How Madonna rescued her career after Erotica

[@desmonheck]

I don’t care what the critics say, Erotica is my favorite Madonna album. There are so many good tracks on that album. She was pure fire and not afraid to let the world see her artistic expression of that period of her life. I applaud her for saying yes when everyone else said no. Growing up in that time, man. Everyone was talking about her. Pure fire! It’s not a coincidence that she is still celebrated today.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes Erotica is still one of my favourite Madonna albums. I think retrospectively it's viewed more positively by the critics.

[@rudypalma1250]

I agree - her absolute greatest album.

[@ibmsst]

I still secretly hope she brings this era of her life for us to experience again. “Erotica, you thrill me” from confessions was classy and sexy. ❤️

[@JB-pl1iu]

Also the fact that Madonna could go from the S&M gritty look and sound of the Erotica song and video, and also do something as beautiful, elegant, sensual as Rain (song and video) so seamless and effortless off the same album is testament to what an amazing artist she is.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes very true

[@RVS-fq4wh]

Rain is like a gem from the ocean!!

[@millennialart4975]

I would've ranked Erotica as a tie with Confessions if it hadn't been for Rain. As brilliant as Confessions is, it's missing something like this gem of a ballad.

[@zafnatpaneaj4992]

I always thought how lucky I was to live during the "Erotica" era and seeing live Madonna for the first time in Buenos Aires for her Girle Show, 2 sould out nights more than 140000 fans. Totally awesome. At that time Erotica pushed a lot of limits and now is a really work of art a masterpiece. Im totally agree with your analysis. Greetings from Argentina...!

[@jonnyharvey]

Thanks so much for your kind words 🙏 I’m so jealous, that must have been an incredible experience

[@megalesalithies4092]

@@jonnyharvey The Girlie Show WAS an incredible experience. Being a MADONNA fan during the EROTICA era was NOT an incredible experience, as she was hugely unpopular during the time and you were blasted for saying you were a fan or supporting her works and views. Horribly conservative time. Madonna pulled out the hypocrisy of the world. Of course, as Madonna fans we were TOTALLY excited artistically, as it was a hell of an era, a masterpiece of an album, videos that were works of art and amazing looks, plus the Girlie Show which IMO is her most accomplished show all round. Luckily, the world would give credit to Erotica and that era YEARS later, thus justifying all us who stood by her side thru thick & thin, saying what we were saying all along, how BRILLIANT she was during that era!

[@kitanakahn101]

I was 12yo back then

[@anonnymous4684]

Although it was a very difficult time for her, ultimately, it only made her more legendary as it created a more interesting arc for her. Hyper success like she had in the 80s, always wanes, but when you've had a severe backlash but are able to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and comeback just as strong as ever, then it makes for an even more compelling story. Four years after Sex, people would start to talk about her far more kindly when Evita came out (an achievement in itself given her reputation with movies) and then when Ray of Light was released, she earned a level of respect and credibility that she'd never previously enjoyed. We have to give credit to Madonna's chameleonic talents here, where she's able inhabit the persona of dominatrix, wife of an Argentinean dictator and spiritual earth mother so convincingly, that you pretty much forget the previous incarnation. 'SEX' Madonna seemed old hat by the time of Evita, and was ancient history once she reappeared as the 'Ray of Light' ethereal girl.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes I think in the long run it benefited her. Weathering the storm helped her to earn a lot of respect.

[@beachstreet101]

One of the more stranger hard to believe things is that Take a Bow didn’t hit the top 10 in the UK. It’s one of her more killer ballads ever recorded. And the fact that Bedtime Stories didn’t hit #1, also hard to believe as newer generations of people reviewing albums before their time constantly praise and rave about Bedtime Stories.

[@stephenknight6562]

I agree Take a Bow spent 5 weeks at no. In US and Canada and huge hit worldwide otherwise.

[@chrispa9573]

@@stephenknight6562 7 weeks

[@duduche6]

@@stephenknight6562 Take a bow was huge in US only. Was often on radios but didn't chart that much in other countries. My eurpean ears didn't like that song so much even if I m a big fan of Madonna.

[@ida_sriyaka]

I just saw a documentary about Top of the pops though where she performed that song in 1995 and it was no 2 on that chart. Maybe it was a top ten on other lists like "Adult" and stuff? It was a huge hit nevertheless. Chart positions aside :)

[@stephenknight6562]

Take A Bow was one of her biggest hits in 5 weeks at no. 1 in US if recall.

