I think deconstructing a "late 90s" but extremely "EMDish" song such as Ray of Light would be close to impossible... probably a zillion unrecognizable electrotracks and a couple (including vocals and strings at the beginning) that would make sense to the common ears.
Every time someone says that I put too much instrumentation into my songs/productions, I point them to your channel to show how meticulous and detailed the greatest hits are in practically every aspect. From the instrumental arrangements to the vocal arrangements, everything was very well thought out (and played, obviously). I mentioned this in another video: your excitement with each of the tracks (regardless of the song, style or artist) is exactly what I feel when I listen to my playlist on a daily basis. Thank you for your analysis, all of this only makes us improve as musicians or producers.
Greetings from Greece!!! I really enjoyed this so much! Kudos for such a nicely presented video! Hearing all the different parts it's amazing how we often don't realize how many different music pieces - synth or not - make up a song. Another thing I like about your videos is the positive feeling you radiate all through the video. You are very considerate and respectful to the artist's work and to all the work that went into making the song from all the talented people. I also want to emphasize the fact that Madonna's vocals had no auto-tune effects as so many vocals today do.
I was 18 when this came out. I'm nearly 60 now. It's great that a new generation is appreciating this song. You cannot understand the impact this had on the musical landscape.
What I love about these videos is how you get to see how a 'sound' comes together even if some tracks are not recognizable on the final mix. As a huge fun. This song has been updated on every Madonna tour. From the confessions sound to the incredible ballad version from MDNA. Just admirable.
This was incredible to hear! I would LOVE to hear MATERIAL GIRL, INTO THE GROOVE, ANGEL and the single version of BORDERLINE. All of those have so many mesmerizing sounds layered on top of each other as they bubble along!
I wonder if regular listeners notice how many notes in Madonna's vocal track are technically off, meaning had they been recorded today they would have been pitch corrected, (eg. auto-tuned). Back then, when we had no pitch correction, we did vocal takes until we had a track that sounded good. (Which this vocal obviously does). The difference today is we correct pitch regardless if it's really needed or not. Instead of listening to the vocal in context and decide if it's sounds good as is. It has become a trap similar to the "Loudness Wars" before streaming took off: No one wants to be the odd one out caught with a bum note. But I do think it robs contemporary music of life.
I believe they also had her sing it with the tape slowed down and then pitched it back up to make her sound more youthful or sing in that higher register without too much strain
@@DepressedMode I don't know, I feel she played a lot with her voice in those early years, going from this very girly voice to that deeper, elongated larynx voice - sometimes within the same phrase. It doesn't seem she needed the tape speed trick to get to this. Of course I could be wrong.
Nile Rogers is a genius. Using big live “rock” drums on such a light pop song in the 80’s when they could’ve easily used a basic drum machine to be with the times-risk taking production!
Oh wow! I didn’t know there’d be another Adelaidean™ around my age who knows and appreciates pop masterpieces like you do! (I’m so thankful my feed recommended me _“Love Will Never Do [Without You]”_ a while back now, it’s been on repeat ever since!) 😄🙌🏾👌🏾💃🏽🎶☀️✨ Hope to see you examine _“Sittin’ Up In My Room”_ by Brandy, or the _✨Sugababes’✨_ renown hits, I’m going to see them this January in Melbourne with my Brother, and we’re so dang excited!!!!! 🥳🙌🏾🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉💃🏽💃🏼💃🏻🎙️🔥🎶🪩🌟✨
That strange "baby" sample was used in the extended dance remix, which by the sounds of it are the actual stems you're listening to. The remix is very similar, just a few overdubs by Jellybean and an extended intro, outro and mid-section.
This one was very well deconstructed. Congrats on ur videos (specifically this one!). I used to do the same with the stems I am able to get (just for fun) and it is specially amazing when they are songs so-well known like this one which you know by heart (bit by bit). Now, in these track, u have the drums intro of the extended version of Like a Virgin and a couple of synth tracks for that version too. On the outro, several of the tracks are not used in the album or single version, only on the 12” which was played on the radio like A LOT bcs it was not really that long so single and 12” were very interchangeable, but personally I had a preference for the 12” which has just grown over the years (bcs thru the decades it didnt come on the radio or streaming any more). It is not in the vynil and then they added it as a bonus in the remastered cd. Keep bringing us songs like this… and when the vocals are intricated focus on the main and background vocals too!!!
