Likewise in Australia, it only reached number 15 in the ARIA Charts, thought it stayed in the charts for 17 weeks and the video seemed to play on TV just about every day. I think there are a couple of perceptual distortions that sometimes happen for music lovers from within the United States. One is that they tend to think of Billboard as the world standard for chart hits, and also that the taste of an 🇺🇸 audience automatically translates to the rest of the world. R&B was huge everywhere, but it was much more ubiquitous in the US charts. The USA is a HUGE market though, and Madonna’s dominance of it is a phenomenal achievement, along with her epic rule on the many different charts of the world.
@@softshallow7435 yeah i know but i think that has to do with the audience taste in music like in the USA during that time the R&B genre was dominating all over the charts there while most of the Europe countries during that time was into electronic music mostly, that’s why the Bedtime Story single did so well in the UK charts (and most Europe countries) but not in the USA charts due to the differences of the music genres
@@M.Mohammad0 ''Bedtime Story'' enter just in few countrys others Europeans country outside the UK (for example it's not enter the top 100 in Germany), depist in UK, it's made better then ''Take a Bow''. Because the title track didn't enter at all in many European (like Germany Swiss, Sweden, etc.) while ''Take a Bow'' enter in all European countrys.
This era is smooth all around. The production, her voice, the tempo! It's all a vibe. This is peak Madonna- and this was the biggest hit of her career! (well, in the U.S.)
The video for this is also a work of art. Love that you’re reacting to Madonna (and love love your reaction to this song!) - takin in the ones you’ve done in ☺️
Take a bow the song and the video is Madonna at peak perfection. Flawless to me. IMO, take a bow is her most beautiful song. I’m so glad you loved it! 👏🏼👏🏼💕💕
When Madonna and Babyface performed this live at the AMAs, M wore a red Chinese dress as a nod to the Asian influence of the melodic structure of Take A Bow- that “mew mew mew mew mew mew mew” you caught at the beginning.
There's a song from this album called "Your Honesty" that wasn't included in the actual album but it was later officially released in the Remixed & Revisited album. You should check it out.
This was one of my favorite reactions you have done. You need to watch the live performance of this song with Madonna and Babyface on the American Music Awards 1995
Take a Bow is the perfect closer to Bedtime Stories. It’s lushness sounds like a lullaby a mother would sing to her child after a “bedtime story” (take a bow, close the curtains), but the lyrical content is more mature and details the ending of an adult relationship (another type of “bedtime story”) with references to a theatrical performance. Placing it as the last track was genius, a case of life imitating art. Definitely one of M’s best ballads.
LUSH‼️ BEAUTIFUL ‼️ From the first note. Another Madonna classic ballad. Madonna and Babyface pure magic. This song even hit the Top 40 on the r&b charts. This album seems to show the “real” Madonna while Erotica was Madonna being Dita.
Not only one of Madonna's best, also one of the best reactions to a song I've seen on here Empress. Such a genuine reaction that was so great to see. "You'll See" is a song that for some reason is considered the sequel of take a bow (the music video sure has a connection) Anyway, I think that one is almost as good! thanks
I have never commented, Empress, but I was compelled as your genuine thrill, smile, passion for music, -[ especially a magnificent song such as Take A Bow which was sooo well produced/orchestrated by maestro Babyface and sung so smokily well by Madonna ]...your excitement is so infectious and wonderful that YOU make the revisit & journey through Madonna's career such a fun, enjoyable ride. Love seeing you smile throughout as the song unveiled its beauty, slowly realizing full well that this sh** is the bomb, as I remember hearing it for the first time in '94 after camping out at Tower Records for the CD release at 12 midnight. I remember thinking: "Wow, this is THE song. I wonder what video she is gonna have...It has to be Asian-inspired, story book'ish in a way as indicated by those lush, opening and closing strings." Won't reveal as You'll See the video soon...(haha). Thanks for your in depth, extensive, informed breakdowns. :)
Excellent reaction to an excellent song (yes for the Karen Carpenter shout out!) from an excellent album! The sequencing on this album has always been brilliant to me - the way it journeys from up-tempo R&B to ballads, into the electronica suite of Sanctuary and Bedtime Story, and almost simmering back to a close with this gorgeous R&B ballad. I agree with you that it's her best ballad after Live To Tell - she and Babyface clearly were bringing out the best in each other when they wrote and produced this (the couple songs she wrote with him for Ray Of Light that got scrapped when she wanted to move in a new direction, were leaked a few years ago on RUclips, and of course they sound great and very much like this song). If I'm not mistaken, you've now thrown up 6 Tens for the 11 Bedtime Stories tracks - more than half! And also the best track record for a Madonna album since the first one! (And as I said in the last one, your 6 Tens are also my 6 Tens - but weirdly, for once, the two biggest singles - Secret and Take A Bow - are my two favorite songs on the album. That rarely happens! I usually love underdog, less appreciated songs more.) Can't wait til you watch the gorgeous videos of this era and the live Babyface duet performance!
Recorded at The Hit Factory Studios in New York, "Take a Bow" was backed by a full orchestra. It was also the first time that Babyface had worked with live strings, per Madonna's suggestion. "Take a Bow" lyrically talks about unrequited love and Madonna saying goodbye. It received favorable reviews from music critics, who praised its soulful, poetic lyrics. The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks, becoming Madonna's 11th chart-topper.
Bedtime Stories is like a whole day.Getting up in "Survival" mode to the end of the day when the masquerade is over and you "Take a Bow" and call it a day.
Definitely agree this was Madonna leveling up. Interestingly this song‘s video has a sequel “you’ll see” and I think that was Madonna leveling up again vocally. It’s one of her strongest vocals and most underrated ballads. Madonna’s vocals kept getting stronger during this and through Evita and Ray of Light.