[@highland_persuasion]

A lot of people dismiss Bedtime Stories because it's not quite as danceable and was sandwiched between Madonna's most controversial and most critically acclaimed albums, but what they fail to realize is how a brilliantly executed crisis management album it was. She leaned into the current trend of R&B domination but not quite to be considered a sellout. She mellowed out but still was feisty and defiant. She made the best string of videos for the singles released off the album, the strongest of all her album cycles in the 90's (which is saying something). Bedtime Stories is a masterclass in career repair.

[@jonnyharvey]

Agreed. Bedtime Stories is probably my 2nd/3rd favourite Madonna album. She incorporated the current trends into her work, but still maintained her DNA - it still sounded like a Madonna record. And it helped to manage the crisis definitely - it showed a softer side but she was still unapologetic.

[@dan_leo]

I really liked this video, because as far as I know nobody on KZbin had dealt so far with the difficult years Madonna went through during the 90s after the publication of Sex and Erotica. Very well done and informative. Thank you!

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you so much 😀😀😀

[@rayrae204]

True Blue Madonna Fan! Rain still gives me chills!

[@jonnyharvey]

Yeah I love Rain. And that video 🙌

[@WalterTarantino-xs6ez]

I've lived these years as a huge fan. I remember the Erotica era and the backlash. I honestly didn't think she would recover, but I was hopeful. One thing that wasn't mentioned was her pregnancy and birth of her first child Lourds. People were very forgiving as I had suspected they would be. And you could tell that Ray of Light was truly inspired by how Lourdes changed her outlook on life. She did some of her best writing for Ray of Light and still is considered one of her best.

[@jonnyharvey]

I made this video so long ago now - I can't remember. I didn't go into detail about ROL in this video. I did a separate video on Ray of Light

[@ibmsst]

Madonna said “little star” is about Lourdes and that “Ray of light” was Lourdes favorite song, because she would bounce around a lot to it.

[@secrets.295]

She went from culture shock to a more adult contemporary music as well as her image. If Madonna wants to make a comeback. She doesn't need to go back to shocking people. She is in her 60s, none of her fanbase care about culture shock anymore. She should go to AC.

[@jonnyharvey]

I would love to hear more Adult contemporary music from Madonna. STR is the the Madonna album I listen to most.

[@seanahmed9079]

This is so well researched and meticulously produced. Love yer face too❤

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you 😀🙏

[@gopies1456]

The album erotica is the reason why she is still an icon abs legend. Yes it did not sell as many as her 80’s studio albums but to date it has sold over 7 million albums worldwide. Even at the time it was her lowest selling album other female and male artists except for Mariah, Celine, Whitney, Janet and Michael Jackson would of loved to sell that many albums. Her reinvention was so smart with bedtime stories having to huge radio friendly hits in secret and take a bow sold 8 million albums worldwide, something to remember selling 10 million albums worldwide, evita selling 7 million albums worldwide and a gold globe win and then her second huge peak of her career from 1998-2001 with ray of light selling 16 million albums worldwide and 4 Grammys and music selling 11 million albums a huge no.1 single in music and a sellout world tour! Hopefully Madonna can reinvent her self again to a more mature softer Madonna instead of this attention grabbing 64 year old trying to act 20!!

[@jonnyharvey]

In the long run, surviving the backlash from that period and coming out the other end, actually earned her a lot of respect from fans, critics and the general public.

[@blahblog4322]

She’s a washed up old drunk now . Loosing the plot fast

[@Theredeyedjedi]

@@blahblog4322 lmfaooo what?

[@alejandromolinac]

What I liked about Madonna is how she took subcultures she was exposed to and took them “mainstream”…. Add that admiration for the Golden Age of Hollywood….

[@jonnyharvey]

Yeah she was a cultural magpie

[@Stefarooh]

Erotica is still one of my favourite albums from her. 1000 x better than the disasters that have been her 2010-2019 releases.

[@jonnyharvey]

I love Erotica too. Would you call the 2010 albums disasters. I love a lot of songs on Rebel Heart & Falling Free is one of my favourite Madonna songs ever. But everyone is different, I guess.

[@jacobwhite208]

girl gone wild is one of madonnas best songs! dont crap on it!

[@Stefarooh]

@@jacobwhite208 Maybe to you, but to me its utter garbage

[@justinrichardson9554]

Madonna didn't slip until madame ×

[@stephansteinmeyer2748]

@@jonnyharvey Rebel heart really has some great pop gems and she did a lot of PR on international television, but it suffered from the premature hectic release and wrong order and selection on the final work. The theme could have been brought across more convincingly when it was released later. People just didn't want her to be successful. Hard Candy and MDNA were perhaps too mediocre and too much just fodder to go on tour. But it was - despite top producers - again a total album with her signature and her singing and songwriting was great.

