Nothing Really Matters

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

"Nothing Really Matters"
Madonna laying down at the corner of a rooftop, with yellow buildings present behind her. She wears a black shining jacket.
Single by Madonna
from the album Ray of Light
B-side"To Have and Not to Hold"
ReleasedFebruary 9, 1999
Recorded1997
Studio
Genre
Length4:27
Marius De Vries
Madonna singles chronology
"The Power of Good-Bye" / "Little Star"
(1998)
"Nothing Really Matters"
(1999)
"Beautiful Stranger"
(1999)
Music video
"Nothing Really Matters" on
YouTube

"Nothing Really Matters" is a song by American singer

motherhood
.

The song was critically appreciated for its lyrical content and composition, and was declared by reviewers as one of Madonna's most personal efforts; however, some critics felt it was tepid and lacklustre compared to other tracks from Ray of Light. In the United States, the song remains Madonna's lowest entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 93. Its low chart peak was due to lack of airplay and the delay in releasing it in CD single formats, to which the singer's fans protested against Warner Bros. The song became her 23rd number one on the US Dance Club Songs chart, reaching the top spot in Hungary and Spain, and entering the top ten in countries including Canada, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Scotland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

An accompanying music video was directed by Swedish director Johan Renck, and was released on February 13, 1999. Inspired by Arthur Golden's 1997 novel Memoirs of a Geisha, the video portrays Madonna as a geisha, dancing in a small room. The red kimono worn by her in the video was designed by French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. It was worn by the singer during her performance of the song at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards. "Nothing Really Matters" is cited as one of Madonna's most underrated singles to date. The costume and music video has been cited by journalist and academics as one of Madonna's most iconic and best re-inventions.

Background and writing

Guy Oseary smiling towards the camera.
Madonna's manager Guy Oseary (pictured) organized the meeting and collaboration between Madonna and British producer William Orbit.

"Nothing Really Matters" was written by Madonna and American producer and songwriter

digital audio tape (DAT) to her, which included a demo version of "Nothing Really Matters"'s music. According to Madonna, she had been a fan of Orbit's work for a long time and was pleased with the demo version, which he started to work on.[2]

De Vries, who had worked on the demo, asked Orbit to help produce the song, and was enlisted. According to Madonna: Like an Icon writer Lucy O'Brien, De Vries and Orbit had originally composed and produced the track before Ray of Light had been conceived.[4] During the sessions, Orbit found De Vries' contribution "off-putting", to which the latter confessed, "On all the collaborations I'd left a lot of space for him, but for this I wanted to put something on the table and say, 'This is what I think'". De Vries had added electronic noise frequencies during the first chorus of the song, stating that he had a "vision on how the song should be finished". Orbit did not like the addition since it sounded to him that the "DAT's broken".[4] De Vries defended his contribution saying that it was supposed to be "like that [...] It's quite slow for a dance tune of that nature, not a pacey tune." Madonna had enjoyed all three of their contributions to the track, and as a result, Orbit reluctantly left it on.[4] In J. Randy Taraborrelli's book Madonna: An Intimate Biography, the singer said that the main inspiration behind "Nothing Really Matters" and "The Power of Good-Bye" from the same album, was other people judging and dissecting her creative process. Elaborating on the statement, she added,

In 'Nothing Really Matters' and 'The Power of Good-Bye', I want people to have a visceral and emotional reaction to things, rather than to have in their mind where all my stuff comes from. With the songs, I wanted to say that it does not matter really what you think or do, just think by yourself, and not judge and dissect others. You know if I see a bug crawling across the floor and it inspired me to write the most incredible love poem, I don't want people to be thinking about their relationship, and then think of my bug crawling across the floor. It's then that the power of good-bye becomes better than the power of acceptance.[5]

Recording and composition

"Nothing Really Matters" was recorded alongside the rest of the album at Larrabee North Studio in

North Hollywood, California. Only three other people were in the studio with Madonna during the recording of the song and album: Orbit, recording engineer Pat McCarthy, and his assistant engineer, Matt Silva.[1] The track featured no live instrumentation, and was part of a machinery issue that delayed initial recording as Orbit preferred working with sample loops and synth-based instrumentation. As a result, it took a while to finish production of the song, until the computers were repaired.[3] The song was mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Studios in New York, and included background vocals from Donna De Lory and Niki Haris.[1]

