Posted June 29, 20223 yr RhXDO2a3-sE 16 June 1992 saw the release of 'This Used to Be My Playground'. The song was written and produced by Madonna and Shep Pettibone in between recording sessions for 'Erotica' after Madonna was asked to record a song for A League of Their Own, a film in which she starred. Writing and production was complete after two days, however recording was less straightforward as Madonna and Pettibone were unhappy with the results of the orchestration and requested to change the whole composition. The lyrics deal with revisiting childhood places and the struggle to let go of the past. Critics complimented the melancholy, nostalgic mood of the song and it became a commercial success across the world, reaching Top 10 in most of its charting territories, including #1 in Canada, Finland, Italy, Mexico, Sweden and US. As Madonna's tenth US #1, it broke her tie with Whitney Houston as having the most number one singles for a female artist. 30 years on, what are your thoughts and memories of 'This Used to Be My Playground'?
June 29, 20223 yr Author 'This Used to Be My Playground' is a weird one for me because I like it in the context of 'Something to Remember' but find it quite dreary when I listen to it individually. I suppose it's one I have to be in the mood for. I do like the lyrics though and I think they bridge the gap between the childhood innocence of 'Like a Prayer' and the adult issues dealt in 'Erotica' quite well, sort of suggesting Madonna was able to let go and 'grow up'. Crazy to think what a massive hit it was considering how forgotten it is now - a huge US #1 which remains her only #1 not be performed live ever! - but I guess Madonna was still riding high on the success of Like a Prayer/The Immaculate Collection/Blond Ambition.
June 30, 20223 yr I think the song's success really benefited more from the success of 'A League of their Own' movie. The song itself is nice with and an orchestra elevate this song to a distinguished level, but don't find it essential to Madonna's discography. Feels more like Phil Collins than Madonna (maybe that's just me).
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