I was thinking exactly the same as I watched the video. Many takes here are actually from the 12" Extended Dance Remix by John Jellybean Benitez (strings, cowbell, synth fills, the vocal samples) and are not heard in the album version. I keep an original copy from 1984 in my 12" collection.
@@eduvinyl That's the one (the extended dance remix by Jellybean)! but in my cd, it is still quite long (over 6 mins) - so in my poor memory it was like that 12" but not as long for radio (as if they had cut the instrumental parts for the 2nd verse, the unnecessary repetitions etc... trim here and trim there to make it more radio friendly time wise)...but the instrumental synth bridge is like imprinted in my brain. Of course, almost 40 yrs ago - my memory is not to be trusted 100% - they also played the OG version like 3 times in a row some times... Maybe 6+ mins were not as much :)
@@federicochang3249 It was the heyday of Extended Versions. 12" singles were everywhere, people loved them and dance to them in clubs. Even radios received promo copies for broadcasting, so it was not unusual to hear the longer mixes, even if they were well over 6 or 7 minutes long. The Extended Version of "Open Your Heart" from 1986, by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero, was over 10 minutes long. :)
You have fast become one of my favorite RUclipsrs. We have such similar music tastes. And the way you completely break these songs apart gives me this brand new fascination I've never had before. Amazing job! EDIT: If you ever get the chance, I would LOVE to see one of these with Britney Spears' Stronger. She had such unique vocals on the choruses of that album, I've always been curious about how it was achieved.
So Glad I was in a BAND @17 yrs old when this came out & buying ALL THISE GREAT SYNTHS that we all recognize today. ROLAND JUPITER, Juno… YAMAHA DX7… a MUST HAVE!🎹🎚🎧☺️
Loved this video the vocals were it for my ears you are so good at what you do and how’s that playlist of everyone’s songs going? Liked and subbed as always 😊😊😊😊
As a huge M fan since 1983 I always wondered what the quirky synth noises were a breakdown of from the 12” single (Extended dance mix) and you played them at 7:15 - 8:00 and it’s her voice saying “Baby” Thank you so much for this. I adore vocal chops. They were always so prominent in her 80’s mixes, especially by Shep Pettibone. PLEASE do Into the Groove next, the You can Dance remix. I beg of you!!! 💙🙏💙
Interesting video as always! I definitely think Get together from her confessions album or Frozen would make for a great breakdown since they both have some really interesting and unique melodies/components.
So cool to be able to hear parts of the song in isolation. Really enjoying all of these videos on your channel! I’m curious, where are you finding these multitracks? I thought they were owned by the record label (who are reluctant to give people access?)
Yeah I downloaded these stems as well and discovered that the song actually has a pretty long outro/ jam session that was cut out on the final track but it was cool to hear
oh wow .. please .. i'm a statring music maker .. two inquireis: 1-Where do we buy stems from? 2-can we use any of the stems commercially?.. like to use one - or more- of the stems in a song that you wanna launch.. for maybe a band jinlge or even a regular song ? Thanks in Advacne !
Please break down : -- "Frozen" & "Nothing really matters" by Madonna -- "On a night like this" by Kylie Minogue -- "Genie in a bottle" by Christina Aguilera I love your videos, even though I know nothing about music. It's therapeutic to watch them!
So inspiring!! Madonna is the best!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I'd looove to see so many Madonna's video. La isla bonita, like a prayer, erotica, hung up, frozen... hahaha on and on and on... But whatever you decide to do next Im sure is gonna be amazing. Always looking foward to the next video. Thank you again for this
Nice video, however I hoped for some more in depth look, what synths were used, how to recreate the sounds. This is just playing back multitracks and listening along? I understand that would be much harder but worthier ;-)
hoping you'll do ariana grande stuff !! a lot of her stuff leaked the past few months including stems and pro tools sessions with all the recording takes . i think it'd make for an interesting video 🤷♂️
Sounds like a sample of Madonna singing "baby". When samplers were a new thing, it was a popular production technique to load a vocal sample and play it kind of like this. Examples: Sex Crime by Eurythmics, and the intro to Chaka Khan's I Feel For You.
They left them raw on purpose (I mean her vocals). And seems that they were taken in one long lonely take… she didn’t control her breathing well and so she panted a lot between each verse (which adds to the sensuality of Like A Virgin)… when it’s all mixed it is hard to hear, but the heavy panting is there!
Not one of the highlights of Nile Rodgers' career, really, despite its popularity. I thought it tinny and poorly produced in 1984 and I've not changed my mind since.