"Nothing Really Matters" is a mid-tempo

J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun felt the song was a "smart, groove-intensive tune".[11] Chuck Taylor from Billboard compared the composition of "Nothing Really Matters" to the "disco-encrusted" "Vogue" (1990). However, he found that the "core" important part of the song was its "sweetly-spiritual" and "simple" lyrical content.[12]

The song begins with a "strange, electronic, slightly broken noise" that spans between the start of the song up until 54 seconds.

verses, three choruses, one bridge section, and an outro.[1] The bridge is backed by piano sounds with a descending sequence by a couple of bars.[13] Madonna sings the same lyrics in the outro, but is slowed down and echoed longer until the music fades out.[1]

The lyrics are about the birth of Madonna's daughter Lourdes, and the realization of

motherhood. In an interview with the Wesleyan University Press, the singer stated: "There's a song on the album called 'Nothing Really Matters', and it is very much inspired by my daughter. it's just realizing that at the end of the day, the most important thing is loving people and sharing love. The birth of my daughter has been a huge influence. It's different to look at life through the eyes of a child, and suddenly you have a whole new respect for life and you kind of get your innocence back. It's this realisation which I incorporated in 'Nothing Really Matters', 'Little Star' and 'Mer Girl'."[14][15] Based on the lyrical content, Bryan Lark from The Michigan Daily reviewed the parent album, and concluded that as the single "Ray of Light" was about confronting the past, "Nothing Really Matters" conversely is about "moving onward."[16]

Release

"Nothing Really Matters" was selected as the sixth and final single from

CD singles, one maxi CD, a cassette tape, and was made available for digital download. A promotional 7 inch vinyl was issued to several clubs in North America, and included the original album version, along with the B-side and parent album track "To Have and Not To Hold".[19] Two 12 inch vinyl formats were released in North America; one included four vinyls that incorporate two tracks on each, while the second was re-issued with new artwork and track list placement.[20][21] The maxi CD included the album version, and two remixes by the Austrian disc jockey Peter Rauhofer (under the alias Club 69).[22] Two CD singles were issued worldwide except for North America; the first CD includes the album version, one remix by Rauhofer, and one remix by Peter Kruder & Richard Dorfmeister, whilst the second includes three remixes by Rauhofer.[23][24] In Canada, the CDs were issued on May 4, 1999.[25] A cassette tape was released in the United Kingdom; this includes the album version and one remix by Rauhofer, presented on both sides of the recording tape.[26]

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic, Kevin C. Johnson from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Chris Gernard from Metro Weekly highlighted "Nothing Really Matters" as one of Ray of Light's best tracks.[27][28][29] Erlewine, who also wrote Madonna's biography for the website, cited the song as one of her career standouts.[30] Chuck Taylor from Billboard labeled the song as a "gem" and commended the "irresistible hook".[12] From the same publication, Jason Lipshutz commented, "What if the suave dance of 'Nothing Really Matters', the eye-popping 'Ray of Light' music video or the stark beauty of 'Frozen' never existed? Luckily, we never need to find out."[31] Paul Moody from NME noted that the song "floats by almost as if it's asleep, a knowing return to the disco diva-effortlessness of 'Vogue', but with Madonna free from the narcissistic outer-shell of old, free to announce: "I've realised/No-one wins...""[32] Rolling Stone said, "Songs like the title track and 'Nothing Really Matters' are filled with warmth and wonder."[33] "A bubbly, infectious piece of shufflebeat…" Stuart Maconie wrote in a Q review of Ray of Light, "but aberrant items continually swim into view, like a tumbling, atonal piano solo right out of Schoenberg."[34] Sunday Mirror said it is the "best pop tune" from the album.[35] Stephen Thompson from The A.V. Club was positive, stating that the "chugging" chorus and composition "should ring across dance floors for years to come[...]"[36] Nathan Smith from the Houston Press was also positive, stating, "Few singles illustrated [Madonna's change in musical approach] better than 'Nothing Really Matters'". He concluded, "It's a great, bouncy dance track that never received the love it deserved, and its family-friendly themes are a good fit for the event."[37]

