Ray of Light: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Short description|1998 studio album by Madonna}} | ||
{{About|the album|the title track|Ray of Light (song)|other uses|Ray of light (disambiguation)}} | {{About|the album|the title track|Ray of Light (song)|other uses|Ray of light (disambiguation)}} | ||
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}} | {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}} | ||
{{Infobox album | {{Infobox album | ||
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* [[New age music|new-age]] | * [[New age music|new-age]] | ||
| length = 66:52 | | length = 66:52 | ||
| label = *[[Maverick (company)|Maverick]] | | label = | ||
*[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] | * [[Maverick (company)|Maverick]] | ||
| producer = * Madonna | * [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] | ||
| producer = | |||
* Madonna | |||
* [[William Orbit]] | * [[William Orbit]] | ||
* [[Patrick Leonard]] | * [[Patrick Leonard]] | ||
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| prev_title = [[Evita (soundtrack)|Evita]] | | prev_title = [[Evita (soundtrack)|Evita]] | ||
| prev_year = 1996 | | prev_year = 1996 | ||
| next_title = [[ | | next_title = [[Music (Madonna album)|Music]] | ||
| next_year = 2000 | | next_year = 2000 | ||
| misc = {{Singles | | misc = {{Singles | ||
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| single3date = August 24, 1998 | | single3date = August 24, 1998 | ||
| single4 = [[The Power of Good-Bye]] | | single4 = [[The Power of Good-Bye]] | ||
| single4date = September | | single4date = September 1, 1998 | ||
| single5 = [[Little Star (Madonna song)|Little Star]] | | single5 = [[Little Star (Madonna song)|Little Star]] | ||
| single5date = November 23, 1998<ref name=wrhlittlestar>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-11-21.pdf#page=31|title=Singles: Releases for 23 Nov–29 Nov, 1998|page=23|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=November 21, 1998|accessdate=October 17, 2023|via=World Radio History}}</ref> | | single5date = November 23, 1998<ref name="wrhlittlestar">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-11-21.pdf#page=31|title=Singles: Releases for 23 Nov–29 Nov, 1998|page=23|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=November 21, 1998|accessdate=October 17, 2023|via=World Radio History}}</ref> | ||
| single6 = [[Nothing Really Matters]] | | single6 = [[Nothing Really Matters]] | ||
| single6date = February 9, 1999 | | single6date = February 9, 1999 | ||
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Ray of Light''''' is the seventh | '''''Ray of Light''''' is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter [[Madonna]], released on February 22, 1998, by [[Maverick (company)|Maverick Records]]. A major stylistic and aesthetic departure from her earlier work, ''[[Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)|Bedtime Stories]]'' (1994), ''Ray of Light'' is an [[electronica]], [[trip hop]], [[techno-pop]] and [[New-age music|new-age]] record which incorporates multiple genres, including [[ambient music|ambient]], [[House music|house]], [[Rock music|rock]] and [[Classical music|classical]]. Mystical themes are strongly present in the music and lyrics as a result of Madonna embracing [[Kabbalah]], her study of [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]], and her daily practice of [[Ashtanga vinyasa yoga|Ashtanga yoga]]. | ||
After giving birth to her first child, Madonna started working on the album with producers [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]] and [[Patrick Leonard]]. Following failed sessions with them, Madonna pursued a new musical direction with English producer [[William Orbit]], which resulted in a much more experimental sound. The recording process was the longest of Madonna's career, and she experienced problems with Orbit's hardware arrangement, which would break down and cause delays until it could be repaired. | After giving birth to her first child, Madonna started working on the album with producers [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]] and [[Patrick Leonard]]. Following failed sessions with them, Madonna pursued a new musical direction with English producer [[William Orbit]], which resulted in a much more experimental sound. The recording process was the longest of Madonna's career, and she experienced problems with Orbit's hardware arrangement, which would break down and cause delays until it could be repaired. | ||
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''Ray of Light'' was met with universal acclaim upon its release and is often considered Madonna's [[Masterpiece|''magnum opus'']]. Critics praised the singer's new musical direction, contemplative songwriting, and mature vocals, alongside Orbit's complex, innovative production. The album has also been credited with introducing electronica into mainstream pop culture and affirming the 39-year-old Madonna's relevance during a period of major teen-marketed artists. Retrospectively, the album has continued to receive acclaim and is considered one of the greatest [[Pop music|pop]] albums of all time.<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2008|pp=535–538}}</ref> Madonna has referred to it as her quintessential album. ''Ray of Light'' won four [[Grammy Awards]] from a total of six nominations at the [[41st Annual Grammy Awards]]. | ''Ray of Light'' was met with universal acclaim upon its release and is often considered Madonna's [[Masterpiece|''magnum opus'']]. Critics praised the singer's new musical direction, contemplative songwriting, and mature vocals, alongside Orbit's complex, innovative production. The album has also been credited with introducing electronica into mainstream pop culture and affirming the 39-year-old Madonna's relevance during a period of major teen-marketed artists. Retrospectively, the album has continued to receive acclaim and is considered one of the greatest [[Pop music|pop]] albums of all time.<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2008|pp=535–538}}</ref> Madonna has referred to it as her quintessential album. ''Ray of Light'' won four [[Grammy Awards]] from a total of six nominations at the [[41st Annual Grammy Awards]]. | ||
The album entered the [[Billboard 200|US ''Billboard'' 200]] at number two, with the biggest first-week sales by a female artist at the time. It also peaked at number one in 17 countries,<ref name="countries">{{cite web|url=https://www.glamour.com/story/madonna-ray-of-light-20-year-anniversary|title=20 Years Later, 'Ray of Light' Is Still Madonna's Most Shocking Reinvention|work=[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]|access-date=February 12, 2022|first=Christopher|last=Rosa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303203405/https://www.glamour.com/story/madonna-ray-of-light-20-year-anniversary|archive-date=March 3, 2018|date=March 3, 2018}}</ref> including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain and on the [[UK Albums Chart|United Kingdom Albums Chart]], and charted within the top-five in most [[List of largest recorded music markets|musical markets]]. Worldwide, ''Ray of Light'' has sold over 16 million copies and is one of the [[List of best-selling albums by women|best-selling albums by women]]. Five [[Single (music)|singles]] were released from the album, including the international top five hits "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" and "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]". The album's promotion was later supported by the [[Drowned World Tour]] in 2001. A remix album entitled ''[[Veronica Electronica]]'' | The album entered the [[Billboard 200|US ''Billboard'' 200]] at number two, with the biggest first-week sales by a female artist at the time. It also peaked at number one in 17 countries,<ref name="countries">{{cite web|url=https://www.glamour.com/story/madonna-ray-of-light-20-year-anniversary|title=20 Years Later, 'Ray of Light' Is Still Madonna's Most Shocking Reinvention|work=[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]|access-date=February 12, 2022|first=Christopher|last=Rosa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303203405/https://www.glamour.com/story/madonna-ray-of-light-20-year-anniversary|archive-date=March 3, 2018|date=March 3, 2018}}</ref> including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain and on the [[UK Albums Chart|United Kingdom Albums Chart]], and charted within the top-five in most [[List of largest recorded music markets|musical markets]]. Worldwide, ''Ray of Light'' has sold over 16 million copies and is one of the [[List of best-selling albums by women|best-selling albums by women]]. Five [[Single (music)|singles]] were released from the album, including the international top five hits "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" and "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]". The album's promotion was later supported by the [[Drowned World Tour]] in 2001. A remix album entitled ''[[Veronica Electronica]]'' was released on July 25, 2025. | ||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
[[File:Madonna - Wembley Arena 120806 (35).jpg|thumb|upright|Madonna wearing a [[Red string (Kabbalah)|red string]], performing the album's opening track, "[[Drowned World/Substitute for Love]]", on the 2006 [[Confessions Tour]]]] | [[File:Madonna - Wembley Arena 120806 (35).jpg|thumb|upright|Madonna wearing a [[Red string (Kabbalah)|red string]], performing the album's opening track, "[[Drowned World/Substitute for Love]]", on the 2006 [[Confessions Tour]]]] | ||
In 1995, Madonna released her compilation album ''[[Something to Remember]]'' and began taking vocal lessons in preparation for her role as [[Eva Perón]] in ''[[Evita (1996 film)|Evita]]'' (1996). She would also give birth to her daughter, [[Lourdes Leon]], later in 1996. These events inspired a period of introspection. "That was a big catalyst for me. It took me on a search for answers to questions I'd never asked myself before", she said to ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' magazine, in 2002.<ref name="qmag" /> During the same period, she embraced [[Kabbalah]] and started studying [[Hinduism]] and [[yoga]], all of which helped her "step outside [myself] and see the world from a different perspective".<ref name="qmag" /> Madonna felt that there was a "whole piece" of her voice left unused, which she decided to utilize for the album.<ref name="qmag">{{cite magazine|title=Making of Ray of Light|first=Johnny|last=Black|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|date=August 2002|volume=17|issue=8|issn=0955-4955}}</ref> By May 1997, Madonna had started writing songs for the album. She began collaborating with [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]], who had first worked with her on her previous album ''[[Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)|Bedtime Stories]]'' (1994). The two wrote a couple of songs together before Madonna decided the collaborations were not going in the musical direction she wanted for the album. According to Babyface, the songs "had a '[[Take a Bow (Madonna song)|Take a Bow]]-ish' kind of vibe, and Madonna didn't want, or need, to repeat herself".<ref name="spin">{{cite magazine|last=Walters|first=Barry|date=April 1998|title=Madonna: The 'Ray of Light' Cover Story, 'Madonna Chooses Dare'|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/03/madonna-ray-of-light-cover-story-1998/|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|access-date=March 4, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114308/http://www.spin.com/2016/03/madonna-ray-of-light-cover-story-1998/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
After abandoning the songs she had written with Babyface, Madonna turned to musician [[Rick Nowels]], who had previously co-written songs with [[Stevie Nicks]] and [[Celine Dion]]. The collaboration produced seven songs in nine days, but those songs also did not display the album's future [[Electronic music|electronic]] musical direction.<ref name="spin" /> Three of the songs, "[[The Power of Good-Bye]]", "To Have and Not to Hold" and "Little Star", appear on the album.<ref name="spin" /> Madonna then began writing songs with [[Patrick Leonard]], who had produced many songs for Madonna in the late 1980s. Unlike her previous albums, Leonard's songwriting collaborations were accompanied by very little studio input. Madonna believed that Leonard's production "would have lent the songs more of a [[Peter Gabriel]] vibe", a sound that she did not want for the album.<ref name="spin" /> [[Guy Oseary]], chairman of [[Maverick (company)|Maverick Records]], then phoned British electronic musician [[William Orbit]], and suggested that he send some songs to Madonna.<ref name="qmag" /> Orbit sent a 13-track [[digital audio tape]] to Madonna. "I was a huge fan of William's earlier records, ''[[Strange Cargo (William Orbit album)|Strange Cargo 1]]'' and ''[[Strange Cargo 2|2]]'' and all that. I also loved all the remixes he did for me and I was interested in fusing a kind of futuristic sound but also using lots of Indian and Moroccan influences and things like that, and I wanted it to sound old and new at the same time," Madonna said.<ref name="qmag" /> | After abandoning the songs she had written with Babyface, Madonna turned to musician [[Rick Nowels]], who had previously co-written songs with [[Stevie Nicks]] and [[Celine Dion]]. The collaboration produced seven songs in nine days, but those songs also did not display the album's future [[Electronic music|electronic]] musical direction.<ref name="spin" /> Three of the songs, "[[The Power of Good-Bye]]", "To Have and Not to Hold" and "Little Star", appear on the album.<ref name="spin" /> Madonna then began writing songs with [[Patrick Leonard]], who had produced many songs for Madonna in the late 1980s. Unlike her previous albums, Leonard's songwriting collaborations were accompanied by very little studio input. Madonna believed that Leonard's production "would have lent the songs more of a [[Peter Gabriel]] vibe", a sound that she did not want for the album.<ref name="spin" /> [[Guy Oseary]], chairman of [[Maverick (company)|Maverick Records]], then phoned British electronic musician [[William Orbit]], and suggested that he send some songs to Madonna.<ref name="qmag" /> Orbit sent a 13-track [[digital audio tape]] to Madonna. "I was a huge fan of William's earlier records, ''[[Strange Cargo (William Orbit album)|Strange Cargo 1]]'' and ''[[Strange Cargo 2|2]]'' and all that. I also loved all the remixes he did for me and I was interested in fusing a kind of futuristic sound but also using lots of Indian and Moroccan influences and things like that, and I wanted it to sound old and new at the same time," Madonna said.<ref name="qmag" /> | ||
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Recording sessions commenced at Larrabee North Studio in [[North Hollywood, California|North Hollywood]] in the summer of 1997, where the album was predominantly recorded. For most of the recording process, only three other people were in the studio with Madonna: William Orbit, engineer [[Pat McCarthy (record producer)|Pat McCarthy]], and his assistant engineer, Matt Silva.<ref name="spin" /> Sessions were initially plagued with machinery problems, as Orbit preferred to work with samples and synth sounds, and not with live musicians. The computers would break down, and recording would have to be delayed until they could be repaired.<ref name="spin" /><ref name="keyboard" /> Orbit recorded the bulk of the album's instrumentation over a four-month period. Orbit recalls playing the guitar until his fingers bled during the long hours he spent in the studio. Orbit also recalled during an interview with ''Q'' magazine that Madonna recorded "Swim" the day her friend and fashion designer [[Gianni Versace]] was killed in [[Miami]], Florida. He also commented that this is probably why the track has an emotional impact.<ref name="qmag" /><ref name="spin" /> | Recording sessions commenced at Larrabee North Studio in [[North Hollywood, California|North Hollywood]] in the summer of 1997, where the album was predominantly recorded. For most of the recording process, only three other people were in the studio with Madonna: William Orbit, engineer [[Pat McCarthy (record producer)|Pat McCarthy]], and his assistant engineer, Matt Silva.<ref name="spin" /> Sessions were initially plagued with machinery problems, as Orbit preferred to work with samples and synth sounds, and not with live musicians. The computers would break down, and recording would have to be delayed until they could be repaired.<ref name="spin" /><ref name="keyboard" /> Orbit recorded the bulk of the album's instrumentation over a four-month period. Orbit recalls playing the guitar until his fingers bled during the long hours he spent in the studio. Orbit also recalled during an interview with ''Q'' magazine that Madonna recorded "Swim" the day her friend and fashion designer [[Gianni Versace]] was killed in [[Miami]], Florida. He also commented that this is probably why the track has an emotional impact.<ref name="qmag" /><ref name="spin" /> | ||
