Bedtime Stories de Madonna
Álbum de Madonna
- Fecha de lanzamiento: 25 de Octubre de 1994
- Sello Discográfico: Maverick
- Compositores: Madonna, Dallas Austin, Nellee Hooper, Björk, Dave Hall, Babyface, Colin Wolfe, Marius De Vries
- Productores: Madonna, Nellee Hooper, Dallas Austin, Dave "Jam" Hall, Babyface
Bedtime Stories es un álbum de Madonna, publicado en 1994 por Maverick. El disco incluye 11 canciones, entre ellas «Survival», «Secret», «I'd rather be your lover» y «Don't stop».
Contexto: la calma después de la tormenta
Tras la explosiva controversia de la era Erotica y el libro "SEX", Madonna se encontró en una posición inusual: por primera vez en su carrera, había recibido un rechazo generalizado tanto de la crítica como de una parte del público. La percepción pública era que había ido "demasiado lejos". A esto se sumó una infame y combativa aparición en el programa de David Letterman en 1994, donde fumó un cigarro y utilizó un lenguaje soez, lo que solidificó su imagen de "rebelde fuera de control". Consciente de que su carrera necesitaba un cambio de rumbo, o al menos un reajuste de su imagen pública, Madonna concibió Bedtime Stories como una respuesta estratégica y artística. El álbum es un intento deliberado de mostrar un lado más suave, romántico y vulnerable. Es, en muchos sentidos, una disculpa, pero una disculpa hecha en sus propios términos. En lugar de la agresión sexual de Erotica, este álbum explora la seducción, la intimidad y el romance con un tono mucho más cálido y accesible.
Temáticamente, Bedtime Stories es un álbum sobre el anhelo de conexión y la búsqueda de la sinceridad. Las letras giran en torno al amor, la tristeza y la introspección. Sin embargo, Madonna no abandona por completo su espíritu desafiante. En "Human Nature", aborda directamente a sus críticos con una letra sarcástica y desafiante ("Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about sex"). El álbum, por tanto, es un acto de equilibrio: es una mano extendida al público masivo, pero sin renunciar a su derecho a la autoexpresión. El título mismo, "Cuentos para dormir", sugiere una atmósfera de intimidad, un susurro al oído en lugar de un grito provocador.
La inmersión en el r&b contemporáneo
Para lograr este nuevo sonido más suave y cálido, Madonna se sumergió de lleno en el sonido que dominaba las radios estadounidenses a mediados de los 90: el R&B contemporáneo. Dejó de lado a sus colaboradores habituales y reclutó a un equipo de los productores de R&B y hip-hop más cotizados del momento. La elección fue magistral:
- Dallas Austin: Conocido por su trabajo con TLC y Boyz II Men, aportó un sonido de R&B con toques de funk y new jack swing, evidente en canciones como "Secret".
- Babyface: El rey de la balada R&B de los 90. Su colaboración en "Take a Bow" dio la balada más exitosa de la carrera de Madonna en Estados Unidos.
- Dave "Jam" Hall: Productor de artistas como Mary J. Blige, aportó un sonido de R&B más crudo y callejero.
- Nellee Hooper: El productor británico, conocido por su trabajo con Soul II Soul y Massive Attack, fue la elección más vanguardista. Hooper trajo una sensibilidad europea, con influencias del trip-hop y la música electrónica ambiental, que se materializó en la canción que da título al álbum.
Esta diversificación de productores le dio al álbum una variedad sonora rica y variada, aunque firmemente anclada en el R&B. Fue un movimiento estratégico que la re-conectó con el público estadounidense y demostró su habilidad para adaptarse y asimilar las tendencias musicales del momento sin perder su identidad.
Un vistazo a las canciones
El álbum fluye con una suavidad seductora, creando una atmósfera cohesiva a pesar de la variedad de productores.
- "Survival": La canción de apertura es una declaración de principios. Sobre un ritmo de R&B suave, Madonna canta sobre su resiliencia y su capacidad para sobrevivir en el juego de la fama. Es una introducción sutil pero poderosa al tema del álbum.
