Reacting to Madonna's Music Videos 6 | Vogue, Drowned World, & Hung Up

In this video, I react to three more of Madonna's music videos-Vogue, Drowned World/Substitute for Love, and Hung Up-and break down the videos' themes and motifs.
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[@jareds2273]

All I can say is you miss nothing. Your spot on descriptions for Drowned World gave more respect for your channel. Most other reactors get about 10% of the video. You got it all and then some. Love your work!

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

Most other reactors watch it say wow she’s amazing then ask the comment section to give them info on the video. Lame as fuck. This beautiful creature just gets it. There was attitude given to him because he didn’t see all the references in one of his videos yet he still gave a 1928272 minute interpretation on that video. Which means more to me because that is what these videos are to be. Interpreted. He’s a ray of light

[@mkdfan]

I’ve been a Madonna fan for about 20 years and you’ve pointed out stuff I’d never noticed before. I’m impressed! Great video!

[@DavidMichaelCommer]

I never realized until I watched the video closely to analyze it recently that 'Vogue' has a lot of substance that I think is overshadowed by the video's substance and the fun club-y quality of the song. Vogue carries a serious message, or it did in its time, anyway, and I think it still serves as a potent time capsule of its era. While everyone who hears 'Vogue' wants to dance to it, the opening lyrics tend to be ignored: "Look around, everywhere you turn is heartache/It's everywhere that you go (look around." These are not happy lyrics! "You try everything you can to escape/The pain of life that you know (life that you know)." The opening lyrics are actually quite dark. Ultimately, Madonna directs people with difficult lives to the dance floor to "get away" from the pain of their lives. The song was inspired both by classic Hollywood during the filming of Dick Tracy and by the vogue dancers profiled in "Paris Is Burning," many (most?) of whom were homeless and/or sex workers, and many of whom tragically were HIV positive in a time when there was no viable treatment for HIV and it was ultimately a death sentence. So I believe Madonna ultimately is singing to these people, and by extension to gay men and other people who were at high risk from the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Their lives were dire, but as profiled in "Paris Is Burning,' and as we've seen in more recent years through RuPaul's Drag Race, subcultures develop to help ostracized people escape the terrors of reality. So there's that. I also think that the Old Hollywood celebs she names are not incidental and not solely aesthetic. It is true that the people she named are mostly white and mostly straight; however, some are bold exceptions. Marlon Brando was actually open throughout his entire career about being bisexual, and he was unapologetic about it. He also had sexual relationships with men of various racial backgrounds, and he protested an Academy Awards ceremony to draw attention to abuses of American Indian people. Katharine Hepburn is pretty widely accepted to have been at least bisexual, likely a lesbian, and she almost always presented with a (for the time) very masculine aesthetic and in roles of strong women. Marlene Dietrich was openly bisexual and also wore androgynous outfits. I think a primary aspect of the Old Hollywood stars that she chose to name are summarized plainly in these lines: "Ladies with an attitude /Fellas that were in the mood." I'd argue that nearly all the celebrities Madonna names here are figured into her own public persona: strong women who defy social and cultural norms, and by contrast, men who were romantic or who had less rigidly masculine personas. Madonna by this period was always playing with gender norms and blurring lines of "normal" sexual expression and interaction, and I think that in this part of the song, Madonna is effectively listing people who she admires and possibly emulates. This comes as the bridge to a song in which Madonna is telling listeners to escape the harsh realities of the real world for dance, and I think here, she's escaping harsh gender and sex norms with Old Hollywood style. I made a way-too-long video discussing some of the themes that I believe are represented in the Vogue video and the song lyrics in case anyone wants to waste time listening to me blabbering :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mavPnGWFaKt6bMU

[@GenXCellent1970]

Girl Gone Wild, What it Feels Like for a Girl, Bad Girl. The Girl video trilogy 😆😆. 😍 Love your vids!! Keep em up!!

[@jaberoni]

He already did What It Feels Like For a Girl and Bad Girl

[@salvadordehyrule7261]

Who's that girl

[@gavo1201]

You should react to "Justify my love" | "Deeper and Deeper" | "Nothing really matters". Those 3 at the same time. :)

[@Vertigotheatre1]

Oh and fun fact, Madonna was still recovering from multiple broken bones whilst filming Hung Up.

[@evilqueen6402]

and in her 50s

[@igoroslaj1082]

great reaction again :) it's so satisfying observing someone with an eye for all the tiny details... please do Deeper and deeper, Nothing really matters and Medellin next!

