Drowned World/Substitute for Love
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"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" on YouTube |
"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" is a song recorded by American singer
"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" was released as the album's third single on August 24, 1998, worldwide, except in the United States. It became Madonna's seventh number-one single in Spain, while charting within the top ten in Iceland and the United Kingdom. The B-side of the single, "Sky Fits Heaven", reached number 41 on the US Dance Club Songs chart.
An accompanying music video was released for the song, featuring Madonna running away from the paparazzi until she arrives at home. The video faced strong reaction in the media due to the paparazzi chase sequences, a scenario similar to Diana, Princess of Wales's death in 1997. The song was performed in two of Madonna's tours, these being the Drowned World Tour (2001) and the Confessions Tour (2006). She also performed the track at the London stop of her Rebel Heart Tour (2015–16), in memory of Collins, as well as the Madonna: Tears of a Clown show in Melbourne.
Background and release
Since 1996, Madonna went through a number of "life-changing experiences". She gave birth to her daughter Lourdes, became interested in
"Drowned World/Substitute for Love", the first song on the album, was written and produced by Madonna and Orbit, with additional writers including
The most important track on the album according to the singer,
Recording and composition
"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" was recorded, with the rest of the album, at Larrabee North Studio in
The song begins with ambient music and the stereo sound oscillating. This continues for 40 seconds. The music is interspersed with trip hop and psychedelic elements, both at the foreground and background.[13] As McKuen's sample utters the words "you see", Madonna utters the first lyrics, "I traded fame for love / Without a second thought", and at around the 1:30 minute mark, the drums start with the first chorus.[16] The composition builds slowly, with a Jimi Hendrix-like guitar sound complementing the music. An acoustic guitar comes into prominence from 2:49 minute mark, and the sounds of piano can be heard in the distance. Arpeggios consisting of electric guitar are added in the mix, and ultimately the drum sounds become heavy.[13] Orbit adds guitars and increases the volume with the electronic sounds becoming turbulent. Madonna's singing gathers momentum and intensity, belting, "No one night stand, no far off land / No fire that I can spark", when it suddenly subsides, ebbing away.[16]
Throughout the song, her vocals are subdued in nature, emoting a thoughtful imagery, with the melody being laid out gently for the listener.
Lyrically "Drowned World/Substitute for Love" finds Madonna taking accountability of her life, fame and adulation, while assessing her career and journey.[13][18] It is a summary of her experience of fame, exemplified by lines such as, "I got exactly what I asked for [...] Running, rushing back for more [...] And now I find, I've changed my mind".[15] Rikky Rooksby, author of The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna noted the track ended with the line "This is my religion", indicating the spiritual thoughts and themes present in Ray of Light.[13] According to Lucy O'Brien, author of Madonna: Like an Icon, the lyrics touch upon Madonna's desire for fame and how it ultimately ruined her personal relationships, thereby "[setting] the tone for the album".[19] In an interview for Q magazine, Madonna explained:
"I realise, and I've been realising this for years, that the approval – the headiness of being swept up and being popular and loved by people in universal ways – is absolutely no substitute for truly being loved. But if you have to have a substitute, it's about the best there is."[20]
Critical reception
O'Brien commended the usage of electronic sounds and bleeps in the track as well as the "bell like clarity" in Madonna's vocals, a result of the training she had received from her Evita days.[19] Kenneth Bielen, author of The Lyrics of Civility declared the record as a "slice of Madonna's autobiography", praising the lyrics for forecasting what the singer's life could become.[21] Allen Metz wrote in the book, The Madonna Companion, that the lyrics did not give an impression of "sophisticated wordplay", but was commendable for telling the truth about Madonna's life and career.[2] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic labelled the song as a "swirling" and "meditative opener".[22] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly described the track, along with "Frozen" from the album, as "breathtaking", complimenting its beats.[23] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine found Madonna's belting to be the most "emotionally candid" she has been since Like a Prayer (1989).[15]
