Oh, I forgot to do this. :( (Sorry Bal :snif: )

Oh, I forgot to do this. :( (Sorry Bal :snif: )

Whore.

 

If 'Rain' flops now, it'll be YOUR fault. <_<

12 // I Want You [Orchestral] (with Massive Attack) // 74 pts.
~ To share is precious, pure and fair ~



Highest Points: 9 (Regina), 8 (liamk97, Qween, Acidburn, mr_pmt)
Lowest Points: 6 (Joe., HausofKubrick), 7 (vibe, Aaliyah4Eva, Nick F1)

The album ends with how it begins, just with the removal of the original instruments and a load of strings to make things that little bit more grander. This orchestral version of 'I Want You' works better for me; it makes things that bit more sinister and makes the lyrical theme even more poignant, but both versions are a world away from Marvin Gaye's 1976 original. Madonna sings of an unrequited love: she wants her lover to love, want and need her as much as she does him, and if he doesn't want that, she doesn't want to want him at all. We'll hear of 'I Want You' a little later.

12 // Forbidden Love // 74 pts.
~ Heaven forgive me, never forbid me ~



Highest Points: 9 (liamk97, HausofKubrick), 8 (Acidburn, Aaliyah4Eva)
Lowest Points: 6 (vibe, Joe.), 7 (Regina, Qween, Nick F1, mr_pmt)

Over 20 years before the 'Forbidden Love' we all know and love, there was a same-titled track on Madonna's R&B-inspired album Bedtime Stories, and no R&B-inspired album would be the same without Babyface, one of the biggest names in 90s R&B music (responsible for tracks by Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown). 'Forbidden Love' deals with, well, exactly that: a love that feels right because it is wrong, and we are allowed a peep of this passion with the super slow and sexy production as Madonna purrs the lyrics of prohibition in her lover's eyes, smile and kiss. Even though Something to Remember was seen to be a step away from the sex theme Madonna had become associated with, this still fits nicely with the mood of the album.

12 // I Want You // 74 pts.
~ I want you, but I want you to want me too ~



Highest Points: 10 (mr_pmt), 8 (Qween, Aaliyah4Eva, Joe.)
Lowest Points: 6 (Nick F1, HausofKubrick), 7 (Regina, vibe, liamk97, Acidburn)

So later is here. Legend goes that Motown Records approached trip-hop group Massive Attack and asked them to recreate a Marvin Gaye record with Chaka Khan. This didn't work out as planned so Bedtime Stories producer Nellee Hooper put forward Madonna's name after the success of their collaboration, and the rest is history. 'I Want You' proves to be another step towards the sound that Madonna developed on her Ray of Light album with the drum track and glistening strings creating a mysterious yet sexual atmosphere. It makes you wonder why Massive Attack and Madonna didn't hook up on any more tracks. 'I Want You' was intended to be the lead single and would certainly have been a bold choice, particularly over the more radio-friendly 'You'll See', but trouble between record labels meant the release was pulled. Still, we got a 6 minute promo video that combines sorrow and sex perfectly.

As you'll see, above is a three-way-tie, but the order is decided by who had more 10s and 9s.

Shocked 'Forbidden Love' is so low! It's lovely </3 (but in such a strong collection, i suppose it's going to be a very tight race between them all and so all scores will make a difference!).

I was kind of expecting it given Bedtime Stories is perhaps the least remembered/most under-appreciated of her albums, but yeah, I'd like to have seen it much higher, even with such a strong standard.

 

I'd have had 'I'll Remember' last for sure (but still a solid 6/10).

I wonder how this would pan out if it was done by averages instead?

 

'I Want You' is so majestic. :wub: I wish it had been given the chance of a proper single release.

I should know this being a teacher but wouldn't it be the same results whether it's averages or scores? :unsure:

 

Edit: Some people not rating songs and leaving them blank ;o

I should know this being a teacher but wouldn't it be the same results whether it's averages or scores? :unsure:

 

Edit: Some people not rating songs and leaving them blank ;o

 

Exactly! It gives other songs an unfair advantage over others. :P

Oh Father for the win

I should know this being a teacher but wouldn't it be the same results whether it's averages or scores? :unsure:

 

Edit: Some people not rating songs and leaving them blank ;o

Exactly! It gives other songs an unfair advantage over others. :P

Yeah, I think either averages and points would give the same result (and all songs were rated). Given 10 people voted, it's fortunately quite easy to work out the averages!