However, Enio Chiola from PopMatters felt the song's commercial appeal and production was inferior to other album tracks, and stated that "Skin"—another song from Ray of Light—would have been a better release.[38] Jose F. Promis from AllMusic reviewed the single and awarded it two-and-a-half stars out of five. He suggested that the original album version was somewhat "tepid", and commented, "This single is a case of where the production supersedes the song, which in and of itself is among Madonna's simplest and least interesting tunes." However, he commended the remixes, including the "Eastern Asian", "chillout" and "several club cuts".[39] Medium's Richard LaBeau opined that it was a "perfectly fine cut from her best album, but there are several other songs on the album that are better and would have made more interesting singles".[40] Billboard's Nolan Feeney noted, "She keeps the platitudes from sounding empty by taking her younger self to task [...] Dance music is often a tool for artists and listeners to build their identities; here, Madonna uses pulsing beats to shed her skin".[41] Ranking Madonna's singles in honor of her 60th birthday, The Guardian's Jude Rogers placed "Nothing Really Matters" at number 39, calling it a "heavenly ode to motherhood".[42]

At the 2000 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards, "Nothing Really Matters" was nominated for the Award-Winning Dance Song award; this was Madonna's first nomination in that category, and was her second nomination at the awards since the previous year, when her song "Ray of Light" was nominated, and eventually won the Top Dance Song award.[43] "Nothing Really Matters" eventually won the award, becoming her first win in that category; she won it again in 2002 for "Don't Tell Me".[44][45]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Nothing Really Matters" debuted at number 99 on the

Pop Songs chart.[48][49] Jose F. Promis from AllMusic believed the single's lack of charting success in North America was due "to the terrible timing of the single's release, which was much after radio and club airplay had peaked."[46][50] Many fans in North America blamed Warner Bros. Records' marketing strategy for the song's poor charting.[27] "Nothing Really Matters" was also the first time since 1994's Bedtime Stories that Madonna charted four singles from her album on the Hot 100.[46] In Canada, the song reached a peak of number seven on the RPM Singles Chart.[51]

In the United Kingdom, "Nothing Really Matters" entered the

Spanish Singles Chart and stayed there for three consecutive weeks.[60]

In Australia, "Nothing Really Matters" debuted on the

New Zealand Singles Chart on April 11, 1999. It stayed there for two weeks, until descending to number 45. It rose to number 26 on its final peaking week, and was present for a total of nine weeks on the chart.[62]

Music video

Background and inspiration

An accompanying music video for "Nothing Really Matters" was directed by

choreographed her own moves in the video, since she "[did not] like how other people say how I should move, I'm my own best choreographer."[64] In an interview with American broadcaster and journalist Larry King, Madonna commented about the geisha depiction, "[...] there was a character in the book called Hatsumomo and she's been my muse for the past six months. So I don't know."[65] She stated that her daughter, at the time, called Madonna the novel's character, Hatsumomo, which the singer found intriguing yet bizarre.[64]

The red

Jean-Paul Gaultier.[1] Her main look for the video consisted of heavy eye make-up and a pale face with dark, straight hair, as well as a pair red ankle high boots to accompany the kimono. The kimono was tailored by a large red leather belt.[66] Madonna wore the kimono again for her performance at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards. The look was then re-designed by Gaultier and the Italian fashion duo Dean and Dan Caten for Madonna's 2001 Drowned World Tour.[67] The visual for "Nothing Really Matters" premiered on MTV on February 13, 1999.[68] The video can be found on Madonna's 1999 compilation, The Video Collection 93:99.[69]

Synopsis and reception

Quick cuts showing the different looks in the video

The video opens with an empty room with a fish painting, and then shows Madonna holding to what looks like a baby, but is actually a big bag of water. Alternating scenes shows her in a red and black kimono dancing to the song. Then, a scene features a group of people of Asian heritage, who walk down a dark hallway. As Madonna sings the song in a black kimono, she grips onto the bag of water. When the chorus starts, it features Madonna in a red kimono continuing to dance. This scene carries on through the rest of the song. There are multiple scenes of young Swedes of Asian heritage performing

Royal Institute of Technology in central Stockholm.[72]
The ending scene has Madonna sitting while someone is painting her back and slowly rests her body on the group. As the song fades, Madonna is in her red kimono walking and laughing towards the camera and then the screen rapidly fades to black.

