Brad S Pride Week! #4 - Madonna - Express Yourself

[@dinholondres]

Madonna + David Fincher = Perfect videos: Vogue, Bad girl and Express yourself. ❤️❤️❤️

[@saschat9715]

and Oh Father

[@dinholondres]

@saschat9715 how can I forget this one! Thank you. 🙂

[@2609israel]

Bad Girl is an underrated GEM!!! One of Madonna’s top videos

[@dinholondres]

@@2609israel I agree with you. It’s true. I love it as well.

[@bsealy1]

I know this might be a questionable selection for some but this is my list thru my eyes, my experiences so... here we are. Plus IMO Madonna is THE gay icon. Her support in the 80's and 90's of gay men and those effected by AIDS was unapparelled in the pop music world at that time. And this gorgeous David Fincher directed video belongs on all Top 5 video lists IMO. Inspired by the 1927 German expressionist science-fiction silent film directed by Fritz Lang, Metropolis, I think this video is near perfect. Still near the top of "most expensive music videos of all-time" they spared no expensive in making this masterpiece and it shows. I think the visuals in this video are stunning. Madonna has said in interviews that the song is about not being afraid to ask for what you need in a relationship. Which I'm sure is true- she wrote it. But to my young, closeted ears in 1989, all I heard was an anthem for coming out and being your true self.

[@robertfraser9873]

Madonna was speaking out campaigning and raising awareness of HIV/AIDS well before anyone else in the mainstream. She also did all this when not only was it not fashionable but it was considered dangerous to your career to be a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. I remember buying her Like a prayer album and included in the packaging was a fact sheet about HIV/AIDS and information on safe sex. She was there for the LGBTQ+ community when we needed a strong vocal supporter. ❤❤

[@terrellinc22]

@@robertfraser9873 TRUE: Madonna and Elizabeth Taylor were STRONG in the battle against the disease.

[@yaka8284]

Madonna and Janet Jackson are like the biggest speakers advocates when it comes to speaking out in battle of the disease to this day.

[@Dammm2503]

Still to this day the Queen is a huge ally of the Gay community. She also said that she visited gay men who were dying in the hospital of Aids, abandoned by family, friends, society, holding their hand, laying in bed with them, comforting them.

[@travisjay43]

If Madonna is at number four on a pride list, I'm dying to see who's more gay loved than her. 😂❤ Barbara Streisand maybe. 🤔

[@bentoth6377]

A deep dive into Madonna videos will be fascinating...they are often loaded with meaning and detail

[@marcdany1]

The video is inspired by the film "Metropolis" directed by Fritz Lang

[@PinoyMN]

Yeah - and it's quite political. It's a critique of the abuse of power emerging from industrialism/modernism. Madonna's altar ego is represented by the cat, too!

[@gigi-ij1hk]

This video blew my mind like ten different ways when it came out: the silhouette from behind the screen! the suit-and-monocle dance! the drinking of the milk! It might well be the greatest music video of all time

[@Dr_Madonna]

The Queen of Pop.

[@myfriendisaac]

My fellow Madonna fans may disagree, but THIS is her signature song! Anthemic lyrics & a timeless message. And the video? MASTERPIECE 🎬🔥👏🏾

[@irina1296]

I'm a huge Madonna fan and it's hard to say what is her ultimate signature song. She has like 10 - 12 signature songs. Real Legend!

[@graphiquejack]

It’s definitely up there (to the point that someone felt the need to ‘borrow’ from it), along with Vogue, Like a Virgin, Like a Prayer, Into the Groove and unfortunately… Material Girl. I’d also say Frozen which has really gotten attention since the TikTokers started sharing the Sikick (sp?) version. Then there’s Music, Ray of Light, and she’s obviously fond of Human Nature. The fans also seem to have really embraced the Erotica and Bedtime Stories albums, too, though they aren’t as well known by the general public. I agree… it’s hard to pick only one, but I won’t argue with anyone for that reason… they’re all so damned good

[@irina1296]

@@graphiquejack I'm very surprised you didn't mention La Isla Bonita, Papa Don't Preach, Holiday, Hung Up, Take a Bow - obvious choices for her signature songs

[@johnk3242-y8j]

100% This is a masterpiece - and definitely the "anthem" of her career.

[@NandoDisco]

@@irina1296I agree. She has so many songs that really stand for what she’s about. Honestly, I think ‘Like it or Not’ from Confessions on a Dancefloor is up there as well. 🎶 This who I am you can like it or not You love me or leave me But I’m never gonna stop no no you know 🎶

[@feliperodriguez851]

I am so loving the new generation rediscovering Madonna and loving her, she was so huge just like Michael Jackson, I was so happy to go see her in New York for her tour st 65 yrs old, she is still coming through with a new album and her new movie .

