Search - Madonna :: Bedtime Story / Survival

Madonna's Alternative Lullaby

Luis Hernandez | New York, New York, USA | 09/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mix in a little alternative techno and some Madonna, and you'll get the single "Bedtime Story." Written by Icelandic singing superstar Bjork, this song incorporates a blend of fantasia mixed in with some special effects. Although this is one of Madonna songs in my book, the single's success did not meet what many in the music industry thought it would. It was this single that broke Madonna's record of consecutive number one hits when it did not reach the top position. Regardless, it remains one of her most entrancing songs to date.The second song on this maxi-single, "Survival," seems out of place on this single. This song, which reflects the long, hard road, she took to get to the top, is a good single, but it definately does not belong on this maxi-single.If you're a die-hard Madonna fan, this single is a must have!"

Dreamy

J. M. Zuurbier | Canada | 01/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"BEDTIME STORY is one of Madonna's best songs, in my opinion. She transcends her voice through an adventure of a song here, written by Bjork and produced by Nellie Hooper. The song is adventurous, not many people would record this song, or put it on their album, let alone release it as a single, but Madonna takes risks and this was a good one. The remixes are very trance like, Junior Vasquez does a nice job with them. Survival is thrown in here too, very true to her career and what she's been through. This is probably the best single from her BEDTIME STORIES album, the remixes are great, this is a must have for fans."

Let's Get Unconscious With Madonna!

Busy Body | London, England | 07/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In February 1995 Madonna released the song Bedtime Story. It was the third of four singles to be released from her 1994 album Bedtime Stories. The song peaked at No.4 in the UK, and spent eight weeks on the chart and later re-entered the charts at No.66 in May 1995 for just one week. Many were surprised by this song from Madonna, as it was totally different to anything she had done before. This was a very weird, full-out dance/electronica anthem, produced by the queen of weird, Bjork.



Bedtime Story opens superbly with a catchy and sort of muffled beat, which sounds extremely futuristic. Madonna then goes, "Ah. Ah." She starts to sing her first verse, "Today is the last day that I'm using words. They've gone out. Lost their meaning. Don't function anymore." It's a short verse, and Madonna's vocals are very slow and eerie. She then goes on to sing half of the chorus, "Let's get unconscious honey. Let's get unconscious honey." Madonna then repeats the first verse that she just sang at the beginning of the song. Madonna then sings twice, "Travelling. Leaving logic and reason. Travelling. To the arms of unconsciousness." The song's beat begins to pick up more of a rhythm, and Madonna sings the chorus, "Let's get unconscious honey. Let's get unconscious. Let's get unconscious honey. Let's get unconscious." She then goes on to sing the second verse, which consists of, "Words are useless. Especially sentences. They don't stand for anything. How could they explain how I feel? Travelling, travelling - I'm travelling. Travelling, travelling - leaving logic and reason. Travelling, travelling - I'm gonna relax. Travelling, travelling - in the arms of unconsciousness." The chorus is then repeated again, and Madonna's vocals stay in their spooky state. The beat pounds on, before Madonna sings, "And inside we're all still wet. Longing and yearning. How can I explain how I feel?" before the chorus hits once more. The beat takes over after this, before Madonna sings towards the end, "All that you've ever learned. Try to forget. I'll never explain again." And suddenly, the song dies down and ends.



The video to Bedtime Story is fabulous. It is one of Madonna's most expensive videos, as well as one of her most creative and visually stunning. It starts off with Madonna layed down with just a short skirt on and hair that looks like it's filled with correction fluid! It's very strange, but brilliant. As soon as Madonna begins to sing, we embark on a journey of mystery, with scenes such as Madonna with a mirror as her head, her mouth where her eyes should be, and lots of other excellent images. All in all, this is a prime example of why (musically) the 1990's is easily Madonna's best decade."