09 // I'll Remember // 75 pts.
~ I'll remember the way that you changed me ~



Highest Points: 10 (Acidburn), 8 (Regina, vibe, Qween)
Lowest Points: 6 (Aaliyah4Eva), 7 (liamk97, Joe., Nick F1, mr_pmt, HausofTroye)

'I'll Remember' was the first release following the Erotica era and notably an attempt to bring the focus of Madonna back to the music. It deals with the matter of a break-up or a loss but looks at the memories and lessons taught instead of the heart-break of something ending. I feel this could easily fit with the Like a Prayer album due to its lyrical content, as well as the delicate vocals and production (certainly helps that Madonna chose to work with Patrick Leonard again). This ranks on the lower side of the album for me but that's just testament to what a strong body of work the album is.

09 // This Used to Be My Playground // 75 pts.
~ Can't say goodbye to yesterday ~



Highest Points: 10 (Acidburn), 9 (Aaliyah4Eva)
Lowest Points: 6 (Regina, mr_pmt), 7 (vibe, Joe., Nick F1, HausofTroye)

Now the song that came immediately before the Erotica album and, when you look at the song meaning, it's actually quite fitting. 'This Used to Be My Playground' is a song everyone can relate to: as we reach different stages and chapters of our lives, we often look back to our childhood and recall how simple and care-free everything seemed to be. We wish we could have that innocence back and we may revisit places we associate these feelings with but, often the case, is that they fail to give you the same satisfaction they did when you were young. As I say, it is quite convenient this song places just after an album of being reflective and reminiscent but just before an album that is about experience and adult issues.

07 // Take a Bow // 83 pts.
~ Say your lines but do you feel them ~



Highest Points: 9 (Regina, liamk97, Acidburn, Nick F1), 8 (vibe, Aaliyah4Eva, Joe., mr_pmt, HausofTroye)
Lowest Points: 7 (Qween)

'Take a Bow' is the key highlight from the Bedtime Stories album and continues to hold its own in an album of some of Madonna's most finest pieces of work. She joined forces again with the King of Romantic R&B, Baby Face, who created an effortlessly beautiful melody as a platform for Madonna to execute one of her best vocal performances. In the style of a monologue, Madonna eases into a conversation with her lover which will give him the chance to be honest with his feelings. She compares him to an actor in a theatrical performance: he knows the right things to say and do to convince everyone his feelings are true but, the reality is, there's little meaning behind the words. I could listen to this over and over because the lyrics are so clever and each one can be open to interpretation and be used for completely different subject matters. It borders a very thin line between a 9 and a 10 for me - only the case of their being songs on this album I listen to more and have deeper connections with stops it from receiving a faultless score.

Take A Bow far too high, it's so saccharine and bland, one of the few Madonna ballads of that era I can say that about.

The single cover for TUTBMP.......

Take A Bow the clear highlight of that section. OF COURSE John would be the only one with a problem with it <_<

 

The other two are "nice" and ok but not much more :')

'Take A Bow' is one I only really came to appreciate over the past few years, but the other two I'm not overly fussed on.

I will always find it odd that 'Take a Bow' missed the UK Top 10! I regard it as one of her highlights from the 90s.

 

'Rain' still to come <3

I missed this. I'll Remember is too low, hoping for an Oh Father victoire.

I'm hoping the combined fine tastes of Dandy & Jay haven't affected the results too much. Really hoping 'Rain' can win and I know that would've been Jay's 11 :snif: 'Oh Father' to be crowned winner if the former can't though~

06 // Love Don't Live Here Anymore // 84 pts.
~ Just emptiness and memories ~



Highest Points: 11 (Regina), 10 (Qween)
Lowest Points: 6 (Joe.), 7 (Acidburn, mr_pmt)

Madonna's cover of Rose Royce's 1978 hit first appeared on Like a Virgin which saw her, following encouragement from album-producer Nile Rodgers, perform with a live orchestra as an attempt to bring diversity to the album. It was later remixed (apparently anyway, I can't say I hear much difference) for the Something to Remember collection: its inclusion, subjectively, because it's a stunning song but, more objectively, because it was Madonna's first known ballad. The willingness of all parties to cover this already well-known song was certainly a success as far I'm concerned, with the birth of Madonna's raw vocals bringing surprising amounts of emotion and depth that's distinctive in the majority of the other ballads in this collection. These vocals give the lyrics the brutal sadness they were designed to do but just failed to be delivered by the Rose Royce original and it culminates spectacularly when Madonna becomes overcome with emotion as her voice unintentionally starts to break and she gasps for breath.