[@Camille_Anderson]

erotica is brilliant. The beauty of Bad Girl, both song and video, showcase her talents, but the press were feral. She was stunning in that video, just unreal!!! her career in its entirety is magnificent. Ahead of her time, yet again!

[@paulbreheny4815]

cream always rises to the top . The problem with Madonna is she was ahead of her time. Some of the stuff nobody would care about these days. She is the ulimate pop star. Someone like Madonna comes along once maybe every 50 years.

[@jonnyharvey]

yes the ultimate popstar 😀

[@MarabelleBlue]

Very interesting take. I really enjoyed this. It took me back to that time and you know I never gave up on her. I do miss this time of the Madonna era.

[@jonnyharvey]

Thanks Marabelle 😀 Yes I do miss this period too

[@m.g.3842]

Ray of Light, Erotica, and Confessions on a Dance Floor are my favorite albums by Madonna.

[@jonnyharvey]

Three classics 😀

[@CincinnatiRon]

I love this. I like the academic tone and many pet names for Madonna. She's still worthy of analysis... thanks for posting

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you so much 🙏 It’s a nickname they used to use for her a lot in the UK. She talks about it in a Letterman interview from 2009 😀

[@CincinnatiRon]

@@jonnyharvey This is a very interesting period of her history, kind of after Truth or Dare to Ray of Light. I honestly stopped being interested in her new music after Ray of Light for the most part. But I still love so much about her...

[@ossiejon-nwakalo8644]

I just wanna say I love how organized your book shelf is. Love the colors!

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you 😀

[@hlgrmdr9556]

EROTICA is one of her BEST works, incredible music

[@jonnyharvey]

Classic Madonna album. It was just overshadowed by all the controversy at the time.

[@lozanogomez]

Thank you so much for just exposing the truth without bashing anyone. I am a Mariah fan and I really respect Madonna, and is nice that all is done with kindness from your side.

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you - I really love them both 😀

[@phillipbruno4443]

Thank you for another great video. Very informative and knowledgeable. I like Erotica era, especially Deeper and Deeper. Bedtime Stories cover, she was working her Jean Harlow look. 1994 gave me 2 of my favourite Madonna singles, I'll Remember and Secret. Both should have been No.1s.

[@jonnyharvey]

thanks Philip. Totally Agee about 'I'll Remember' & 'Secret'

[@thefrankfactor3794]

MADONNA is a real success story, not everything is roses and beautiful skies in life.

[@jonathanmeadows6813]

Going back to the drawing board and embracing a softer r&b sound was a savvy move. STR and Evita continued the damage control because her career was all about done in ‘93.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes to read about her in the media in 1993, it very much felt that way

[@MR-fx9gg]

She is a survivor. I am obsessed with her.

[@Jazlow]

I remember hearing way back when that Madonna used "You'll See" to be a sort of audition tape to convince Alan Ricklam that she had the vocal skills to pull off the role of Evita. She had been taking intense vocal lessons at the time which she continued leading up to the recording of the soundtrack.

[@WaLEeDaN]

I accidentally saw your channel , and I'm in love , you are amazing, new subscriber , greetings from Kuwait 🇰🇼

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you Waleedan. Sending love to Kuwait 😀

[@Charlie-jl3ur]

I love Madonna's Bedtime Stories album and the era! I believe had they released Love Tried to Welcome Me or Forbidden Love as a follow-up to Take a Bow in the US, it would've been another top 3 hit there! I love both Bedtime Story and Humsn Nature but, from a commercial standpoint, they weren't the best choices for singles in America at that time.

[@jonnyharvey]

It's my second favourite Madonna album- so many brilliant songs - such a consistent album. I probably listen to it the most out of all her albums

[@irina1296]

People were so dumb and envious back in 1992. Erotica is such a masterpiece - my 2nd favorite album by Madonna. I adore that era. As for Something to Remember, it's a fantastic collection but Madge made two mistakes. She didn't include Bad Girl & I Can't Forget to this album which is the real crime!

[@AdamJMusic23]

Bad girl is no Ballard it would not have fit well with the other 15 tracks here...S2R is simply perfect 1984-1996

[@irina1296]

@@AdamJMusic23 It would be even more perfect with Bad Girl. Musically Bad Girl fits STR very well - fantastic arrangement

[@irina1296]

@Marvin Quezada Well, musically Bad Girl is a very soft and beautiful song, one of the greatest ballads by her. Lyrically, it's not that soft though

[@EJX220]

I love both Madonna and Mariah! ❤

[@jonnyharvey]

Me too ❤️❤️

[@EJX220]

@@villamedj3533 uhm ok. Both are singers and both are artists. Mariah is also very involved with her music, writing everything she sings (minus covers). Both Mariah and Madonna respect each other as artists now.

