December 7, 20204 yr Author I think this is the album I have listened to the least from her? (Well definitely more than Hard Candy since 2010 though so there's that :P ) I don't find the album tracks particularly great, except Forbidden Love, but singles are stunning all the way. Give it more time! It ranks fairly low for me too but I have found great peace and admiration for the album over the years and it is my go to album when I want to unwind and have a lazy evening.
December 7, 20204 yr I find it quite hard to fully commit to a rank outside of my Top 2 albums, but 'Bedtime Stories' has definitely had its moments of being a contender for #3! I adore the warm production and tender vocals, it really draws you in and wraps its arms around you.
December 7, 20204 yr Author Lovely way of describing it! I have a vinyl player on my Christmas list (I have several vinyls but no player) and this is a contender for one of the first albums I play on it because I think it suits that vibe perfectly of playing it from start to end and just switching yourself off to the music.
December 21, 20204 yr My Bedtime Stories ranking: 01. Bedtime Story 02. Secret 03. Take a Bow 04. Human Nature 05. Survival 06. Don't Stop 07. Forbidden Love 08. Sanctuary 09. Love Tried to Welcome Me 10. Inside of Me 11. I'd Rather Be Your Lover
January 3, 20214 yr Just listened to this, I think the first half is kinda 3/5, apart from brilliant Secret. Then it picks up a lot with Human Nature and the end is basically a triumph. So solid effort!!
January 3, 20214 yr Just listened to this, I think the first half is kinda 3/5, apart from brilliant Secret. Then it picks up a lot with Human Nature and the end is basically a triumph. So solid effort!! I love the whole album but I definitely agree the latter half beats the first half - quite unusual for an album to be bottom heavy but I think it works in this instance.
January 24, 20214 yr My "Bedtime Stories" review: Survival An understated opening with incredibly soft & laid-back groove that sets the tone for what’s to come with very confrontational yet honest lyrics with Madonna firing back after the backlash she received during the ‘Erotica’ era, her vocals are sung in a very subdued manner which matches the R&B acoustic production. A nice mellow tune, but probably would have worked better later, in my opinion. Secret The lead single & a departure from all her other lead singles prior, but a nice refreshing change with this smooth mid-tempo R&B groove with gorgeous sultry vocals with slightly melancholic verses & intriguing harmonies which evokes its theme of mystery. A defining moment of not only this era, her career also. I’d Rather Be Your Lover A funky yet laid-back bop – complete with rhythmic production & smooth silky vocals as well as featuring a rather interesting rap section by Meshell Ndegeocello. But perhaps this soulful little track is a little too laid back as it lacks a certain punch to make it more interesting, it’s kind of just wafts along at a sluggish pace. Don’t Stop This has a nice summery vibe to it, characterized by a cool pulsating bass that’s overlaid with strings that gives this catchy little number a classy vibe. There are also some solid hooks on here that could have made this tailor made for radio, but there were 4 other fantastic singles chosen over this. A good pop track though. Inside of Me This starts off with a similar vibe to the previous track with its chilled-out vibe, sustained strings & some guitars which adds a nice touch to this rather decent number. Although I do find Madonna’s vocals drowned out a little against the throbbing beats in the background, yet the saxophone samples really add flavour to the whole thing. . Human Nature Shamelessly unapologetic with this brilliantly catchy tune with slick yet forceful R&B laced grooves, cool drum loops & defiant production. Of course, Madonna’s edgy vocals are on top form here & thanks to its killer chorus, this is one of the best tracks on here. Forbidden Love A rather enticing little tune that sets a rather seductive tone with some cool brass & percussion beats & lush vocal harmonies set against a very tasteful yet stellar production. One of the strongest moments on this collection that doesn’t get mentioned very often, despite also featuring on her ‘Something to Remember’ album. A true gem of a track. Love Tried To Welcome Me Arguably one of the most poetically introspective songs on the record. The sombre delivery is entrancing with beautiful strings that really adds to the melancholy mood of the track. Sanctuary This has a beautiful yet haunting quality, full of nervous tension generated by the slow pulsating rhythm, subdued keyboards, edgy guitars & along with Madonna’s soft whispering vocals of which really adds to the mood of the whole thing. Bedtime Story The title track, an up-tempo dance tune that marks an extreme departure from the rest of the album with its pulsating electronic throbbing beats with a swirling techno production, which of course is a refreshing change of pace with Madonna’s sublime vocals adding a nice touch to this rather unique number. This should have been the first track on here instead of being tucked away towards the end. An exciting experimental tune & a firm highlight. Take a Bow Ending this album on an almighty high with one of Madonna’s most beautiful ballads to date that showed a more vulnerable side to her as she sings in a lower vocal register to evoke a tender compassion. Along with the swaying strings & stunning harmonies makes this an instant standout & a perfect follow up single choice. On the whole this is dare I say it a masterpiece.