RAY OF LIGHT NEXT!!! It's a total musical odyssey!!
Best one!
I think deconstructing a "late 90s" but extremely "EMDish" song such as Ray of Light would be close to impossible... probably a zillion unrecognizable electrotracks and a couple (including vocals and strings at the beginning) that would make sense to the common ears.
Every time someone says that I put too much instrumentation into my songs/productions, I point them to your channel to show how meticulous and detailed the greatest hits are in practically every aspect. From the instrumental arrangements to the vocal arrangements, everything was very well thought out (and played, obviously).
I mentioned this in another video: your excitement with each of the tracks (regardless of the song, style or artist) is exactly what I feel when I listen to my playlist on a daily basis.
Thank you for your analysis, all of this only makes us improve as musicians or producers.
You can totally hear how Madonna influenced Britney.
exactly the oooh aaaahhh
I agree. I hadn't noticed the vocal influence until now. Madonna's voice post LAV sounds more mature and polished.
Ironically she was probably emulating Tom's falsetto on the demo.
That was my first thought !
I had this same thought as well! Instantly heard Britney's voice.
Your excitement is so contagious, a joy to watch 😁😁😁
Great job, keep em coming!!!
Oh and Madonna's raw vocal sounds incredible! So full of character
Greetings from Greece!!! I really enjoyed this so much! Kudos for such a nicely presented video! Hearing all the different parts it's amazing how we often don't realize how many different music pieces - synth or not - make up a song. Another thing I like about your videos is the positive feeling you radiate all through the video. You are very considerate and respectful to the artist's work and to all the work that went into making the song from all the talented people. I also want to emphasize the fact that Madonna's vocals had no auto-tune effects as so many vocals today do.
A very good work. Congratulations! The music of 80's and end of 70's was and always will be the best.
The joy you bring to each video is infectious. Well done. I loved this!
I was 18 when this came out. I'm nearly 60 now. It's great that a new generation is appreciating this song. You cannot understand the impact this had on the musical landscape.
Dude! Your energy and enthusiasm is infectious. Loved hearing the stems breakdown…. @1:08 cowbell had me bouncing off the walls. ✌🏻🎉😎
This is just so layered, joyful, passionate, and full of life then and even now.
What I love about these videos is how you get to see how a 'sound' comes together even if some tracks are not recognizable on the final mix. As a huge fun. This song has been updated on every Madonna tour. From the confessions sound to the incredible ballad version from MDNA. Just admirable.
This was incredible to hear! I would LOVE to hear MATERIAL GIRL, INTO THE GROOVE, ANGEL and the single version of BORDERLINE. All of those have so many mesmerizing sounds layered on top of each other as they bubble along!
I wonder if regular listeners notice how many notes in Madonna's vocal track are technically off, meaning had they been recorded today they would have been pitch corrected, (eg. auto-tuned). Back then, when we had no pitch correction, we did vocal takes until we had a track that sounded good. (Which this vocal obviously does). The difference today is we correct pitch regardless if it's really needed or not. Instead of listening to the vocal in context and decide if it's sounds good as is. It has become a trap similar to the "Loudness Wars" before streaming took off: No one wants to be the odd one out caught with a bum note. But I do think it robs contemporary music of life.
I believe they also had her sing it with the tape slowed down and then pitched it back up to make her sound more youthful or sing in that higher register without too much strain
@@DepressedMode I don't know, I feel she played a lot with her voice in those early years, going from this very girly voice to that deeper, elongated larynx voice - sometimes within the same phrase. It doesn't seem she needed the tape speed trick to get to this. Of course I could be wrong.
Yeah it's why music is so sterile these days
@@TheJDUBMedia One of the reasons. Don't get me started... ;)
I remember she sang it pretty well live, though
Nile Rogers is a genius. Using big live “rock” drums on such a light pop song in the 80’s when they could’ve easily used a basic drum machine to be with the times-risk taking production!
OMG I DON'T THINK THAT YOU GONNA SHOW THAT OLD SONGS ❤️🔥 Madonna such an icon
Like the way you present this with all your enthousiame
Oh wow! I didn’t know there’d be another Adelaidean™ around my age who knows and appreciates pop masterpieces like you do! (I’m so thankful my feed recommended me _“Love Will Never Do [Without You]”_ a while back now, it’s been on repeat ever since!) 😄🙌🏾👌🏾💃🏽🎶☀️✨
Hope to see you examine _“Sittin’ Up In My Room”_ by Brandy, or the _✨Sugababes’✨_ renown hits, I’m going to see them this January in Melbourne with my Brother, and we’re so dang excited!!!!! 🥳🙌🏾🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉💃🏽💃🏼💃🏻🎙️🔥🎶🪩🌟✨
That strange "baby" sample was used in the extended dance remix, which by the sounds of it are the actual stems you're listening to. The remix is very similar, just a few overdubs by Jellybean and an extended intro, outro and mid-section.
