 

Songs of the Week

Week 1: I Know It

Week 2: Bad Girl

Love it, love it, love it

 

Such a classic song!! Please perform it on the next tour Madonna. It would have easily fitted next to Like A Virgin / Love Spent section on the MDNA Tour.

 

It's a shame the media didn't pick up this song more but the backlash was still about then.

I love the video to this track but don't understand why this song is such a fan favourite?

I'm not surprised by its lack if success I woul have preferred why's it so hard to have been a single!!

 

My single release order

1. Deeper and deeper

2. Erotica

3. Rain

4. Why's it so hard

Usually when it comes to Madonna songs, unsuccessful = fan fave :P

 

By the way, I think Erotica was perfect for lead single, but the problem was that it put off a lot of people buying/listening to the album, as many would presume the whole album was about sex and bondage and pleasure, whereas it in fact wasn't just about that.

The Erotica album had so many strong songs.

I agree Liam hence why it shouldn't have been the lead single