February 13, 20214 yr An unannounced HD video for 'Bedtime Stories' on its 26th anniversary! CSaFgAwnRSc
February 13, 20214 yr Author Love having that in HD! One of her most fascinating videos, for sure. So many layers and references that I still haven't fully grasped. Very re-watchable so it's good to have it in high-def :dance:
February 13, 20214 yr Author 1. Secret 2. Bedtime Story 3. Take a Bow 4. Survival 5. Sanctuary 6. Forbidden Love 7. Love Tried To Welcome Me 8. Human Nature 9. I'd Rather Be Your Lover 10. Inside of Me 11. Don't Stop Secret has grown over time into being one of my favourite Madonna singles; it has such a warmth and vulnerable energy to it. It is such a beautifully crafted song that stays lodged in your head as you both try to work out what this secret it and also you get pulled into her relationship with her lover. One of her most intriguing singles in terms of subject matter and tone/vibe, it has a beautiful quality that makes it a great listen every time. Sanctuary and Bedtime Story is one of Madonna's best two-punch tracks in a row. Both songs completely offer a new realm of transcendence from the otherwise calm and serene album. The atmospheric duo make for explosive listens and totally subvert everything you'd gone to believe from the album before that point - the bedtime stories become haunting bedtime nightmares! The video for the latter is totally bonkers too and one of the most visually appealing and unappealing things she's done, iconic. Take A Bow brings proceedings back down to ground with one of her "safest" singles. It's a heart-breaking song and a touching end to an album that takes you full circle in its emotions. Madonna has a thing of making songs called Forbidden Love incredible. The first song she created with this name is a highlight on the album for me. It is a beautiful song with the most glistening, gorgeous production. The way the instrumentation is so quiet at times too so it's Madonna's voice that truly elevates out, sublime. Survival is a great way of opening the album. She addresses the narrative that unfolded previously in terms of her public image and the treatment by the media and does so with honesty and an inner strength that carries on throughout the album. It sets the tone for the album that follows brilliantly. Love Tried to Welcome Me is another great album track. A story about a stripper who had a fetish for rejection - producing such a glorious, silky-smooth song. the lyrics are great, in particular: "loneliness has never been a stranger" - it says so much without actually saying much at all! Human Nature has always been a song I have struggled with. I have never really been able to hold it in too high regard. I understand its significance on the album and the unashamedly unapologetic nature that Madonna delivers the song in and for that it deserves praise, but as a song it isn't one that I return to a whole lot. The instrumentation is brilliant though as is the whispered refrain of "express yourself, don't repress yourself". I'd Rather Be Your Lover is nice enough but I find the rap towards the end a little jarring. The lyrics are fun but the strength of the song comes in her vocals which are airy and delightful. Inside of Me comes at an interesting point half-way through the album. It harks back to the Erotica era through its instrumentation and the breathy, talking vocals of Madonna and yet sounds perfect in the more delicate sounds of Bedtime Stories. It transitions thematically too as it leads into 'Human Nature'. Don't Stop is definitely album filler for me - the lyrics and song as a whole are quite pedestrian. It fits with the uplifting and innocent nature of the album that surrounds it, but lacks the imagination and intrigue that other tracks on the album provide. Overall this is a lovely album and one that I return to regularly when in the mood for a Madonna that is both soft, but alluring and intriguing. It tries to be safe and counter the harsh image she built in the era previously, but there is plenty of strength and grit still throughout which means it stands the test of time. Albums ranking 1. True Blue 2. Like A Prayer 3. Erotica 4. Bedtime Stories 5. Madonna 6. Like A Virgin
February 16, 20214 yr Just had this on and it is a gorgeous listen. I know all the songs but it is one of the albums bu Madonna that i play the least. There are three weak songs on this album. 1. Survival 2. Id rather be your lover (should have kept the 2pac feature) 3. Dont Stop
February 17, 20214 yr I've been listening to this album a lot over the last few days and I'm really enjoying it. I haven't got to it in my own Albums Rankings yet, so it could still change places and move up a little bit.