When you get to the video, I’d suggest you watch her 95’ song “You’ll See” back to back as it is the part #2 to this song & video. Madonna also used this video to secure her role in Evita.😊❤
@@EmpressReacts -Yeah, it’s a Ballads greatest hits, with four new songs and two three new videos.I suggested watching the “You’ll See”earlier after Take A Bow, as it is a a direct continuation of take a bow storyline and that way, you’d still have the other two videos to react to later. You’re going to love both videos and it’s the only time Madonna ( maybe anyone) has done a song & video that have a part 1 & part 2. Note: For the live performance of Take A Bow, the American Music Awards performance with Babyface is THE one to react to, which may be the only live one. Lol
@@EmpressReacts More of a compilation with a handful new songs. She did three singles, four in the UK for it though and filmed 3 music videos and the album sold over 10 million worldwide 😀I still think we should continue the journey chronologicly like we always have..
Very good vocal performance from Madonna. You are correct, it was massive, 7 weeks at #1 in 1995 and propelled the album to triple Platinum after Secret laid the ground. Our girl was back for real. Looking forwad to you reacting to the performances, she performed this at the 1995 American Music Awards. If i'm not mistaken, Bedtime Stories was Madonnas first album being nominated at the Grammys as an album. She had been previously nominated for Best Vocal Performance for songs but i think this was her first album nomination. Crazy but hey the 90s were different haha You had me tripping with the title first. I thought you didnt like it from that. I was like 'How can she ask to not put this on the album, its so lush'' hahaha Glad you threw up 10s, it's timeless, very soulful and as the whole album to me works perfectly if im feeling anxious, put this on and relax and feel better. Love that you immediately wanted to hear this again. About the Writing: Songwriter(s) Madonna Kenneth Edmonds Producer(s) Madonna Babyface
Everybody loves Take a Bow. The MTV making of the video is so cool too. Can’t wait for you to see the actual video. Madonna doing what she does best. Pure magic.
This is easily one of her most beautiful songs and ballad perfection. It might be my fav Madonna ballad. The more I listen to it the more I love it. The video is also striking bc Madonna shows something we don’t normally see from her…vulnerability
I adore I Want You feat. Massive Attack. That lower register will get her, then again, she's about to get hit like a freight train with Ray Of Lights ballads.
Madonna with her low voice… Live To Tell, Rain, I’ll Remember, Take A Bow, Frozen….! Can’t wait to see Empress watch the Music Video for Take A Bow! It was overplayed on MTV and VH1 …. AND Radio stations kept playing it around the clock. It was #1 for 7 weeks and on the chart for months.
I remember liking this song when it came out but I always liked Madonna songs Shortly thereafter I started to realize everyone else liked it too! would call this release a true comeback. Biggest hit since Vogue. I
This song was wrote with Babyface and produced by Babyface. Babyface told to this song was wrote in few hours and recording in few days and was the first song finished to recording on the album. When she wrote this song, the two was convinced in the same way to the first line of the song was the title of the song and never repeat again. The song was recording with a full orchestras and Babyface recall this was Madonna idea to recording a full orchestras in the song. Madonna told that she thinking of acting when she wrote the song and imagining already the video during the sessions of this album Nellie Hooper conduct the orchestra of the song. He asked to him to make that, because Babyface recall to this was his first time he make a orchestras for his production and recall that it's changed the way he produced his songs after this song. This was the second single of this album after ''Secret''. Came in december 1994, this single begin in 1995 a massive hit, becoming her 11th n.1 single of her career in US in february 1995 and spent 7 weeks at n.1. It's also reaching the top 10 in 10 countrys in 1995. Warner decided to delayed the released of ''Bedtime Story'' of two months has a single when this song became a major hit. It's was since one of her most know ballads of her career and was including in all her greatest hits. The video was shot in Spain and was a important video for her. she recall to when She shot the video, she wanted to have the role of Eva Perron in Evita and this was the video she present to Alan Parker when she auditionned for this role and she obtienned the role after he visionned the video.
This is my favourite love song!!!❤ And I always remember scene from friends when Rachel goes to airport to meet Ross and unfortunately he comes back from China with Julie😥 This was the track they used.
I’m so happy for you experiencing a Madonna masterpiece. Madonna and Babyface co-wrote the song! The music video is a visual masterpiece as well. Bravo!!!❤❤❤
Empress, I just saw Madonna last night, I’m still shook. Omg also she performed a snippet of “This Used To Be My Playground” for the first time ever last night, and I thought of you when she sang it 😂😂😂
***RBS "TAKE(S) A BOW" FROM TRIVIA TIME, BUT CAN STILL GIVE 'CHART TRIVIA' FOR MADGE'S BIGGEST POP HIT...FEB., 1995...*** (9:15) 10. Hold My Hand - Hootie & The Blowfish 9. Sukiyaki - 4PM 8. If You Love Me - Brownstone 7. You Gotta Be - Des'Ree 6. Candy Rain - Soul VI Real 5. Baby - Brandy 4. Another Night - Real McCoy 3. On Bended Knee - Boys II Men 2. Creep - TLC 1. ***Take A Bow*** - Madonna (1st wk. of 7 weeks)
Take A Bow is the title of the song and that’s the first line she sings at the very beginning. It’s not sung again for the rest of the song. I wonder what was the original title of Take A Bow. Maybe it was called “I’ve always been in love with you” or maybe “Say Goodbye”. That’s catchy and it latches onto listeners subconsciously. Do you have trivia for us @RBS_ ?
@@rpdbu8250 ...give TRIVIA!? ...on "TAKE A BOW"!?? ...these Madonnaholics will eat me alive! ..Hell, they possibly know what gum she was chewing, when cutting her Vocals! ...ha-HAAA!! ...I'll wisely stay out of this One... ; ) ....
@@rpdbu8250 It's was always the title of the song. Babyface recall to when she wrote the song, the two was convinced since the debut to the first line was the title of the song and was never repeat again.
@@WCD199317Something to the effect of George Michael’s song ‘Careless Whisper’ where he said it on a verse only one time and never repeated those words. It went #1 in 1985 and Madonna’s ‘Take A Bow’ also went #1 for 7 weeks in 1995, her longest running #1. Billboard 100 has her all time top hits ranked from best chart performance #1 Like A Virgin, #2 Vogue, #3 Crazy For You, #4 Take A Bow, #5 Justify My Love, #6 Like A Prayer, # 7 Papa Don’t Preach, #8 Live To Tell, #9 Music, #10 Open Your Heart.
