Bedtime Stories
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Bedtime Stories is the sixth studio album by American pop superstar Madonna, released by her label, Maverick Records, in 1994. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Pop Album in 1996.
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[edit] About
Bedtime Stories, released on October 25, 1994, is Madonna's sixth studio album. An R&B-flavored pop album, it marks one of the few occasions that Madonna has chosen to work with established producers (the other two exceptions being Nile Rodgers in 1984 and David Foster in 1995) such as Dallas Austin, who was well-known for his work with TLC; Babyface, who had worked with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Toni Braxton; Dave Hall, who had also worked with Carey; and Nellee Hooper, who had worked with Soul II Soul. In addition, Icelandic singer Björk co-wrote the title track.
Released almost exactly two years after her previous effort, the controversial Erotica, Bedtime Stories highlights a softer, more romantic side to the singer, as opposed to the highly sexual persona that had dominated the media upon Erotica's release. While an effort to ease the damage done by her previous persona, Bedtime Stories is also highly confrontational, lashing out at the media in songs such as "Survival" and "Human Nature", the latter of which contains the line, "Did I say something wrong? Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about sex," and, "I'm not your bitch, don't hang your shit on me."
[edit] Tracks
| Track | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Survival" | 3:31 |
| 2 | "Secret" | 5:05 |
| 3 | "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" | 4:39 |
| 4 | "Don't Stop" | 4:38 |
| 5 | "Inside of Me" | 4:11 |
| 6 | "Human Nature" | 4:53 |
| 7 | "Forbidden Love" | 4:08 |
| 8 | "Love Tried to Welcome Me" | 5:21 |
| 9 | "Sanctuary" | 5:02 |
| 10 | "Bedtime Story" | 4:53 |
| 11 | "Take a Bow" | 5:21 |
[edit] Awards & Certifications
- In 1996, Bedtime Stories was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Pop Vocal Album category.
[edit] Certifications
| Country | Certification |
|---|---|
| Australia | 2x Platinum |
| Austria | Gold |
| Brazil | Platinum |
| Canada | 2x Platinum |
| France | 2x Gold |
| Germany | Platinum |
| Ireland | Gold |
| Italy | 2x Platinum |
| Japan | Platinum |
| Mexico | Gold |
| Poland | Platinum |
| Singapore | 3x Platinum |
| South Africa | Platinum |
| Spain | Platinum |
| Switzerland | Gold |
| UK | 2x Platinum |
| USA | 3x Platinum |
[edit] Chart Toppers
| Year | Song | US | UK | EUR | CAN | JAP | AUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "Secret" | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 1994 | "Take a Bow" | 1 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 15 |
| 1995 | "Bedtime Story" | 42 | 4 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 5 |
| 1995 | "Human Nature" | 46 | 8 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 17 |
[edit] Credits
Performance Credits
Madonna vocals
Dallas Austin drums, keyboard
Babyface synthesizer, background vocals
Donna Delory background vocals
Nikki Harris background vocals
Suzie Kattayama conductor
Jessie Leavey conductor
Tommy Martin guitar
Me'Shell NdegéOcello bass
Colin Wolfe bass
Technical Credits
Producers: Madonna, Dallas Austin, Babyface, Marius DeVries, Dave Hall, Nellee Hooper
Engineers: Michael Fossenkemper, Brad Gilderman, Darin Prindle, Alvin Speights, Mark "Spike" Stent
Mixing: Jon Gass, Daniel Abraham
[edit] Trivia
- Several songs written, but not selected for, this album found their way onto other albums. "Your Honesty" was released on Madonna's 2003 remix EP, Remixed & Revisited, "Freedom" was used for the rainforest benefit album Carnival!, and "Let Down Your Guard" (Rough Edit Mix) was used as the B-side for "Secret" in the UK.
- "Inside of Me" samples Aaliyah's first single, "Back and Forth", which had been released earlier in 1994. In addition to "Back and Forth", "Inside of Me" also samples The Gap Band's "Oustanding". Also, "Sanctuary" samples "Watermelon Man" by Herbie Hancock and "Human Nature" samples "What You Need" by Main Source.
- The "Forbidden Love" found on Bedtime Stories is a completely different song than the "Forbidden Love" found on Madonna's 2005 album Confessions on a Dance Floor, which is more uptempo and dance-oriented than the sad, slow sound of the Bedtime Stories song.
- Upon initial release, a mistake was made, and Madonna was pictured right-side-up on the album cover. The mistake was fixed on subsequent pressings.
[edit] Shop
- Find this CD on Amazon
[edit] Reviews
Madonna is truly an icon when it comes to music and style. I really enjoyed this album and the way the material girl expresses herself like she always does. The most favorite single I love in this album is Take A Bow. I'm used to Madonna being the cheery, candypop type in the 80's but this album brought a new phase in her life. A more serious side came to light in this record. Althoug still controversial, Madonna still gave it all with poise and charisma.--Angelic biatch 07:32, 26 March 2007 (PDT)
