Bedtime Story (Madonna song)

"Bedtime Story"
"Bedtime Story"
Single by Madonna
from the album Bedtime Stories
B-side	"Survival"
Released	February 13, 1995
Recorded	1994
Studio	Chappell (Encino, California)
Genre	Electronica; Dance-pop;
Length	4:53
Label	Maverick; Sire; Warner Bros.;
Songwriter(s)	Björk; Nellee Hooper; Marius De Vries;
Producer(s)	Madonna; Nellee Hooper;
Madonna singles chronology
Music video
	"Bedtime Story" on YouTube

"Bedtime Story" is a song by American singer Madonna from her sixth studio album, Bedtime Stories (1994). In Australia and most European countries, it was released as the third single from the album on February 13, 1995, whereas in the United States, the release date was two months later, on April 11. The song was written by Icelandic singer Björk, and British producers Nellee Hooper and Marius De Vries. Madonna was a fan of Björk's Debut album and, through Hooper, got in contact with her and asked her to collaborate on a song. Not being a big fan of Madonna's work, Björk was initially reluctant at the idea, but eventually accepted. She based the lyrics on ideas and concepts she had always wanted to hear Madonna say, and recorded a demo alongside Hooper. Originally titled "Let's Get Unconscious", the demo was re-worked and produced by Madonna and Hooper, who also changed its name to "Bedtime Story".

Unlike the rest of the parent album, which leans towards Adult contemporary, "Bedtime Story" is an electronic song with ambient, dance, acid house and new-age tones. Its lyrics talk about the joys of unconsciousness. Official remixes were commissioned by British duo Orbital, and American DJ Junior Vasquez. Critics reacted positively towards "Bedtime Story", praising its sound and deeming it a highlight from the album. In retrospective reviews, it has been referred to as one of Madonna's most underrated singles, and the one that foreshadowed her move towards electronic music in her posterior work.

"Bedtime Story" had a weak commercial reception in the United States, peaking at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100; nonetheless, it became Madonna's seventeenth number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. The single fared better in the United Kingdom, where it reached the top-ten. Directed by Mark Romanek, the music video for "Bedtime Story" had a budget of US$5 million (US$10 million in 2023^[1]), making it one of the most expensive of all time. It features surrealistic and new age imagery, with influences from artists such as Remedios Varo, Frida Kahlo and Leonora Carrington. The visual was lauded by critics and is permanently displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Madonna performed "Bedtime Story" live at the 1995 Brit Awards, and almost thirty years later on the Celebration Tour (2023―2024). A remix was used as video interlude on 2004's Re-Invention World Tour.

^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.

[inflation-US-1] 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.

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