The music video received favorable reviews from critics. Soman S. Chainani from

post-modern act during the 4:25 minute video, daring us to piece together its clues." Labelling it a "surreal" video with "angular" imagery and direction, he concluded, "Random? Of course not. Realizing it's all the pieces of a puzzle, we grasp the stunning answer. Madonna is, in all truth, a modern-day geisha. She is trapped within her corridor, without the least privacy, but she is free to perform."[73] A reviewer from HitFix commented, "[The video] is a gorgeous futuristic creation and one of Madonna's most underrated videos. Dark and hypnotic, 'Matters' features unconventional choreography that was initially off putting to many (at least for 1999), but in actuality director Johan Renck has created a visual spectacle that demands repeat viewing. It also features one of Madonna's more inspired video performances."[74]

At the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, Renck, Bjorn Benckert and Tor-Bjorn Olsson were all nominated for Best Special Effects in a Video. This was Madonna's second sub-credited nomination in that category, having been nominated, and eventually won for the same award a year prior with her single "Frozen". Madonna was also nominated three times for her single "Beautiful Stranger" that same year. However, Renck, Benckert, and Olsson lost to Sean Broughton, Stuart D. Gordon and Paul Simpson of Digital Domain with their work on "Special" by American-Scottish band Garbage; this remains Madonna's final video to be nominated in that category.[75][76]

Live performances

Madonna performing "Nothing Really Matters" on the 2023-24 Celebration Tour

On February 24, 1999, Madonna performed "Nothing Really Matters" as the opening number of the

Best Pop Vocal Album at the same ceremony, she came onstage with Orbit to accept the award in the red kimono.[78][79]

The live performance received positive reviews from most music critics; Jason Kaufman from NY Rock commented, "Her constant nationality morphing has got to go. With her geisha-girl-gone-club-hopping outfit last night, [...] the woman proved she's a walking Epcot Center, long on fashion and short on culture. And what were those women dancing behind her in her musical number holding? The objects looked like fetuses from last week's The X-Files".[80] Bradley Stern from Idolator hosted a poll, asking viewers what was their best Madonna Grammy performance. Alongside the 1999 Grammys, Stern listed Madonna's performances of "Music" at the 2001 ceremony, "Hung Up" at the 2006 ceremony, and "Same Love" and "Open Your Heart" at the 2014 ceremony.[81][82][83] "Nothing Really Matters" came third in the poll with 102 votes.[84] InStyle staff highlighted the performance as one of the best Grammy performances to date.[85]

The song is performed as the opening number for Madonna's 2023-2024 Celebration Tour. During the performance, she wore a floor-length black kimono and a diamond radial headdress while a large white light shined above her.[86][87] The headdress was designed by German designer Malakai specifically for the tour, adorned with 25 large Swarovski crystals and paved with micro-crystals. It was designed with "Madonna's iconography and what she stands for" in mind.

BBC Culture pointed out how "there are no distracting theatrics, just Madonna, her image and her voice – which has never sounded better" and described the performance as a "heartfelt rendition".[89] According to Liam Hess of Vogue, given that "Nothing Really Matters" is one of Madonna's most personal tracks, "it made for a neat introduction to a show that offered a deliberately looser, chattier glimpse at Madonna, the woman".[90]

Legacy and other usage in media

Jean-Paul Gaultier
and worn by Madonna during the song's music video

"Nothing Really Matters" has been noted as one of Madonna's most underrated singles to date.[6] Louis Virtel from NewNowNext listed the song at number 94 on their Top 100 Madonna Songs list, stating, "Copping both new-age maxims and Beatle sentiments ('Everything I give you all comes back to me'), 'Nothing Really Matters' is as queer and curious as a red patent-leather geisha costume."[91] The Gaultier kimono has been cited by several publications as one of Madonna's most notable re-inventions and looks, including fashion magazines InStyle, Elle and Harper's Bazaar.[92][93][94][95][96][97] Alongside this, the kimono has been recognized as one of the Grammy's best and worst looks.[98]

Louis Virtel listed the music video at number 49 on his ranking of 55 Best Music Videos by Madonna.[99] Julien Sauvalle from Out listed the video at number eight on his Top 20 Most Stylist Madonna music videos list.[100] Idolator's Nicole Sta called the clip as one of Madonna's best music videos.[101] Nikki Ogunnaike from Glamour magazine listed the video as one of Madonna's Top 5 Most Fashionable music videos.[102]

The geisha look was further reproduced for Madonna's appearance on the May–June 1999 issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine.

