This Day in Pop: Madonna's album Ray Of Light is released

[Midnight]

 

Ray of Light is Madonna's seventh studio album, released on February 22, 1998.

The universally acclaimed album won four Grammys and has sold over 16 million copies worldwide.

"Frozen", "Ray of Light", "Drowned World/Substitute for Love", "The Power of Good-Bye" and "Nothing Really Matters" were the five singles released from this album.

 

"Frozen" was the first single released.The song talks about a cold and emotionless human being. The music video received a MTV Video Music Award for "Best Special Effects".

 

"Ray of Light" was the second single released. The freedom themed song was nominated for three Grammy Awards; Record of the Year, Best Dance Recording, and Best Short Form Music Video, winning the last two. 

 

"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" was the third single. It is an ambient pop song which lyrically describes Madonna's spiritual transformation to seek authentic love over superficial alliances.

 

"The Power of Good-Bye" was the fourth single. The song is about how free and empowering saying good-bye or ending a relationship can feel

 

"Nothing Really Matters" released as the fifth single. The song delves on the singer's first daughter Lourdes Leon, having also themes of selfishness, affection, and motherhood.

 

Regarded as one of the greatest pop albums of all time, Ray of Light celebrates it's anniversary today.

What is your favorite song from this iconic album ?

 

 

 

 

[PokemonSpears]

I've never listened to the album, but I do remember watching Ray of Light video as a kid. I also remember Frozen and Nothing Really Matters.

The Power of Good-bye I only discovered it through Exhale last year, or a couple of years ago.

 

Maybe it's time to finally listen to the album in full

[THE_MIKY]

MASTER PIECE

[Blackout2006]

The Greatest Pop Record of All Time  For personal records, people usually take slow Rn'B or ambient music to make their records but Madonna being Madonna, took electronica, house, techno and trance...these 4 genres solely known for dancing and upbeat music to create such a risky, mysterious, euphoric and ethereal record. I often find myself being too defensive on this record when someone trashes it, but that is because it was a beam of light to my recovery from the worst year of my life. The title track (Ray Of Light) and Someday (I Will Understand) were songs that really were what helped me during tough times, and that is why I respect this album so much  I really wish Madonna would dodge all the politics, dramas, scandals, instagram and just....go back to making music like this. Music that made her the queen of pop. I feel so proud to own the vinyl of this gorgeous record

EDIT: My favorite tracks from the album is a strong tie between Drowned World and Sky Fits Heaven

 

[Blackout2006]

@GODNEY IS A QUEEN as my fellow ROL stan, I am waiting for yr reply

[DignifiedLove]

30 minutes ago, Blackout2006 said:

@GODNEY IS A QUEEN as my fellow ROL stan, I am waiting for yr reply

Top 5 greatest pop albums of all time. Legendonna did THAT.

[Blackout2006]

25 minutes ago, GODNEY IS A QUEEN said:

Top 5 greatest pop albums of all time. Legendonna did THAT.

And we will deal

[DignifiedLove]

1 minute ago, Blackout2006 said:

And we will deal

Period sweets

And none for Confessions On a FLOP Floor

[Blackout2006]

12 minutes ago, GODNEY IS A QUEEN said:

Period sweets

A masterpiece, if u ask me yr honor '

12 minutes ago, GODNEY IS A QUEEN said:

And none for Confessions On a FLOP Floor

Confessions on a slay floor is amazing too so there is room for it always sweetie

[Danielle1987]

Iconic. Introduced a new generation to Madonna. 

[A.NP]

35 minutes ago, Blackout2006 said:

A masterpiece, if u ask me yr honor '

Confessions on a slay floor is amazing too so there is room for it always sweetie

Count me in as a huge Madonna fan. Confessions was a great record too

[Blackout2006]

34 minutes ago, A.NP said:

Count me in as a huge Madonna fan. Confessions was a great record too

Looks like u have got a new friend @Spicechinodiva 

[Jordan Miller]

What a day

[Lukas1896]

Ray Of Light is just... ugh! so iconic, so legendary, so goooood!

Madonna did THAT with this album

[MIKE_INT]

True Masterpiece !

[Spicechinodiva]

It also won Best pop vocal album..

 

Unfortunately the vocals on this album, led to natural slow decline in her vocals, as she pushed herself a lot vocally..

 

To be a woman turning 40, right when teen pop was taking its place.

 

The Japan exclusive bonus track Has to be, is also very haunting,  and one of Rupaul's queens said this album, helped her not commit suicide at all.

 

She even said everybody wants someone to do this album as well as Madonna,  it's a one time deal, Even Madonna's life moved on from this era, and she would continue this sound until 2008's Hard Candy. She would go back to it on 2012's MDNA, but this time everybody was doing electronic music.

 

Though the William orbit track's proved to the critics that Madonna and William still got it. 

[Stefani]

I can't believe there are people here who haven't actually listened to Ray of Light in its entirety; it's basically a gay rite of passage to listen to all of Madonna's albums. Gay of Light is a terrific album and arguably her best one in terms of production and songwriting. 

[MamboDoesItBetter]

This album is the BLUE PRINT for every pop girl that wanted to change up their sound and be taken to another direction. M bended the rules of pop yet again my taking control of her sound and visuals and taking them to a more personal avenue. 

[MamboDoesItBetter]

4 hours ago, Spicechinodiva said:

It also won Best pop vocal album..

 

Unfortunately the vocals on this album, led to natural slow decline in her vocals, as she pushed herself a lot vocally..

 

To be a woman turning 40, right when teen pop was taking its place.

 

The Japan exclusive bonus track Has to be, is also very haunting,  and one of Rupaul's queens said this album, helped her not commit suicide at all.

 

She even said everybody wants someone to do this album as well as Madonna,  it's a one time deal, Even Madonna's life moved on from this era, and she would continue this sound until 2008's Hard Candy. She would go back to it on 2012's MDNA, but this time everybody was doing electronic music.

 

Though the William orbit track's proved to the critics that Madonna and William still got it. 

Falling Free and Masterpiece were definitely long lost children of the Ray Of Light album.

[breathe_on_me_toxic]

amazing post and amazing photos.

I remeber it so vividly in primary school. suddenly many girls tryed henna in their hair and on their hands.

and always had it in the back of my mind as march release

skin, Sky fits Heaven, Mer Girl, The Power of Good-Bye ,Little Star & Drowned World / Substitute for Love (and all the others )

and has to be would be my faves.

 

also listen to the unreleased Liquid Love (and cyber raga, a b side of the dont tell me single; and obvl bedtime story.). COAD and spotlight are my other faves of her. obvl. true blue,  like a virgin, music, like a prayer, erotica, american life and madonna are also on top for me.

5 hours ago, Spicechinodiva said:

The Japan exclusive bonus track Has to be, is also very haunting,  and one of Rupaul's queens said this album, helped her not commit suicide at all.