191 Points
Number of Voters: 18
Highest Voters: lovesong (#1); Zoraluv & trinafan92 (#5)
Billboard 200 Peak: #3
RIAA Certification: 3x Platinum
October 25, 1994
Dance-pop/R&B/AC
Quote:
Madonna’s main goal with this album was to gain back favor with the general public after she had alienated nearly everyone with her Erotica album (which we’ll see soon). Although Bedtime Stories sounds warmer and more inviting sonically than it’s predecsssor, lyrically it still has a lot of the angst and sadness that characterizes Erotica. Besides the eulogy to her deceased mother (Inside of Me) and the **** you to all of her critics (Human Nature) a lot of this album’s lyrics sound a bit odd when you really listen to them. She calls rejection an aphrodisiac in Forbidden Love and seems to find pleasure in the darker sides of life in Sanctuary. These are not the lyrics of a happy person. She’d go on to find peace with her Ray of Light album, but Bedtime Stories will always stand as a bit of a transitional album in Madonna’s career and life.
Survival – This song is like Human Nature’s non-evil twin. She basically states that she has no regrets about her decisions throughout the song. It’s grown on me a bit. – 6.5
Secret – A Madonna classic. This song moves along at a perfect pace and features a great vocal from Madonna. – 9
I’d Rather Be Your Lover – This song is a bit boring. Me’shell Ndegocello can’t even save this song (and she’s my 3rd favorite artist ever). This song has a bit more of an organic sound than any of the other songs on the album. – 6
Don’t Stop – Pure filler but filler that’s absolutely delicious. – 8.5
Inside of Me – This song is in tribute to Madonna’s mother who died when she was a child. This song relies on it’s groove way too much and Promise to Try from the Like A Prayer album does the whole tribute to my mother thing way better. – 5.5
Human Nature – I don’t think Madonna had ever recorded an album with such a strong hip hop influence before this song. It wouldn’t have sounded out of place on 90s urban radio at all. Madonna basically gives the finger to all the people who failed to understand her previous album, bashed her previous album, or didn’t give a damn about her previous album (so basically 99.95% of the world’s population in 1994). – 9
Forbidden Love – Smooth and almost jazzy. Reminds me a bit of Waiting from Erotica (both songs remind me of a café scene in an old movie for some reason). – 10
Love Tried To Welcome Me – See Forbidden Love. – 8.5
Sanctuary – Lyrically disturbing but sonically brilliant. Really shows how unhappy Madonna must have been during this time of her life. – 10
Bedtime Story – This song (along with Sanctuary) gives a bit of a clue as to the direction Madonna would take with her music after this album. A brilliant trace song (and do I see Björk in the writer’s credits?). – 10
Take A Bow – Ehhh…. Babyface did much better songs in the 90s. This song isn’t bad by any stretch, but it’s a bit of a snoozer in my opinion. Not the best album closer (and Madonna’s album closer’s are usually great). – 7
195 Points
Number of Voters: 13
Highest Voters: frantic, Mastamaind, & Robert (#1); Lucas32 & Passion4MyMusic (#2)
Billboard 200 Peak: #1
RIAA Certification: 10x Platinum (Diamond)
September 24, 1991
Grunge Rock
Quote:
This album has been praised by the critics to no end, so I was expecting to have all kinds of aural and sexual orgasms while listening. Well that didn’t happen. But the album still has its merits. Most of the songs seem to have a very specific sound that immediately identifies them as Nirvana songs. They pack a hard punch, but they’re not gonna alienate people who don’t typically listen to rock music. These songs are downright CATCHY, which must’ve pissed off Kurt Cobain to no end. It’s not surprising that Nirvana left this sound behind for their next album.
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Overrated and I dare you to tell me otherwise. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not BAD, but there are much better songs within the genre, within the decade, and within this very album. I think a large part of this song’s acclaim stems from how it managed to break down barriers and get grunge really recognized by mainstream media. – 7.5
In Bloom – This song is the epitome of irony. Cobain sings against people who listen to his music and music like his and “like to sing along” without understanding it at all. Yet this album was purchased by millions of people around the world who probably did just that. And besides, if Kurt didn’t want people singing along to his music, he shouldn’t have made it so god damn catchy! – 10
Come As You Are – It’s a bit lacking in intensity in my opinion, but it’s still great. Cobain’s gravelley voice really compliments this song IMO. – 8.5
Breed – This is possibly my favorite song on the album. From the time that guitar riff starts up, this song never relents in its driving force. – 10
Lithium – Love love love. – 9
Polly – This sparse song was inspired by the rape and torture of a young Seattle girl after a rock concert. It’s told from the rapist POV. Disturbing, haunting, but amazing at the same time. – 10
Territorial Pissings - Nothing special IMO. Not bad by any stretch, but one of the weaker songs. I’m just not a fan of songs with such unintelligible lyrics. – 6
Drain You – Wasn’t this song about some chick? The imagery is soooo graphic. This song is like romantic anger personified, from the lyrics to the instrumentation to the not quite frenzied pace. – 8
Lounge Act – Starts with a bass solo (who the hell does that? ). Nothing special. – 6
Stay Away – Not as memorable as most of the other songs on the album. – 5
On a Plain – Nice song. But again, I almost feel like some of these songs are lacking in something. Maybe I need to listen to In Utero again, because these songs are -7
Something in the Way – A slow and mournful tune. I love the way this song is sung. It’s definitely possible to have emotion and still not need to raise your voice in a song. – 9
Endless, Nameless – This song sounds just a bit eerie with the constant guitar distortions throughout. I wonder what it’d sound like while under the influence. - 8
One of her best albums, I love Sanctuary so much.
Its amazing. It made this far, so deserving. 
). Nothing special. – 6 
- 8