[@_sam_ddn]

Loved this video. Madonna is truly an inspiration♥️

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you!! Yes Madge truly is inspirational 🙌🙌🙌

[@gexbyby]

thank you for your analysis) love the erotica era from the bottom of my heart

[@jonnyharvey]

thank you 😀 Yes such a great album, singles, video & tour 🙌

[@petedall]

another well made video thanks

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you 😀 I need to stop throwing my hand around though 😂😂

[@fanstastic83]

She was still recovering with Bedtime stories from the damage, but it is shocking that Take a bow peaked so low in UK. Wasn't it the last single from the album? Maybe that's the reason. I love all her 90's albums although I know a lot prefer her 80's albums more.

[@jonnyharvey]

It was the second single from the album released in December 1994 - maybe it got lost in the Xmas rush?

[@Theredeyedjedi]

Bedtime Stories is my favorite album of Madonnas. So sensual, smooth and 90s lol

[@jonnyharvey]

I think it's my 2nd/3rd favourite Madonna album but it's the one I listen to most. Maybe it's my favourite too?

[@Theredeyedjedi]

@@jonnyharvey I can play the album all the way through while cleaning. Her voice suits R&B so much better than I could have even imagined

[@boykhan22]

Madonna, if u read this, the erotica album makes me one of your huge fans and I love you ever since. Bedtime stories and something to remember embedded within me so deep too.... Once you shift ground to disco in 2000s, u lost me somehow yet I still love you until today.

[@jonnyharvey]

Do you think Madonna is reading the comments on my channel!?!! 😀

[@mr.vanity5895]

Madonnas best Era was the Erotica Era❤️

[@Rossion64]

Bedtime Stories is probably my favourite era. Secret is my favourite song of hers and the first one that got my attention.

[@jonnyharvey]

I love that whole era so much. And those videos

[@adamd6648]

Great amazing topic. Glad too see another video of it.

[@jonnyharvey]

😀🙏

[@Bernhard2024]

Hey, I really liked your video. Erotica is my favorite Madonna album. But you are right, she really got bad critics and press afterwards. It wasn`t easy to be a fan of "Pornodonna" in 1993. in 1992 I was 18 years old and discovered myself as homosexual. This was at the same time, M released Erotica. I met a wonderful man from London at a youth hostel in Berlin and with him, I had my first..... (you know what...) Erotica is the soundtrack of my coming out. I will always cherish that exciting times in my heart. After Erotica Madonna did great popmusic, made mind-blowing videos (especially Bedtime Story) and with "You´ll see" she did her BEST ever Vocal Performances of her career.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes I think her vocal were their best around 94-98, whilst she was training for Evita

[@NPGLAMB]

It’s so funny to me how something that has created every single human being is so controversial and shocking, even to this day.

[@jonnyharvey]

So true - preach!

[@Patrick3183]

Because it’s PRIVATE.

[@norijean3279]

She sabotaged Erotica with the SEX book release, the album was overlooked sadly... Then she jumped the shark with that infamous Letterman appearance. Luckily Bedtime Stories saved the day, Evita made her a lady, and having a child inspired the brilliant Ray Of Light. She should've always relied on her talent to make great records and beautiful music videos. The nudity and outrageous behaviour was unecessary.

[@maticbukovac6966]

Yes, she sabotaged Erotica with the Sex book, however it was necessary... she should have done Erotica first, then Sex.

[@noushinkananian5033]

Fantastic performance. Thanks for sharing.

[@rickchristman1898]

Erotica sold over 6 million copies. THAT IS NOT A FLOP

[@jonnyharvey]

I never said it was a flop. I said the press portrayed it as a 'flop' in comparison to Madonna's previous album sales.

[@DodaGarcia]

As an artist myself, it's so fascinating to see the tribulations faced by someone with orders of magnitude more success and the strategies they used to overcome them. Thank you so much for your videos, they're an amazing watch.

[@jonnyharvey]

Thanks Doda. Thanks for your comment 😀🙏

[@MrS98VAC]

They tried to ruin her in the early 90's, then she came roaring back!

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes she showed incredible strength to keep going during the time.

[@luizsergiobezerradasilva2261]

Worth mentioning it, that there are studies for the new waves of feminism that include the EROTICA era as whole.

[@DonG191]

Madonna was at the top of her music career in the 80s and Justify My Love was the watershed of her career when her popularity started to fall. Music was her last Billboard Hot 100 no 1. After Music, her popularity fell further.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes Madge conquered the 80s 🙌

[@AriesPrince-os7ks]

Wow, that was really good dude!

[@jonnyharvey]

I think you mean me - in that case, thank you 😀

[@Joey.Alvarado]

Great commentary. Almost 100% right. So it is good!!