@@rpdbu8250 ''Careless Whisper'' was repeat two times, because the album version was seven minutes while the radio cut the two first minutes of the song (who the album version have a additionnal verse).
Loved how you blissed out to this song! ✨ It is masterful in both its strategic placement in her career, and as truly one of the pinnacle ballads of the R&B soaked 90s. But what a fascinating time in popular music, so filled with contrast and contradiction in genres, where you could have Boys2Men, The Smashing Pumpkins, En Vogue and Massive Attack all racing up the charts together. Enter Madonna with the ballad that re-seduced even her most stone cold haters and paved the way for her next phase as an evolving artist. It’s interesting to watch your reactions, because as a fan from the beginning, I initially found this song beautiful but way too slushy and romantic after having gotten so into the tough, sophisticated Madonna of Justify, Rescue Me, Erotica, and even Secret, Human Nature and Bedtime Story from this album. I wanted edgy Madonna and, as I’ve said before, the level of hate and pain we were getting from the conservative world in those days made it imperative that our main warrior kept some of her armour on… So really my main way into loving this song at first was for the way it gave her back the CHARTS and the power and leverage to get more complex messages out there. I do genuinely love it, and very much appreciate its gorgeous production and vocals from both she and Babyface, it’s pure magic, but at the time I needed more ARMOUR than AMOUR… (that joke works much better with the non USA spelling of “armor”) ⚔️🛡️ I’m excited for you to watch the music videos. I think they’ll take you deeper into the vibe of the album, even with their contrasts. And we’re all SUPER excited for you to watch the MTV behind the scenes special for the Take A Bow video… Madonna and Kurt Loder again! All aboard the sass train 😂🚂 Now that you’re SO in love with the gorgeous final song on the album, I do hope you go back in your own time (if you can find any 🐣🍼) and listen to the whole album all the way through. It really does weave a spell, and accumulates into quite a hypnotic experience. I predict that, despite your doubts on some tracks, if you give the whole thing a few more spins it’ll become a favourite Madonna indulgence. Oh and Take A Bow, like many of the songs on Bedtime Stories, includes a literary reference. The beautiful expansive bridge, “All the world is a stage, and everyone has their part…” is of course paraphrased from Mr William Shakespeare.
😂😂I got the joke despite spelling and yes to Kurt (great interviewer), can’t wait to see the videos and BTS, and I can understand that pov from the fans of yes she’s back!
Also, noted, don't forgot to reacting for the American Music Awards who Madonna and Babyface perform this song live, a huge moment for her and a iconic moment for her. In the last years, she recall to she love the song, but was too hard to sing for her and was the reason why she didn't perform a lot this song with the years (outside the AMA and Australian part of the ''Rebel Heart Tour'' in 2016).
Another fantastic Babyface production (with him on backing vocals). This one got played alot in my freshman year in high school 1994-1995 on the radio, specifically my shop class. Fantastic, dreamy, lush production and vocals.
It is the strings (I absolutely love every song that she has strings) and the fact of how she goes from her lower to her upper register for me. And, even in her higher register, Baby Face still sings higher than her. Can't wait until you see the video. It's beautiful and takes the song to a whole new level.😍
Amo ver o povo se emocionando HOJE como nós que ouvimos qdo tudo foi lançado. Só prova que o bom é atemporal. Ouvi esse disco inteiro na sessão de discos de uma loja de departamento em 1995, rezando pra ninguém aparecer e pedir os fones de ouvido. Cada faixa, uma vontade de ouvir mais e Take a Bow foi o melhor jeito de terminar tudo. UMA PÉROLA. UMA JÓIA. Madonna é RARA. 👑
OMG Empress! Your reaction is so so so good! Why is this on the album? Because it's so damn good. What amazes me about this song to this day is that, even though there's a lot of nostalgia in the arrangment and the sentiment, NOTHING on the radio then or in the 30 years since remotely sounds like this. It's such a Madonna song and yet... sounds like nothing she's done. As a big fan from the get go, when this took off, it was such a joy to see M get the redemption she deserved. All the haters shut the hell up because this was such a joy on the radio. 10s across the board for y our reaction. BTW, with this song, she became the woman who'd written the most #1s, passing Carole King. And she absolutely is written all over the production too. Babyface, in fact, has said that this was his favorite collaboration ever. They brought out the best in each other.
Love your reaction this song, it’s one of the most beautiful songs in her catalogue. Shockingly, when released in the UK it was the first song since 1984 to break her record breaking consecutive run of long top 10 hits that started in 1984! I can’t wait to see your reaction to the video and then You’ll see which is a sequel and tremendous
Yes ma’am. You finally arrived. What a song! Everything about this song was perfect to me. The music video may be my favorite from her. It made an impact on me. I loved the Bedtime Stories album. ❤
Forgot to say. On my previous post @empress, it’s worth checking out love won’t wait which was a demo for bedtime stones. Her voice is very low and rich in tone: She ended up giving it to Gary Barlow
I’ll remember 2 Secret 3 Take a bow 1 And she follows up with bedtime story and human nature? She could have easily have 3 more top 10’s Forbidden love Love tried to welcome me Inside of me
True but the singles she picked show how versatile the album is and represent different sides of it. She seems to love Human Nature the most i think, she always seems to perform it in her concerts. Bedtime Story was a hit in europe, hitting #4 in the UK and she gave us an epic Brit Awards performance
First time I heard the song was listening to the track after buying the CD. "Secret" was still being promoted. "Take A Bow" immediately sounded like it was a natural single choice, and was I glad that it came next.
Yay! Congrats Empress on getting through Bedtime Stories in January! 😄I think this was my favorite reaction of yours so far! This song was so popular it seemed to be playing everywhere you went back then on the radio, on TV, at the grocery store... I worked in a little bar and grill and Take A Bow was on the jukebox. It got played a lot! Excited to see your rankings video! I've already been making guesses! 😁
@@EmpressReacts I would say ever! It was a fun watch and reminded me of my first time hearing. But a close second favorite would be your full concert reactions because they are like a mini party / celebration.