After some errors in her pronunciation of [[Sanskrit]] [[shloka]] "Yoga Taravali" during the song "Shanti/Ashtangi", the [[BBC]] arranged for Madonna to take telephonic lessons to learn the basic correct pronunciation of Sanskrit words from eminent scholar [[Vagish Shastri]]. She then made the necessary pronunciation corrections on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431587/madonna-considers-signing-up-sanskrit-lessons.jhtml|title=Madonna Considers Signing Up For Sanskrit Lessons|work=[[MTV News]]|date=December 31, 1998|access-date=April 7, 2012|archive-date=January 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105051836/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431587/madonna-considers-signing-up-sanskrit-lessons.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Madonna-learnt-Sanskrit-via-phone-calls/articleshow/1607547901.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811114524/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-09-08/lucknow/27245720_1_sanskrit-shastri-madonna|url-status=live|archive-date=August 11, 2011|title=Madonna learnt Sanskrit via phone calls|date=September 8, 2001|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=April 7, 2012}}</ref> In a 1997 interview with [[Kurt Loder]] for [[MTV]], Madonna discussed the impact of giving birth to her daughter Lourdes prior to the album, stating "I think probably having her's set me off on a new way of thinking and... just gone down a different road, period". Regarding the album's creative direction, she stated "It's been really fun, I've never | After some errors in her pronunciation of [[Sanskrit]] [[shloka]] "Yoga Taravali" during the song "Shanti/Ashtangi", the [[BBC]] arranged for Madonna to take telephonic lessons to learn the basic correct pronunciation of Sanskrit words from eminent scholar [[Vagish Shastri]]. She then made the necessary pronunciation corrections on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431587/madonna-considers-signing-up-sanskrit-lessons.jhtml|title=Madonna Considers Signing Up For Sanskrit Lessons|work=[[MTV News]]|date=December 31, 1998|access-date=April 7, 2012|archive-date=January 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105051836/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431587/madonna-considers-signing-up-sanskrit-lessons.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Madonna-learnt-Sanskrit-via-phone-calls/articleshow/1607547901.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811114524/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-09-08/lucknow/27245720_1_sanskrit-shastri-madonna|url-status=live|archive-date=August 11, 2011|title=Madonna learnt Sanskrit via phone calls|date=September 8, 2001|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=April 7, 2012}}</ref> In a 1997 interview with [[Kurt Loder]] for [[MTV]], Madonna discussed the impact of giving birth to her daughter Lourdes prior to the album, stating "I think probably having her's set me off on a new way of thinking and... just gone down a different road, period". Regarding the album's creative direction, she stated "It's been really fun, I've never, ... felt so free to experiment."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/archive/m/madonna/insidemad/index.jhtml |title=MTV Bands – Archive – M – Madonna |publisher=MTV. [[MTV Networks]] |access-date=December 1, 2012 |page=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213224729/http://www.mtv.com/bands/archive/m/madonna/insidemad/index.jhtml |archive-date=December 13, 2012}}</ref> | ||
== Title and artwork == | == Title and artwork == | ||
According to spokesperson Liz Rosenberg, Madonna considered titling the album ''Mantra'', which she thought was a "really cool title", and she also considered calling it ''Veronica Electronica'';<ref>{{Citation|title=Madonna – Canadian interview with Sook-Yin Lee (2000)| date=July 25, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VWlGrPSjRM|language=en|access-date=2019-12-18|archive-date=January 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123070435/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VWlGrPSjRM|url-status=live}}</ref> however, she discarded both of those ideas and called it ''Ray of Light'', as her studio albums up to that point were always titled after one of the songs from each album's tracklist.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Newsbytes|year=1997|issue=2|volume=7|page=15|magazine=Icon}}</ref> The artwork | According to spokesperson Liz Rosenberg, Madonna considered titling the album ''Mantra'', which she thought was a "really cool title", and she also considered calling it ''Veronica Electronica'';<ref>{{Citation|title=Madonna – Canadian interview with Sook-Yin Lee (2000)| date=July 25, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VWlGrPSjRM|language=en|access-date=2019-12-18|archive-date=January 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123070435/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VWlGrPSjRM|url-status=live}}</ref> however, she discarded both of those ideas and called it ''Ray of Light'', as her studio albums up to that point were always titled after one of the songs from each album's tracklist.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Newsbytes|year=1997|issue=2|volume=7|page=15|magazine=Icon}}</ref> | ||
The artwork is taken from a November 28, 1997 photoshoot with photographer [[Mario Testino]]. In terms of styling, Madonna and stylist [[Lori Goldstein]] opted for textures evocative of the elements [[water]] and [[air]], which are recurrent themes on the album. For the album cover, Madonna wears a turquoise [[Dolce & Gabbana]] Spring/Summer 1998 vinyl [[raincoat]]. Other pictures from the same shoot serve as the artworks for the "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]" and "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" singles, where Madonna models items from [[Prada]]'s Spring/Summer 1998 collection.<ref>{{cite web|title="Ray of Light" Album Photo Shoot by Mario Testino|date=May 12, 2020 |url=https://madonnaoutfits.wordpress.com/2020/05/12/ray-of-light-album/|access-date=June 4, 2022|archive-date=September 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906002029/https://madonnaoutfits.wordpress.com/2020/05/12/ray-of-light-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna and Testino had previously collaborated for a [[Versace]] brand collection two years earlier. Madonna was impressed with the natural look Testino had captured, so she booked him again for the album's photoshoot. He recalled, "At 2pm she said, 'OK, I'm tired. We're done'. And I said, 'But I don't have the pictures yet'. She said, 'You're working for me and I say we're done'. I said, 'No, we carry on'. The picture she used on the cover came after that".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Farndale|first1=Nigel|title=Mario Testino: 'it's not all glamour'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/photography/4733443/Mario-Testino-its-not-all-glamour.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=February 24, 2009 |access-date=November 16, 2014|archive-date=December 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206092033/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/photography/4733443/Mario-Testino-its-not-all-glamour.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Composition == | == Composition == | ||
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{{See also|Drowned World Tour}} | {{See also|Drowned World Tour}} | ||
[[File:SkyFitsHeavenDionisio.jpg|thumb|Madonna performing promotional single "Sky Fits Heaven", during the [[Drowned World Tour]] in 2001]] | [[File:SkyFitsHeavenDionisio.jpg|thumb|Madonna performing promotional single "Sky Fits Heaven", during the [[Drowned World Tour]] in 2001]] | ||
''Ray of Light'' was released in Japan on February 22, 1998, with an additional Japan-only bonus track "Has to Be".<ref name="oricon" /> The album was later released in the United States on March 3, 1998. In New Zealand, a box set of ''Ray of Light'' and the 1990 compilation ''[[The Immaculate Collection]]'' was released to accompany the album. It reached number 12 on the albums chart and was certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]] (RIANZ) for shipment of 7,500 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp?chartNum=1180&chartKind=A |title=Top 50 Albums – October 10, 1999 |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]] |access-date=August 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402164010/http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp?chartNum=1180&chartKind=A |archive-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref> A promotional instore VHS compilation titled ''Rays of Light'' was released in the United Kingdom in 1999, compiling all the music videos to all five singles from the album. All five videos were later included on the compilation ''[[The Video Collection 93:99]]'' (1999).<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Rays of Light|author=Madonna|year=1999|publisher=Maverick, Warner Bros., Warner Music UK|id= PRO-RAY-VHS}}</ref> "Sky Fits Heaven" was released as a [[promotional recording|promotional single]] in the United States. It peaked at number 41 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Dance Club Songs|Hot Dance Club Play]] chart.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/ | ''Ray of Light'' was released in Japan on February 22, 1998, with an additional Japan-only bonus track "Has to Be".<ref name="oricon" /> The album was later released in the United States on March 3, 1998. In New Zealand, a box set of ''Ray of Light'' and the 1990 compilation ''[[The Immaculate Collection]]'' was released to accompany the album. It reached number 12 on the albums chart and was certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]] (RIANZ) for shipment of 7,500 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp?chartNum=1180&chartKind=A |title=Top 50 Albums – October 10, 1999 |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]] |access-date=August 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402164010/http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp?chartNum=1180&chartKind=A |archive-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref> A promotional instore VHS compilation titled ''Rays of Light'' was released in the United Kingdom in 1999, compiling all the music videos to all five singles from the album. All five videos were later included on the compilation ''[[The Video Collection 93:99]]'' (1999).<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Rays of Light|author=Madonna|year=1999|publisher=Maverick, Warner Bros., Warner Music UK|id= PRO-RAY-VHS}}</ref> "Sky Fits Heaven" was released as a [[promotional recording|promotional single]] in the United States. It peaked at number 41 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Dance Club Songs|Hot Dance Club Play]] chart.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/celebration-madonnas-40-most-impressive-instants/|title='Celebration': Madonna's 40 Most Impressive Instants|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=September 15, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 8, 2009|archive-date=July 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728083555/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/267393/celebration-madonnas-40-most-impressive-instants|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
To promote the album, Madonna made a number of televised appearances and live performances of the album's songs. On February 14, 1998, she debuted "Sky Fits Heaven", "Shanti/Ashtangi" and "Ray of Light" at [[Roxy NYC]] nightclub.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/3250/madonna-lights-up-new-yorks-roxy.jhtml |title=Madonna Lights Up New York's Roxy |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |publisher=MTV News. Viacom |date=February 16, 1998 |access-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221050103/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/3250/madonna-lights-up-new-yorks-roxy.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> "Frozen" was performed on ''[[The National Lottery Draws|The National Lottery Show]]'' in the UK (February 21),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-performs-at-the-bbc-national-lottery-show|title=Madonna performs at the BBC National Lottery Show|work=Icon: Madonna Official Website|publisher=Madonna.com|date=February 21, 1998|access-date=June 30, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111140/http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-performs-at-the-bbc-national-lottery-show|url-status=live}}</ref> 1998 [[Sanremo Music Festival]] in Italy (February 24),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/3396/madonna-frozen-place-by-music-festival-host.jhtml|title=Madonna 'Frozen' In Place By Music Festival Host|website=[[MTV]]|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110053756/http://www.mtv.com/news/3396/madonna-frozen-in-place-by-music-festival-host/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Wetten, dass..?]]'' in Germany (February 28)<ref>{{harvnb|Vorrath|2011|p=223}}</ref> and ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'' in the United States (March 13).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-chats-with-rosie-odonnell|title=Madonna chats with Rosie O'Donnell|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208072733/http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-chats-with-rosie-odonnell|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 27, Madonna made an unannounced appearance at the [[Rock for the Rainforest]] benefit concert at [[Carnegie Hall]] in New York City to sing "Frozen". She also joined the other stars of the concert, including [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Elton John]], and [[Billy Joel]] to perform "[[With a Little Help From My Friends]]" and "[[Twist and Shout]]" with them.<ref name="beatles">{{cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/29/arts/pop-review-meet-the-beatles-again-and-their-musical-fans.html|title=POP REVIEW; Meet the Beatles Again, And Their Musical Fans|work=The New York Times|date=April 29, 1998|access-date=December 8, 2012|archive-date=September 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925060144/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/29/arts/pop-review-meet-the-beatles-again-and-their-musical-fans.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 29, Madonna appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' and sang "Little Star" and "Ray of Light" there.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431606/madonna-steps-into-media-light-with-oprah-firms-up-film-work.jhtml|title=Madonna Steps Into The Media "Light" With Oprah, Firms Up Film Work|publisher=MTV News|date=May 27, 1998|access-date=May 13, 2012|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202222425/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431606/madonna-steps-into-media-light-with-oprah-firms-up-film-work.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 10, she opened [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards]] in New York City with the performance of "Shanti/Ashtangi" and "Ray of Light" featuring [[Lenny Kravitz]] on guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/501657/19980914/index.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111124116/http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/501657/19980914/index.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |title=Hindu Group Calls Madonna Performance Sacrilege |publisher=MTV News |date=September 14, 1998 |access-date=April 8, 2012 }}</ref> "The Power of Good-Bye" was sung at the [[1998 MTV Europe Music Awards]] in Italy (November 12)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/213410.stm|title=Spice Girls take MTV crown|work=BBC News|date=November 13, 1998|access-date=April 13, 2012|archive-date=June 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615153105/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/213410.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' in the UK (November 19).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/artists/m/madonna/clips/power_of_goodbye.shtml|title=Top of the Pops – video archive|publisher=BBC|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=December 6, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041206004349/http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/artists/m/madonna/clips/power_of_goodbye.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 24, 1999, Madonna performed "Nothing Really Matters" at the [[41st Annual Grammy Awards|41st Grammy Awards]] ceremony at [[Shrine Auditorium]] in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/madonna-on-stage/2012/01/25/gIQAROyERQ_gallery.html#photo=13|title=Madonna through the years|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 13, 2012|date=March 26, 2012|archive-date=March 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329161344/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/madonna-on-stage/2012/01/25/gIQAROyERQ_gallery.html#photo=13|url-status=live}}</ref> | To promote the album, Madonna made a number of televised appearances and live performances of the album's songs. On February 14, 1998, she debuted "Sky Fits Heaven", "Shanti/Ashtangi" and "Ray of Light" at [[Roxy NYC]] nightclub.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/3250/madonna-lights-up-new-yorks-roxy.jhtml |title=Madonna Lights Up New York's Roxy |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |publisher=MTV News. Viacom |date=February 16, 1998 |access-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221050103/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/3250/madonna-lights-up-new-yorks-roxy.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> "Frozen" was performed on ''[[The National Lottery Draws|The National Lottery Show]]'' in the UK (February 21),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-performs-at-the-bbc-national-lottery-show|title=Madonna performs at the BBC National Lottery Show|work=Icon: Madonna Official Website|publisher=Madonna.com|date=February 21, 1998|access-date=June 30, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111140/http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-performs-at-the-bbc-national-lottery-show|url-status=live}}</ref> 1998 [[Sanremo Music Festival]] in Italy (February 24),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/3396/madonna-frozen-place-by-music-festival-host.jhtml|title=Madonna 'Frozen' In Place By Music Festival Host|website=[[MTV]]|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110053756/http://www.mtv.com/news/3396/madonna-frozen-in-place-by-music-festival-host/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Wetten, dass..?]]'' in Germany (February 28)<ref>{{harvnb|Vorrath|2011|p=223}}</ref> and ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'' in the United States (March 13).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-chats-with-rosie-odonnell|title=Madonna chats with Rosie O'Donnell|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208072733/http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-chats-with-rosie-odonnell|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 27, Madonna made an unannounced appearance at the [[Rock for the Rainforest]] benefit concert at [[Carnegie Hall]] in New York City to sing "Frozen". She also joined the other stars of the concert, including [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Elton John]], and [[Billy Joel]] to perform "[[With a Little Help From My Friends]]" and "[[Twist and Shout]]" with them.