Vulture, for the lack of variety of Madonna's iconic looks outside of "Nothing Really Matters".[104][105][106]

Masahiro Ito has cited the song's music video as one of the inspirations for his work on the video game Silent Hill 2 (2001).[107]

Track listings and formats

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the Ray of Light album liner notes.[1]

  • Madonna – lead vocals, songwriter, producer
  • Patrick Leonard – songwriter
  • William Orbit – producer
  • Marius De Vries – producer
  • Niki Haris – background vocals
  • Donna De Lory – background vocals
  • Steve Sidelnyk – drum programming
  • Mark Endert – engineer
  • Jon Ingoldsby – engineer
  • Patrick McCarthy – engineer
  • Dave Reitzas – engineer
  • Matt Silva – engineer
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • Kevin Reagan – art direction, design
  • Luis Sanchis – photography

Charts and certifications

Release history

Release dates, formats and versions for "Nothing Really Matters"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
United States February 9, 1999 Original
Warner
[18]
February 26, 1999 Modern adult contemporary radio [130]
March 26, 1999 Hot adult contemporary radio [131]
Canada May 4, 1999 CD Remixes
  • Warner
  • [25]
    Various March 31, 2023
    • Original
    • remixes
    Warner [108]

    See also

    References

    1. ^
      Warner Bros. Records
      . 9 46847-2.
    2. ^
      ISSN 0955-4955
      .
    3. ^ a b c Walters, Barry (April 1998). "Madonna: The 'Ray of Light' Cover Story, 'Madonna Chooses Dare'". Spin. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
    4. ^ a b c d O'Brien 2007, p. 167
    5. ^ Taraborrelli 2002, p. 90
    6. ^ a b Boxx, Pandora (December 30, 2014). "The 13 Most Underrated Madonna Songs". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    7. ^ Metz & Benson 1999, p. 98
    8. ^ "Madonna Ciccone: Nothing Really Matters (music notes)". Musicnotes.com. September 13, 1999. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    9. ^ Kot, Greg (March 1, 1998). "New-material Girl". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
    10. ^ Browne, David (March 6, 1998). "Ethereal Girl". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
    11. ^ 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 original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    12. ^ a b Taylor, Chuck (February 13, 1999). "Reviews and Previews: Singles". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    13. ^ a b Rooksby 2004, p. 53
    14. ^ Lysloff & Gay 2003, p. 183
    15. ISSN 0149-8932
      .
    16. from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    17. ^ "Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDS" (PDF). R&R. January 22, 1999. p. 38. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
    18. ^ a b "Madonna - Nothing Really Matters - the new single from her brilliant album" (PDF). R&R. February 5, 1999. p. 50. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
    19. ^ a b Nothing Really Matters/To Have and Not To Hold (Liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1998. 7-17102.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
    20. ^ a b Nothing Really Matters (Liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1999. PRO-A-9647.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
    21. ^ a b Nothing Really Matters (Liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1999. 9 44613-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
    22. ^ a b Nothing Really Matters (Liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1999. PRO-CD-9638.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
    23. ^ a b Nothing Really Matters (Liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1999. 9362 44621 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
    24. ^ a b Nothing Really Matters (Liner notes). Madonna. Worldwide: Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1999. 9362 44623 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
    25. ^ a b "Album Releases: May 1999". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
    26. ^ a b Nothing Really Matters (Liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records; Warner Bros. Records. 1999. 5439 16997 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
    27. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (March 6, 1998). "Ray of Light". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
    28. ^ Johnson, Kevin C. (October 25, 2012). "Madonna courts controversy, fans on explosive new tour". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    29. ^ Garnard, Chris (August 6, 2013). "Madonna from worst to first: ranking her 12 Albums". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    30. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (March 6, 1998). "Madonna > Songs". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
    31. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (March 9, 2015). "Madonna's Albums Ranked From Worst to Best". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    32. ^ Moody, Paul. "MADONNA – Ray Of Light". NME. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
    33. ^ "Madonna, 'Ray of Light'". Rolling Stone. May 31, 2012. Archived from the original on June 19, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    34. ^ Maconie, Stuart (April 1998). "Expressing herself". Q: 105.
    35. ^ Sunday Mirror. February 28, 1999. p. 48. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