- "Secret": El primer sencillo es una obra sobresaliente de R&B de medio tiempo. Con una guitarra acústica con influencias folk, un ritmo de trip-hop y una línea de bajo funky, la canción es enigmática y seductora. La letra habla de un secreto que trae felicidad y autoconocimiento.
- "I'd Rather Be Your Lover": Un tema de R&B clásico con la colaboración del rapero Meshell Ndegeocello. Originalmente, la parte rapeada iba a ser interpretada por Tupac Shakur, pero fue descartado debido a problemas legales.
- "Human Nature": El momento más desafiante del álbum. Sobre un ritmo de hip-hop duro y minimalista, Madonna se enfrenta directamente a sus críticos. La letra está llena de sarcasmo ("Did I say something wrong? Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about sex") y termina con la frase hablada "Absolutely no regrets". Es su "no-disculpa" oficial.
- "Take a Bow": Coescrita y producida por Babyface, es una balada de pop-R&B exuberante con arreglos de cuerda de inspiración oriental. Se convirtió en su sencillo más longevo en el número 1 del Billboard Hot 100 (siete semanas), demostrando que el público estaba más que dispuesto a aceptar su lado más romántico.
- "Bedtime Story": La pieza más experimental del álbum. Escrita por Björk y producida por Nellee Hooper, es una incursión en el trance y la electrónica ambiental. Con una letra surrealista sobre el inconsciente ("Let's get unconscious, honey"), la canción es hipnótica y vanguardista, un puente hacia el sonido que exploraría más a fondo en su siguiente álbum de estudio, Ray of Light.
- "Forbidden Love": Una balada sensual y atmosférica que fusiona elementos de R&B y trip-hop, creando un ambiente de intimidad y deseo prohibido.
Estética visual: glamour y vanguardia
La estética de Bedtime Stories fue una de glamour sofisticado y vanguardia artística. Madonna adoptó una imagen inspirada en las estrellas de cine de los años 30 y 40, con el pelo rubio platino y un maquillaje impecable. La portada del álbum es simple y elegante, mostrando un primer plano de su rostro. Los vídeos musicales de esta era son algunos de los más aclamados de su carrera:
- "Secret": Dirigido por la fotógrafa Melodie McDaniel y filmado en blanco y negro en Harlem, el vídeo tiene una estética cruda y documental, mostrando a Madonna interactuando con la gente del barrio y cantando en un club de jazz.
- "Take a Bow": Dirigido por Michael Haussman y filmado en Ronda, España, el vídeo es una pieza cinematográfica que la presenta como la amante maltratada de un torero, interpretado por el actor español Emilio Muñoz. Es uno de sus vídeos más bellos y narrativos.
- "Bedtime Story": Dirigido por Mark Romanek, el vídeo es una creación notable surrealista inspirada en las pintoras Remedios Varo y Leonora Carrington. Es un viaje visual a través del subconsciente, lleno de imágenes oníricas y simbólicas. El vídeo fue adquirido por el Museo de Arte Moderno de Nueva York (MoMA).
Recepción y legado: la redención comercial
Bedtime Stories cumplió su objetivo con creces. El álbum fue un éxito comercial, debutando en el número 3 en Estados Unidos y vendiendo más de 8 millones de copias en todo el mundo. La crítica fue en general positiva, elogiando su sofisticación sonora y su capacidad para reinventarse. Fue visto como una "vuelta a la forma" y una reconciliación con el público masivo.
- USA (Billboard 200): 3
- UK (Official Albums Chart): 2
- Alemania (GfK Entertainment): 4
- Australia (ARIA Charts): 1
- Francia (SNEP): 2
- España (AFYVE): 4
El legado de Bedtime Stories es el de ser un álbum de transición crucial. No solo la salvó de la resaca de la controversia de Erotica, sino que sentó las bases para su futuro. Su incursión en la electrónica con "Bedtime Story" fue una premonición del sonido que definiría su siguiente etapa, y su éxito con las baladas la preparó para el desafío vocal de su aclamado papel en la película "Evita". Este álbum no tuvo una gira de promoción, ya que Madonna se centró en su carrera cinematográfica, pero demostró que podía triunfar sin necesidad de escándalos, simplemente con buena música.