<ref name="beatles">{{cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/29/arts/pop-review-meet-the-beatles-again-and-their-musical-fans.html|title=POP REVIEW; Meet the Beatles Again, And Their Musical Fans|work=The New York Times|date=April 29, 1998|access-date=December 8, 2012|archive-date=September 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925060144/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/29/arts/pop-review-meet-the-beatles-again-and-their-musical-fans.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 29, Madonna appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' and sang "Little Star" and "Ray of Light" there.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431606/madonna-steps-into-media-light-with-oprah-firms-up-film-work.jhtml|title=Madonna Steps Into The Media "Light" With Oprah, Firms Up Film Work|publisher=MTV News|date=May 27, 1998|access-date=May 13, 2012|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202222425/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431606/madonna-steps-into-media-light-with-oprah-firms-up-film-work.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 10, she opened [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards]] in New York City with the performance of "Shanti/Ashtangi" and "Ray of Light" featuring [[Lenny Kravitz]] on guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/501657/19980914/index.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111124116/http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/501657/19980914/index.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |title=Hindu Group Calls Madonna Performance Sacrilege |publisher=MTV News |date=September 14, 1998 |access-date=April 8, 2012 }}</ref> "The Power of Good-Bye" was sung at the [[1998 MTV Europe Music Awards]] in Italy (November 12)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/213410.stm|title=Spice Girls take MTV crown|work=BBC News|date=November 13, 1998|access-date=April 13, 2012|archive-date=June 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615153105/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/213410.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' in the UK (November 19).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/artists/m/madonna/clips/power_of_goodbye.shtml|title=Top of the Pops – video archive|publisher=BBC|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=December 6, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041206004349/http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/artists/m/madonna/clips/power_of_goodbye.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 24, 1999, Madonna performed "Nothing Really Matters" at the [[41st Annual Grammy Awards|41st Grammy Awards]] ceremony at [[Shrine Auditorium]] in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/madonna-on-stage/2012/01/25/gIQAROyERQ_gallery.html#photo=13|title=Madonna through the years|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 13, 2012|date=March 26, 2012|archive-date=March 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329161344/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/madonna-on-stage/2012/01/25/gIQAROyERQ_gallery.html#photo=13|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
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"[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" was released as the lead single from the album on February 23, 1998. It peaked inside the top five in most musical markets worldwide, while topping the singles chart in Finland, Italy, Spain and on the [[UK singles chart|United Kingdom Singles Chart]], where it became Madonna's first single to debut at number one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Frozen&cat=s|title=Madonna – Frozen|publisher=Ultratop 50. Hung Medien|access-date=November 3, 2011|archive-date=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221213419/http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Frozen&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="uksingles">{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/MADONNA/|title=Madonna|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=September 9, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023000141/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/madonna/|archive-date=October 23, 2012}}</ref> It became her sixth single to peak at number two on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], setting a record for Madonna as the artist with [[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones#Most number-two songs|most number-two hits]] in the chart history.<ref name="hot100">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/madonna/chart-history/hot-100|title=Madonna Album & Song Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 3, 2011|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121093637/https://www.billboard.com/artist/madonna/chart-history/hot-100/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/16/happy-birthday-madonna/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712132240/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/16/happy-birthday-madonna/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2012|title=Happy Birthday, Madonna!|first=John|last=Mitchell|publisher=MTV (MTV Networks)|date=August 16, 2011|access-date=August 18, 2011}}</ref> The song received critical acclaim, and was labelled a masterpiece whose sound was described as "cinematic".<ref name="slant" /> However, the [[Belgium|Belgian]] court in 2005 ruled that the opening four-bar theme to the song was plagiarized from the song "Ma vie fout le camp", composed by Salvatore Acquaviva. The ruling forbade the sale of the single and the entire ''Ray of Light'' album, as well as other compilations that included the track in Belgium.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-11-18-madonna-plagiarism-case_x.htm?csp=34 Songwriter wins case against Madonna] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202154502/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-11-18-madonna-plagiarism-case_x.htm?csp=34 |date=December 2, 2008 }}. [[Associated Press]] via ''USA Today''. November 18, 2005. Retrieved May 22, 2006.</ref> In February 2014, a Belgian court ruled that Madonna did not plagiarize Acquaviva's work for "Frozen". The court spoke of a "new capital offense" in the file: composer Edouard Scotto Di Suoccio and societies Tabata Atoll Music and Music in Paris had also filed a complaint for plagiarism. According to them, both "Ma vie fout le camp" and "Frozen" originated in the song "Blood Night" which they composed in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20140203_00961255|title=Belg krijgt ongelijk in plagiaatzaak tegen Madonna over 'Frozen'|first=Rogier|last=Verschueren|date=January 4, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2014|work=De Standaard|language=nl|archive-date=February 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231502/http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20140203_00961255|url-status=live}}</ref> After all three tracks in the case were compared, the final ruling was that the songs were "not sufficiently 'original' to claim" that any plagiarism had taken place.<ref name="DigitalSpy">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a549051/madonna-frozen-ban-lifted-in-belgium-after-8-years.html|title=Madonna 'Frozen' ban lifted in Belgium after 8 years|work=[[Digital Spy]]|date=February 5, 2014|access-date=February 8, 2014|archive-date=February 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226111706/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a549051/madonna-frozen-ban-lifted-in-belgium-after-8-years.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This ruling ended the eight-year ban of the song that was in place in Belgium since 2005.<ref name="DigitalSpy" /> | |||
" | The album's second single, "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]", was released on April 27, 1998. It peaked at number one in Spain and attained the top five position in Canada, Finland, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.<ref name="uksingles" /><ref name="spain" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Ray+Of+Light&cat=s|title=Madonna – Ray of Light|publisher=Ultratop 50. Hung Medien|access-date=November 3, 2011|archive-date=March 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313032327/http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Ray+Of+Light&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref> It entered the Hot 100 at number five, becoming Madonna's highest debut on the chart ever.<ref name="hot100" /> The song was also a hit on Hot Dance Club Play chart, remaining at number one for four weeks, and became the "Top Hot Dance Club Play Single" of 1998.<ref name="Allmusic – Billboard Albums, Billboard Singles">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-mn0000237205/awards|title=Madonna – Awards – Billboard Albums – Billboard Singles|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=July 30, 2014|archive-date=November 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125045605/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-mn0000237205/awards|url-status=live}}</ref> Critically, it also received positive reviews, being praised for its club-perfect, yet "sonically progressive" sound, as well as her powerful vocals.<ref name="allmusic" /> | ||
"[[Drowned World/Substitute for Love]]" was released on August 24, 1998, as the third single outside the United States. It reached number one in Spain and the top ten in Italy and the United Kingdom.<ref name="uksingles" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Drowned+World+%28Substitute+For+Love%29&cat=s|title=Madonna – Drowned World (Substitute for Love)|publisher=Ultratop 50. Hung Medien|access-date=November 3, 2011|archive-date=May 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504103046/http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Drowned+World+%28Substitute+For+Love%29&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[music video]], directed by [[Walter Stern (director)|Walter Stern]], caused controversy due to scenes that featured Madonna being chased by [[paparazzi]] on motor-bikes, a scenario similar to [[Diana, Princess of Wales|Princess Diana]]'s [[Death of Diana, Princess of Wales|death]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite news| title= BBC News Entertainment| work= Madonna: Mad for Success at 40| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/150058.stm| access-date= August 4, 2007| date= August 15, 1998| archive-date= June 30, 2003| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030630024821/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/150058.stm| url-status= live}}</ref> | |||
"Nothing Really Matters" was released as the album's | The fourth single, "[[The Power of Good-Bye]]", was released on September 1, 1998. It reached the top-ten peaks in Austria, Canada, Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.<ref name="r&r">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-08-28.pdf|title=New Releases|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|number=1263|date=August 28, 1998|page=37|accessdate=December 4, 2024|via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref name="uksingles" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=The+Power+Of+Good-Bye&cat=s|title=Madonna – The Power of Good-Bye|publisher=Ultratop 50. Hung Medien|access-date=November 3, 2011|archive-date=May 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504103145/http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=The+Power+Of+Good-Bye&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref> In the United States, the song peaked at number eleven on the Hot 100.<ref name="hot100" /> Its music video was directed by [[Matthew Rolston]]. "Little Star" was released as a double A-side single with "The Power of Good-Bye" in the United Kingdom on November 23, 1998.<ref name="wrhlittlestar" /> | ||
sixth and final single on March 2, 1999. It became a top-ten hit in Canada, Finland, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.<ref name="uksingles" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Nothing+Really+Matters&cat=s|title=Madonna – Nothing Really Matters|publisher=Ultratop 50. Hung Medien|access-date=November 3, 2011|archive-date=May 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504103109/http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Nothing+Really+Matters&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref> In the United States, it became Madonna's lowest-charting single on the Hot 100, peaking at number 93, but was a number-one hit on its dance chart.<ref name="hot100" /> Its music video, directed by [[Johan Renck]], was inspired by [[Arthur Golden]]'s book ''[[Memoirs of a Geisha]]'', and featured Madonna dressed as a [[geisha]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/madonna/31821/nothing-really-matters.jhtml|title=Madonna – Nothing Really Matters video| | |||
"[[Nothing Really Matters]]" was released as the album's sixth and final single on March 2, 1999. It became a top-ten hit in Canada, Finland, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.<ref name="uksingles" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Nothing+Really+Matters&cat=s|title=Madonna – Nothing Really Matters|publisher=Ultratop 50. Hung Medien|access-date=November 3, 2011|archive-date=May 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504103109/http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Nothing+Really+Matters&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref> In the United States, it became Madonna's lowest-charting single on the Hot 100, peaking at number 93, but was a number-one hit on its dance chart.<ref name="hot100" /> Its music video, directed by [[Johan Renck]], was inspired by [[Arthur Golden]]'s book ''[[Memoirs of a Geisha]]'', and featured Madonna dressed as a [[geisha]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/madonna/31821/nothing-really-matters.jhtml|title=Madonna – Nothing Really Matters video|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=March 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328073036/http://www.mtv.com/videos/madonna/31821/nothing-really-matters.jhtml}}</ref> | |||
== Critical reception == | == Critical reception == | ||
{{Music ratings | {{Music ratings | ||
| title = Contemporaneous reviews | | title = Contemporaneous reviews | ||
| Line 120: | Line 124: | ||
| rev2Score = A−<ref name="ew" /> | | rev2Score = A−<ref name="ew" /> | ||
| rev3 = ''[[The Guardian]]'' | | rev3 = ''[[The Guardian]]'' | ||
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="The Guardian Review">{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline|title=Madonna: Ray of Light (WEA)|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=February 27, 1998|page=18|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> | | rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="The Guardian Review">{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline|title=Madonna: ''Ray of Light'' (WEA)|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=February 27, 1998|page=18|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> | ||
| rev4 = ''[[NME]]'' | | rev4 = ''[[NME]]'' | ||
| rev4Score = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101000248reviews.html|title=Madonna – Ray of Light|last=Moody|first=Paul|magazine=[[NME]]|page=43|date=February 28, 1998|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817192218/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101000248reviews.html|archive-date=August 17, 2000|url-status=dead}}</ref> | | rev4Score = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101000248reviews.html|title=Madonna – ''Ray of Light'' |last=Moody |first=Paul |magazine=[[NME]] |page=43|date=February 28, 1998|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817192218/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101000248reviews.html|archive-date=August 17, 2000|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
| rev5 = ''[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]'' | | rev5 = ''[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]'' | ||
| rev5score = {{ | | rev5score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/17/26/Ent/discnow.html|title=Mediocre Madonna, awesome Ian Brown|newspaper=[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]|last=Perlich|first=Tim|date=March 4, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926224553/http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/17/26/Ent/discnow.html |access-date=June 18, 2025 |archive-date=September 26, 2007 }}</ref> | ||
| rev6 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' | | rev6 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' | ||
| rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite | | rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.qonline.co.uk:80/reviews/server.asp?id=15756&ss=madonna&cs=artist&st=cn&cp=1|title=Madonna - ''Ray Of Light''|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|last=Maconie|first=Stuart|date=30 September 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990930234450/http://www.qonline.co.uk:80/reviews/server.asp?id=15756&ss=madonna&cs=artist&st=cn&cp=1 |access-date=18 June 2025 |archive-date=September 30, 1999 }}</ref> | ||
| rev7 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | | rev7 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | ||
| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="rolling" /> | | rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="rolling" /> | ||
| rev8 = ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' | | rev8 = ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' | ||
| rev8score = {{ | | rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-reviews/136212491/|title=The Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia - Fri, 13 Mar 1998, Page 69|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=13 March 1998|access-date=18 June 2025}}</ref> | ||
| rev9 = ''[[USA Today]]'' | | rev9 = ''[[USA Today]]'' | ||