[@dalee72]

Madonna made the Hung Up music video a month or two after she fell off a horse & broke several bones on her 47th birthday. She was on some pain killers while making this music video. She's very dedicated & committed to her craft!

[@justsomekid33]

Great analysis as always! Always super interesting to me rewatching Hung Up knowing that she was recovering from multiple broken bones at the time after a bad horse incident.

[@Joelsellers29]

Til this day, I will always love Vogue. Will always love this song. It will always be my favorite song, ever. Loved it.

[@TheLuisatomic]

Eric + Madonna= My day just got better 🤩

[@magicslave3066]

I know i cant stop dreaming about how hot he is i could nearly die 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@gordonandyu]

I love that you explained the intention of the Vogue video so succinctly! The Hung Up video is intriguing to me because she purposely separates herself from her dancers and youth culture. They're out in the world doing modern dances all over the place, while she's confined to a run down studio, alone, in her dated outfit

[@irina1296]

Fantastic reaction as usual. You should react to Sorry next time. It's a sequel video to Hung Up

[@leandroferraz3776]

Once again you made my jaw fell to the floor, specially on the Substitute for Love analysis. Please, Eric, i need my jaw!

[@openyourchakras918]

Love love love how much you pick up on things in these videos! Thank for another amazing Madonna reaction 💗 💫

[@workinprogresssince1980]

I remember when the "Drowned World/Substitute For Love" video came out and she got highly criticized for it, because Lady D had died earlier that same year. That's why they took it down from American music video channels. You could only see the video if you had cable and had international music video channels. The song didn't even chart in the US because of the "controversy" of the video. Which is stupid, because in my opinion this is one of her best songs and music videos.

[@alrimawi]

What a reaction! The music video for vogue has such a special place in my heart. I remember being 5 and always watching my moms Immaculate Collection VHS, and when vogue would came on, I was always just glued to the TV. Didn’t take long before I was voguing in my living room and living my best fantasy. Perhaps a foreshadowing of the little gay boy just waiting to burst out haha. And I genuinely think It easily stands amongst the best music videos ever made, and in fact is often mentioned as one in various top lists. If you don’t mind me making a suggestion or two, I really really recommend you watch the 1990 MTV live performance of vogue, its probably one of the most iconic and influential performances ever with all its theatrics. You could also watch the 1991 Sooner or later live performance at the Academy awards. I’m sure so many of us would love to see your reaction to those. Anyways, thanks for another epic reaction/analysis as always Eric

[@theKarstenR]

All three videos are amazing. But 'Vogue' is such a masterpiece. Great reaction, as always. For your next one I would love to see 'Dark Ballet', 'Papa Don't Preach' and 'Ghosttown'.

[@vitalydavydov5049]

Please react to Deeper and Deeper, Justify My Love and Nothing Really Matters music videos. You'll certainly not regret a single second!

[@TheGamerClubber]

HUNG UP for sure is my favorite. Just cant stop listening...❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@todddepue681]

Many images in the Vogue video were directly inspired by Hollywood glamour photography, specifically the work of Horst. And the Tamara de Lempicka art deco paintings in the opening sequence are from Madonna's personal art collection. Great review and interpretation as always.

[@jonclingan193]

Yes more Madonna, super, love your reactions, the best XXX

[@joshuayeager3686]

Awesome as always. For the next videos, I’d absolutely love to see “Dark Ballet”, “Batuka” and “American Life (Uncensored)” please.

[@xtaticboy82]

Oh my! I now appreciate Drowned World more with your reaction.

[@londonmontgomery9342]

Drowned World is one of my favorite music videos of hers!

[@dalee72]

The photographer who was the visual influence & inspiration for the Vogue music video is Horst especially the shots of M w/ her in the white, lace up corset w/ her back to the camera & writhing.

[@ViolateTheVideo]

I think that this is your best reaction video yet. Thank you!

[@timothymiller803]

You are so unique and such a pleasure to watch.... it's nice to remember these videos and to learn something new also.... your passion reviewing these vids is amazing! Thanks

[@elgabriel2983]

I was around 20 when 'Vogue' was released, it made me come out! I was vogueing my ass off on the dance floor! ;)

[@Vertigotheatre1]

Madonna and Diana were the most photographed women in the world. This video for sure had a nod to Diana. Its a masterpiece

[@Phizpop]

Vogue and Hung Up are iconic but I’m so glad you included Drowned World. Such a great song and video and I loved your reaction. Would love to see you react to Night Work by Scissor Sisters. It’s a great album about queer identity and escapism (sex, drugs, violence, freedom) but with fantastic dance pop production

[@rogerreyes8550]

loved the seriousness in your face while making the rigor mortis comment lmao, great reaction and analysis as always!

