Revisiting "Nothing Really Matters" by Madonna

[Ehju0901]

One of Madonna’s most underrated singles “Nothing Really Matters” has been on my playlist for the last week or so and I’ve always been curious as to why it is seemingly swept under the rug of the rest of Madonna’s huge discography.

The song was released as the fifth single from the “Ray of Light” album in March 1999.  “Ray of Light” is well known and critically acclaimed to be one of Madonna’s best albums.  Sonically, “Nothing Really Matters” fits in with the rest of the album and showcases some of Madonna’s best vocals.

Madonna was inspired by “Memoirs of a Geisha” when she filmed the music video and wore a red kimono that has been noted as one of Madonna’s iconic looks during her career.

The single was performed at the 1999 Grammy Awards and was noted as one of the best performances of the night.

The single peaked at number 93 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

After the “Ray of Light” album era came to an end, Madonna has not performed the song since (that I am aware of).

Why do you think “Nothing Really Matters” has been nonexistent since?  What are your thoughts on the song?

[Jordan Miller]

Def deserves a closer look. Thanks for sharing @Ehju0901!!

[DignifiedLove]

That entire album is a full-blown masterpiece. Arguably the greatest album by a female artist next to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. When I tell you the girls were eating in the late 90s...

[NachoCheese]

Kimono she better don't! 

My favorite song from the album 

 

[britney_rocks]

I remember when I first saw the video when I was little and parts of this video scared the crap out of me. Especially the guy stuck to the wall. 

[Blackout2006]

It is one of her best tracks. A perfectly orchestrated and wonderful blend of pop and electronica into a pop masterpiece. The visuals of the video had even influenced the developer of Silent Hill. She truly was the Main Pop Lady of that time

Still remains the greatest pop album of all time

[DignifiedLove]

1 minute ago, Blackout2006 said:

It is one of her best tracks. A perfectly orchestrated and wonderful blend of pop and electronica into a pop masterpiece. The visuals of the video had even influenced the developer of Silent Hill. She truly was the Main Pop Lady of that time

Still remains the greatest pop album of all time

The spillage  Madonna, particularly from 1995-2004, was a creative genius and an absolute mastermind. That entire era of music in general was was just brilliant.

[sullivanSP]

It did well here in the UK. 
It performed relatively well in Europe I'm sure. 
I prefer this single over ray of light, but SKIN is also criminally underrated.

[Ehju0901]

I just don’t understand why it has only been performed once...it seemed like Madonna took a lot of pride and ownership in crafting the song and even the visuals for the song.

[THE_MIKY]

I adore each song of this album. Nothing Really Matters is indeed a big track, and it did better in Europe (#16 on the Eurochart)

"Nothing Really Matters" Really Matters!

[Stefani]

Cultural appropriation did that. Will we ever get such a condescending, pretentious pop masterpiece again? Sigh, I miss the 90s. 

[Ofcoursenot]

I'm obssesed with this song lately, and the video, I just love it

[FemmeFataleBrit]

It’s normally my least favourite Madonna track from Ray of Light but all this praise is making me want to listen to it again! 

[bbbsss]

One of my favorite Madonna songs. And that look was amazing! 

[breathe_on_me_toxic]

especially obsessed with the single artwork and the remixes and that for like 15years now

[Blackout2006]

9 hours ago, SUCCESSICA IS A QUEEN said:

The spillage  Madonna, particularly from 1995-2004, was a creative genius and an absolute mastermind. That entire era of music in general was was just brilliant.

We been knew   No album to this day has come up to the brilliance and art of this record, it simply is one of those albums you will only find once a century  And she proved as well that pop music can be artistic as well  Truly the queen of pop

[Blackout2006]

7 hours ago, Stefani said:

Cultural appropriation did that. Will we ever get such a condescending, pretentious pop masterpiece again? Sigh, I miss the 90s. 

How is the video culturally appropriating Japanese culture? 

[Blackout2006]

9 hours ago, sullivanSP said:

It did well here in the UK. 
It performed relatively well in Europe I'm sure. 
I prefer this single over ray of light, but SKIN is also criminally underrated.

I missed u bestie

[ObsessedBritFan1]

 

[1stopBopshop]

Honestly, caring about chart performance is largely irrelevant enough at this point that all I can say is "Nothing really matters" is one of Madonna's best songs and if you know that I fw you heavy.