| rev9Score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/26894142.html?dids=26894142:26894142&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+03%2C+1998&author=Edna+Gundersen&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=Her+%27Ray+of+Light%27+shines+earnestly+in+new+direction&pqatl=google|title=Her 'Ray of Light' shines earnestly in new direction|last=Gundersen|first=Edna|author-link=Edna Gundersen|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=March 3, 1998|access-date=November 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317033332/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/26894142.html?dids=26894142:26894142&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+03%2C+1998&author=Edna+Gundersen&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=Her+%27Ray+of+Light%27+shines+earnestly+in+new+direction&pqatl=google|archive-date=March 17, 2013 | | rev9Score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/26894142.html?dids=26894142:26894142&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+03%2C+1998&author=Edna+Gundersen&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=Her+%27Ray+of+Light%27+shines+earnestly+in+new+direction&pqatl=google|title=Her ''Ray of Light'' shines earnestly in new direction|last=Gundersen|first=Edna|author-link=Edna Gundersen|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=March 3, 1998|access-date=November 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317033332/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/26894142.html?dids=26894142:26894142&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+03%2C+1998&author=Edna+Gundersen&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=Her+%27Ray+of+Light%27+shines+earnestly+in+new+direction&pqatl=google|archive-date=March 17, 2013}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Music ratings | {{Music ratings | ||
| title = Retrospective reviews and music guides | | title = Retrospective reviews and music guides | ||
| Line 139: | Line 144: | ||
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic" /> | | rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic" /> | ||
| rev2 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]'' | | rev2 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]'' | ||
| rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|chapter=Madonna|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music|publisher=[[Muze]]|edition=4th|year=2006|isbn=0-19-531373-9|page=427}}</ref> | | rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |author-link=Colin Larkin |chapter=Madonna |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music |publisher=[[Muze]] |edition=4th |year=2006 |isbn=0-19-531373-9 |page=427}}</ref> | ||
| rev3 = ''[[MusicHound Rock]]'' | | rev3 = ''[[MusicHound Rock]]'' | ||
| rev3Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Graff|editor1-first=Gary|editor2-last=Durchholz|editor2-first=Daniel|title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide|publisher=Visible Ink Press|location=Farmington Hills, MI|year=1999|section=Madonna|isbn=1-57859-061-2|pages=704–706}}</ref> | | rev3Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Graff |editor1-first=Gary |editor2-last=Durchholz |editor2-first=Daniel |title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |publisher=Visible Ink Press |location=Farmington Hills, MI |year=1999 |section=Madonna |isbn=1-57859-061-2 |pages=704–706}}</ref> | ||
| rev4 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | | rev4 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | ||
| rev4Score = 8.1/10<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/madonna-ray-of-light/|title=Madonna: Ray of Light|last=Frank|first=Alex|date=August 16, 2017| | | rev4Score = 8.1/10<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/madonna-ray-of-light/ |title=Madonna: ''Ray of Light'' |last=Frank |first=Alex |date=August 16, 2017 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926031135/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/madonna-ray-of-light/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| rev5 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' | | rev5 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' | ||
| rev5score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Madonna: Album Guide |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/madonna/albumguide |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705190231/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/madonna/albumguide |archive-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref> | | rev5score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Madonna: Album Guide |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/madonna/albumguide |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705190231/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/madonna/albumguide |archive-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref> | ||
| Line 151: | Line 156: | ||
| rev7Score = {{Rating-Christgau|B+}}<ref name="hull">{{cite web|last=Hull|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Hull (critic)|date=2022|url=http://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=Madonna|title=Grade List: Madonna|publisher=Official Tom Hull website|access-date=February 16, 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829164550/http://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=Madonna|archive-date=August 29, 2022}}</ref> | | rev7Score = {{Rating-Christgau|B+}}<ref name="hull">{{cite web|last=Hull|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Hull (critic)|date=2022|url=http://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=Madonna|title=Grade List: Madonna|publisher=Official Tom Hull website|access-date=February 16, 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829164550/http://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=Madonna|archive-date=August 29, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| rev8 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music]]'' | | rev8 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music]]'' | ||
| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Collin">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/virginencycloped0000unse_w9d5/page/246/mode/2up?q=You+Can+Dance|page=246|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|first=Colin|last=Larkin|author-link=Colin Larkin|access-date=February 16, 2025|date=2000|isbn=9780753504277 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> | | rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Collin">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/virginencycloped0000unse_w9d5/page/246/mode/2up?q=You+Can+Dance |page=246 |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |first=Colin |last=Larkin |author-link=Colin Larkin |access-date=February 16, 2025 |date=2000 |isbn=9780753504277 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[David Browne (journalist)|David Browne]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote: "For all her grapplings with self-enlightenment, Madonna seems more relaxed and less contrived than she's been in years, from her new Italian earth-mother makeover to, especially, her music. ''Ray of Light'' is truly [[Like a Prayer (song)|like a prayer]], and you know she'll take you there."<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,282100,00.html|title=Ethereal Girl|last=Browne|first=David|author-link=David Browne (journalist)|date=March 6, 1998|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111032231/https://ew.com/article/1998/03/06/ray-light-2/|archive-date=January 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Roni Sarig, in ''[[City Pages]]'', was most impressed by Madonna's vocal range, depth, and clarity and called ''Ray of Light'' "her richest, most accomplished record yet".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.citypages.com/1998-03-25/music/madonna-ray-of-light/ |title=Madonna – Ray of Light |first=Roni |last=Sarig |work=[[City Pages]] |date=March 25, 1998 |access-date=November 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100930183811/http://www.citypages.com/1998-03-25/music/madonna-ray-of-light/ |archive-date=September 30, 2010}}</ref> [[Robert Hilburn]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote: "One reason why her new ''Ray of Light'' is the most satisfying album of her career is that it reflects the soul-searching of a woman who is at a point in her life where she can look at herself with surprising candor and perspective."<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-01-ca-24100-story.html|title=Madonna, Only More So|last=Hilburn|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Hilburn|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 1, 1998|access-date=November 22, 2010|archive-date=January 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127104220/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/mar/01/entertainment/ca-24100|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[Melody Maker]]'', Mark Roland drew comparisons with [[Saint Etienne (band)|St Etienne]] and [[Björk]]'s ''[[Homogenic]]'' album, highlighting ''Ray of Light''{{'}}s lack of cynicism as its most positive aspect: "It's not an album turned on the lathe of cynical pop manipulation, rather it's been squished out of a lump of clay on a foot-powered wheel. Lovingly teased into life, ''Ray of Light'' is like the ugly mug that doesn't match but is all the more special because of it."<ref name="Melody Maker Review">{{cite magazine |first=Mark |last=Roland |title=Review: Madonna – Ray Of Light, Maverick |magazine=[[Melody Maker]] |date=February 28, 1998 |page=42 |issn=0025-9012}}</ref> Joan Anderman from ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' said ''Ray of Light'' is a remarkable album. He described it as a deeply spiritual dance record, ecstatically textured, a serious cycle of songs that goes a long way toward liberating Madonna from a career built on scavenged images and cultivated identities.<ref name="auto">Anderman, Joan (March 1, 1998) "Madonna Captures the Moment and Sees the Spiritual Light". ''[[Boston Globe]]''. [[The New York Times Company]]. Retrieved June 12, 2010.</ref> [[Robert Christgau]] was less impressed in ''[[Playboy]]'', deeming it a "great-''sounding''" but average record because enlightenment themes always yield awkward results for pop entertainers. However, he praised sensual songs such as "Skin" and "Candy Perfume Girl".<ref>{{cite news|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=March 1998|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/play/1998-03.php|title=Madonna, Buster Poindexter, Billy Swan, Percy Sledge|magazine=[[Playboy]]|access-date=September 22, 2015|archive-date=September 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912213848/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/play/1998-03.php|url-status=live}}</ref> | ''Ray of Light'' received universal acclaim from critics.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,615437,00.html|title=Lauryn: Grammy Whammy|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=April 19, 1999|access-date=November 5, 2012|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223437/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,615437,00.html}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Hé |first=Kristen S. |date=March 24, 2020 |title=Madonna in 2000: Reinventing Pop 'Music' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/madonna-in-2000-reinventing-pop-music-9341347/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304162638/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/madonna-in-2000-reinventing-pop-music-9341347/ |archive-date=March 4, 2025 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> | ||
[[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] from [[AllMusic]] called it Madonna's "most adventurous record" and "most mature and restrained album".<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ray-of-light-mw0000033767 |title=''Ray of Light'' – Madonna |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |access-date=July 23, 2009 |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602180113/http://www.allmusic.com/album/ray-of-light-mw0000033767|url-status=live}}</ref> Paul Verna of ''Billboard'' commented: "Easily her most mature and personal work to date, ''Ray of Light'' finds Madonna weaving lyrics with the painstaking intimacy of diary entries and wrapping them in hymn-like melodies and instrumentation swathed in lush, melancholy ambience—with forays into classic house, trance, and even [[Pop rock|guitar pop]]. Of course, she balances the set's serious tone with chewy [[Pop music|pop]] nuggets that allow her to flex her immeasurably widened vocal range to fine effect." He finished the review by calling the album "a deliciously adventurous, ultimately victorious effort from one of pop music's most compelling performers."<ref name="bbreview">{{cite magazine|title=Reviews & Previews – Spotlight: Madonna, Ray of Light|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6w4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20|first=Paul|last=Verna|date=March 14, 1998|access-date=November 4, 2011|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=110|issue=11|page=20|archive-date=March 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305223055/https://books.google.com/books?id=6w4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20|url-status=live}}</ref> Sal Cinquemani of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' described the album as "one of the great pop masterpieces of the '90s" and stated that: "Its lyrics are uncomplicated but its statement is grand" and "Madonna hasn't been this emotionally candid since ''[[Like a Prayer (album)|Like a Prayer]]''".<ref name="slant">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/madonna-ray-of-light|title=Madonna – ''Ray Of Light'' – Music Review|date=March 9, 2003|access-date=July 17, 2009|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|magazine=[[Slant Magazine]]|archive-date=June 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602003946/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/madonna-ray-of-light|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rob Sheffield]]'s review for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called the album "brilliant", but was critical of Orbit's production, saying that he doesn't know enough tricks to produce a whole album, and so becomes repetitive.<ref name="rolling">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/madonna/albums/album/111072/review/18725830/ray_of_light |title=Madonna: ''Ray of Light'' |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |date=April 2, 1998 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503115214/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/madonna/albums/album/111072/review/18725830/ray_of_light|archive-date=May 3, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Until [[Simply Red]] enlist [[John Zorn]], or [[Mariah Carey]] works with [[Tortoise (band)|Tortoise]]," [[Stuart Maconie]] wrote in ''Q'', "she remains the only pop aristocrat who's keeping her ears open."<ref name="q">{{cite magazine|first=Stuart|last=Maconie|author-link=Stuart Maconie|title=Expressing herself|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|issue=139|date=April 1998|page=105}}</ref> | |||
[[David Browne (journalist)|David Browne]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote: "For all her grapplings with self-enlightenment, Madonna seems more relaxed and less contrived than she's been in years, from her new Italian earth-mother makeover to, especially, her music. ''Ray of Light'' is truly [[Like a Prayer (song)|like a prayer]], and you know she'll take you there."<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,282100,00.html |title=Ethereal Girl|last=Browne|first=David|author-link=David Browne (journalist)|date=March 6, 1998|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111032231/https://ew.com/article/1998/03/06/ray-light-2/|archive-date=January 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Roni Sarig, in ''[[City Pages]]'', was most impressed by Madonna's vocal range, depth, and clarity and called ''Ray of Light'' "her richest, most accomplished record yet".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.citypages.com/1998-03-25/music/madonna-ray-of-light/ |title=Madonna – ''Ray of Light'' |first=Roni |last=Sarig |work=[[City Pages]] |date=March 25, 1998 |access-date=November 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100930183811/http://www.citypages.com/1998-03-25/music/madonna-ray-of-light/ |archive-date=September 30, 2010}}</ref> [[Robert Hilburn]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote: "One reason why her new ''Ray of Light'' is the most satisfying album of her career is that it reflects the soul-searching of a woman who is at a point in her life where she can look at herself with surprising candor and perspective."<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-01-ca-24100-story.html|title=Madonna, Only More So|last=Hilburn|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Hilburn|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 1, 1998|access-date=November 22, 2010|archive-date=January 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127104220/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/mar/01/entertainment/ca-24100|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[Melody Maker]]'', Mark Roland drew comparisons with [[Saint Etienne (band)|St Etienne]] and [[Björk]]'s ''[[Homogenic]]'' album, highlighting ''Ray of Light''{{'}}s lack of cynicism as its most positive aspect: "It's not an album turned on the lathe of cynical pop manipulation, rather it's been squished out of a lump of clay on a foot-powered wheel. Lovingly teased into life, ''Ray of Light'' is like the ugly mug that doesn't match but is all the more special because of it."<ref name="Melody Maker Review">{{cite magazine |first=Mark |last=Roland |title=Review: Madonna – Ray Of Light, Maverick |magazine=[[Melody Maker]] |date=February 28, 1998 |page=42 |issn=0025-9012}}</ref> Joan Anderman from ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' said ''Ray of Light'' is a remarkable album. He described it as a deeply spiritual dance record, ecstatically textured, a serious cycle of songs that goes a long way toward liberating Madonna from a career built on scavenged images and cultivated identities.<ref name="auto">Anderman, Joan (March 1, 1998) "Madonna Captures the Moment and Sees the Spiritual Light". ''[[Boston Globe]]''. [[The New York Times Company]]. Retrieved June 12, 2010.</ref> [[Robert Christgau]] was less impressed in ''[[Playboy]]'', deeming it a "great-''sounding''" but average record because enlightenment themes always yield awkward results for pop entertainers. However, he praised sensual songs such as "Skin" and "Candy Perfume Girl".<ref>{{cite news |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=March 1998 |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/play/1998-03.php|title=Madonna, Buster Poindexter, Billy Swan, Percy Sledge |magazine=[[Playboy]] |access-date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912213848/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/play/1998-03.php |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Commercial performance == | == Commercial performance == | ||
