Bedtime Story

Album: Bedtime Stories (1995)
Charted: 4 42
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Songfacts®:

  • This video was Madonna's most expensive she had ever made. It cost $5 million, and was the most expensive video ever until Michael and Janet Jackson's "Scream" in 1996. Madonna said the video ruined her hair at the time. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kent - Latrobe, PA
  • MTV did a special to promote the video called Madonna's Pajama Party. In the special, they premiered the video and Madonna read a bedtime story at a New York club.
  • This was written by Björk, Nelle Hooper, and Marcus DeVries. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jessica - Saint Louis, MO
  • Forever reinventing herself, Madonna wanted to show a softer side of herself with the Bedtime Stories album in contrast to the more aggressive, sexual side celebrated in 1992's Erotica. Musically, the title song is also a departure from the singer's usual Pop/R&B blend, and brings the Material Girl into the Electronic/Techno genre.
  • Madonna pushed for this song to be the centerpiece of her album and it received favorable reviews, but it never made it into her touring setlist.
  • The lavish music video was inspired by the works of female surrealist painters, Madonna explained to Aperture magazine, "like Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo. There’s that one shot where my hands are up in the air and stars are spinning around me. And me flying through the hallway with my hair trailing behind me, the birds flying out of my open robe – all of those images were an homage to female surrealist painters; there’s a little bit of Frida Kahlo in there, too."
  • Bedtime Stories was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Album, but lost to Joni Mitchell's Turbulent Indigo.

Comments: 6

  • Raphael Martinez from London UkThe video directed by Marc Romaneck is clearly inspired by the work of Sergei Parajanov and Andrei Tarkovsky.
  • Leo from Westminster 1, MdThe title cut to Bedtime Stories is a sad song. Madonna is ready to cry on her sad dance floor. In this sad song, Lady Madonna bursts into Wet Tears running down her sad face. She cries
    "Today is the last day that I'm using words because they are useless and don't stand for anything. I'm traveling in the arms of unconsciousness!" Her first Kabbalah lesson, in Bedtime Stories, Madonna feels baptized by water. She cries "And Inside/We're All Still Wet/Longing and Yearning/How can I Explain How I Feel? Madonna is angry and downright scared about the way the media have treated her over the years. Bedtime Stories could well be her saddest dance piece. And when Madonna cries that she'll never explain her life again to her detractors, she is being sad, brave and Our Lady is simply telling her own truth about her life. Brilliant, Madonna!
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnCool, creative video. The song introduced Madonna to techno music.
  • Hype from Austin, TxAt the beginning of the video monitor flashes: Subject: Ciccone, M. Madonna is lying down, subject to an expirament, As the fluid seeps into her body, the screed reads: Lucid.

    The video then goes into fantastic dreamland. In this world she says that word, "don't function anymore," "How can they explain how I feel?" The video says that she is leaving logic and reason through the arms on unconscious.

    This is one of her best videos ever! Thanks Bjork and Madge!
  • Reese from Calgary, CanadaDefinitely one of Madonna's better song's...and by far one of her best videos! I found it to be like a Dali painting, surreal and filled with curious beauty. The collaboration with Bjork on this song was a very wise move. This song is even further proof that Madonna's style is always changing, and she refuses to stay "safe" with her talent. I'm not too sure on what the meaning of the lyrics are, but they're still interesting and somehow moving. Brilliant song, and a beautiful video, well done, Madonna!
  • John from Seasttle, WaBedtime Story was written by Bjork and when questioned about it she said she DID NOT write it for Madonna but wrote it as a favor for a friend. Madonna took this personally so that is why she has a Bjork look-a-like tied up and is spanking her in the Human Nature video. I LOVE both of these videos...the imagery is so incredible in Bedtime Story and the concept for Human Nature just rocks plus Madonna looks so freakin hot in cornrows and black patent leather!!!
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