Other critics complimented the different nature of the song and its production. Reviewing the album for The Michigan Daily, Lark said, "['Drowned World/Substitute for Love'] [creates] a brilliant, ecstatic pop catharsis that all but eclipses every mistake she's ever made, including the virginal writhing, gold-tooth sporting and naked hitchhiking of her sordid past", the last part referring to Madonna's antics during her fifth studio album, Erotica (1992) era.[14] Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone found it to be the "perfect opener" for Ray of Light and its various contradiction filled tracks. Noting the different musical elements, including drum loops, strings, computer bleeping as well as jungle snares, Sheffield compared them to a person's shopping experience and unpacking of the bags after the activity ends. The reviewer ended by saying that the track came off as "loud, tacky and ridiculous", but still exuded emotion in the music.[24] In a review of Madonna's hits album GHV2 (2001), Charlotte Robinson from PopMatters commended Orbit's production work on the track along with others from Ray of Light. She added that the songs are "a testament to his ability to use gadgets and electronic wizardry not to alienate listeners, but to draw them in".[25]
'Substitute for Love',
Chart performance
In the United Kingdom, "Drowned World/Substitute for Love" debuted and peaked at number 10 on the
In mainland Europe, "Drowned World/Substitute for Love" entered the official
In Australia, the single debuted at number 74,
Music video
The accompanying
The video generated controversy due to the scenes that featured Madonna being chased by paparazzi on motor-bikes, a scenario similar to the incidents that led to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.[44][45] Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg said that the clip had nothing to do with Diana's death and was instead about "Madonna's relationship to fame [...] There are paparazzi in the video. But it's not like Madonna hasn't had experience with them. It's a day in the life of Madonna."[43] Daily Mirror columnist Matthew Wright said "The similarities [to Diana's death] are undeniable", finding it disgusting.[46]
The clip was initially reported by Billboard to be released in the US outlets after the release of the video for "The Power of Good-bye", but the plan did not materialize.[47] It was finally included on the DVD compilation, The Video Collection 93:99.[48] In 2013, a poll by Logo TV about "Madonna's 55 Best Music Videos" listed the clip at number 11, describing it to be "just as much about the ugly comforts of celebrity and its reality-distorting side-effects. This underrated clip is one of Madonna's most personal statements, and her vocals are downright chilling".[49] The manga like distorted faces of the celebrities in the clip was listed by Dazed magazine as one of "five favourite manga-eyed moments from pop videos".[50]
Live performances
On November 23, 1998, Madonna appeared on the Spanish
During the
Track listings and formats
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Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the Ray of Light album liner notes.[12]
- Madonna – main vocals, songwriter, producer
- William Orbit – songwriter, producer
- Rod McKuen – songwriter, background vocals
- Anita Kerr – songwriter
- David Collins – songwriter
- Steve Sidelnyk – drum programming
- Mark Endert – engineer
- Jon Ingoldsby – engineer
- Patrick McCarthy – engineer
- Dave Reitzas – engineer
- Matt Silva – engineer
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Rankin – photographer
- Kevin Reagan – art direction
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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See also
- List of number-one singles of 1998 (Spain)
- List of UK top 10 singles in 1998
References
- ^ ISSN 0955-4955.
- ^ a b Metz & Benson 1999, pp. 25–26
- ^ a b Caulfield, Keith (January 29, 2015). "Rod McKuen's Surprising Chart History: From Frank Sinatra to Madonna". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (July 1998). "The Methods and Machinery Behind Madonna's Ray of Light". Keyboard. Archived from the original on October 9, 1999. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
- ^ Taraborrelli 2002, p. 132
- ^ "Ask Rod: Flight Plan". Rod McKuen Official Website. May 29, 2001. Archived from the original on January 19, 2002. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "David Collins: Obituary". The Daily Telegraph. July 17, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ Harrison, Andrew (April 1998). "Juice People: Madonna". Juice. Australia: 74.
- ^ a b Guilbert 2004, p. 173
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ Warner Bros. Records. 9 46847-2.
- ^ a b c d e f Rooksby 2004, p. 51
- ^ a b c Lark, Bryan (March 10, 1998). "Madonna Opens Heart and Soul on 'Light'". The Michigan Daily. p. 8. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
- ^ a b c Cinquemani, Sal (March 9, 2003). "Madonna: Ray Of Light". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
- ^ Considine, J.D. (March 3, 1998). "Seeing, hearing the light Review: Madonna's depth and deft feel for techno pop should sway any nonbelievers". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the originalon March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
- ^ Ciccone, Madonna (September 2000). "Madonna 'Drowned World / Substitute for Love' Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
- ISSN 0733-8899.
- ^ a b O'Brien 2008, p. 241
- ^ Eccleston, Danny (March 1998). "Sexy Mother". Q: 86.