[[File:OliverMadonnaFrozen.jpg|thumb|Madonna performing the album's lead single "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" on the [[Re-Invention World Tour]] in 2004 | [[File:OliverMadonnaFrozen.jpg|thumb|Madonna performing the album's lead single "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" on the [[Re-Invention World Tour]] in 2004]] | ||
Upon its release, ''Ray of Light'' topped the official charts of 17 countries.<ref name="countries" /> It broke the record as [[Warner Music Group]]'s album with most shipments before its release at 2.5 million units worldwide, excluding the U.S.<ref name="companyrecord">{{cite news|url=http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2000/09/26/madonna-s-music-sets-new-wmi-shipment-record|title=Madonna's MUSIC Sets New WMI Shipment Record|date=September 26, 2000|publisher=[[Time Warner]]|access-date=March 31, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808011138/http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2000/09/26/madonna-s-music-sets-new-wmi-shipment-record|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album managed to sell 3 million copies in five days.<ref name="ROL5days">{{cite web|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/ilustrad/fq07089823.htm|title=40 anos de Michael, Prince e Madonna|work=[[Folha de S.Paulo]]|first=Pedro Alexandre|last=Sanches|date=August 7, 1998|access-date=April 11, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220411234421/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/ilustrad/fq07089823.htm|archive-date=April 11, 2022|language=pt|url-access=subscription|url-status=live}}</ref> With over 16 million copies,<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=303}}</ref><ref name="RayofLightsales">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/05/william-orbit-tennyson-poem-verb|title=Orbit switches from Madonna to Tennyson with live Radio 3 epic|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Vanessa|last=Thorpe|date=July 5, 2009|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002143713/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/05/william-orbit-tennyson-poem-verb|archive-date=October 2, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Ray of Light'' is one of the [[List of best-selling albums by women|best-selling albums by women]]. | |||
Upon its release, ''Ray of Light'' topped the official charts of 17 countries.<ref name="countries" /> It broke the record as [[Warner Music Group]]'s album with most shipments before its release at 2.5 million units worldwide, excluding the U.S.<ref name="companyrecord">{{cite news|url=http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2000/09/26/madonna-s-music-sets-new-wmi-shipment-record|title=Madonna's MUSIC Sets New WMI Shipment Record|date=September 26, 2000|publisher=[[Time Warner]]|access-date=March 31, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808011138/http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2000/09/26/madonna-s-music-sets-new-wmi-shipment-record|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album managed to sell 3 million copies in five days.<ref name="ROL5days">{{cite web|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/ilustrad/fq07089823.htm|title=40 anos de Michael, Prince e Madonna|work=[[Folha de S.Paulo]]|first=Pedro Alexandre|last=Sanches|date=August 7, 1998|access-date=April 11, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220411234421/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/ilustrad/fq07089823.htm|archive-date=April 11, 2022|language=pt|url-access=subscription}}</ref> With over 16 million copies,<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=303}}</ref><ref name="RayofLightsales">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/05/william-orbit-tennyson-poem-verb|title=Orbit switches from Madonna to Tennyson with live Radio 3 epic|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Vanessa|last=Thorpe|date=July 5, 2009|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002143713/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/05/william-orbit-tennyson-poem-verb|archive-date=October 2, 2013}}</ref> ''Ray of Light'' is one of the [[List of best-selling albums by women|best-selling albums by women]]. | |||
In the United States, ''Ray of Light'' debuted at number two on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] albums chart on the issue dated March 21, 1998.<ref name="bb1998">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA100|title=Between the Bullets|date=November 14, 1998|access-date=July 11, 2010|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=110|issue=46|page=100|archive-date=March 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306005549/https://books.google.com/books?id=HwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA100|url-status=live}}</ref> It set the record for biggest first-week sales by a female artist in [[Nielsen SoundScan]] era at that time with 371,000 copies sold.<ref name="bb1998" /> However, the album was not able to top the [[Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture|soundtrack album]] of the motion picture ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'', becoming Madonna's fifth album to peak at the runner-up position.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045695/first-day-sales-put-madonna-on-track-for-7th-no-1 | title=First day sales put Madonna on track for 7th No. 1 | magazine=Billboard | first=Keith | last=Caulfield | date=April 30, 2008 | access-date=May 7, 2008 | archive-date=May 29, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529025444/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045695/first-day-sales-put-madonna-on-track-for-7th-no-1 | url-status=live }}</ref> During the second week, the album sold 225,000 copies and was still kept off the top spot by the soundtrack.<ref name="ruletheworld">{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-once-again-rules-the-world-19980321|title=Madonna Once Again Rules The World|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=March 21, 1998|access-date=August 19, 2011|archive-date=June 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627173658/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-once-again-rules-the-world-19980321|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 16, 2000, the album was certified [[RIAA certification|four times platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipments of four million units of the album.<ref name="riaa" /> Madonna became the first female artist to have seven multi-platinum studio albums by RIAA.<ref name="platinumrecord">{{cite magazine|title=Titanic Hits 10 Million Mark In April RIAA certifications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=Madonna+Gold+and+Platinum+Billboard&pg=PA10|first=Carrie|last=Bell|date=May 16, 1998|access-date=March 22, 2017|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=110|issue=20|page=10|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502183026/https://books.google.com/books?id=QQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=Madonna+Gold+and+Platinum+Billboard&pg=PA10|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Nielsen SoundScan, ''Ray of Light'' had sold 3,900,000 copies in the United States as of February 2023.<ref name="ussales">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/madonna-ray-of-light-album-songs-ranked/|title=Madonna's 'Ray of Light' Turns 25: Songs Ranked From Worst to Best|last=O'Brien|first=Jon|date=February 22, 2023|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=February 22, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222183425/https://www.billboard.com/lists/madonna-ray-of-light-album-songs-ranked/|archive-date=February 22, 2023}}</ref> This figure does not include units sold through clubs like the BMG Music, where the album sold over 459,000 copies.<ref name="BMG">{{cite web|author=Barry David |title=Shania, Backstreet, Britney, Eminem and Janet Top All-Time Sellers |publisher=Music Industry News Network |date=February 18, 2003 |url=http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=47877 |access-date=September 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817152522/http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=47877 |archive-date=August 17, 2009}}</ref> In Canada, the album debuted at number one on the [[Canadian Albums Chart]] with first-week sales of 59,900 copies.<ref name="canadadebut">{{cite news|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/Madonna/2005/11/23/1319566-ca.html|title=Madonna dances to No. 1 in Canada|work=[[Jam!]]|date=November 23, 2005|last=Williams|first=John|access-date=August 5, 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209143528/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/Madonna/2005/11/23/1319566-ca.html|archive-date=December 9, 2012}}</ref> It was later certified seven-times platinum by the [[Canadian Recording Industry Association]] (CRIA) for shipment of 700,000 copies.<ref name="cria" /> | In the United States, ''Ray of Light'' debuted at number two on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] albums chart on the issue dated March 21, 1998.<ref name="bb1998">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA100|title=Between the Bullets|date=November 14, 1998|access-date=July 11, 2010|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=110|issue=46|page=100|archive-date=March 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306005549/https://books.google.com/books?id=HwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA100|url-status=live}}</ref> It set the record for biggest first-week sales by a female artist in [[Nielsen SoundScan]] era at that time with 371,000 copies sold.<ref name="bb1998" /> However, the album was not able to top the [[Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture|soundtrack album]] of the motion picture ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'', becoming Madonna's fifth album to peak at the runner-up position.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045695/first-day-sales-put-madonna-on-track-for-7th-no-1 | title=First day sales put Madonna on track for 7th No. 1 | magazine=Billboard | first=Keith | last=Caulfield | date=April 30, 2008 | access-date=May 7, 2008 | archive-date=May 29, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529025444/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045695/first-day-sales-put-madonna-on-track-for-7th-no-1 | url-status=live }}</ref> During the second week, the album sold 225,000 copies and was still kept off the top spot by the soundtrack.<ref name="ruletheworld">{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-once-again-rules-the-world-19980321|title=Madonna Once Again Rules The World|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=March 21, 1998|access-date=August 19, 2011|archive-date=June 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627173658/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-once-again-rules-the-world-19980321|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 16, 2000, the album was certified [[RIAA certification|four times platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipments of four million units of the album.<ref name="riaa" /> Madonna became the first female artist to have seven multi-platinum studio albums by RIAA.<ref name="platinumrecord">{{cite magazine|title=Titanic Hits 10 Million Mark In April RIAA certifications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=Madonna+Gold+and+Platinum+Billboard&pg=PA10|first=Carrie|last=Bell|date=May 16, 1998|access-date=March 22, 2017|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=110|issue=20|page=10|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502183026/https://books.google.com/books?id=QQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=Madonna+Gold+and+Platinum+Billboard&pg=PA10|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Nielsen SoundScan, ''Ray of Light'' had sold 3,900,000 copies in the United States as of February 2023.<ref name="ussales">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/madonna-ray-of-light-album-songs-ranked/|title=Madonna's 'Ray of Light' Turns 25: Songs Ranked From Worst to Best|last=O'Brien|first=Jon|date=February 22, 2023|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=February 22, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222183425/https://www.billboard.com/lists/madonna-ray-of-light-album-songs-ranked/|archive-date=February 22, 2023}}</ref> This figure does not include units sold through clubs like the BMG Music, where the album sold over 459,000 copies.<ref name="BMG">{{cite web|author=Barry David |title=Shania, Backstreet, Britney, Eminem and Janet Top All-Time Sellers |publisher=Music Industry News Network |date=February 18, 2003 |url=http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=47877 |access-date=September 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817152522/http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=47877 |archive-date=August 17, 2009}}</ref> In Canada, the album debuted at number one on the [[Canadian Albums Chart]] with first-week sales of 59,900 copies.<ref name="canadadebut">{{cite news|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/Madonna/2005/11/23/1319566-ca.html|title=Madonna dances to No. 1 in Canada|work=[[Jam!]]|date=November 23, 2005|last=Williams|first=John|access-date=August 5, 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209143528/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/Madonna/2005/11/23/1319566-ca.html|archive-date=December 9, 2012}}</ref> It was later certified seven-times platinum by the [[Canadian Recording Industry Association]] (CRIA) for shipment of 700,000 copies.<ref name="cria" /> | ||
''Ray of Light'' achieved commercial success in Latin America, being certified 3× platinum in Argentina for 180,000 copies recognized by [[Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]] (CAPIF) and platinum in Brazil for shipments of over 250,000 units certified by [[Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos]] (ABPD).<ref name="Argcert" /><ref name="ABPD" /> In Mexico, initial shipments of the album were 30,000 units.<ref name="MEXICO1">{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/311602202|title=Son 30 mil 'rayos de luz' para Mexico|date=March 3, 1998|access-date=December 29, 2021|work=[[Reforma (newspaper)|Reforma]]|id={{ProQuest|311602202}}|language=es|url-access=subscription | ''Ray of Light'' achieved commercial success in Latin America, being certified 3× platinum in Argentina for 180,000 copies recognized by [[Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]] (CAPIF) and platinum in Brazil for shipments of over 250,000 units certified by [[Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos]] (ABPD).<ref name="Argcert" /><ref name="ABPD" /> In Mexico, initial shipments of the album were 30,000 units.<ref name="MEXICO1">{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/311602202|title=Son 30 mil 'rayos de luz' para Mexico|date=March 3, 1998|access-date=December 29, 2021|work=[[Reforma (newspaper)|Reforma]]|id={{ProQuest|311602202}}|language=es|url-access=subscription|archive-date=September 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923071326/https://www.proquest.com/docview/311602202|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MEXICO">{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/316275324|title=Caeran hoy 30 mil 'rayos de luz'|date=March 3, 1998|access-date=December 29, 2021|work=[[El Norte (Monterrey)|El Norte]]|language=es|first=Carlos|last=Vega|id={{ProQuest|316275324}}|url-access=subscription|archive-date=September 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923071327/https://www.proquest.com/docview/316275324|url-status=live}}</ref> The album also achieved commercial success in Oceania, debuting at number one on the albums chart in Australia<ref name="hungmedien" /> and New Zealand.<ref name="NZchart" /> It was certified triple platinum by [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) and platinum by [[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]] (RIANZ) for shipments of 210,000 and 15,000 copies respectively.<ref name="aria" /><ref name="rianz" /> ''Ray of Light'' became the best-selling album from Warner Music in the [[Asia-Pacific]] region during 1998,<ref name="asia">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1998/BB-1998-10-24.pdf|title=HONG KONG OPTIMISTS|date=October 24, 1998|access-date=February 5, 2021|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|page=APQ-4|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127021805/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1998/BB-1998-10-24.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and sold over one million copies in Asia as of June 1999.<ref name="Asia1999">{{cite web|url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/1999/jun/21/oped/|title=Oped|work=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]]|first=Sara|last=Fisher|date=June 21, 1999|access-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210206002240/https://labusinessjournal.com/news/1999/jun/21/oped/|archive-date=February 6, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
