Posted July 11, 20232 yr x3ov9USxVxY It has been 25 years since Madonna made her biggest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 with 'Ray of Light', the album's title track and second single released. Based on Curtiss Maldoon's folk song 'Sepheryn', the song is transformed into a frenetic electronic dance record consisting of oscillating synths, electric guitar riffs and soaring vocals. It was another huge critical success and a smash hit across the world, reaching #1 in Greece and Spain, #2 in the UK and #5 in the US where it surpassed Madonna's previous best debut of #8. The music video was the first of eight directed by Jonas Åkerlund and takes influence from 1982 experimental film Koyaanisqatsi, capturing day-to-day life through high speed, time-lapsed footage. It was rewarded with five MTV Video Music Awards - including Video of the Year - as well as Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video. 25 years on, what are your thoughts and memories of 'Ray of Light'?
July 12, 20232 yr I love how the video matches the frantic energy of the song so perfectly. What a classic. All Saints utterly ROBBED this of #1 in the UK, really.
July 12, 20232 yr One of her very best. My fav memory of this song was in Cardiff for the opening night of the sticky and sweet tour. The golden circle / early entry people were let in but kept in the section of the stadium where you buy drinks and food. M came out to soundtrack. She sang ROL and we all sang along, danced and jumped around like the concert had begun. The stewards and security thought we were crazy. It was electric and we couldn't even see her :)
July 12, 20232 yr The video is brilliant - I have so many memories attached to it, some of my earliest musical memories involve it in fact. Brilliant song too - sounds fresh a quarter of a decade later :wub:
July 12, 20232 yr Ray of light was a big comeback after the luke warm reception to bedtime stories. Frozen was a brilliant lead single and everything felt right about the campaign. Still one of her best albums of her career.
July 14, 20232 yr Ray of light was a great return, i call myself a more casual fan but prior to ray of light i hadnt really taken to anything she had released for a while, frozen was a great return and i still love the song now, the power of goodbye when i first heard the album was the complete standout and i was so happy it was released as a single. I was surprised the album missed out on Number 1 here in Ireland.
July 14, 20232 yr I feel like I underrate this song a lot as the accompanying album is my favourite of the 90s and is packed with so many highlights that a 9/10 can get a bit lost in a sea of 10s, as crazy as that sounds. But when I do give it individual attention it is a pretty epic title track with its frantic energy and swirling synths. Agreed that the video is the perfect match!
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