    36. ^ Thompson, Stephen (March 29, 2002). "Madonna – Ray of Light". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    37. ^ Smith, Nathan (February 1, 2012). "Causing a Commotion: The Madonna Super Bowl Setlist We'd Like to See". Houston Press. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    38. ^ Chiola, Enio (March 21, 2012). "The Top 10 Madonna Album Cuts of All Time". PopMatters. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    39. ^ Promis, Jose F. (March 3, 1999). "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    40. ^ LeBeau, Richard (August 16, 2018). "Ranking All 57 of Madonna's Billboard Hits in Honor of Her 60th(!) Birthday". Medium. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
    41. ^ Feeney, Nolan (August 15, 2018). "The 100 Greatest Madonna Songs: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 30, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
    42. ^ Rogers, Jude (August 16, 2018). "Every one of Madonna's 78 singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
    43. ISSN 0278-5587
      .
    44. .
    45. ^ "2002 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards: Honoring ASCAP's Top Writers and Publishers of 2001". ASCAP. Archived from the original on June 22, 2003. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
    46. ^ a b c Bronson, Fred (May 1, 1999). "When Do Six Weeks Feel Like 'Forever'?". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    47. ^ a b "Madonna Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    48. ^ a b "Madonna Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    49. ^ a b "Madonna Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    50. ^ F. Promis, Jose. "Madonna What It Feels Like for a Girl". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
    51. ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7443." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    52. ^ a b "Madonna: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
    53. ^ a b "British single certifications – Madonna – Nothing Really Matters". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    54. ^ 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.
    55. ^ a b "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    56. ^ a b "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    57. ^ a b "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    58. ^ a b "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    59. ^ a b "Madonna: Nothing Really Matters" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    60. ^ a b Salaverri 2005, p. 321
    61. ^ a b "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    62. ^ a b "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    63. ^ "Madonna Shoots New Video As "Chicago" Saga Continues". MTV News. January 4, 1999. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
    64. ^ a b "Entertainment Tonight News: Madonna, Behind-the-Scenes". Entertainment Tonight. February 6, 1999.
    65. ^ a b King, Larry (January 19, 1999). "Interview: Madonna reviews life on Larry King Live". CNN. Archived from the original on July 27, 2001. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    66. ^ "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters (music video)". IMVDB. February 13, 1999. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    67. ^ D'Angelo, Joe (June 6, 2001). "Madonna to revisits Evita, Geisha Girl, Cowgirl Personas for new tour". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    68. ^ "Madonna's "Nothing Really Matters" World Premieres On MTV Saturday, February 13 At 1 PM ET/PT". Business Wire (Press release). New York. February 10, 1999. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
    69. ^ Basham, David (October 8, 1999). "Madonna Offers Up New Video Compilation". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
    70. ^ Alford, Henry (January 19, 2016). "Just Say 'Yes': A Social Experiment". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
    71. ^ "MADONNA Nothing Really Matters (1998)". Suen Butoh Company. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
    72. Kungliga Tekniska högskolan. Archived
      from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
    73. from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    74. ^ "Top 10 Greatest Madonna Videos of All-Time: 7. Nothing Really Matters". HitFix. March 2012. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    75. ISSN 1070-4701
      .
    76. ^ "MTV Video Music Awards – Browse by Year". MTV. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
    77. ^ a b Fouz-Hernández & Jarman-Ivens 2004, p. 111
    78. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived
      from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
    79. ^ "Madonna Wins Best Pop Album". Grammy Awards. February 24, 1999. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    80. ^ Kaufman, Jason (February 1999). "Pinch Me, I Must Be Dreaming: The Grammys Finally Get It Right". Ny Rock. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    81. ^ Morton 2002, p. 337
    82. ^ Kauffman, Gil (February 1, 2006). "Madonna's Oddest Collab Yet: Singer To Perform At Grammys With Gorillaz". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2010.
    83. ^ Franich, Darren (January 26, 2014). "Grammys: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis performance features 33 marriages, Madonna". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
    84. ^ Stern, Bradley (January 15, 2015). "Idrawlator: Which Madonna Grammy Awards Performance Is The Best?". Idolator. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    85. ^ "The Most Unforgettable Grammys Performances of All Time". InStyle. February 10, 2016. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    86. ^ "Madonna's Celebration tour RECAP: Queen of Pop's candid on-stage admissions, kids' cameos and touching tributes". Mirror. October 14, 2023.