February 19, 20214 yr The ‘Bedtime Stories’ photoshoots are just stunning: View this post on Instagram
February 22, 20214 yr 1. Secret 2. Bedtime Story 3. Take a Bow 4. Survival 5. Sanctuary 6. Forbidden Love 7. Love Tried To Welcome Me 8. Human Nature 9. I'd Rather Be Your Lover 10. Inside of Me 11. Don't Stop I think you've got it spot on with your description of 'Secret'. It's such an unusual song for a Madonna lead single as they tend to be bold statement pieces with big production and a clear messages. I suppose there's 'Live to Tell' which is very ambiguous but it was a big reinvention and a very dramatic sound whereas 'Secret' is much more low-key. It was absolutely the right choice of lead though, it's so inviting and warm, it puts the focus on the music and the voice, no distractions but without playing it safe either. 'Sanctuary' / 'Bedtime Story' make a great package, a departure from the R&B tones explored before it but still fitting the moody, reflective theme of the album. 'Don't Stop' is definitely the weak link of the album, it's fine but it doesn't add anything to the album. I believe the record company wanted to push it as a single, perhaps in favour of 'Bedtime Story', because radio were keen to play it, but Madonna ruled it out. Sometimes Madonna does good taste in her own music! :lol:
March 2, 20214 yr ALBUM RANKINGS: 7. BEDTIME STORIES 8. LIKE A VIRGIN 9. HARD CANDY 10. REBEL HEART 11. MADONNA/THE FIRST ALBUM 12. AMERICAN LIFE 13. MDNA 14. MADAME X I've been listening to this album a lot recently, but haven't moved it up my rakings at all, though it certainly could have taken sixth place at least if I had. So why didn't I? Well, I remember when it first came out and I was desperate for Madonna to get back in favour with the public after her shag-a-thon over the previous few years. Bedtime Stories kind of did that, keeping to the similar sex theme but showing it in a much softer light that its predecessor. But I think I found it a little meh at the time. I wasn't that keen on Secret, Take a Bow was obviously beautiful but not a standout for me, I preferred the dance remix of Bedtime Story to the experimental Bjork-style album version (the video was amazing though and who could forget that Brits performance?). The album has some times of brilliance - Human Nature is probably the main one. The stick-two-fingers-up-at-the-haters non-apologetic stance and that video to go with it. The opener or Survival, which was still an answer-back if not to the level of HuNa. The breezy summer of Don't Stop. The excellent Sanctuary. I'd Rather Be Your Lover and Love Tried to Welcome Me miss the mark, and Inside of Me and Forbidden Love are good, if not fillers. As a body of work, it's really consistent. But we had seen Madonna fail, we had seen her as good as ruin her career, and I thought it needed something more than this to save it. And of course later in the decade she would.
March 18, 20214 yr Bedtime Stories... where to begin? For me, it was her first so-so album. Coming on the back of Erotica (which is arguably my favorite M album ever), this just feels over-produced, safe, and for me, very dated now. It feels like a reaction to Erotica, and not a good one. For me, its saving grace was always its ballads, most of which are still sublime. I don't the R&B faux vibe, and I don't love the mid-tempo soul tracks, they just don't have any sophistication about them. However in amongst the dross, we have Bedtime Story, Sanctuary and Love Tried To Welcome me, hinting that the album could have gone a whole different way - and been so much better. I still can't believe that Take A Bow performed so badly in the U.K (it just got lost in the Christmas melee), and I remember being really shocked when it missed the top 10, which was a big deal back then, considering the record-breaking run of Top 10 singles. Ranked in order for me: 1 Sanctuary 2 Loved Tried To Welcome Me 3 Forbidden Love 4 Bedtime Story 5 Inside Of Me 6 Secret 7 Take A Bow 8 Don't Stop 9 Human Nature 10 I'd Rather be Your Lover 11 Survival
March 18, 20214 yr 'Bedtime Story' remix EP out tonight! I still can't believe that Take A Bow performed so badly in the U.K (it just got lost in the Christmas melee), and I remember being really shocked when it missed the top 10, which was a big deal back then, considering the record-breaking run of Top 10 singles. It'll always look odd that Madonna's first single to miss the Top 10 since the start of her career was a multi-week #1 in the US, but I guess that type of R&B sound wasn't quite as big here as it was in the US. Certainly Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men weren't achieving that same mammoth success here and they appeared to be the face of that genre. Possibly, 'Take a Bow' was lost in the Christmas market, but she had Top 10 hits over that period in the past. I think it's more likely that fans just weren't hear for the singles in the same way they had been. Even 'Secret' 'only' achieved #5 which was low for a Madonna lead.
March 19, 20214 yr I am listening now wow !! 14 remixes and the addition of survival !! Stariting with the orbital mix (used on reinvention tour)