This is one of the Madonna songs I knew growing up as I heard it plenty on the radio but I didn't know it was her or the same person who sang "La isla bonita". To be honest, the songs are so different that I think many wouldn't guess they're by the same artist
Well, that was fun! Very cool to see you so excited! Probably the most hype you've been about a Madonna song in a minute. And i think its safe to say you'll find that the video lives up to the song on every level.
Such a beautiful song and one of Madonna’s best vocals. This track was used on Beverly Hills 90210 which was the biggest show at the time. Ironically in Australia the song barely made the top 20 and in the UK it was the song that broke her run of consecutive top 10 singles.
Take a bow had a couple of good remixes..the InDaSoul mix was played on some R&B stations.. and the Silky Soul mix had a nice hip hop beat.. Human Nature was also played on a lot of black stations..the Howie Tee remix was the version they used to play the most
Damn this song is beautifully written and produced by Madonna and Babyface and the video....one of the best of her career and seven weeks at number one! Her gold tooth been through more press and live performances then this beautiful ballad! Madoonna, gurrrrl the hells wrong with you man, performing this song only a small handful of times ! No bull interview (janet beef tea!) the making of Take A Bow official video might be part two of Badgirl IMO! Can't wait till you watch it ha!
Yeah, when Madonna gets it right she gets it sooo right! She and Baby Face made a jewel of a song together. His idea was the Asian sound to it and Madonna's was to bring in the strings. This song they wrote was number one for seven weeks! The video is awesome too and so is the followup Part 2, with the video "You'll See." It was a very interesting time for Madonna who was coming down from the scandal of her book SEX and Erotica video. Madonn's lyrics, of course. It makes sense with her past love life and heartache. Love your reaction! THX for repeating that song! Love it!
I used to go to a small drag bar back in the 90s where some of Denver's sketchiest drag queens would put on really fun and raunchy weekend shows, and there was almost always a spat over WHO would get to perform Take A Bow, one queen even deciding to perform to it mid-show just to steal the thunder of the closing performer who already placed dibs on it. Lol.
I feel like she was too nervous performing it and over-sang it, however, what I love is the staging and how WILD the crowd was for it. She also looked so lovely.
It was included to assure a hit song on the pop charts as they knew Bedtime Stories would be a dance hit, couldn’t predict if Secret would do well. And after the sales dip of Erotica this was an album that HAD to sell. Safer choices.
I love this song, but I think it should not end the album ("Bedtime Story" is the perfect closer, serving as the bridge to the Ray of Light era). "Take a Bow" would have worked better as track number 4, despite the "the show is over say good-bye" line.
Her longest running number one hit in the USA for a reason, a masterpiece 💚
not in u.k reached only number 16! first song not to make the top 10 since 1984! shocking and it’s one of her best songs!
Likewise in Australia, it only reached number 15 in the ARIA Charts, thought it stayed in the charts for 17 weeks and the video seemed to play on TV just about every day. I think there are a couple of perceptual distortions that sometimes happen for music lovers from within the United States. One is that they tend to think of Billboard as the world standard for chart hits, and also that the taste of an 🇺🇸 audience automatically translates to the rest of the world. R&B was huge everywhere, but it was much more ubiquitous in the US charts.
The USA is a HUGE market though, and Madonna’s dominance of it is a phenomenal achievement, along with her epic rule on the many different charts of the world.
@@petersavieri in the U.K we think of as the our Top 40 for gold standard for world hits.
@@softshallow7435 yeah i know but i think that has to do with the audience taste in music like in the USA during that time the R&B genre was dominating all over the charts there while most of the Europe countries during that time was into electronic music mostly, that’s why the Bedtime Story single did so well in the UK charts (and most Europe countries) but not in the USA charts due to the differences of the music genres
@@M.Mohammad0 ''Bedtime Story'' enter just in few countrys others Europeans country outside the UK (for example it's not enter the top 100 in Germany), depist in UK, it's made better then ''Take a Bow''. Because the title track didn't enter at all in many European (like Germany Swiss, Sweden, etc.) while ''Take a Bow'' enter in all European countrys.
The curtains down is a reference to the curtain on her front gate on her property at Coral Gables.
This era is smooth all around. The production, her voice, the tempo! It's all a vibe. This is peak Madonna- and this was the biggest hit of her career! (well, in the U.S.)
The video for this is also a work of art. Love that you’re reacting to Madonna (and love love your reaction to this song!) - takin in the ones you’ve done in ☺️
wow thank you!
Take a Bow is a masterpiece. So is it’s video.
Can’t wait to see
The most played song on radio in 1995 it was everywhere
And the curtain closes on my favourite album...a stunning closer, a masterpiece 🙌 .
🙌🏾
Wait until you hear the sequel to this song! “You’ll see”
can't wait
Take a bow the song and the video is Madonna at peak perfection. Flawless to me. IMO, take a bow is her most beautiful song. I’m so glad you loved it! 👏🏼👏🏼💕💕
Couldn't agree more!
A true masterpiece here!!!!!!! This song was huuuuuuuge in the mid-90s.
I was like how is this 17 minutes. Oh she gonna play again 😂❤️
The video is another masterpiece.
😂😂😂I couldn’t help my self
When Madonna and Babyface performed this live at the AMAs, M wore a red Chinese dress as a nod to the Asian influence of the melodic structure of Take A Bow- that “mew mew mew mew mew mew mew” you caught at the beginning.
Aw sweet!!! Can’t wait to see
There's a song from this album called "Your Honesty" that wasn't included in the actual album but it was later officially released in the Remixed & Revisited album. You should check it out.
Noted
This was one of my favorite reactions you have done. You need to watch the live performance of this song with Madonna and Babyface on the American Music Awards 1995
Wow thanks
One of my best songs because I can relate to it.