[@jonnyharvey]

😂😂😂 thank you.

[@soaribb32]

I love Erotica, Deeper and Deeper was one of her best songs ever.

[@jonnyharvey]

Listening to Deeper & Deeper last night - what a tune!!

[@zanealberto7741]

WOW I love your reactions 👍💙zane

[@jonnyharvey]

Thanks - my bloopers?

[@claudeghanimeh1728]

AMAZING , THANK YOU 😊

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@quanashiab.9620]

Erotica is my 6th favorite behind Like a Prayer.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yeah Erotica is one of my favourites too

[@kikexx54]

Thanks! I feel like im living 1994 again!

[@jonnyharvey]

😀😀😀

[@NocturneSoul]

It's crazy how Madonna was punished for doing what nowadays is almost mandatory for female artists if they wanna be recognized.

[@jonnyharvey]

Good point - Madonna as always was way ahead of the time

[@stevekima8881]

'in 1992 Madonna was vilified for her album , but is now considered to be one of her best work" 😒😒😒😒 music reviews are so fake

[@edwardchen9619]

this could also extend to the IMMACULATE MASTERPIECE ray of light. i'm not even a madonna fan, but damn that album was one of the best coming out of early 2000s

[@JohnJohn-xw8kj]

1998 ROL love Madonna 90s albums

[@RVS-fq4wh]

Great videos, just try to increase the audio quality.

[@jonnyharvey]

thank you. Yes a few people mentioned that. The audio should be better on my newer videos. My rode mic was playing up.

[@jamesalex5051]

I loved Erotica album it was very interesting Erotica video was Mindblowing Deeper & Rain videos absolute Gorgeous ! However Album E wasn't her best a bit too raw not as melodic. The album Bedimes stories was OK album., "Take a Bow " & "Bedtime story" were my favorite songs and Human Nature was 1 of the best choreographed music videos ever .Ray of Light album was close to Perfection all songs were incredibly well written and craft, IMO Ray of Light is a Pop music masterpiece

[@valhum]

Regarding her quote about the "ugliness in terms of what was directed at me", i guess she was not expecting all the sh*t she gets nowadays because she is not "aging gracefully" 😑 Crazy how much criticism she has had to endure during all her professional life.

[@VisiV]

Oh man, this is going to be a hard watch for me; that era was my absolute favorite as a sexually repressed boy from Alabama. I love love love ‘Erotica,’ ‘Girlie Show’ and ‘Sex.’ Hard to evaluate as something that needed rescuing.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes there are different angles you can approach the story/era from. In terms of artistry many saw/see Erotica, Girlie Show & Sex as huge successes. But the backlash was so intense at the time, the artistic merit of the projects was completely overshadowed & commercially things dipped a bit. So that's the angle I was coming from.

[@VisiV]

@@jonnyharvey I totally get it. To me, at that time, and in the region I grew up in, ANYTHING sexual was treated with disdain, so I didn’t understand until later that there was anything different about the backlash to Madonna. These people were upset at Shania Twain’s midriff, and felt that Amy Grant wasn’t Christian ENOUGH. Anyway loved the video.

[@jonnyharvey]

@@VisiV thanks so much. They were upset about Shania Twains's midriff!?!!? They sound like a really tough crowd 😂😂😂

[@VisiV]

@@jonnyharvey OH IT WAS A CULTURAL TOPIC, in some parts of the world. Lol.

[@fredericoangels7959]

Vamos admitir, essa mulher é um gênio!

[@jonnyharvey]

Agreed - a genius always 👋

[@winston1319]

When Erotica was released 30 years ago , sex was taboo especially in the U.S. That's why it was success worldwide but not in the USA.

[@iamalexvera]

You need to do a video about the Erotica era.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes you’re right - I should do a video dedicated to that era. I’ll get to it at some point

[@Vasarnikos]

Without "Erotica" she couldn't record one of the best albums in her career: "Ray of Light". It was her natural procession from wiseness to maturity.

[@sm1981-q8z]

You need to invest in better audio. I had to turn up my volume up to 100 and it was still pretty quiet

[@jonnyharvey]

I have a Rode mic (€200) and the middle setting has been playing up the last few weeks. I turned the levels up as high as I could & I watched the video three times before I uploaded it with my earphones & it was fine. But I will look into it.

[@sm1981-q8z]

@@jonnyharvey That could be my issue. I don't usually watch with headphones but when I have the volume set to ~20 on my computer videos sound fine. Just yours I had to turn up the audio for. Still an amazing video though, watched the whole way through and loved it :)

[@TheDudeOfSteel87]

30 years later, she needs to save her career again from this over sexualized Tik Tok era

[@pbohearn]

Madonna: “I’m not gonna apologize for other people’s discomfort related to my art.” Madonna: “OK, I apologize and I’ll be a good girl I swear!“ Madonna’s marketing strategy: create controversy, shock, and awe. Madonna: “I can’t believe all of the controversy surrounding my art. Why can’t people see my art for what it is?!”

