Something to Remember - Madonna (CD 1995)

With her 1992 release of Erotica and 1994 release of Bedtime Stories, Madonna had strayed from her usual material. She shocked the world with her graphic display of nudity (i.e. her book Sex) and called into question her tastes and talents.

The release of Something to Remember started Madonna's transition - from erotic, weirdo chick to a more mellower, laid back woman. Just look at the cd cover - Madonna actually has a softer look to her - unlike the drag queen look on the cover of Bedtime Stories.

Touted as a collection of Madonna's great ballads, Something to Remember also includes three new tracks - I Want You, You'll See, and One More Chance.

This was the only Madonna cd I didn't have in my collection until recently. I think I was out to lunch in 1995 when this came out . Glad I added it - it's a definite must have for any Madonna fan.

Tracks

I Want You
Madonna takes this remake of Marvin Gaye's 1976 version and makes it more smoldering and seductive. I want you the right way, I want you but I want you to want me too. Want you to want me baby, Just like I want you . The music draws you into a world of seduction. You may not even realize the song ends until...Grade: B+

I'll Remember
This was a poor choice for the second track. You're all worked up from the first single, then you hear this and are immediately snapped out of the mood. From the motion picture, With Honors, this ballad is pretty bubble-gummish. I'll remember the strength that you gave me, now that I'm standing on my own. I'm not sure what Madonna or her buddy Patrick Leonard was thinking when they wrote this. Must have been the added third party of Richard Page. Grade: C

Take A Bow
Ah! Now, getting back to the mood we were in before that other silly song interfered...This is one of my favorite Madonna tunes. Written by Madonna and Babyface, this song has a great look and feel to it. Musically, I love the flowing movement of the strings. Lyrically, the words express the struggle we watch others go through as they lead two different lives - one public and one private. All of the world is a stage, and everyone has their part. Babyface adds backup vocals to this track. Is originally on her Bedtime Stories cd. Grade: A

You'll See
One of the new singles, written by pop-guru David Foster and Madonna. You don't really recognize it as a David Foster inspired song until you get to the chorus. The chorus is more melodic while the individual verses are more dark and haunting. You think that I can't live without your love, you'll see. Grade: B

Crazy For You
After 15 + years, this song is still as sweet as it was when it was first released on the motion picture soundtrack, Vision Quest. It reminds you of youth, innocence, and that first time you felt romantic love. I never wanted anyone like this. It's all brand new. You feel it in my kiss. I'm crazy for you. This also appears on her Immaculate Collection cd. Grade: A-

This Used To Be My Playground
From the 1992 motion picture League of Their Own. Anyone who has memories of a special place from their childhood will identify with this song. Childhood is always a time we all look back on and reflect upon. Regrets, sadness, hope, innocence, happiness - just a bucketful of emotions. As a sidenote, I loved the video. Flipping forward through a scrapbook and then back again as the song winds down, was a great concept - a person flipping back in time through their memories and then closing the chapter and coming back into reality. Appears on two other cd's - the soundtrack to League of Their Own and Barcelona Gold. Grade: A-

Live to Tell
Another one of my all-time favorite Madonna song. This happens to be from the Sean Penn era - a time when she was penning (no pun intended!) several great tunes that were story-oriented. Everytime the intro part starts up, it gives me chills. No explanations to give for this. The song has dramatic highs and lows that compliment Madonna's vocal range well. From the motion picture, At Close Range, this single appears in two other cd's - True Blue and Immaculate Collection. Grade: A

Love Don't Hear Anymore remix version
I am not a big fan of this particular ballad although it was one of the better songs on one of her weaker cd's - Like A Virgin. This is supposed to be a remixed version but I can't tell any significant differences between this one and the original. Grade: B-

Something to Remember
Over time, this ballad has grown on me tremendously. Originally from the motion picture Dick Tracy, it does a great job of integrating Madonna's deep, throaty range, with a flowing movement of strings. Grade: B+

Forbidden Love
This is the second Babyface collaboration. He also provides backing vocals. This track has a very seductive, R&B sound to it. Like I Want You, you can't help but be drawn in. I don't, I don't care if it's not right, to have your arms around me. I want to feel what it's like to, take all of you inside of me. Originally from the Bedtime Stories cd. Grade: B+

One More Chance
The intro - a strong acoustical guitar sound - actually had me believing that this was a Babyface influenced tune. As soon as she started singing, I realized it was not. The words were too lovey-like. This is the second David Foster and Madonna collaboration. An appropriate, you've-caught-me, now-I-just-need-one-more-chance, song. Grade: B+

Rain
I really used to like this song a lot. I don't hate it, but certain things about it get on my nerves. For example, in the middle of the song, there's a synthesizer section that sounds bizarre and unnecessary. Also, Madonna speaks instead of sings. It just messes up the flow of the song. The single also appears on the Erotica cd. Grade: B-

Oh Father
A very dramatic and emotional song, both lyrically and musically. You can't make me cry, you once had the power, I never felt so good about myself. The video is a bit haunting - you definitly get the sense that the lyrics are 100% autobiographical. A little girl does several things. She watches her mother funeral, she dances on her mother's grave, she plays dress up with her mother's clothes, and she watches her father fall apart in a violent way. One of my all-time favorites. You can also catch this single on the Like A Prayer and Immaculate Collection cd's. Grade: A+

I Want You Orchestral with Massive Attack
See track #1, add a more raspy Madonna, mix with some spoken lyrics, and more strings. Grade: B+

Ballads I Would Have Chosen
We were pretty close in agreement of which songs to include on this cd however, I would have switched out With Honors and Love Don't Live Here Anymore and replaced with Bad Girl (which would have been an excellent track to follow I Want You!) and Promise to Try