Listado de Canciones
- Survival3:31
Letra
I'll never be an angel I'll never be a saint it's true I'm too busy in surviving Whether it's heaven or hell I'm gonna be living to tell So here's my history No risk, no glory A little up and down and All around, it's all about survival I'll never be an angel I'll never be a saint it's true I'm too busy surviving Whether it's heaven or hell I'm gonna be living to tell So here's my question Does your criticism have you caught up In what you cannot see Well if you give me respect Then you'll know what to expect A little up and down and All around, it's all about survival I'll never be an angel I'll never be a saint it's true I'm too busy surviving Whether it's heaven or hell I'm gonna be living to tell So here's my history No risk no glory A little up and down and All around, it's all about survival A little up and down and All around, it's all about survival A little up and down and All around, it's all about survival I'll never be an angel, survival I'll never be a saint it's true Survival - Secret5:05
Things haven't been the same Since you came into my life You found a way to touch my soul And I'm never ever ever gonna let it go Happiness lies in your own hand It took me much too long to understand How it could be Until you shared your secret with me... Something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over me My baby's got a secret You gave me back the paradise That I thought I lost for good You helped me find the reasons why It took me by surprise that you understood You knew all along What I never wanted to say Until I learned to love myself I was never ever lovin' anybody else Happiness lies in your own hand It took me much too long to understand How it could be Until you shared your secret with me... Something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over me My baby's got a secret Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over me My baby's got a secret Happiness lies in your own hand It took me much too long to understrand How it could be Until you shared your secret with me... Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over me My baby's got a secret Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over Mmm-mmm, something's comin' over me My baby's got a secret Mmm-mmm My baby's got a secret Mmm-mmm My baby's got a secret Mmm-mmm My baby's got a secret for me... - I'd rather be your lover4:39
Letra
Get up on the dance floor Everything is groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Got to see you movin' Let the music shake you Let the rhythm take you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Come on join the party Let the bassline pump you Bring your body over Baby let me bump you I know I can groove you You know I can move you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, don't stop groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Everything is groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Got to see you movin' Let the music shake you Let the rhythm take you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, don't stop groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin - Don't stop4:38
Letra
Get up on the dance floor Everything is groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Got to see you movin' Let the music shake you Let the rhythm take you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Come on join the party Let the bassline pump you Bring your body over Baby let me bump you I know I can groove you You know I can move you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, don't stop groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Everything is groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Got to see you movin' Let the music shake you Let the rhythm take you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, don't stop groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin - Inside of me4:11
Letra
I can't stop thinking of you The things we used to do The secrets we once shared I'll always find them there In my memories But this heartache isn't going anywhere In the public eye I act like I don't care When there's no one watching me I'm crying I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love, inside of me I keep a picture of you Next to my bed at night And when I wake up scared I know I'll find you there Watching over me When my world seems to crumble all around And foolish people try to bring me down I just think of your smiling face And I'm flying I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love, inside of me You'll always be inside of my heart Inside of me When my world seems to crumble all around And foolish people try to bring me down I just think of your smiling face And I'm flying I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love, inside of me I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love still carries on (I will always feel you) You'll always be inside of my heart I'll always have you inside of me (I will always have you) - Human nature4:53
Get up on the dance floor Everything is groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Got to see you movin' Let the music shake you Let the rhythm take you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Come on join the party Let the bassline pump you Bring your body over Baby let me bump you I know I can groove you You know I can move you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, don't stop groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Everything is groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Got to see you movin' Let the music shake you Let the rhythm take you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, don't stop groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin - Forbidden love4:08