🔥
Take a Bow is the perfect closer to Bedtime Stories. It’s lushness sounds like a lullaby a mother would sing to her child after a “bedtime story” (take a bow, close the curtains), but the lyrical content is more mature and details the ending of an adult relationship (another type of “bedtime story”) with references to a theatrical performance. Placing it as the last track was genius, a case of life imitating art. Definitely one of M’s best ballads.
💯🔥
LUSH‼️ BEAUTIFUL ‼️ From the first note. Another Madonna classic ballad. Madonna and Babyface pure magic. This song even hit the Top 40 on the r&b charts. This album seems to show the “real” Madonna while Erotica was Madonna being Dita.
🔥🔥🔥
The way you still talk about "Angel" is really truly endearing!
😂🔥such an underrated bop
This reaction was so worth the wait after 3+ years 😊
Thank for being part of the journey 😘
Not only one of Madonna's best, also one of the best reactions to a song I've seen on here Empress. Such a genuine reaction that was so great to see. "You'll See" is a song that for some reason is considered the sequel of take a bow (the music video sure has a connection) Anyway, I think that one is almost as good! thanks
Thanks! 🔥🔥
I have never commented, Empress, but I was compelled as your genuine thrill, smile, passion for music, -[ especially a magnificent song such as Take A Bow which was sooo well produced/orchestrated by maestro Babyface and sung so smokily well by Madonna ]...your excitement is so infectious and wonderful that YOU make the revisit & journey through Madonna's career such a fun, enjoyable ride. Love seeing you smile throughout as the song unveiled its beauty, slowly realizing full well that this sh** is the bomb, as I remember hearing it for the first time in '94 after camping out at Tower Records for the CD release at 12 midnight. I remember thinking: "Wow, this is THE song. I wonder what video she is gonna have...It has to be Asian-inspired, story book'ish in a way as indicated by those lush, opening and closing strings." Won't reveal as You'll See the video soon...(haha). Thanks for your in depth, extensive, informed breakdowns. :)
TOWER RECORDS...that's a trip down memory lane!
Wow thank you‼️ And welcome to the comments 😍. Would love to continue hearing from you
Throw them up for the lower registerrrrrrrr ❤🙌🏻 Beautiful song beautifully sung!! End of 😊
Yaaaaas🔥‼️🙌🏾
Rain was the grandma momma song in Erotica. It was huge on pop and adult contemporary.
Right, but not as memorable as this
Excellent reaction to an excellent song (yes for the Karen Carpenter shout out!) from an excellent album! The sequencing on this album has always been brilliant to me - the way it journeys from up-tempo R&B to ballads, into the electronica suite of Sanctuary and Bedtime Story, and almost simmering back to a close with this gorgeous R&B ballad. I agree with you that it's her best ballad after Live To Tell - she and Babyface clearly were bringing out the best in each other when they wrote and produced this (the couple songs she wrote with him for Ray Of Light that got scrapped when she wanted to move in a new direction, were leaked a few years ago on RUclips, and of course they sound great and very much like this song).
If I'm not mistaken, you've now thrown up 6 Tens for the 11 Bedtime Stories tracks - more than half! And also the best track record for a Madonna album since the first one! (And as I said in the last one, your 6 Tens are also my 6 Tens - but weirdly, for once, the two biggest singles - Secret and Take A Bow - are my two favorite songs on the album. That rarely happens! I usually love underdog, less appreciated songs more.)
Can't wait til you watch the gorgeous videos of this era and the live Babyface duet performance!
Can’t wait to do the album ranking and see the videos!
This song was huge in America, here in the UK though it ended her streak of every song going top 10.
Wow!
Recorded at The Hit Factory Studios in New York, "Take a Bow" was backed by a full orchestra. It was also the first time that Babyface had worked with live strings, per Madonna's suggestion. "Take a Bow" lyrically talks about unrequited love and Madonna saying goodbye. It received favorable reviews from music critics, who praised its soulful, poetic lyrics. The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks, becoming Madonna's 11th chart-topper.
9 weeks
Oh wow! That was a great fact I would not have expected to hear
Love this reaction. The AMA live performance she did with Babyface is ICONIC.
Can’t wait to see it
Bedtime Stories is like a whole day.Getting up in "Survival" mode to the end of the day when the masquerade is over and you "Take a Bow" and call it a day.
Love that
We’ve all been waiting for this reaction cuz we knew you’d love this beautiful song!!!!🙌🏽😭
🔥🔥🔥😀
Definitely agree this was Madonna leveling up. Interestingly this song‘s video has a sequel “you’ll see” and I think that was Madonna leveling up again vocally. It’s one of her strongest vocals and most underrated ballads. Madonna’s vocals kept getting stronger during this and through Evita and Ray of Light.
Interesting!!! Excited about what’s to come
Out of all of Madonna's songs, this is definitely in the top 3!
🔥
When you get to the video, I’d suggest you watch her 95’ song “You’ll See” back to back as it is the part #2 to this song & video. Madonna also used this video to secure her role in Evita.😊❤
So we have another album in the near future?!?!
@@EmpressReacts ''Something to Remember'' was a ballads compilation of her ballads of her career with four new songs.
@@EmpressReacts -Yeah, it’s a Ballads greatest hits, with four new songs and two three new videos.I suggested watching the “You’ll See”earlier after Take A Bow, as it is a a direct continuation of take a bow storyline and that way, you’d still have the other two videos to react to later. You’re going to love both videos and it’s the only time Madonna ( maybe anyone) has done a song & video that have a part 1 & part 2.
Note: For the live performance of Take A Bow, the American Music Awards performance with Babyface is THE one to react to, which may be the only live one. Lol
@@EmpressReacts More of a compilation with a handful new songs. She did three singles, four in the UK for it though and filmed 3 music videos and the album sold over 10 million worldwide 😀I still think we should continue the journey chronologicly like we always have..
@@Marc-zi5cq noted 🫡
Very good vocal performance from Madonna. You are correct, it was massive, 7 weeks at #1 in 1995 and propelled the album to triple Platinum after Secret laid the ground. Our girl was back for real.