- ^ Bielen 2016, p. 178
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (March 3, 1998). "Ray of Light > Madonna". AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
- ^ Browne, David (March 6, 1998). "Ray of Light Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (April 2, 1998). "Madonna: Ray Of Light". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ Robinson, Charlotte (November 12, 2001). "Madonna: Greatest Hits Volume 2". PopMatters. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ Maconie, Stuart (April 1998). "Expressing herself". Q: 105.
- ISSN 0955-4955.
- Idolator. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "'Drowned World/ Substitute for Love' (from 'Ray of Light,' 1998)". Rolling Stone. July 27, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ Rogers, Jude (August 16, 2018). "Every one of Madonna's 78 singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Madonna: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
- ^ Jones, Alan (August 19, 2008). "The Immaculate Guide to 50 Years of Madonna". Music Week. Archived from the original on September 11, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
- ^ a b Salaverri 2005, p. 298
- ^ a b "Madonna – Drowned World (Substitute for Love)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Madonna – Drowned World (Substitute for Love)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ Les classement single. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Madonna – Drowned World (Substitute for Love)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Madonna – Drowned World (Substitute for Love)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart: Week Ending 30 Aug 1998". ARIA Charts. Pandora Archive.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ a b "Madonna – Drowned World (Substitute for Love)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ a b "Madonna – Drowned World (Substitute for Love)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- Hot Dance Club Songsfor Madonna. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ Daily News. New York. Archived from the originalon March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ "Madonna Video 'Drowned' In Controversy". MTV News. July 7, 1998. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "Madonna: Mad for Success at 40". BBC News. August 15, 1998. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
- ^ "Scoop". People. July 20, 1998. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ISSN 0001-8996. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Virtel, Louis (August 16, 2013). "Madonna's 55 Best Videos, In Honor of Her 55th Birthday". Logo TV. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ "FKA Twigs and the best bug-eyes in pop". Dazed. August 16, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ "Madonna con Miguel Bosé (23 de noviembre de 1998)" (in Spanish). RTVE. September 1, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
- ^ Clerk 2002, p. 172
- ^ Moss, Cory (June 11, 2001). "Few Hits, Many Costumes At Madonna Tour Launch". MTV News. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
- Drowned World Tour 2001. Warner Home Video.
- ^ Hubbard, Michael (July 4, 2001). "Madonna @ Earl's Court, London". MusicOMH. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
- ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- Boston Globe. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ Madonna (2007). The Confessions Tour (CD, DVD). Warner Music Vision.
- ^ Parton, David (December 3, 2015). "'I finally made it to the top', and don't we know it: Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour, December 2nd 2015". The Oxford Student. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
- ^ Adams, Cameron (March 9, 2016). "Madonna at Forum in Melbourne for Tears of a Clown Show". News.com.au. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ Adams, Cameron (March 9, 2016). "Madonna at Forum in Melbourne for Tears of a Clown Show". News.com.au. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
- Noise11.com. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ Drowned World/Substitute for Love (UK 12" vinyl liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1998. 3331000037.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Drowned World/Substitute for Love (European 12" vinyl liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1998. 9362 44552 2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Drowned World/Substitute for Love (UK CD single liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1998. W0453CD1.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Drowned World/Substitute for Love (Japan CD single liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1998. WPCR-1983.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Drowned World/Substitute for Love (UK CD single 2 liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1998. W0453CD2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Drowned World / Substitute for Love (Remixes) by Madonna on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- Ultratip. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 37. September 12, 1998. p. 10. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- ^ "Madonna – Drowned World (Substitute for Love)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 4. January 23, 1999. p. 11. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 292 Vikuna 1.10. – 8.10. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). October 2, 1998. p. 10. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 38. September 19, 1998. p. 14. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Madonna" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 100 – Vinsælustu Lögin '98". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1999. p. 34. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
Bibliography
- Bielen, Kenneth (2016). The Lyrics of Civility: Biblical Images & Popular Music Lyrics in American Culture. ISBN 978-1-317-71351-7.
- Clerk, Carol (2002). Madonnastyle. ISBN 0-7119-8874-9.
- ISBN 0-7864-1408-1.
- Metz, Allen; Benson, Carol (1999). The Madonna Companion: Two Decades of Commentary. ISBN 0-8256-7194-9.
- ISBN 978-0-593-05547-2.
- Rooksby, Rikky (2004). The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna. ISBN 0-7119-9883-3.
- Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ISBN 978-1-4165-8346-2.