[@dalee72]

The 2 voguers in the Vogue music video are Jose Gutierez & Luis Camacho of the House of Xtravaganza in NYC. Madonna was introduced to them by her long time friend Debi Mazar who M met in 82 at the Danceteria night club in NYC who later became an actress. They were voguing at the Sound Factory night club in NYC & M was so impressed w/ them that she asked them if they can audition for her Blond Ambition Tour. They made the cut & they helped to choreograph certain parts of the show especially for Like A Virgin & Vogue w/ their vogueing. They are also in her Truth Or Dare documentary & they have their own documentary made about them & the other male backup Blond Ambition Tour dancers called Strike A Pose made & releashed 25 yrs later. I got to meet most of them at the SF Castro Theater premiere in 06 Carlton Wilborn, Slam, Oliver Crumes, Kevin Stea & Luis Camacho. Jose was not at the premiere bcuz he was in NYC for work reason & Gabriel Trupin passed away from AIDS in 95 but his mother was there & I got to speak w/ her & take pics w/ all of them & talk w/ them for a little saying how much I admire their work.

[@dalee72]

Princess Diana passed away the year before the Drowned World/Substitute For Love music video was released in 98.

[@anthonyring3719]

Amazing reaction as always

[@Matuteilcapo]

Amazing reaction!! Bravo!!

[@softshallow7435]

Love your reactions as always! I hope you are doing well Eric! 👍🏽x

[@OBJUAN.]

Superb scrutiny of Her Majesty once again, Eric. The only thing you missed was the fact that the American dance group travel to London, signifying the Atlantic battle of dance music, which Madonna unites everyone with her musical nous. Once again. Keep the videos coming. You could try Papa Don't Preach, Ray of Light and Girl Gone Wild next. Also, I'm patiently waiting for your soon to be discovered adoration for George Michael to awaken. Just sayin' xx

[@danielmccallum9324]

Love your reactions! I reccommend reacting to sorry which is the continuation of the hung up video. The other two I don't know, they're all fantastic!

[@onasisscot]

Your little head bops are so cute.

[@dal9631]

You're amazing for acting on my suggestion(s) Thnx

[@dal9631]

All of ours Heart

[@antoniojr.sabjapelai9849]

Excellent! I really like your reactions to Madonna videos. If you accept suggestions, I think it's a great idea to make a video reacting to three live presentations, there are many that are very good and iconic! Finally, I hope that after seeing and analyzing so much Madonna material you will become a fan.

[@CGPOPPOOP]

I've been a Madonna fan since I was 5 when she first came out. I like that you brought up the significance of her inclusion of the lgbtq community with Vogue because at this time (1990) I was 10 and honestly remember her being the only big name I knew of who did that and can't explain how much things like that helped a little gay kid growing up in a small Texas town.

[@ethypoo]

you still have to react to her first album, Like A Virgin, Hard Candy, and MDNA! please react to her music videos for Papa Don’t Preach, Deeper And Deeper, and Dark Ballet!

[@ericacarreiro9299]

Love your channel.. love Madonna

[@Metube99able]

Love your eloquence and voice, man.

[@yanvat3258]

Your analysis was great once again! Suggestions for you: Erotica, Don’t tell me, Hollywood

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

Yesss thisssssssssss

[@workinprogresssince1980]

He already did a Hollywood video reaction.

[@tylerwestbrook2392]

He reacted to Hollywood

[@madmandonna1]

You should react to Flesh Tone by Kelis, I think it's one of the best EDM albums ever, and it's lyrically brilliant. I think you'll like it. Kelis is such an underrated talent.

[@weatherlicious]

Sorry, I have no idea what you did since your smile hypnotized me....I'll re watch. :)

[@ryan1976]

Next three videos: "Borderline", "Rain" and "Get Together" (European version)

[@alaindemon4541]

Why Get together?