[@GalaxyGirl777]

2:39 “Why is it raining in the factory?” 😂 Mike asking the real questions.

[@SeeJay81]

They were so hot they set off the sprinklers. That's my version of the story and no one can tell me otherwise 🤣

[@anabltc]

@@SeeJay81 well that actually makes sense 🤔☝

[@coldfire7141]

It's a metropolis city setting. When she is chained, she is using metaphor to show that she was chained to her desires, no one chained her up. It is all about power

[@mirasolbalaga5616]

I’m glad that you mentioned the dancing, which is my favorite part. I love the choreography and that fabulous suit attire. I hope you do more Madonna. You’ll be amazed with all her videos, and great songs, of course❤

[@aubreycrawley]

I must have seen this video 1000 times and you picked up more from it than I ever did 😮

[@joelscottarnold3262]

Oddly enough, this song was inspired by Jennifer Grey- yes, of Dirty Dancing fame. Grey and Madonna had become very close filming Bloodhounds of Broadway. Grey was going through a very bad breakup with actor Matthew Broderick. Express Yourself is Madonna’s advice to Grey during the breakup. And the “Don’t go for second best, baby” is a cheeky nod to Grey’s Dirty Dancing character Frances “Baby” Housemann!! Hands down one of the best videos of Madonna’s brilliant career.

[@timothydeweese6931]

Fincher and Madonna were always video gold

[@robertfraser9873]

In an interview about the song and video she revealed that the cat was a metaphor for femaninity and she said the message of the song and video is "...pussy rules the world!" Haha 😄 😂❤❤

[@randychampion184]

I'm just so happy that they reacted to the fantastic Shep Pettibone remix of the song!!!

[@jiihoo8324]

The imagery is very much inspired by the movie Metropolis from 1927, and Madonna chose to use that theme for her Blond Ambition World Tour the next year too. This song and video is without a doubt one of the big ones, part of pop music history. By the way, worth checking that movie out. It’s a weird one but a definite classic from a time almost 100 years ago.

[@NocturneSoul]

This video was inspired by Fritz Lang's movie Metropolis. The scenes and the whole industrial look of the video are taken from the movie, and the final line about the heart and the mind is a quote from the movie. It's also inspired by Tamara Lempicka's art and some scenes are direct recreations of her paintings. Both the movie and this video use the aesthetics of german expressionism. The video depicts the male and the female world. A group of men working in a factory where there are no feelings, as if they were machines themselves, working in a hard, suffocating environment. On the other side Madonna represents the female side (the cat is an obvious symbol) and at some point she penetrates the male world, but in order to do that she has to find the male side of her personality (the part where she's dancing dressed as a man). Then she provokes the awakening of one of the workers from his dehumanizing submission. She starts to sing and one of the workers hears her voice. She encourages him to express himself and that provokes a riot. So the song is about expressing yourself but also about understanding why we do the things we do and why sometimes our feelings are disconnected from our actions and we become a cogwheel in the social machine. It's also about being honest to your lover and most of all to yourself. And of course it's a feminist song about empowering women. She is saying "you can be a feminist and enjoy sex". And that was very controversial. Some feminists said she was degrading women by showing them as sexual objects but she explained that the woman in the video is a woman in charge of her sexual fantasies and her sexuality, allowing herself to live by her feelings. This was a groundbreaking song and a very controversial video that made history.

[@d.n.2527]

If you guys ever decide to do a Madonna Week 2, you have to focus on some of her most celebrated and most shocking videos and not go for her biggest hits. So a nice selection would be this for example: 5) Bad Girl (cinematic masterpiece) or Die Another Day (one of the most expensive videos ever) 4) Ray Of Light (won Grammy and VMA Video of the year) 3) Bedtime Story (one of the most expensive videos ever and got acquired by the Museum of Modern Art) 2) American Life Uncensored Version (totally underrated and one of her absolute best videos) 1) Justify My Love (it got banned and is Madonna at her sexiest)

[@JUSAGUYNKY]

Skip ROY .. nothing special.

[@NandoDisco]

@@JUSAGUYNKYBlasphemy! 😂 That song, album, video are what made me a super fan.

[@NandoDisco]

Definitely American Life (uncensored version directors cut). But you also have to know what was going on at the time politically which I think you have to do with many of her videos tbh.