Hung Up seems like a massive undertaking but would be so fun to see broken down. On that note, would you ever do an ABBA song?!
This one was very well deconstructed. Congrats on ur videos (specifically this one!). I used to do the same with the stems I am able to get (just for fun) and it is specially amazing when they are songs so-well known like this one which you know by heart (bit by bit). Now, in these track, u have the drums intro of the extended version of Like a Virgin and a couple of synth tracks for that version too. On the outro, several of the tracks are not used in the album or single version, only on the 12” which was played on the radio like A LOT bcs it was not really that long so single and 12” were very interchangeable, but personally I had a preference for the 12” which has just grown over the years (bcs thru the decades it didnt come on the radio or streaming any more). It is not in the vynil and then they added it as a bonus in the remastered cd. Keep bringing us songs like this… and when the vocals are intricated focus on the main and background vocals too!!!
I was thinking exactly the same as I watched the video. Many takes here are actually from the 12" Extended Dance Remix by John Jellybean Benitez (strings, cowbell, synth fills, the vocal samples) and are not heard in the album version. I keep an original copy from 1984 in my 12" collection.
@@eduvinyl That's the one (the extended dance remix by Jellybean)! but in my cd, it is still quite long (over 6 mins) - so in my poor memory it was like that 12" but not as long for radio (as if they had cut the instrumental parts for the 2nd verse, the unnecessary repetitions etc... trim here and trim there to make it more radio friendly time wise)...but the instrumental synth bridge is like imprinted in my brain. Of course, almost 40 yrs ago - my memory is not to be trusted 100% - they also played the OG version like 3 times in a row some times... Maybe 6+ mins were not as much :)
@@federicochang3249 It was the heyday of Extended Versions. 12" singles were everywhere, people loved them and dance to them in clubs. Even radios received promo copies for broadcasting, so it was not unusual to hear the longer mixes, even if they were well over 6 or 7 minutes long. The Extended Version of "Open Your Heart" from 1986, by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero, was over 10 minutes long. :)
Lovely ! Madonna is one of my favorites!!!
please i need to hear the like a prayer's multitracks!!! bring it to ussssss
Yeeeeeeeeeees!!!! PLEASE!!!!
That was awesome and so nostalgic ❤
You have fast become one of my favorite RUclipsrs. We have such similar music tastes. And the way you completely break these songs apart gives me this brand new fascination I've never had before. Amazing job!
EDIT: If you ever get the chance, I would LOVE to see one of these with Britney Spears' Stronger. She had such unique vocals on the choruses of that album, I've always been curious about how it was achieved.
AAAMMMAAAAAZZZING VIDEO!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Oh shit! Yours video are amazing!!
So Glad I was in a BAND @17 yrs old when this came out & buying ALL THISE GREAT SYNTHS that we all recognize today. ROLAND JUPITER, Juno… YAMAHA DX7… a MUST HAVE!🎹🎚🎧☺️
Loved this video the vocals were it for my ears you are so good at what you do and how’s that playlist of everyone’s songs going? Liked and subbed as always 😊😊😊😊
oh fuck yes! more 80s songs like this! ❤❤❤
That bassline played for real
Sammy!!!! Amazing as always 💕💕💕
No autotune people !!!! You got to love her dont you? ❤
My favorite song of all time!!!!
As a huge M fan since 1983 I always wondered what the quirky synth noises were a breakdown of from the 12” single (Extended dance mix) and you played them at 7:15 - 8:00 and it’s her voice saying “Baby” Thank you so much for this. I adore vocal chops. They were always so prominent in her 80’s mixes, especially by Shep Pettibone. PLEASE do Into the Groove next, the You can Dance remix. I beg of you!!! 💙🙏💙
Sidenote: there's an iconic scene in the film Reservoir dogs with the "Like a virgin monologue" where he gives this theory on what the song is about 😳
I'd be interested to see how you'd break down GAMBLER from Madonna.
Amazing 🙌
Love this ❤
Interesting video as always! I definitely think Get together from her confessions album or Frozen would make for a great breakdown since they both have some really interesting and unique melodies/components.