    87. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (October 14, 2023). "After Three-Month Delay, Madonna Begins 'Celebration' Tour In London". Rain. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
    88. Vogue UK
      . Retrieved November 27, 2023.
    89. BBC Culture
      . Retrieved November 27, 2023.
    90. ^ Hess, Liam (October 20, 2023). "With Madonna's Celebration Tour, the Queen of Pop reclaims her throne". Vogue. Retrieved October 20, 2023.(subscription required)
    91. ^ Virtel, Louis (March 2, 2013). "The 100 Greatest Madonna Songs". NewNowNext. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    92. Today Style. Archived
      from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    93. ^ "Madonna's Most Iconic Looks Ever". InStyle. 2015. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    94. ^ "Madonna's Most Iconic Looks". Harper's Bazaar. November 9, 2011. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    95. ^ "Madonna's Fashion Evolution: Her Most Iconic Looks". Billboard. July 22, 2015. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    96. ^ "Looking Back: Madonna". Elle. August 16, 2012. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    97. ^ Eckardt, Stephanie (July 13, 2011). "See All of Madonna's Most Iconic Looks". New York. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    98. ^ Lempel, Robin (February 7, 2015). "Grammy 2015 Style Shocking? Crazy Red Carpet Fashion from Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and others is worth a second look". Hollywood Take. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    99. ^ Virtel, Louis (August 16, 2013). "Madonna's 55 Best Videos, In Honor of her 55th Birthday". NewNowNext. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    100. ^ Sauvalle, Julien (March 10, 2015). "Madonna's 20 Most Stylish Videos". Out. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    101. ^ Sta, Nicole (March 16, 2012). "Madonna March Madness: Vote For The Best Videos In The Sweet 16 Bracket". Idolaor. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    102. ^ Ogunnaike, Nikki (August 16, 2013). "In Honor of Madonna's Birthday: The Material Girl's 5 Most Fashionable Music Videos". Glamour. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
    103. ^ a b "A Whole New Look: Melanie Griffiths, The Duchess of York, The Mayflower Madam, and Madonna". Harper's Bazaar. May 1999.
    104. ^ Sava, Olivia (April 5, 2016). "The Snatch Game gets strange on an underwhelming RuPaul's Drag Race". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
    105. ^ Guerra, Joey (April 5, 2016). "RuPaul's Drag Race: Bland ambition". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
    106. Vulture. Archived
      from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
    107. ^ Вескер, Павел (March 30, 2019). "Арт-директор Silent Hill 2 вдохновлялся творчеством Мадонны в ходе работы над ужастиком". GameMag (in Russian). Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
    108. ^ a b "Nothing Really Matters (Remixes) by Madonna on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
    109. ^ "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    110. ^ .
    111. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8130." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
    112. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 8128." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    113. ^ "The Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. March 20, 1999. Archived from the original on March 11, 2005. Retrieved November 7, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
    114. Les classement single
      . Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    115. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 15. April 10, 1999. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
    116. ^ "Top 10 Hungary" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 20. May 15, 1999. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
    117. ^ "Íslenski Listinn NR. 313 Vikuna 5.3. – 12.3. 1999". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). March 5, 1999. p. 10. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
    118. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Nothing Really Matters". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    119. ^ "Hits of the World – Italy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 14. April 3, 1999. p. 58. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
    120. ^ "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters". top40.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
    121. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
    122. ^ "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    123. ^ "Madonna – Nothing Really Matters". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
    124. ^ "Madonna Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
    125. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
    126. ^ "Year in Focus: 1999 European Radio Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 1. January 1, 2000. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
    127. Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original
      on January 22, 2005.
    128. ^ Salaverri 2005, p. 566
    129. ^ a b "1999 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. December 25, 1999. p. YE-60–YE-61. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
    130. ^ "People are talking about... Jessica Andrews" (PDF). R&R. February 26, 1999. p. 21. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
    131. ^ "ESPA Radio Network join the team!" (PDF). R&R. March 26, 1999. p. 20. Retrieved April 14, 2023.

    Bibliography

    External links