''Ray of Light'' achieved its biggest commercial reception in European countries, where it topped the [[European Top 100 Albums]] chart<ref name="hitsoftheworld" /> and was certified seven times platinum by the [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] (IFPI) for sales of seven million copies, becoming the [[List of best-selling albums in Europe|ninth best-selling album in Europe]] for the 1998–2007 period.<ref name="euro ifpi" /><ref>{{cite web|title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards: Best-selling albums in Europe over the past decade (1998–2007)|publisher=IFPI|url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/platinum-europe-awards-2007.pdf|access-date=August 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725051454/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/platinum-europe-awards-2007.pdf|archive-date=July 25, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, ''Ray of Light'' debuted at number one on the [[UK Albums Chart]] with opening sales of nearly 139,000 copies and remained at the top spot for two weeks.<ref name="uk" /><ref name="Musicweek">{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-09-26-S-OCR.pdf#page=22|title=CHART COMMENTARY|work=[[Music Week]]|first=Alan|last=Jones|date=September 26, 1998|access-date=January 24, 2021|page=22|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309083942/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-09-26-S-OCR.pdf#page=22|url-status=live}}</ref> It was certified six times platinum by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) for shipment of 1.8 million copies.<ref name="bpi" /> As of 2018, the album sold 1,730,000 units in the UK according to [[Official Charts Company]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/william-orbit-reflects-on-madonna-s-ray-of-light-it-broke-all-the-rules-__8622/|title=William Orbit reflects on Madonna's Ray Of Light: 'It broke all the rules'|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=February 22, 2018|access-date=February 22, 2018|publisher=Official Charts Company|archive-date=December 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231033504/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/william-orbit-reflects-on-madonna-s-ray-of-light-it-broke-all-the-rules-__8622/|url-status=live}}</ref> In France, ''Ray of Light'' entered the albums chart at number two, staying there for seven weeks before descending the chart.<ref name="hungmedien" /> It was certified three times platinum by the [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] (SNEP) for shipments of 900,000 copies.<ref name="infodisc">{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/CDCertif_P3.php?debut=50 |title=Les Albums Triple Platine |publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] |access-date=November 30, 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223203021/http://www.infodisc.fr/CDCertif_P3.php?debut=50 |archive-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> In Germany, the album reached number one on the [[Media Control Charts]] and remained there for seven weeks.<ref name="germany" /> It remains Madonna's best-selling album in Germany with three times platinum certification from [[Bundesverband Musikindustrie]] (BVMI) for shipment of 1.5 million copies.<ref name="german ifpi" /> In the rest of Europe, ''Ray of Light'' topped the official charts of Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Spain and Switzerland.<ref name="spain" /><ref name="hungmedien" /> | ''Ray of Light'' achieved its biggest commercial reception in European countries, where it topped the [[European Top 100 Albums]] chart<ref name="hitsoftheworld" /> and was certified seven times platinum by the [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] (IFPI) for sales of seven million copies, becoming the [[List of best-selling albums in Europe|ninth best-selling album in Europe]] for the 1998–2007 period.<ref name="euro ifpi" /><ref>{{cite web|title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards: Best-selling albums in Europe over the past decade (1998–2007)|publisher=IFPI|url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/platinum-europe-awards-2007.pdf|access-date=August 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725051454/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/platinum-europe-awards-2007.pdf|archive-date=July 25, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, ''Ray of Light'' debuted at number one on the [[UK Albums Chart]] with opening sales of nearly 139,000 copies and remained at the top spot for two weeks.<ref name="uk" /><ref name="Musicweek">{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-09-26-S-OCR.pdf#page=22|title=CHART COMMENTARY|work=[[Music Week]]|first=Alan|last=Jones|date=September 26, 1998|access-date=January 24, 2021|page=22|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309083942/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-09-26-S-OCR.pdf#page=22|url-status=live}}</ref> It was certified six times platinum by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) for shipment of 1.8 million copies.<ref name="bpi" /> As of 2018, the album sold 1,730,000 units in the UK according to [[Official Charts Company]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/william-orbit-reflects-on-madonna-s-ray-of-light-it-broke-all-the-rules-__8622/|title=William Orbit reflects on Madonna's Ray Of Light: 'It broke all the rules'|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=February 22, 2018|access-date=February 22, 2018|publisher=Official Charts Company|archive-date=December 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231033504/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/william-orbit-reflects-on-madonna-s-ray-of-light-it-broke-all-the-rules-__8622/|url-status=live}}</ref> In France, ''Ray of Light'' entered the albums chart at number two, staying there for seven weeks before descending the chart.<ref name="hungmedien" /> It was certified three times platinum by the [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] (SNEP) for shipments of 900,000 copies.<ref name="infodisc">{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/CDCertif_P3.php?debut=50 |title=Les Albums Triple Platine |publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] |access-date=November 30, 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223203021/http://www.infodisc.fr/CDCertif_P3.php?debut=50 |archive-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> In Germany, the album reached number one on the [[Media Control Charts]] and remained there for seven weeks.<ref name="germany" /> It remains Madonna's best-selling album in Germany with three times platinum certification from [[Bundesverband Musikindustrie]] (BVMI) for shipment of 1.5 million copies.<ref name="german ifpi" /> In the rest of Europe, ''Ray of Light'' topped the official charts of Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Spain and Switzerland.<ref name="spain" /><ref name="hungmedien" /> | ||
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== Accolades == | == Accolades == | ||
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Madonna}} | {{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Madonna}} | ||
[[File: | [[File:Madonna - Celebration Tour Antwerp Sportpaleis 22 10 2023 (53288197348).jpg|thumb|left|Madonna performed "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]" on [[the Celebration Tour]] (2023―2024). The song won an [[MTV Video Music Award]] for [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]] and a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording|Best Dance Recording]].]] | ||
At the [[41st Annual Grammy Awards]], ''Ray of Light'' received four awards out of six nominations.<ref>{{cite | At the [[41st Annual Grammy Awards]], ''Ray of Light'' received four awards out of six nominations.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-25-mn-11684-story.html |title=General Categories |magazine=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 25, 1999 |access-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153618/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/feb/25/news/mn-11684 |url-status=live}}</ref> The album won [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Recording Package|Best Recording Package]], and was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], while the title track won [[Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording|Best Dance Recording]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Short Form Music Video]], and was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/multiple-grammy-nods-for-city-of-angels-madonna-faith-hill-pat-metheny-and-more-as-warner-bros-and-reprise-artists-shine-73330972.html|title=Multiple Grammy Nods for 'City of Angels,' Madonna, Faith Hill, Pat Metheny And More as Warner Bros. and Reprise Artists Shine|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|date=January 5, 1999|access-date=July 30, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091942/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/multiple-grammy-nods-for-city-of-angels-madonna-faith-hill-pat-metheny-and-more-as-warner-bros-and-reprise-artists-shine-73330972.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The album gave Madonna her first musical [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]] of her career, as previously she had only won in the video category. Madonna also became the biggest winner of the [[1998 MTV Video Music Awards]], winning six awards from nine nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1424721/madonna-prodigy-will-smith-aerosmith-win-big-at-video-music-awards.jhtml|title=Madonna, Prodigy, Will Smith, Aerosmith Win Big At Video Music Awards|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=September 10, 1998|access-date=July 30, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202222420/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1424721/madonna-prodigy-will-smith-aerosmith-win-big-at-video-music-awards.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Frozen" won [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Special Effects]]; "Ray of Light" won [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]], [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]], [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]], [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]] and [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]], and was also nominated for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]], [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video|Best Dance Video]] and [[MTV Video Music Award – Breakthrough Video|Breakthrough Video]]. [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers]] (ASCAP) honored Madonna two awards of Most Performed Song for "Frozen" and "Ray of Light" at the 1999 ASCAP Pop Music Awards,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Waren Big ASCAP Winner: Songwriter Of The Year For the 5th Time|last=Newman|first=Melinda|date=May 29, 1999|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|issn=0006-2510|volume=111|issue=22|page=8}}</ref> as well as Top Dance Song for "Ray of Light" at the 1999 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flash! / The latest entertainment news and more...|last=Hazelwood|first=Darrell T.|newspaper=[[Newsday]]|date=May 28, 1999|issn=0278-5587|pages=A.16}}</ref> | ||
''Ray of Light'' also gave Madonna several trophies from various international award shows—including two [[Danish Music Awards|Danish Grammy Awards]] for Best International Album and Best International Female Vocalist from [[IFPI Denmark]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4859643-1.html|title=Den Gale Pose nabs four Dansk Grammys|first=Charles|last=Ferro| | ''Ray of Light'' also gave Madonna several trophies from various international award shows—including two [[Danish Music Awards|Danish Grammy Awards]] for Best International Album and Best International Female Vocalist from [[IFPI Denmark]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4859643-1.html|title=Den Gale Pose nabs four Dansk Grammys|first=Charles|last=Ferro|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=February 9, 1999|access-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref> a [[Fryderyk]] award for Best Foreign Album from [[Związek Producentów Audio Video]] (ZPAV) in Poland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zpav.pl/fryderyk/nominowani/index.php?year=1998|title=Nominowani i laureaci 1998|language=pl|publisher=[[Polish Music Charts|Związek Producentów Audio Video]]|access-date=December 17, 2010|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326063049/http://www.zpav.pl/fryderyk/nominowani/index.php?year=1998|url-status=live}}</ref> a [[Hungarian Music Awards|Golden Giraffe Award]] for International Pop Album of the Year from [[Mahasz]] in Hungary,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fonogram.hu/?menu=jeloltek_1999|title=A 1999-es Arany Zsiráf Díj jelöltjei|language=hu|publisher=[[Hungarian Music Awards]]|access-date=December 17, 2010|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305192038/http://fonogram.hu/?menu=jeloltek_1999|url-status=live}}</ref> two [[Porin (music award)|Porin]] awards for Best International Album and Best International Video ("Frozen") in Croatia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.porin.info/index.php?what=porin&w=dobitnici&id=11|title=Institut Hrvatske Glazbene Industrije – Dobitnici Porin 1999|language=hr|publisher=[[Porin (music award)|Porin]]|access-date=December 17, 2010|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201193135/http://www.porin.info/index.php?what=porin&w=dobitnici&id=11|url-status=live}}</ref> and two [[Rockbjörnen]] awards for Best International Album and Best International Artist in Sweden.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://wwwc.aftonbladet.se/noje/special/rockbjorn99/totalvinnare.html |title=Rockbjörnsvinnare sedan 1979 – här är hela listan |language=sv |work=[[Aftonbladet]] |publisher=Schibsted|date=January 16, 2006 |access-date=December 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206021351/http://wwwc.aftonbladet.se/noje/special/rockbjorn99/totalvinnare.html |archive-date=February 6, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
In Canada, Madonna won [[MuchMusic Video Award for Best International Video by a Canadian|Best International Video]] for "Ray of Light" at the 1999 [[MuchMusic Video Awards]] and was nominated for [[Juno Award for International Album of the Year|Best Selling Album (Foreign or Domestic)]] at the [[Juno Awards of 1999|1999 Juno Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muchmusic.com/events/mmva08/rewind/1998.aspx |title=1998 Much Music Video Awards – Winners |publisher=[[MuchMusic Video Awards]] |access-date=December 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601044647/http://www.muchmusic.com/events/mmva08/rewind/1998.aspx |archive-date=June 1, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://junoawards.ca/database/artist-summary/?artist_name=Madonna|title=Juno Awards Database: Madonna|publisher=[[Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]|access-date=November 26, 2010 | In Canada, Madonna won [[MuchMusic Video Award for Best International Video by a Canadian|Best International Video]] for "Ray of Light" at the 1999 [[MuchMusic Video Awards]] and was nominated for [[Juno Award for International Album of the Year|Best Selling Album (Foreign or Domestic)]] at the [[Juno Awards of 1999|1999 Juno Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muchmusic.com/events/mmva08/rewind/1998.aspx |title=1998 Much Music Video Awards – Winners |publisher=[[MuchMusic Video Awards]] |access-date=December 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601044647/http://www.muchmusic.com/events/mmva08/rewind/1998.aspx |archive-date=June 1, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://junoawards.ca/database/artist-summary/?artist_name=Madonna |title=Juno Awards Database: Madonna |publisher=[[Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=November 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723180559/http://junoawards.ca/database/artist-summary/?artist_name=Madonna |archive-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref> She also received [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Female|Best Female]] and [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Album|Best Album]] trophies at the [[1998 MTV Europe Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ABIEAAAAMBAJ&dq=MTV+Europe&pg=PA50 |title=MTV Europe Music Awards Winners 1994–2000 |date=November 10, 2001 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |issn=0006-2510 |volume=113 |issue=45 |page=50}}</ref> At the 14th annual [[International Dance Music Awards]], Madonna won Best Dance Solo Artist and Best Dance Video for "Ray of Light".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wintermusicconference.com/idmaballot/nominees/archived/index.php?year=1999 |title=14th Annual International Dance Music Awards |publisher=[[Winter Music Conference]] |access-date=December 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306094122/http://wintermusicconference.com/idmaballot/nominees/archived/index.php?year=1999 |archive-date=March 6, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
| Line 191: | Line 198: | ||
{{track listing | {{track listing | ||
| extra_column = Producer(s) | | extra_column = Producer(s) | ||
| headline = ''Ray of Light'' | | headline = ''Ray of Light'' track listing | ||
| total_length = 66:42 | | total_length = 66:42 | ||
| title1 = [[Drowned World/Substitute for Love]] | | title1 = [[Drowned World/Substitute for Love]]{{ref|a|[a]}} | ||
| writer1 = {{Flat list| | | writer1 = {{Flat list| | ||
*[[Madonna]] | *[[Madonna]] | ||
| Line 266: | Line 273: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| length7 = 4:47 | | length7 = 4:47 | ||
| title8 = Shanti/Ashtangi | | title8 = Shanti/Ashtangi{{ref|b|[b]}} | ||
| writer8 = {{Flat list| | | writer8 = {{Flat list| | ||
*Madonna | *Madonna | ||
| Line 314: | Line 321: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| length12 = 5:18 | | length12 = 5:18 | ||
| title13 = Mer Girl | | title13 = Mer Girl{{ref|c|[c]}} | ||
| writer13 = {{Flat list| | | writer13 = {{Flat list| | ||
*Madonna | *Madonna | ||
| Line 326: | Line 333: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{track listing | {{track listing | ||
| headline = | | headline = Japanese edition bonus track | ||
| extra_column = Producer(s) | | extra_column = Producer(s) | ||
| total_length = 71:58 | | total_length = 71:58 | ||
| Line 341: | Line 348: | ||
}} | }} | ||
''' | '''Notes'''<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes|author=[[Madonna]]|title=Ray of Light|year=1998|publisher=Maverick Records|id=9362-46847-2|type=liner notes}}</ref> | ||