[@jonnyharvey]

I love Madonna hut but how can she have been surprised by the reaction. What did she think people were going to say?

[@richardsrandomreviews]

Bedtime story was an experiment that didn’t work out, there were 2 decent songs - secret and take a bow and the junior vasques remix of bedtime story - the rest of the tracks didn’t come across well to fans - here in the uk Madonna struggled from 94-97 when she released the ray of light album - this album put her back at the top and gave us back the Madonna we love , - the music album was good but not amazing - Confessions on a dance floor was also a work of genius- since Confessions on a dance floor I have struggled to get excited about an further albums … hopefully she will do one more dance album before she calls it a day - the lady is a genius and has kept us interested for 4 decades.

[@jonnyharvey]

I love Bedtime Stories- it's my second favourite Madonna album

[@tracyanderson3715]

Bedtime Stories was so my favorite. Wasn’t too into erotica did like the song justify my love. But Bedtime Stories come back damn fire 🔥 take a bow was my favorite ♥️♥️♥️

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes Bedtime Stories is my second favourite Madonna album behind ROL.

[@alexanderhall4281]

There was and isn't anything wrong with Erotica album I love it . And goes for body of evidence it's great. The only thing I hate about it is that she dies. Go Madonna xxx

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes I love the Erotica album - it's a classic!

[@superdougie10]

You sound level is super low. I turned my volume up all the way and could hardly hear your clip....perhaps up the sound like "DOUBLE".......and then re upload the clip to youtube again.

[@jonnyharvey]

Thanks for the feedback. It sounded fine on my laptop before I uploaded it but I am having problems with my Rode mic atm. Will look into it

[@atlantidaunderground]

Sometimes I still listen to Erotica and tbh I think it was an underrated album, had great tracks on it but was overshadowed because of the shock value things she did around that time, perhaps she went too far. I admit that I enjoy the Erotica album too... I think that years later when people listen to it they see how groundbreaking it was... also very adult themes.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes it’s a great collection of songs which were drowned out at the time by all the noise around the Sex book and all the controversy it generated. I think ‘Bad Girl’ is one of Madonna’s best ever ballads but it was released at the the height of the backlash & it was ignored.

[@walterhigo7658]

ONE MAJOR OBSERVATION: The Girly Show Tour was in no way, shape of form, " Tamer " than The Blonde Ambition Tour. If anything, Madonna, UPPED THE ANTE with the Girly Show in terms of sexuality.

[@jonnyharvey]

a few people said this but I kinda thought after simulating masturbation during Blond Ambition, everything else from the Girlie Show felt tame.

[@danielacarvalho110]

Madonna e icônica ❤

[@jonnyharvey]

Agreed 👍

[@9852323]

I actually really like the erotica era. I think she’s super brave for doing that at the time considering 1992 was a more conservative time compared to now.

[@WasWasLo]

The legend herself.

[@PureSparkles22]

10:00 I love Madonna and Mariah

[@jonnyharvey]

I do - both legends 😀

[@livviloolah]

I still don't really understand her gripe with mariah in the 90s. art shouldn't need to be controversial or polarising to be valued and cherished.

[@jonnyharvey]

Well put 👏

[@Alex80261]

It is not only Madonna, it is her fans also, back and forth, as well, understanding art and her artistic expressions in media is about life. EVERYBODY'S LIFE. Including erotica, romance and sex itself, as well, now how? Everybody has his/her own preferences, styles, tastes, stylus, etc... which is a taboo, even today still. Some or many judges her and THEREFORE her fans because of living life, it is part of this life, forming a relationship with another in not a TRADITIONAL WAY, AND THEREFORE CULTURE WAY as the waste majority does publicly (obviously) when it comes to misunderstandings. We were born naked by the way (when I was a child I always said this phrase :D - in contrast, of course, we are civilized). When they judge (Fanatic religious Christians) I have realized that they have the "protective" behaviour. I am telling you: better to live with fanatic Christians around coming and going with banners around, processing in circles, kissing statues and handmade items, then among another kind of religious fanatics who are dangerous. Let me tell you what I have seen under the Sun: The way how you judge (for example Christians of any kind and denominations) the way you get judged: you are no dangerous onto each other, even though opinions, ways of thinking DIFFER. Now go somewhere else. I am a believer or not, it makes me pray: Thank God! (It was a prayer too, two little words.) One more thing: I am using a "collective" word for all faiths: whoever really has Abrahamic religion: they are NOT dangerous - regardless what country they live in. Look around the word, and see what countries are Christian countries. We are all humans. Personally, I hate when they invade my privacy and lurking after me in secret via best friends, or any pretenders, when I take a shower and waiting for the moment when I soap my whole body or when, as an adult, not an addictive, would like to be ALONE... or we would like to be ALONE. Simply put: people would like to be alone, now how alone, nobody's BUSINESS - in that content. I am not a teacher, I am not a priest, I am not spokesman, nor Hermes... :DDDDD But I very much like paintings and going to museums. :DDDD (I remember I said many similar things what she also said before, I say things, and realized back in time she sings about too.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKG7gp2EqdWUa5Y