Looking forwad to you reacting to the performances, she performed this at the 1995 American Music Awards.
If i'm not mistaken, Bedtime Stories was Madonnas first album being nominated at the Grammys as an album. She had been previously nominated for Best Vocal Performance for songs but i think this was her first album nomination. Crazy but hey the 90s were different haha
You had me tripping with the title first. I thought you didnt like it from that. I was like 'How can she ask to not put this on the album, its so lush'' hahaha Glad you threw up 10s, it's timeless, very soulful and as the whole album to me works perfectly if im feeling anxious, put this on and relax and feel better.
Love that you immediately wanted to hear this again.
About the Writing:
Songwriter(s)
Madonna Kenneth Edmonds
Producer(s)
Madonna Babyface
😂😂it’s soooo ‼️🔥🔥
Such an underrated song and vocal. Absolutely beautiful.
💯🔥
Underrated? Why you think it's underrated. It was a huge hit all around the planet.
Everybody loves Take a Bow. The MTV making of the video is so cool too. Can’t wait for you to see the actual video. Madonna doing what she does best. Pure magic.
Can’t wait to see
This is easily one of her most beautiful songs and ballad perfection. It might be my fav Madonna ballad. The more I listen to it the more I love it. The video is also striking bc Madonna shows something we don’t normally see from her…vulnerability
I adore I Want You feat. Massive Attack. That lower register will get her, then again, she's about to get hit like a freight train with Ray Of Lights ballads.
Madonna with her low voice… Live To Tell, Rain, I’ll Remember, Take A Bow, Frozen….! Can’t wait to see Empress watch the Music Video for Take A Bow!
It was overplayed on MTV and VH1 …. AND Radio stations kept playing it around the clock. It was #1 for 7 weeks and on the chart for months.
You're gonna love the music videos for this album.
Can’t wait to see it
I can't wait to listen! This song was def. One of her bigger ones!
Take a Bow is one of her most famous songs in her career!
Great reaction as always! Be sure to check out the album outtake, Love Won’t Wait.
Thank you! Will do!
❤ Great reaction to a great song. ❤
I remember liking this song when it came out but I always liked Madonna songs Shortly thereafter I started to realize everyone else liked it too! would call this release a true comeback. Biggest hit since Vogue. I
That’s what I figured! This just hits different than the other releases
First and it’s a Madonna reaction!! This was her longest running #1 hit in the USA something like over two months at #1
This song was wrote with Babyface and produced by Babyface. Babyface told to this song was wrote in few hours and recording in few days and was the first song finished to recording on the album. When she wrote this song, the two was convinced in the same way to the first line of the song was the title of the song and never repeat again. The song was recording with a full orchestras and Babyface recall this was Madonna idea to recording a full orchestras in the song. Madonna told that she thinking of acting when she wrote the song and imagining already the video during the sessions of this album
Nellie Hooper conduct the orchestra of the song. He asked to him to make that, because Babyface recall to this was his first time he make a orchestras for his production and recall that it's changed the way he produced his songs after this song.
This was the second single of this album after ''Secret''. Came in december 1994, this single begin in 1995 a massive hit, becoming her 11th n.1 single of her career in US in february 1995 and spent 7 weeks at n.1. It's also reaching the top 10 in 10 countrys in 1995. Warner decided to delayed the released of ''Bedtime Story'' of two months has a single when this song became a major hit. It's was since one of her most know ballads of her career and was including in all her greatest hits.
The video was shot in Spain and was a important video for her. she recall to when She shot the video, she wanted to have the role of Eva Perron in Evita and this was the video she present to Alan Parker when she auditionned for this role and she obtienned the role after he visionned the video.
You forgot crazy for you also one of Madonna's best balads ever.
i must've have craaaazy to forget that 🔥😊
Omg I knew EXACTLY that you were going to draw an ANGEL comparison! ❤. And I never thought about the Carpenters vibe but I see it now.
😂 we’re a vibe
This is my favourite love song!!!❤
And I always remember scene from friends when Rachel goes to airport to meet Ross and unfortunately he comes back from China with Julie😥
This was the track they used.
Never really seen that show but sounds like a heart breaking scene 😂
I’m so happy for you experiencing a Madonna masterpiece. Madonna and Babyface co-wrote the song! The music video is a visual masterpiece as well.
Bravo!!!❤❤❤
Well done 🔥
Empress, I just saw Madonna last night, I’m still shook. Omg also she performed a snippet of “This Used To Be My Playground” for the first time ever last night, and I thought of you when she sang it 😂😂😂
😂😂😂and what was I saying in your head
@@EmpressReacts”NEXT SONG”
Madonna and Kenneth Edmonds wrote this song 🎵 ❤
🔥
This song and the video are ttrue masterpieces. I can play this song over and over.
🔥
***RBS "TAKE(S) A BOW" FROM TRIVIA TIME, BUT CAN STILL GIVE 'CHART TRIVIA' FOR MADGE'S BIGGEST POP HIT...FEB., 1995...*** (9:15)
10. Hold My Hand - Hootie & The Blowfish
9. Sukiyaki - 4PM
8. If You Love Me - Brownstone
7. You Gotta Be - Des'Ree
6. Candy Rain - Soul VI Real
5. Baby - Brandy
4. Another Night - Real McCoy
3. On Bended Knee - Boys II Men
2. Creep - TLC
1. ***Take A Bow*** - Madonna (1st wk. of 7 weeks)
Take A Bow is the title of the song and that’s the first line she sings at the very beginning. It’s not sung again for the rest of the song.
I wonder what was the original title of Take A Bow. Maybe it was called “I’ve always been in love with you” or maybe “Say Goodbye”. That’s catchy and it latches onto listeners subconsciously.
Do you have trivia for us @RBS_ ?
@@rpdbu8250 ...give TRIVIA!? ...on "TAKE A BOW"!?? ...these Madonnaholics will eat me alive! ..Hell, they possibly know what gum she was chewing, when cutting her Vocals! ...ha-HAAA!! ...I'll wisely stay out of this One... ; ) ....