[@lutalice]

Ditch Ray of Light and include Oh Father, another Fincher masterpiece

[@carlitosgo9]

The one and only Queen of Pop! The most successful female solo artist of All-time!

[@LawrenceAkers]

Firstly, really love watching the reactions you guys do! You're both a lot of fun. And glad you're doing a 'Pride' themed week too. As someone else has noted, Madonna is possibly THE gay icon - at least for gay men of a certain age. I'm sure the younger gays have gone to Gaga or Swift or whoever else is more relevant now, but for guys my age, Madonna is the gay icon. This particular track was EVERYWHERE when it was released and caused a lot of controversy at the time thanks to her crutch grab dance moves. This clip also followed the controversial 'Like a Prayer' where she was seen kissing a dark skinned Jesus. I believe this video was also taking its inspiration from the 1927 film, Metropolis.

[@blackpanter9572]

I absolutely LOVED Madonna as a kid.

[@MetalBere]

My favorite Madonna's song ❤

[@EagleFang74]

World class banter.

[@lucamiki1]

One of the best video ever

[@blueprint0162]

I get Batman vibes from this video.

[@williambunce241]

Great message don't put up with shit don't be 2nd best or be in a bad relationship when your gone he will realize what he had and lost great video metropolis

[@juanjaviercabrero]

I recall signing with a brush in front of the mirror performing this song. 😂😂😂. She taught me how to be a true diva. 😂

[@juniorsantos4453]

It's a 5 million dollars music video, babes! The QUEEN OF POP has arrived, bow down!!! ❤

[@kevinfink4879]

"Cuz it's a sexy factory." "Yeah, it's a sexy factory." Lol, I loved this so much.

[@daniellaplume3840]

This song is a subtly different version from the studio version on the Like a Prayer album❤ Actually, the video is based on the old movie, Metropolis. ❤ Thank for celebrating 😊

[@MrFever1814]

Hello, greetings from Chile, when will you do more reactions of Madonna, videos and live, it has a lot of material, I would appreciate it and I think there are many of us who are waiting...

[@ExplainAndSummarize]

looooove it!!!!!!! love her.

[@art9652]

If there wasn’t no Madonna, there wouldn’t be Lady Gaga, so thank you 🌈

[@brendenc8376]

The most expensive music video in history at the time it was made, and is currently the third most expensive of all time. 3 out of the top 4 most expensive videos ever made are Madonna videos… 😊👍

[@hmfrias]

Madonna trivia .. the bird in the beginning of the video is the legendary Phoenix, hence the songs message of rising up and not settling for second best.

[@howiet1971]

Inspired by the extraordinary silent movie Metropolis. This video was the most expensive pop video ever made at the time, and is STILL in 3rd place.

[@blueeyes4910]

Hi this is the remix version of the video, the original is practically impossible to find. The video is inspired by the movie Metropolis. Madonna will re-propose the same scenario live in the Blond Ambition Tour. Singers like Gaga and Cristina Aguilera have drawn heavily from this video

[@markmuller3078]

This is the original version of the video. The album version was never used for it. (This is why it is impossible to find.) 😉

[@blueeyes4910]

@@markmuller3078 Hello exists I had also recorded it in WHS from the TV of Fact the scene where there are the trumpet players locked up had more context from the original base

[@lutalice]

My Immaculate Collection DVD uses the original version, not the remix, so if you really wanted to get your hands on it, get the DVD. And yes, the scene with the trumpet players makes more sense, but the remix far better suits the industrial vibe of the visuals. So much so that I find it hard to believe that the remix hadn't even been completed when they shot the video!

[@SeeJay81]

Today is the day we kick off a week of reactions dedicated to pride month. I think that's what you were trying to say 🤣🤣

[@CrystalCoffin]

Please react to Madonna's Drowned World Tour (2001), the full concert

[@soilofk]

React to Like a Prayer - Sticky and Sweet Tour! a must watch

[@mrgrumpy888]

Was the bald man Robocop? He looks like Peter Weller.

[@phileastend]

I keep thinking you're saying Brad Ass, lol. Cheers to you Brad though for the great tunes.

[@Prcalaf]

David Fincher directed the video

[@bluedragon4]

It's taking visual from the 1927 movie Metropolis.

[@AdventuresInAI]

I've seen this clip dozens of times, but I never made the connection that the bald guy notices the wheel man missing from his post at the end. And you guys saw it on the first viewing... Well spotted!