[@dianawilson7026]

I love Madonna. She's adorable.

[@PerryCJamesUK]

A couple of things... The Sex book, the Erotica music video or any of the sexually provocative projects by Madonna didn't include any "hardcore imagery". "The Girlie Show" was not a rollback on the Erotica era and didn't attempt to limit anything Madonna had taken a stand for, the actual show opens with a topless female dancer, continues with an on-stage bi-sexual orgy and an entire section of cross-dressing. The "Girlie Show" was named after an early 40s painting by Edward Hopper, of a striptease performance, it is absolutely linear with the Erotica era and because the tour was not called "The Erotica Tour" means nothing, the "Blond Ambition World Tour" doesn't share the title of an album, a single, a film or anything at all.

[@jonnyharvey]

okay - there's a lot here. Perhaps 'hardcore imagery' isn't the technically correct term and I used it casually, but looking through the Sex book and the Erotica video recently, a lot of the visuals seemed pretty hardcore to me. By the standards of mainstream entertainment they were and still are pretty hardcore. In terms of porn, they're probably not. I never at any point said that the 'Girlie Show' was a 'rollback' - I said it was tamer, which compared with the rest of the Erotica era, I still maintain that it was. The countless reviews I read of the show, said the same. I mentioned that performances were still sexy, and provocative and the dancers were scantily clad. I never said Madonna went back on anything she stood for. Perhaps not naming the tour after the album wasn't significant but these things are open to interpretation. I never stated it as fact in the video. That's just how I interpreted it.

[@PerryCJamesUK]

@@jonnyharvey A long and thought provoking reply, which warrants a like as a thank you for your time. The theme of your video was how Madonna toned down her image after the Erotica era and starts with the tour, which by any real standard is incorrect. The term hardcore is a recognised definition. If you'd like to see hardcore S&M imagery I'd suggest you google it and brace yourself. It cannot be further away from anything Madonna showed in any era. I am interested in facts and by what I saw as an audience member of the tour. A topless women on a pole to start the show can not be interpreted as a tamer version of anything, and the group sex scenes on stage was as far as Madonna could legally go. According to those in the know, The Girlie Show was not an attempt at anything other than to focus upon the music Madonna wrote on the album as opposed to the controversy of the era, but she did not sacrifice any erotic visions she had for each song. It's easy to say "well this what I thought and therefore, I am correct" but to give a proper round up of events the "tamer" Madonna image was not this calculated thing post Sex and Erotica decision. The Bedtime Stories LP was the first time Madonna had included uncensored explicit language on any of her albums and the music video for Take A Bow shows her using a television as a sex toy in a bed whilst she masturbates. If anything, Madonna became more daring post-Erotica, and her choices in her film roles up to Evita are far from tame and include dialogue more explicit than anything in the Sex book, which if I wrote them here would get flagged.

[@SabaSaliba]

Confessions on a dance floor album, saved her from a string of poor albums since Ray of Light. And now she’s making a new house trance pop record to redeem from the poor previous albums except for MadameX another savior album.

[@ladyhaha7548]

Ray of Light (and its singles) was universally acclaimed but was blocked by the gigantous titanic soundtrack (both the album and frozen peaking at number two cause it eas blocked by the soundtrack and my heart will go on) She only had one album that flunked in the early 2000s and it's American Life.

[@whitneyspears8858]

Fun fact: The toes on the back cover of Erotica belong to Naomi Campell

[@AdamJMusic23]

1992 EROTICA, Fever, deeper, waiting, Rain, Whys it so hard?...vs 1994 BEDTIMESTORIES, Secrets, Sanctuary, forbidden love, Take a bow, il remember ... the best of two M albums in the mid 90s followed by 1996 I want U, you'll see, one more chance, Argentina, you must love me...🥰🌹👑

[@jonnyharvey]

I love all those songs ❤

[@Veronica4u2day]

EROTICA IS HER BEST ALBUM PERIOD.............................