@@rpdbu8250 It's was always the title of the song. Babyface recall to when she wrote the song, the two was convinced since the debut to the first line was the title of the song and was never repeat again.
@@WCD199317Something to the effect of George Michael’s song ‘Careless Whisper’ where he said it on a verse only one time and never repeated those words. It went #1 in 1985 and Madonna’s ‘Take A Bow’ also went #1 for 7 weeks in 1995, her longest running #1.
Billboard 100 has her all time top hits ranked from best chart performance #1 Like A Virgin, #2 Vogue, #3 Crazy For You, #4 Take A Bow, #5 Justify My Love, #6 Like A Prayer, # 7 Papa Don’t Preach, #8 Live To Tell, #9 Music, #10 Open Your Heart.
@@rpdbu8250 ''Careless Whisper'' was repeat two times, because the album version was seven minutes while the radio cut the two first minutes of the song (who the album version have a additionnal verse).
Loved how you blissed out to this song! ✨ It is masterful in both its strategic placement in her career, and as truly one of the pinnacle ballads of the R&B soaked 90s. But what a fascinating time in popular music, so filled with contrast and contradiction in genres, where you could have Boys2Men, The Smashing Pumpkins, En Vogue and Massive Attack all racing up the charts together. Enter Madonna with the ballad that re-seduced even her most stone cold haters and paved the way for her next phase as an evolving artist.
It’s interesting to watch your reactions, because as a fan from the beginning, I initially found this song beautiful but way too slushy and romantic after having gotten so into the tough, sophisticated Madonna of Justify, Rescue Me, Erotica, and even Secret, Human Nature and Bedtime Story from this album. I wanted edgy Madonna and, as I’ve said before, the level of hate and pain we were getting from the conservative world in those days made it imperative that our main warrior kept some of her armour on… So really my main way into loving this song at first was for the way it gave her back the CHARTS and the power and leverage to get more complex messages out there. I do genuinely love it, and very much appreciate its gorgeous production and vocals from both she and Babyface, it’s pure magic, but at the time I needed more ARMOUR than AMOUR… (that joke works much better with the non USA spelling of “armor”) ⚔️🛡️
I’m excited for you to watch the music videos. I think they’ll take you deeper into the vibe of the album, even with their contrasts. And we’re all SUPER excited for you to watch the MTV behind the scenes special for the Take A Bow video… Madonna and Kurt Loder again! All aboard the sass train 😂🚂
Now that you’re SO in love with the gorgeous final song on the album, I do hope you go back in your own time (if you can find any 🐣🍼) and listen to the whole album all the way through. It really does weave a spell, and accumulates into quite a hypnotic experience. I predict that, despite your doubts on some tracks, if you give the whole thing a few more spins it’ll become a favourite Madonna indulgence.
Oh and Take A Bow, like many of the songs on Bedtime Stories, includes a literary reference. The beautiful expansive bridge, “All the world is a stage, and everyone has their part…” is of course paraphrased from Mr William Shakespeare.
😂😂I got the joke despite spelling and yes to Kurt (great interviewer), can’t wait to see the videos and BTS, and I can understand that pov from the fans of yes she’s back!
Also, noted, don't forgot to reacting for the American Music Awards who Madonna and Babyface perform this song live, a huge moment for her and a iconic moment for her. In the last years, she recall to she love the song, but was too hard to sing for her and was the reason why she didn't perform a lot this song with the years (outside the AMA and Australian part of the ''Rebel Heart Tour'' in 2016).
Noted
My favorite song on this album and yes that is Babyface on backing vocals...sublime!!
My Fav song to sing.
Your reaction gave me life Empress!! This is Take a bow for you! A masterpiece....video and song!! Massive hit!! This is pure velvet!!
yaaaaas!!!
Her and babyface great duet
💯
The video, the making of....and the performance, can't wait! Great reaction!
Can't wait!!
Girl i told you this is madonna greatest song i love it her vocals are so smooth and the vídeo is one of her best!
💯💯💯
YESSSSS!!! And now the videos. ❤
Yep😀
Girl.....such a sweet heartbreaker
💯
I love your reactions
Thank you!
Empress forgot to mention Madonna’s Rain’s low tone singing. 😆 ☔️
Oh yeah 😂
Another fantastic Babyface production (with him on backing vocals). This one got played alot in my freshman year in high school 1994-1995 on the radio, specifically my shop class. Fantastic, dreamy, lush production and vocals.
🔥🔥
Madonna and Babyface did that! That is what they did! 🙌🏻 🙌🏻
It is the strings (I absolutely love every song that she has strings) and the fact of how she goes from her lower to her upper register for me. And, even in her higher register, Baby Face still sings higher than her. Can't wait until you see the video. It's beautiful and takes the song to a whole new level.😍
💯💯
Amo ver o povo se emocionando HOJE como nós que ouvimos qdo tudo foi lançado. Só prova que o bom é atemporal.
Ouvi esse disco inteiro na sessão de discos de uma loja de departamento em 1995, rezando pra ninguém aparecer e pedir os fones de ouvido. Cada faixa, uma vontade de ouvir mais e Take a Bow foi o melhor jeito de terminar tudo. UMA PÉROLA. UMA JÓIA. Madonna é RARA. 👑
OMG Empress! Your reaction is so so so good! Why is this on the album? Because it's so damn good. What amazes me about this song to this day is that, even though there's a lot of nostalgia in the arrangment and the sentiment, NOTHING on the radio then or in the 30 years since remotely sounds like this. It's such a Madonna song and yet... sounds like nothing she's done. As a big fan from the get go, when this took off, it was such a joy to see M get the redemption she deserved. All the haters shut the hell up because this was such a joy on the radio. 10s across the board for y our reaction.
BTW, with this song, she became the woman who'd written the most #1s, passing Carole King. And she absolutely is written all over the production too. Babyface, in fact, has said that this was his favorite collaboration ever. They brought out the best in each other.