*"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" contains a sample of "Why I Follow the Tigers", as performed by the San Sebastian Strings. | * {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}}"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" contains a sample of "Why I Follow the Tigers", as performed by the San Sebastian Strings. | ||
*"Shanti/Ashtangi" adapted from text by [[Adi Shankara|Shankaracharya]], taken from the Yoga Taravali. Additional text: Traditional, Translation by Vyass Houston and Eddie Stern. | * {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}}"Shanti/Ashtangi" adapted from text by [[Adi Shankara|Shankaracharya]], taken from the Yoga Taravali. Additional text: Traditional, Translation by Vyass Houston and Eddie Stern. | ||
*"Mer Girl" contains an interpolation and elements from "Space" performed by [[Gábor Szabó]]. | * {{sup|{{note|c|[c]}}}}"Mer Girl" contains an interpolation and elements from "Space" performed by [[Gábor Szabó]]. | ||
== Personnel == | == Personnel == | ||
| Line 350: | Line 357: | ||
{{div col}} | {{div col}} | ||
*[[Madonna]] – vocals {{small|(2–5, 7–13, lead on 1, 6)}}, producer | *[[Madonna]] – vocals {{small|(2–5, 7–13, lead on 1, 6)}}, producer | ||
*[[William Orbit]] – producer, guitar, programming, sound effects | |||
*[[Michael Bradford|Mike Bradford]] – programming | |||
*[[Craig Armstrong (composer)|Craig Armstrong]] – string arrangements {{small|(9–10)}} | *[[Craig Armstrong (composer)|Craig Armstrong]] – string arrangements {{small|(9–10)}} | ||
*Pablo Cook – flute {{small|(2)}} | *Pablo Cook – flute {{small|(2)}} | ||
*[[Mark Endert]] – engineer | *[[Mark Endert]] – engineer | ||
| Line 365: | Line 373: | ||
*[[Pat McCarthy (record producer)|Patrick McCarthy]] – engineer | *[[Pat McCarthy (record producer)|Patrick McCarthy]] – engineer | ||
*Marc Moreau – guitar {{small|(5)}} | *Marc Moreau – guitar {{small|(5)}} | ||
*[[Kevin Reagan]] – art direction, design | *[[Kevin Reagan]] – art direction, design | ||
*Dave Reitzas – engineer | *Dave Reitzas – engineer | ||
| Line 381: | Line 388: | ||
=== Weekly charts === | === Weekly charts === | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" | ||
|+Weekly chart performance | |+ {{Screen reader-only|Weekly chart performance}} | ||
! scope="col"| Chart (1998–1999) | ! scope="col"| Chart (1998–1999) | ||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position | ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position | ||
| Line 406: | Line 414: | ||
| 2 | | 2 | ||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Netherlands|1|artist=Madonna|album=Ray of Light|rowheader=true|access-date=July 23, 2017}} | {{album chart|Netherlands|1|artist=Madonna|album=Ray of Light|rowheader=true|access-date=July 23, 2017|refname=NZchart}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|Estonian Albums (Eesti Top 10)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dea.digar.ee/?a=d&d=sonumilehtsl19980314.2.35.2.8.8&srpos=6&e=-------et-25--1--txt-txIN%7ctxTI%7ctxAU%7ctxTA-Madonna------------|title=Kassetid ja CD-d: EESTI TOP 10|work=[[Sõnumileht]]|date=March 14, 1998|page=14|access-date=March 18, 2023|language=et}}</ref> | !scope="row"|Estonian Albums (Eesti Top 10)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dea.digar.ee/?a=d&d=sonumilehtsl19980314.2.35.2.8.8&srpos=6&e=-------et-25--1--txt-txIN%7ctxTI%7ctxAU%7ctxTA-Madonna------------|title=Kassetid ja CD-d: EESTI TOP 10|work=[[Sõnumileht]]|date=March 14, 1998|page=14|access-date=March 18, 2023|language=et}}</ref> | ||
| Line 418: | Line 426: | ||
{{album chart|France|2|artist=Madonna|album=Ray of Light|rowheader=true|access-date=July 23, 2017}} | {{album chart|France|2|artist=Madonna|album=Ray of Light|rowheader=true|access-date=July 23, 2017}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart| | {{album chart|Germany|1|artist=Madonna|album=Ray of Light|rowheader=true|access-date=July 23, 2017|id=2711|refname=germany}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-04-04.pdf|title=Top National Sellers: Greece|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|page=12|date=April 4, 1998|access-date=March 26, 2018|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110053710/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-04-04.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | !scope="row"|Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-04-04.pdf|title=Top National Sellers: Greece|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|page=12|date=April 4, 1998|access-date=March 26, 2018|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110053710/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-04-04.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| Line 471: | Line 479: | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" | ||
|+ | |+ {{Screen reader-only|Weekly chart performance}} | ||
! scope="col"| Chart (2000–2018) | ! scope="col"| Chart (2000–2018) | ||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position | ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position | ||
| Line 490: | Line 499: | ||
=== Year-end charts === | === Year-end charts === | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | ||
|+ | |+ {{Screen reader-only|Year-end chart performance}} | ||
! scope="col"| Chart (1998) | ! scope="col"| Chart (1998) | ||
! scope="col"| Position | ! scope="col"| Position | ||
| Line 506: | Line 516: | ||
| 11 | | 11 | ||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"| | !scope="row"|Canadian Albums ([[SoundScan]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Albums : Year-end Top 200 |url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/ALBUMS_1998.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817201206/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/ALBUMS_1998.html |archive-date=August 17, 2000 |url-status=dead |publisher=[[Jam!]]}}</ref> | ||
| 10 | |10 | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| Danish Albums ([[Hitlisten]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://top20.dk/chart/1998|title=TOP20.dk © 1998|publisher=[[Hitlisten]]|access-date=April 8, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216152141/http://top20.dk/chart/1998|archive-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> | ! scope="row"| Danish Albums ([[Hitlisten]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://top20.dk/chart/1998|title=TOP20.dk © 1998|publisher=[[Hitlisten]]|access-date=April 8, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216152141/http://top20.dk/chart/1998|archive-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> | ||
| Line 555: | Line 565: | ||
|} | |} | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | ||
|+ | |+ {{Screen reader-only|Year-end chart performance}} | ||
! scope="col"| Chart (1999) | ! scope="col"| Chart (1999) | ||
! scope="col"| Position | ! scope="col"| Position | ||
| Line 593: | Line 604: | ||
|} | |} | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | ||
|+ | |+ {{Screen reader-only|Year-end chart performance}} | ||
! scope="col"| Chart (2000) | ! scope="col"| Chart (2000) | ||
! scope="col"| Position | ! scope="col"| Position | ||
| Line 604: | Line 616: | ||
|} | |} | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | ||
|+ | |+ {{Screen reader-only|Year-end chart performance}} | ||
! scope="col"| Chart (2001) | ! scope="col"| Chart (2001) | ||
! scope="col"| Position | ! scope="col"| Position | ||
| Line 614: | Line 627: | ||
=== All-time charts === | === All-time charts === | ||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | ||
|+All-time chart performance | |+ {{Screen reader-only|All-time chart performance}} | ||
! scope="col"| Chart | ! scope="col"| Chart | ||
! scope="col"| Position | ! scope="col"| Position | ||
| Line 627: | Line 641: | ||
== Certifications and sales == | == Certifications and sales == | ||
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales | {{Certification Table Top|caption={{Screen reader-only|Certifications and sales}}}} | ||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|title=Ray of Light|artist=Madonna|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1998|certref=<ref name="Argcert">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214144253/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=10&PerDesde_AA=2000&PerHasta_MM=10&PerHasta_AA=2007&interprete=madonna&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-date=February 14, 2008|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=10&PerDesde_AA=2000&PerHasta_MM=10&PerHasta_AA=2007&interprete=madonna&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|title=Argentinian album certifications – Madonna – Ray of Light|publisher=[[Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]]|language=es}}</ref>}} | {{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|title=Ray of Light|artist=Madonna|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1998|certref=<ref name="Argcert">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214144253/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=10&PerDesde_AA=2000&PerHasta_MM=10&PerHasta_AA=2007&interprete=madonna&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-date=February 14, 2008|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=10&PerDesde_AA=2000&PerHasta_MM=10&PerHasta_AA=2007&interprete=madonna&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|title=Argentinian album certifications – Madonna – Ray of Light|publisher=[[Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]]|language=es}}</ref>}} | ||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Ray of Light|artist=Madonna |type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|refname="aria"|certyear=1999|access-date=January 27, 2014}} | {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Ray of Light|artist=Madonna |type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|refname="aria"|certyear=1999|access-date=January 27, 2014}} | ||
| Line 662: | Line 676: | ||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Ray of Light|artist=Madonna |type=album|award=Platinum|number=6|refname="bpi"|access-date=January 27, 2014|id=5371-2003-2}} | {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Ray of Light|artist=Madonna |type=album|award=Platinum|number=6|refname="bpi"|access-date=January 27, 2014|id=5371-2003-2}} | ||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Madonna|title=Ray of Light|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=1998|refname="riaa"|salesamount=4,359,000|salesref=<ref name="ussales" /><ref name="BMG" />|access-date=January 27, 2014}} | {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Madonna|title=Ray of Light|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=1998|refname="riaa"|salesamount=4,359,000|salesref=<ref name="ussales" /><ref name="BMG" />|access-date=January 27, 2014}} | ||
{{Certification Table Entry | region=Zimbabwe|nocert=true|salesamount=3,000|salesref=<ref name="Africa">{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/235963905|title=Africa: A law unto itself|newspaper=One to One|page=73|date=March 1, 1999|first=Paul|last=Gorman|url-access=subscription | {{Certification Table Entry | region=Zimbabwe|nocert=true|salesamount=3,000|salesref=<ref name="Africa">{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/235963905|title=Africa: A law unto itself|newspaper=One to One|page=73|date=March 1, 1999|first=Paul|last=Gorman|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 1, 2024|id={{ProQuest|235963905}} |quote=Warner's biggest selling African releases in the first three quarters of last year were Madonna's Ray Of Light, which sold just 3,000 copies in Zimbabwe [...] big sales can be achieved in South Africa: Madonna's Evita sold 50,000 in the country in 1997 while Ray of Light sold 43,000 last year.}}</ref>}} | ||
{{Certification Table Summary}} | {{Certification Table Summary}} | ||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Asia|nocert=true|salesamount=1,000,000|salesref={{efn|Sales for ''Ray of Light'' in Asia, as of June 1999<ref name="Asia1999" />}}}} | {{Certification Table Entry|region=Asia|nocert=true|salesamount=1,000,000|salesref={{efn|Sales for ''Ray of Light'' in Asia, as of June 1999<ref name="Asia1999" />}}}} | ||
| Line 671: | Line 685: | ||
== Release history == | == Release history == | ||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" | {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" | ||
|+Release history and formats for ''Ray of Light'' | |+ Release history and formats for ''Ray of Light'' | ||
! scope="col"| Region | ! scope="col"| Region | ||
! scope="col"| Date | ! scope="col"| Date | ||
! scope="col"| Format(s) | ! scope="col"| Format(s) | ||
! scope="col"| Edition(s) | ! scope="col"| Edition(s) | ||
! scope="col"| {{Ref.}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|Japan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/690466|title=Madonna – Ray Of Light #WPCR-2000|date=February 22, 1998 |publisher=[[ | ! scope="row"| Japan | ||
| February 22, 1998 | |||
| {{hlist|[[Compact Disc|CD]]|[[LP record|LP]]}} | |||
| Standard | |||
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/690466|title=Madonna – ''Ray Of Light'' #WPCR-2000|date=February 22, 1998 |publisher=[[Discogs]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306054749/https://www.discogs.com/release/690466|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/173868|title=Madonna – ''Ray Of Light'' #WPJR-2003/4|date=May 25, 1998 |publisher=[[Discogs]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305202047/https://www.discogs.com/release/173868|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|United Kingdom<ref name="uk1">{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/721760|title=Madonna – Ray Of Light #9362 46847 4|date=1998 |publisher= | ! scope="row"| United Kingdom | ||
| rowspan="2"| March 2, 1998 | |||
| rowspan="2"| {{hlist|CD|LP|[[cassette tape|cassette]]|[[mini-album]]}} | |||
| rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Standard|limited edition}} | |||
| rowspan="2" align="center" | <ref name="uk1">{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/721760|title=Madonna – ''Ray Of Light'' #9362 46847 4|date=1998 |publisher=[[Discogs]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305155638/https://www.discogs.com/release/721760|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="uk2">{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/721476|title=Madonna – ''Ray Of Light'' #9362 46847 8|date=March 1998 |publisher=[[Discogs]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107062600/http://www.discogs.com/release/721476|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|Germany | ! scope="row"| Germany | ||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|United States<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/744586|title=Madonna – Ray Of Light #9 46847-2, 9 46847-2|date=March 3, 1998 |publisher= | ! scope="row"| United States | ||
| rowspan="2"| March 3, 1998 | |||
| rowspan="2"| CD | |||
| rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Standard|limited edition}} | |||
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/744586|title=Madonna – ''Ray Of Light'' #9 46847-2, 9 46847-2|date=March 3, 1998 |publisher=[[Discogs]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305180042/https://www.discogs.com/release/744586|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/170752|title=Madonna – ''Ray Of Light'' #9 46884-2|date=1998 |publisher=[[Discogs]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306054524/https://www.discogs.com/release/170752|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|Canada<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicReleases1998/mar.html|title=Album Releases: March 1998|work=[[Jam!]]|access-date=October 2, 2023|archive-date=August 30, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000830082723/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicReleases1998/mar.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ! scope="row"| Canada | ||
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicReleases1998/mar.html|title=Album Releases: March 1998|work=[[Jam!]]|access-date=October 2, 2023|archive-date=August 30, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000830082723/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicReleases1998/mar.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|Japan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/709005|title=Madonna – Ray Of Light / Words + Music #WPCR-10556/7|date=September 8, 1999 |publisher= | ! scope="row"| Japan | ||
| September 8, 1998 | |||
| CD | |||
| Double edition | |||
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/709005|title=Madonna – ''Ray Of Light'' / Words + Music #WPCR-10556/7|date=September 8, 1999 |publisher=[[Discogs]]|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107062933/http://www.discogs.com/release/709005|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 713: | Line 733: | ||
*[[List of best-selling albums in Germany]] | *[[List of best-selling albums in Germany]] | ||
*[[List of number-one albums of 1998 (Australia)]] | *[[List of number-one albums of 1998 (Australia)]] | ||
*[[List of Canadian number-one albums of 1998 | *[[List of Canadian number-one albums of 1998]] | ||
*[[List of European number-one hits of 1998 | *[[List of European number-one hits of 1998]] | ||
*[[List of number-one hits of 1998 (Germany)]] | *[[List of number-one hits of 1998 (Germany)]] | ||
*[[List of number-one hits of 1999 (Germany)]] | *[[List of number-one hits of 1999 (Germany)]] | ||
*[[List of number-one albums of 1998 (Spain)]] | *[[List of number-one albums of 1998 (Spain)]] | ||
*[[List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 1990s | *[[List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 1990s]] | ||
{{div col end}} | {{div col end}} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:13, 7 December 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Unsubst-infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
Ray of Light is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on February 22, 1998, by Maverick Records. A major stylistic and aesthetic departure from her earlier work, Bedtime Stories (1994), Ray of Light is an electronica, trip hop, techno-pop and new-age record which incorporates multiple genres, including ambient, house, rock and classical. Mystical themes are strongly present in the music and lyrics as a result of Madonna embracing Kabbalah, her study of Hinduism and Buddhism, and her daily practice of Ashtanga yoga.