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

Yea wtf

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

Borderline, rain, power of goodbye

[@chrisel9466]

Borderline is boooring

[@2609israel]

@@Mysicalgreenunicorn03 power of goodbye 😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Joelsellers29]

Also, as a gay man, in the early 90s, it was so awesome to see this. Gays upfront and center, no holds barred. Totally changed my idea of the stereotypical homosexual behavior that I had been exposed to as a kid in a Baptist Church. Thank God for Madonna, and her embracing the LGBt world. Also, Drowned World was reportedly recorded after Giovanni Versace's assassination. Should check out her VMA speech about Princess Di.

[@ErosWhite]

LMAO at that the office reference

[@duane_313]

Wow! I actually never seen the "drowned world" mysic video until now. I see where Britney got the inspiration for "everytime" 👀

[@brendenc8376]

During the '90's Madonna was the 2nd most photographed woman in the world, Princess Diana was No.1... So I think Madonna was absolutely entitled to make a video referencing not only the media's obsession for famous people, but everyones obsession...

[@soaribb32]

I've seen that, some movie scenes were reproduced in some parts of Vogue.

[@domeniconatella1457]

Girl gone wild/living for love/crave

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

When you said this is reminiscent of Princess of Diana I gasped because this video is exactly what it was paying homage to. Fuck

[@TIVOSTUDIOS]

I was clubbing in London at that time, and this song was everywhere, she was living here at that time married to Guy Ritchie, is funny how things change people were surprised how she could still be that pretty and successful at 45, now im 45 myself and I'm no different in appearance or ambition from that time, no clubbing anymore ( not because of my age but because I have done that for 14 years and it got boring for me ) but remixes of that song were everywhere

[@caranofarusoliveirasousafa844]

Madonna ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

Hang on. You haven’t seen the vogue video yet? Or Hung Up? Sweet summer child.

[@TheMH1001]

I have been a fan of Madonna for a very long time say from the beginning. LOL! I have been watching you back-to-back for about 6 hours now. Mr. Mason how are you so astute? How do you see and understand so much of Madonna's "Easter Eggs"? You see what most do not or cannot with such exactment for the intended purpose of Madonna's overall message. Even much more than veterans professionals and hardcore fans. You do not let whatever they may be your personal beliefs cloud her music. You are completely objective. Where so many claim they are but are full distain from preconceived beliefs, hype or prejudices. Take a pick there so many to choose from in her body of work. All the nay-sayers which usually are they themselves to some degree the antagonists in many of her songs do not recognize that fact bc as usual they are stuck on visuals that they truly do not even begin to grasp its symbolistic use in her work. Which I am sure you already noticed are not there by accident and their meaning and use usually are referencing a deeper meaning or used as a "mirror" of sorts to show the reality of the societal message. You said that your family studied classical music? Do you have a degree in philosophy specifically iconography or semiotics? You're extremely bright and that is apparently clear in your articulation. You really haven't missed much, a few subtleties? Things that for the most part not necessarily implied but knowledge of her life. For example, in Like A Virgin (awesome analysis), I'm not sure if you watched the video bc you reacted to the album but if you look closely at Madonna's wedding dress, she is wearing items that would have been worn by a hooker in bordellos. Her dress at first look like an ordinary wedding dress until she opens it and stands up then its micro mini in the front and traditional in the back. In this particular song and video everything you said was accurate however many times Madonna is both Antagonist and Protagonist in her videos. Her sexual past vs how she feels presently in the song are at odds because religious/society's views are that a whore can't be a virginal bride. Madonna as most girls growing up dressed up in her mother's or grandmother's wedding dress (there is a picture of that online somewhere) so she had a lot of inner conflict with that concept, so she purposely played both sides. You wouldn't know that unless you watched every interview, documentary, and every book, article etc., right? She did the same thing in Material Girl and where it is most obvious is in the video for Die Another Day. It is sprinkled in a lot of her work even if so subtle bc many of the causes, movements and messages Madonna sings about to some degree have affected her directly or indirectly by her friends, family & group of people usually marginalized and entire countries. She has among her many talents that are not given enough recognition by society at large is a knack for writing lyrics. She most times, I'd say 99.99% of the time removes any obvious 1st hand references to her lyrics making the song universally relatable. It is not easy to write a hit pop song. Perfect example is Live to Tell even though it is a ballet. She wrote those lyrics in 5 mins and the track cut was recorded on a tape deck in one take. However, we have no idea what she is referring to exactly. "A man can tell a thousand lies. I've learned my lesson well. Hope I live to tell. The secret I have learned, til then... It will burn inside of me." (Interesting back story as told by P. Leonard & M. Jackson is part of the story but not involved with her song directly. Professor of Rock interviews P.L.: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmPahayqapaJsMk). I'm sure you will find it interesting. In sharp contrast to the lyrics for "She's Not Me!" which denote the exact nature of her subject matter. Let me stop here. LOL!!.