😂😂💯
Love your reaction this song, it’s one of the most beautiful songs in her catalogue. Shockingly, when released in the UK it was the first song since 1984 to break her record breaking consecutive run of long top 10 hits that started in 1984! I can’t wait to see your reaction to the video and then You’ll see which is a sequel and tremendous
Thanks for the info!
Yes ma’am. You finally arrived. What a song! Everything about this song was perfect to me. The music video may be my favorite from her. It made an impact on me. I loved the Bedtime Stories album. ❤
heck out the music video it will all make sense.
I am!
This song is included on the album its the final track closing the album ❤
Forgot to say. On my previous post @empress, it’s worth checking out love won’t wait which was a demo for bedtime stones. Her voice is very low and rich in tone: She ended up giving it to Gary Barlow
Noted
I’ll remember 2
Secret 3
Take a bow 1
And she follows up with bedtime story and human nature? She could have easily have 3 more top 10’s
Forbidden love
Love tried to welcome me
Inside of me
True but the singles she picked show how versatile the album is and represent different sides of it. She seems to love Human Nature the most i think, she always seems to perform it in her concerts. Bedtime Story was a hit in europe, hitting #4 in the UK and she gave us an epic Brit Awards performance
Excited to see this reaction ❤
My favorite track from my favorite Madonna album.
🔥
First time I heard the song was listening to the track after buying the CD. "Secret" was still being promoted. "Take A Bow" immediately sounded like it was a natural single choice, and was I glad that it came next.
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Epic reaction! I’m so with you on this Empress. This was played to death and I never tire of it. Perfection.
Yay! Congrats Empress on getting through Bedtime Stories in January! 😄I think this was my favorite reaction of yours so far! This song was so popular it seemed to be playing everywhere you went back then on the radio, on TV, at the grocery store... I worked in a little bar and grill and Take A Bow was on the jukebox. It got played a lot! Excited to see your rankings video! I've already been making guesses! 😁
So far in this era or ever?!😂
@@EmpressReacts I would say ever! It was a fun watch and reminded me of my first time hearing. But a close second favorite would be your full concert reactions because they are like a mini party / celebration.
@@scotlight1895 aw thanks! glad you enjoy and I can bring a smile to your face
This is one of the Madonna songs I knew growing up as I heard it plenty on the radio but I didn't know it was her or the same person who sang "La isla bonita". To be honest, the songs are so different that I think many wouldn't guess they're by the same artist
I can go for that
Yes!!! Glad you enjoyed it. And there’s a part 2 to this down the road 😉😉🙂
Can't wait!
Well, that was fun! Very cool to see you so excited! Probably the most hype you've been about a Madonna song in a minute.
And i think its safe to say you'll find that the video lives up to the song on every level.
😂😂I think so
Yes! A step above…truly a beautiful song. And YES, babyface ATE. 😮😂❤ This track endures.
Such a beautiful song and one of Madonna’s best vocals. This track was used on Beverly Hills 90210 which was the biggest show at the time.
Ironically in Australia the song barely made the top 20 and in the UK it was the song that broke her run of consecutive top 10 singles.
I can’t believe that
Take a bow had a couple of good remixes..the InDaSoul mix was played on some R&B stations.. and the Silky Soul mix had a nice hip hop beat.. Human Nature was also played on a lot of black stations..the Howie Tee remix was the version they used to play the most
can't wait to hear😊
Don't forget her demoes of this era like "your honesty" and "I'd rather be your lover ft tupac"!
Noted!
and "Let Down Your Guard" another Bedtime Stories b-side -- Madonna sounds like TLC on that one.
Damn this song is beautifully written and produced by Madonna and Babyface and the video....one of the best of her career and seven weeks at number one! Her gold tooth been through more press and live performances then this beautiful ballad! Madoonna, gurrrrl the hells wrong with you man, performing this song only a small handful of times ! No bull interview (janet beef tea!) the making of Take A Bow official video might be part two of Badgirl IMO! Can't wait till you watch it ha!
Omg I’m getting excited!
Another Babyface Masterpiece ❤❤❤❤
🔥🔥😅
Yeah, when Madonna gets it right she gets it sooo right! She and Baby Face made a jewel of a song together. His idea was the Asian sound to it and Madonna's was to bring in the strings. This song they wrote was number one for seven weeks! The video is awesome too and so is the followup Part 2, with the video "You'll See." It was a very interesting time for Madonna who was coming down from the scandal of her book SEX and Erotica video. Madonn's lyrics, of course. It makes sense with her past love life and heartache. Love your reaction! THX for repeating that song! Love it!
I used to go to a small drag bar back in the 90s where some of Denver's sketchiest drag queens would put on really fun and raunchy weekend shows, and there was almost always a spat over WHO would get to perform Take A Bow, one queen even deciding to perform to it mid-show just to steal the thunder of the closing performer who already placed dibs on it. Lol.
😂😂too much
Wait until you see Madonna and Babyface perform this at the American Music Awards! EPIC ❤️🔥😃. It’s her longest running Billboard #1 for seven weeks.
I feel like she was too nervous performing it and over-sang it, however, what I love is the staging and how WILD the crowd was for it. She also looked so lovely.
It was included to assure a hit song on the pop charts as they knew Bedtime Stories would be a dance hit, couldn’t predict if Secret would do well. And after the sales dip of Erotica this was an album that HAD to sell. Safer choices.
One of my favorite Babyface collabs. I also like Mariah’s Melt Away.
Ooo never heard it!
I've never seen you so excited about a song! Now I gotta check out your Vanessa Williams reaction
Vanessa Williams is also a famous actress !❤
I love this song, but I think it should not end the album ("Bedtime Story" is the perfect closer, serving as the bridge to the Ray of Light era). "Take a Bow" would have worked better as track number 4, despite the "the show is over say good-bye" line.
Interesting
A perfect way to close out the album. I hope you have MTV’s The Making of Take a Bow on your watch list ✅✅
noted!
Loved the reaction and you @Empress 💋
😘😘
Im glad u liked this song definitely a hit for sure 🎉🔥
💯🔥