So cool to be able to hear parts of the song in isolation. Really enjoying all of these videos on your channel! I’m curious, where are you finding these multitracks? I thought they were owned by the record label (who are reluctant to give people access?)
The Queen of Pop
Yeah I downloaded these stems as well and discovered that the song actually has a pretty long outro/ jam session that was cut out on the final track but it was cool to hear
oh wow .. please .. i'm a statring music maker .. two inquireis:
1-Where do we buy stems from?
2-can we use any of the stems commercially?.. like to use one - or more- of the stems in a song that you wanna launch.. for maybe a band jinlge or even a regular song ?
Thanks in Advacne !
You are so wholesome! Thank ypu
Please break down :
-- "Frozen" & "Nothing really matters" by Madonna
-- "On a night like this" by Kylie Minogue
-- "Genie in a bottle" by Christina Aguilera
I love your videos, even though I know nothing about music. It's therapeutic to watch them!
Just, wow
LIKE A PRAYER!! LIKE A PRAYER!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE or the extremly incredible EXPRESS YOURSELF........🤞🏼🙏🏻
I havent seen the video yet but i saw madonna and i liked ❤
Can you do a breakdown of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Two Tribes? That song must have so many layers
More Madonna always! ❤
hello, I was waiting for this video for a long time
So inspiring!! Madonna is the best!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I'd looove to see so many Madonna's video. La isla bonita, like a prayer, erotica, hung up, frozen... hahaha on and on and on...
But whatever you decide to do next Im sure is gonna be amazing. Always looking foward to the next video. Thank you again for this
The Queen of pop !!!!
Omg this is a surprise ❤
I’m subscribing for more Madonna content please 🙏
Do more madonna!!!!
Sammy please do Like A prayer & can you tell me which software you use please?
You are incredible
Queen
Which program do you use on MAC here? DAW?
LOGIC
Nice video, however I hoped for some more in depth look, what synths were used, how to recreate the sounds. This is just playing back multitracks and listening along?
I understand that would be much harder but worthier ;-)
Can you do “Nothing Really Matters” next?
Please....do Frozen or Ray Of Light or even better : I Want You
hoping you'll do ariana grande stuff !! a lot of her stuff leaked the past few months including stems and pro tools sessions with all the recording takes . i think it'd make for an interesting video 🤷♂️
2:57 it actually haves a sample from the song, cause jellybean was producer in both.
Please do a video on I FEEL LOVE by Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder.
madonna was always smart with a great ear. how many artists do you think would have cut that song?
what is that on 7:15 😂😂 i never heard that on the track
That sound belongs to the "Extended Dance Remix"
Sounds like a sample of Madonna singing "baby". When samplers were a new thing, it was a popular production technique to load a vocal sample and play it kind of like this. Examples: Sex Crime by Eurythmics, and the intro to Chaka Khan's I Feel For You.
Nile played guitar right?
Interesting, I watched Demi Moore talk about The Substance and I thought of her...
do Breathe on Me by Britney! ;)
Like a Prayer, please
Well, since you did this "Like", you have to do the *other* "Like"--Like A Prayer
If you get the tracks, make some Prince music
Pre autotune times...just REAL voice
They left them raw on purpose (I mean her vocals). And seems that they were taken in one long lonely take… she didn’t control her breathing well and so she panted a lot between each verse (which adds to the sensuality of Like A Virgin)… when it’s all mixed it is hard to hear, but the heavy panting is there!
You’re nerdy 🥰😍
Could you analyze “Jesus to a Child”?
We want paper planes. Bad girls.
Maaaaaan can u do any song by Selena Quintanilla??? Pleaaaase❤😊
Like a virgin heyyyyy....oh oh oh
can you do Love Don’t Cost a Thing by JLo
Do Deeper And Deeper
also Nelly Furtado's Say It Right!
Isn’t this the 12” Dance mix… it’s not the standard Album Track!?
We need Bad romance next!❤
whats that a #1 hit?
one of those synth pads was very noisy,
Oooh they clearly sped up her voice I can hear.
Not sped up, but maybe raised the pitch. She was also singing in a falsetto.
those are not strings, just another synth😂
Not one of the highlights of Nile Rodgers' career, really, despite its popularity. I thought it tinny and poorly produced in 1984 and I've not changed my mind since.
All Saints - Pure Shores
Spice Girls - Wannabe
Please!
Please realize “Frozen”! 🫶🏻