[@jonnyharvey]

A lot of fans do say that

[@simonc4510]

At the time I didn’t think the Girly Show was toned down AT ALL!!! It opened with a topless woman, had lots of raunchy dance routines and a simulated orgy…..😂😂😂😂 also, during this time where her sales weren’t as high, she was still the most famous woman in the world! 🤷‍♂️ also, Dallas co-produced 3 tracks on Bedtime Stories not 2 and wrote a 4th 😂😂❤️

[@maticbukovac6966]

You know too much, you know that? ;)

[@simonc4510]

@@maticbukovac6966 no such thing 😂😂😂

[@jonnyharvey]

thanks for your comment. Yes Dallas Austin produced 3 tracks, not 2 - I stand corrected. During that era, her sales weren't as high but she was still the most famous woman in the world - yes this is more than likely true; I'm not disputing that; that's not a point I made in the video?!?! My channel is more about the music not celebrity and I try not to mention it unless it influences the work. I've watched the Blonde Ambition Tour & the Girlie Show multiple times. The general consensus around both shows, was that the Girlie Show was tamer considering the Erotica video & Sex book that proceeded it - I've taken my information also from highly respected published authors and writers. But it's open to interpretation and I just didn't find a topless woman & simulated orgy all that shocked compared to simulated masturbation. But maybe that's just me

[@caseymroot]

@@jonnyharvey I disagree…from what I recall, the Blonde ambition tour‘s only major sexual/raunchy performance/moment was the Like a Virgin performance. It was explicit, but that’s all I can remember as far as highly sexual content. (By the way, the Blonde ambition tour was not named after an album either just like the Girlie Show.) I remember watching the Girlie Show on video. That show had some scandalous moments. I view the show as being in-line with her oversexed antics of the era. The topless dancer in a thong moving downwards on a very long stripper poll + the blatant S & M theme on full display during the Erotica performance + Fever with Madonna and her dancers in skimpy outfits and performing in a very sexual way. Compare that to the first two songs (I think) of the blonde ambition tour: Express yourself and Open your heart. Definitely very tame. Just fun to watch. I do not have the shows fully committed to memory, however. And of course, the orgy scene was a very sexually explicit moment! So that’s my case!

[@jonnyharvey]

@@caseymroot okay everyone's entitled to their own opinion. I didn't find the 'orgy' scene all that shocking, cause quite a few pop-stars have done group dance routines since, which resemble orgies (Britney - 'Slave 4u, Christina - 'Dirty'). Maybe that's why. Also from my perspective, considering the themes explored and styling in the Erotica video and the Sex book, the tour seemed much milder than both of these. But as I said, people can interpret things differently.

[@thisislilalice]

Bed time stories first tape I asked for

[@jonnyharvey]

You had very good taste!! I only got Bedtime Stories about ten years ago & now it’s one of my favourite Madonna albums - probably top 3 😀

[@thisislilalice]

@@jonnyharvey great album

[@ronrodriguez9741]

Very good insight for #Erotica30

[@jonnyharvey]

thank you😀

[@Johnnyboytoy12]

The audio is too low.

[@jonnyharvey]

It’s a really old video - I’ve rectified the situation since then

[@Johnnyboytoy12]

Still, It's a great video@@jonnyharvey

[@Alex-kx3cv]

Erotica is one of the reasons she is still relevant today. Not sure what you're going on about

[@sidneymoises343]

I miss a good ground breaking hit - something you can dance and sing to

[@logansanders1934]

can you get a mic so we can hear you better?

[@jonnyharvey]

I have a Rode mic out of shot above my head. I’ve raised the levels in videos since. But I did watch this video back countless times on my laptop with earphones in before I uploaded & the audio was fine.

[@tenga3tango]

Everyday is Halloween costume now for Madonna in her sixties.

[@jaymiller9254]

Talent can do that.

[@jonnyharvey]

Very true

[@ronrodriguez9741]

Taraborelli cannot get Madonna stats right though.

[@jonnyharvey]

yes I noticed that. I can't remember exactly where in the book but he gets the year of an album/movie wrong. And all you have to do is check online to get the right info!?!?

[@matheussantana2390]

You never come after Mariah. The woman is a savage at reading lol. 90s Madonna is my all time favorite. How she embodied new music genres and themes in each record is mind-blowing.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yeah 90s Madonna is my favourite. ROL & BS are my two favourite Madge albums. And yes you don’t want to piss off Mimi - nobody does shade like Mariah 😂

[@naeemrasheed9368]

Erotica didn’t do any damage to her career. Her fans loved her. Erotica was and is one of her best albums..

[@jonnyharvey]

Long-term I think it benefitted her career because she survived it and came out the other end. But the media really turned on her during that time.