Get up on the dance floor Everything is groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Got to see you movin' Let the music shake you Let the rhythm take you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Come on join the party Let the bassline pump you Bring your body over Baby let me bump you I know I can groove you You know I can move you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, don't stop groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Everything is groovin' Get up on the dancer floor Got to see you movin' Let the music shake you Let the rhythm take you Feel it in your body Sing la de da de Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Don't stop, doin' what you're doin' baby Don't stop, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, don't stop groovin' Keep on, doin' what you're doin' baby Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin' Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin Keep on, keep movin', keep groovin - Love tried to welcome me5:21
Letra
I can't stop thinking of you The things we used to do The secrets we once shared I'll always find them there In my memories But this heartache isn't going anywhere In the public eye I act like I don't care When there's no one watching me I'm crying I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love, inside of me I keep a picture of you Next to my bed at night And when I wake up scared I know I'll find you there Watching over me When my world seems to crumble all around And foolish people try to bring me down I just think of your smiling face And I'm flying I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love, inside of me You'll always be inside of my heart Inside of me When my world seems to crumble all around And foolish people try to bring me down I just think of your smiling face And I'm flying I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love, inside of me I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love still carries on (I will always feel you) You'll always be inside of my heart I'll always have you inside of me (I will always have you) - Sanctuary5:02
Letra
I can't stop thinking of you The things we used to do The secrets we once shared I'll always find them there In my memories But this heartache isn't going anywhere In the public eye I act like I don't care When there's no one watching me I'm crying I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love, inside of me I keep a picture of you Next to my bed at night And when I wake up scared I know I'll find you there Watching over me When my world seems to crumble all around And foolish people try to bring me down I just think of your smiling face And I'm flying I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love, inside of me You'll always be inside of my heart Inside of me When my world seems to crumble all around And foolish people try to bring me down I just think of your smiling face And I'm flying I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love, inside of me I will always have you, inside of me Even though you're gone Love still carries on Love still carries on (I will always feel you) You'll always be inside of my heart I'll always have you inside of me (I will always have you) - Bedtime story4:53
Letra
I'm not myself when you're around I'm not myself standing in a crowd I'm not myself, and I don't know how I'm not myself, myself right now Jesus Christ, will you look at me? Don't know who I'm supposed to be Don't really know if I should give a damn When you're around I don't know who I am I'm not myself when you go quiet I'm not myself all alone at night I'm not myself, don't know who to call I'm not myself at all Jesus Christ, will you look at me? Don't know who I'm supposed to be Don't really know if I should give a damn When you're around I don't know who I am I always wished that I could find Someone as beautiful as you But in the process I forgot That I was special too I'm not myself when you're around (I'm not myself when you go quiet) I'm not myself all alone at night (I'm not myself standing in a crowd) I'm not myself, and I don't know how I'm not myself, myself right now (Don't know what I believe) Jesus Christ, will you look at me? Don't know who I'm supposed to be Don't really know if I should give a damn When you're around I don't know who I am I always wished that I could find Someone as beautiful as you But in the process I forgot That I was special too I always wished that I could find Someone as talented as you But in the process I forgot That I was just as good as you - Take a bow5:21
Take a bow The night is over This masquerade is getting older Light are low The curtains down There's no one here (There's no one here, there's no one in the crowd) Say your lines But do you feel them Do you mean what you say When there's no one around (no one around) Watching you, watching me One lonely star (One lonely star, you don't know who you are) I've always been in love with you (always with you) I guess you've always known it's true (you know it's true) You took my love for granted, why oh why (why oh why) The show is over, say good-bye Say goodbye (bye bye) Say goodbye Make them laugh It comes so easy When you get to the part Where you're breaking my heart (breaking my heart) Hide behind your smile All the world loves a clown (Just make 'em smile, the whole world loves a clown) Wish you well I cannot stay You deserve an award For the role that you played (role that you played) No more masquerade You're one lonely star (One lonely star and you don't know who you are) I've always been in love with you (always with you) I guess you've always known it's true (you know it's true) You took my love for granted, why oh why (why oh why) The show is over, say goodbye Say goodbye (bye bye) Say goodbye All the world is a stage (world is a stage) And everyone has their part (has their part) But how was I to know Which way the story'd go How was I to know you'd break You'd break, you'd break, you'd break You'd break my heart I've always been in love with you (always with you) I guess you've always known it's true (you know it's true) You took my love for granted, why oh why (why oh why) The show is over, say goodbye Say goodbye (bye bye) Say goodbye Say good-bye