[@Planetcharr]

there were two songs in 1989 racing up the charts showing a bit of nude boobage: Express Yourself (Madonna) and I Drove All Night (Cyndi Lauper).

[@thelegendofmedail4300]

The young man in the video was the #1 male super model of that year. His name is Cameron

[@taviolimon]

fun fact! the ever amazing David Fincher directed this video for Madonna and also the forever iconic VOGUE video and of course later on Bad Girl.

[@RealityVonTrapp]

It was the most expensive music video ever made at the time

[@vegan.rex_8]

Please react to frozen by madonna 🙏

[@good2btheking]

I know you guys are young and everything but the factvthat you guys did not get the whole Metropolis reference of this video bothered me to no end. Sad that even in the age of information we are not informed!

[@dalee72]

The quote at the end of the music video is from the 1929 Fritz Lang film Metropolis which this music video was inspired and influenced by. And the color aesthetic is influenced by the art deco movement paintor Tamara Depinca and the her wearing a black suit and sitting on a couch with a cigarette and a wavy hair bob look was inspired by the 1920 - 1940s actress Marlene Dietrich. You should check it out. This music video was directed by filmmaker David Fincher who also directed Madonna's Oh Father, Vogue and Bad Girl. And react to the Madonna music videos directed by the Rhode Island School Of Design alum Mary Lambert: Borderline, Like A Virgin, Material Girl, La Isla Bonita and Like A Prayer please.

[@FindingMadonna]

This is one of my favorite videos of all time. Surprised you didn't notice her stroking her... cat... while standing in front of that... um... skyscraper. Regarding her dancing, I recently put together a short video of her evolution as a dancer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoGbmp1slpl2gK8

[@drees71]

The video isn't really a linear story, but inspired by the art deco period and has lots of not so subtle sexual symbolism, of course the song is all about sexual freedom! The video's aesthetic was inspired by Fritz Lang's Metropolis and the art of Tamara de Lempicka (Open Your Heart and Vogue too very influenced by Lempicka's style), I think Madonna owns some of her paintings!

[@michaelgreer7708]

Mike is handsome

[@CristianalbertoCuevashuerque]

👑✨️✨️✨️✨️💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@got2bjosh]

Someone wake Marx & Gramsci. Secondary sector proletariat rising up against hegemonic industrial forces has never looked sexier. Express Yourself & Bedtime Story are undoubtedly Madonna's best Modernist music videos.

[@sacmusic483]

It's the 3rd most expensive music videos ever made.

[@blueeyes4910]

There is a more recent song that Madonna did in favor of minorities with very deep lyrics is called I Rise from 2019

[@tommypicklez8285]

she is the ultimate gay icon, u should react to her song Live to Tell

[@duseetmoi]

Love her, love her work, but - and this may just me - is this video basically about a man who returns a lost cat?

[@tapanim6576]

😎👍

[@simonhunter518]

The ultimate Pride Anthem. Madonna is always 2 steps ahead of some copycat.

[@ossamaalmaskin9720]

Is it me or sounds like born this way by lady Gaga???

[@sedtar]

You guys need to read about the video.

[@MrMikeboca]

Kylie Minogue’s week?

[@pierpaolonathancorrieri2290]

Most expensive video in history or second. Look at the cat: Literally the video says pussy rules the world, she says in a few interviews. Also inspired by movie Metropolis of 1927.

[@kusinanibakneta7367]

Please christina aguilera pat 2 Music video Aint no other man Cant hold us down Your body Not myself tonight Hurt Candy man Fall in line Pa mis muchacha Live Mtv movie award bionic medley Ama whitney medley Grammy beutiful Candyman live fashion show carpook karaoke

[@digthewarmth]

This track sounds Just like Vogue, right? How do you tell it from Vogue at a first listen? Weird dark spiritual-seeming video.

[@oneironaut420]

it's funny how you guys are wondering why the guy is being sexualized without realizing that woman have ALWAYS been sexualized in music videos in the exact same way.

[@LucasAFonseca]

Secret Love Song by Little Mix

[@elirafe]

Hi, guys! Great week! I’m doubling down on @lonnylonso’s suggestion for an En Vogue week! 5. Giving Him Something He Can Feel 4. Free Your Mind 3. Hold On 2. My Lovin (You’re Never Gonna Get It) 1. Don’t Let Go So you’ll know names ahead of the game, in GHSHCF from left to right: Maxine, Terri, Dawn, Cindy (Dawn is lead for this song) EVERY girl in this group is a lead singer which I think @lonnylonso did a good job showcasing with this list.