[@ericmason6540]

What Madonna music videos should I react to next? :)

[@80sfreak14]

Like A Virgin, Sorry and Live To Tell Edit: you should do Sorry next as it's a direct sequel to Hung Up

[@FabStage]

Rain, Nothing Really Matters and Deeper and Deeper

[@jonclingan193]

The 2019 ones but you may have done so? Medalin, god control, crave, dark ballet etc

[@calcutta1642]

Nothing Really Matters and Deeper and Deeper

[@calcutta1642]

Music & Medellin

[@amedeo29]

I have a soft spot in my heart for early 90s pop. PLEASE consider reacting to any of these: Sade/Love Deluxe (1992) Annie Lennox/Diva (1992) George Michael/Listen without prejudice (1990) Pet Shop Boys/Behaviour (1990) K.d. Lang/Ingenue (1992) Depeche Mode/Violator (1990) Seal/Seal (1991) New Order/Republic (1993) 🧡💛❤️🧡💛❤️ Love from Minneapolis PS - I’m patiently waiting for you to dive into Pet Shop Boys discography. If I’m the only one interested, I promise I’ll watch them 500 times myself!

[@domeniconatella1457]

Open your heart/ Nothing really matters/sorry

[@charfras4767]

Madonna never released substitute for love because she made it earlier that year for the 1998 release of ray of light She also didn’t release her original video for American life because it was about war before we went to war Madonna was the 2nd most photographed person only compared to Diana And her neighbors in la and nyc rented there homes to paparazzi to take photos of her at her home Sick She is also so right on that the worst controversial thing she’s done is grow older People seem obsessed with destroying her because she still alive. That is deadly ironic They are more vicious today that 30 years ago Sad I love how Whitney kept defending Madonna all the up until her death in 2012. Watching Whitney dance to madonnas Super Bowl performance was beautiful to watch

[@JC-fq9pi]

Please do "Deeper and Deeper", "You'll See", and "Crave"!!!

[@terrycrawford1476]

Hung Up has a sequel song/video called Sorry.

[@domeniconatella1457]

Burning up/ Don't tell me/Medellín

[@dal9631]

My algarythms are not working so well. Thankfully, I check in with you

[@jareds2273]

Have you considered talking about the nominees for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

[@tylerwestbrook2392]

I really like your reaction to these videos. Tell me something. What were your thoughts about the academy awards this past sunday? Did it put you to sleep like me? Were you satisfied with the winners? What kind of movies do you like? Will you see the new my hero academia movie when it comes out? Have you seen the demon slayer movie yet? Will you see it? Please I need to know 🥺

[@ericmason6540]

Thank you! I enjoyed the Oscars overall. I liked that the winners had more time for their speeches, though some more breaks in the talking (performances, clips from movies, etc.) would have been nice. I only saw a small handful of the nominated movies, but the winners all seemed like good picks. I enjoy a wide variety of movies, but lately I've been getting more into horror. And I don't keep up very much with anime, but I'll add MHA and Demon Slayer to my watchlist. :)

[@dal9631]

Hey, Eric how's it going?

[@steven-yu3tu]

The song “Swim” from the ROL album was inspired by the death of Princess Diana and the murder of Gianni Versace. She discusses in an interview with Oprah what a scary time it was to be a celebrity. I do not recall any “controversy”, but anything Madonna does inevitably someone has an opinion of it. ...Never caught the reference to the hyenas on the TV.....nice catch

[@amedeo29]

I’m starting to lose track of what you’ve already seen 😂 I’m gonna say Rain, Papa don’t preach, 4 Minutes.

[@domeniconatella1457]

Borderline/Justify My love/ Bitch I'm Madonna

[@Epuertasr]

Nothing Really Matters!

[@dal9631]

You would not snap in half, trust me. Just be yourself

[@Vertigotheatre1]

Nobody does videos like her.

[@paulgrande1090]

Next time you will have to include “Sorry” as it is the continuation of “hung up”

[@rusbelcue8030]

I think you should watch music and take a bow my baby As a secret