After giving birth to her first child, Madonna started working on the album with producers Babyface and Patrick Leonard. Following failed sessions with them, Madonna pursued a new musical direction with English producer William Orbit, which resulted in a much more experimental sound. The recording process was the longest of Madonna's career, and she experienced problems with Orbit's hardware arrangement, which would break down and cause delays until it could be repaired.
Ray of Light was met with universal acclaim upon its release and is often considered Madonna's magnum opus. Critics praised the singer's new musical direction, contemplative songwriting, and mature vocals, alongside Orbit's complex, innovative production. The album has also been credited with introducing electronica into mainstream pop culture and affirming the 39-year-old Madonna's relevance during a period of major teen-marketed artists. Retrospectively, the album has continued to receive acclaim and is considered one of the greatest pop albums of all time.[1] Madonna has referred to it as her quintessential album. Ray of Light won four Grammy Awards from a total of six nominations at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards.
The album entered the US Billboard 200 at number two, with the biggest first-week sales by a female artist at the time. It also peaked at number one in 17 countries,[2] including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain and on the United Kingdom Albums Chart, and charted within the top-five in most musical markets. Worldwide, Ray of Light has sold over 16 million copies and is one of the best-selling albums by women. Five singles were released from the album, including the international top five hits "Frozen" and "Ray of Light". The album's promotion was later supported by the Drowned World Tour in 2001. A remix album entitled Veronica Electronica was released on July 25, 2025.
Background
.jpg){kind=link}
In 1995, Madonna released her compilation album Something to Remember and began taking vocal lessons in preparation for her role as Eva Perón in Evita (1996). She would also give birth to her daughter, Lourdes Leon, later in 1996. These events inspired a period of introspection. "That was a big catalyst for me. It took me on a search for answers to questions I'd never asked myself before", she said to Q magazine, in 2002.[3] During the same period, she embraced Kabbalah and started studying Hinduism and yoga, all of which helped her "step outside [myself] and see the world from a different perspective".[3] Madonna felt that there was a "whole piece" of her voice left unused, which she decided to utilize for the album.[3] By May 1997, Madonna had started writing songs for the album. She began collaborating with Babyface, who had first worked with her on her previous album Bedtime Stories (1994). The two wrote a couple of songs together before Madonna decided the collaborations were not going in the musical direction she wanted for the album. According to Babyface, the songs "had a 'Take a Bow-ish' kind of vibe, and Madonna didn't want, or need, to repeat herself".[4]
After abandoning the songs she had written with Babyface, Madonna turned to musician Rick Nowels, who had previously co-written songs with Stevie Nicks and Celine Dion. The collaboration produced seven songs in nine days, but those songs also did not display the album's future electronic musical direction.[4] Three of the songs, "The Power of Good-Bye", "To Have and Not to Hold" and "Little Star", appear on the album.[4] Madonna then began writing songs with Patrick Leonard, who had produced many songs for Madonna in the late 1980s. Unlike her previous albums, Leonard's songwriting collaborations were accompanied by very little studio input. Madonna believed that Leonard's production "would have lent the songs more of a Peter Gabriel vibe", a sound that she did not want for the album.[4] Guy Oseary, chairman of Maverick Records, then phoned British electronic musician William Orbit, and suggested that he send some songs to Madonna.[3] Orbit sent a 13-track digital audio tape to Madonna. "I was a huge fan of William's earlier records, Strange Cargo 1 and 2 and all that. I also loved all the remixes he did for me and I was interested in fusing a kind of futuristic sound but also using lots of Indian and Moroccan influences and things like that, and I wanted it to sound old and new at the same time," Madonna said.[3]
Recording
<templatestyles src="Template:Quote_box/styles.css" />
"It took a long time to do the album, months. And it wasn't like we were slacking. We actually did have to work fast, and there were many times when we had to move on. One of Madonna's favorite phrases was: 'Don't gild the lily.' In other words, keep it rough, and don't perfect it too much. It's a natural urge for computer buffs to perfect everything because they can, and we were very wary of that."
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In June 1997, William Orbit met Madonna at her house in New York, and she played him the music she had already worked on with other producers, which he felt sounded "slick".[3][4] Sessions with Orbit began soon afterwards at the Hit Factory, where Orbit then gave Madonna a tape of musical snippets he was working on, which were usually eight or sixteen-bar phrases and stripped-down versions of tracks that would later be heard on the album.[5][4] Madonna listened to the samples, over and over again, until she was inspired to write lyrics. Once she had an idea about the lyrical direction of the song, she would take her ideas back to Orbit, and they would expand on the original music ideas.[4] As most of the instrumental demos pre-existed, Madonna worked on the lyrics and melodies while at home or while travelling.[3]
<templatestyles src="Template:Quote_box/styles.css" />
"[Guy Oseary]'s our discerning ear, ... He's the guy that comes in and withholds all compliments. We'll play him tracks and then he says nothing and leaves and then we have a nervous breakdown, ... Right when I think the track's done he sort of pushes us another step further and says 'Maybe you should try this' or 'I really don't wanna hear that' and then of course it creeps into my brain and later on in the day I'm thinking 'Maybe I should've done a background vocal on that.'"
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Recording sessions commenced at Larrabee North Studio in North Hollywood in the summer of 1997, where the album was predominantly recorded. For most of the recording process, only three other people were in the studio with Madonna: William Orbit, engineer Pat McCarthy, and his assistant engineer, Matt Silva.[4] Sessions were initially plagued with machinery problems, as Orbit preferred to work with samples and synth sounds, and not with live musicians. The computers would break down, and recording would have to be delayed until they could be repaired.[4][5] Orbit recorded the bulk of the album's instrumentation over a four-month period. Orbit recalls playing the guitar until his fingers bled during the long hours he spent in the studio. Orbit also recalled during an interview with Q magazine that Madonna recorded "Swim" the day her friend and fashion designer Gianni Versace was killed in Miami, Florida. He also commented that this is probably why the track has an emotional impact.[3][4]
After some errors in her pronunciation of Sanskrit shloka "Yoga Taravali" during the song "Shanti/Ashtangi", the BBC arranged for Madonna to take telephonic lessons to learn the basic correct pronunciation of Sanskrit words from eminent scholar Vagish Shastri. She then made the necessary pronunciation corrections on the album.[7][8] In a 1997 interview with Kurt Loder for MTV, Madonna discussed the impact of giving birth to her daughter Lourdes prior to the album, stating "I think probably having her's set me off on a new way of thinking and... just gone down a different road, period". Regarding the album's creative direction, she stated "It's been really fun, I've never, ... felt so free to experiment."[9]
Title and artwork
According to spokesperson Liz Rosenberg, Madonna considered titling the album Mantra, which she thought was a "really cool title", and she also considered calling it Veronica Electronica;[10] however, she discarded both of those ideas and called it Ray of Light, as her studio albums up to that point were always titled after one of the songs from each album's tracklist.[11]
The artwork is taken from a November 28, 1997 photoshoot with photographer Mario Testino. In terms of styling, Madonna and stylist Lori Goldstein opted for textures evocative of the elements water and air, which are recurrent themes on the album. For the album cover, Madonna wears a turquoise Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 1998 vinyl raincoat. Other pictures from the same shoot serve as the artworks for the "Ray of Light" and "Frozen" singles, where Madonna models items from Prada's Spring/Summer 1998 collection.[12] Madonna and Testino had previously collaborated for a Versace brand collection two years earlier. Madonna was impressed with the natural look Testino had captured, so she booked him again for the album's photoshoot. He recalled, "At 2pm she said, 'OK, I'm tired. We're done'. And I said, 'But I don't have the pictures yet'. She said, 'You're working for me and I say we're done'. I said, 'No, we carry on'. The picture she used on the cover came after that".[13]
Composition
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"I feel that talking about it trivializes it. I've been studying the Cabala [sic], which is the mystical interpretation of the Torah. I've studied Buddhism and Hinduism and I've been practicing yoga and obviously I know a lot about Catholicism. There are indisputable truths that connect all of them, and I find that very comforting and kind. My spiritual journey is to be open to everything. Pay attention to what makes sense, be absorbed. For me, yoga is the closest thing to our real nature."
—Madonna talking about the inspiration behind "Sky Fits Heaven" and "Shanti/Ashtangi".[4]
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Ray of Light was a notable departure from Madonna's previous work, and has been described as her most "adventurous" record.[14] An electronica,[15][16] trip hop,[17] techno-pop,[18] and new-age album;[19] it also contains elements of several different types of music, including house, ambient, drum and bass, rock, new wave, eastern and classical music.[20] Vocally, the album was also a marked change from Madonna's previous work; as the singer underwent vocal training lessons for her 1996 film Evita, her vocals exhibited greater breadth and range, as well as a fuller timbre. In many songs, she also abandoned the vibrato which was present in her previous work. Critically, the album is said to have Madonna's most full-bodied vocals.[21]
The opening track and third single, "Drowned World/Substitute For Love", is a downtempo ballad drawing influences from jungle, drum and bass and trip hop music.[22] The title is inspired by J. G. Ballard's post-apocalyptic science fiction novel The Drowned World (1962).[22] "Swim", the second song, has a spiritual tone. She sings: "Swim to the ocean floor/So that we can begin again/Wash away all our sins/Crash to the other shore".[23] "Ray of Light", the third track and second single, is an uptempo electronic dance-pop song with strong techno and trance influences. A "sonically progressive" track,[14] it also incorporates elements of rock, with a prominent electric guitar riff. Its sound effects include whistles and bleeps.[14] "Candy Perfume Girl" has a grunge intro and continues to pair post-modern beeps and beats with old-fashioned electric guitar flare ups.[24] In the next song, "Skin", Madonna sings "Do I know you from somewhere?" in a yearning voice over the beats of an electronic orchestra.[24]
The sixth track, "Nothing Really Matters", is an up-tempo dance track which contains influences of techno.[25] "Sky Fits Heaven" focuses on Madonna's spiritual studies and her daughter Lourdes. Some lyrics include: "Sky fits heaven so fly it, that's what the prophet said to me/Child fits mother so hold your baby tight, that's what my future can see".[24] Elements of the lyric are taken from the poem What Fits? by poet Max Blagg, the poem used for a 1993 advertisement for Gap Inc.[26] "Shanti/Ashtangi" is a Hindu prayer and up-tempo techno song sung by Madonna in Sanskrit, over a driving dance rhythm.[23] The techno dance track features Madonna singing the adapted version of Shankaracharya entirely in Sanskrit with lines such as "Vunde gurunam caranaravinde/Sandarsita svatma sukhavabodhe".[27][28]
"Frozen", the ninth track and album's first single, is a mid-tempo electronic ballad which has a layered sound enhanced by synthesizers and strings.[29] The song additionally contains ambient qualities, a moderate dance rhythm during the chorus and techno-influenced beats towards the end. Madonna's vocals throughout the song lack vibrato, and have drawn comparisons to medieval music. Lyrically, the song is about a cold and emotionless man; nevertheless, subtexts have been noticed.[29] According to Jarman-Ivens, lyrics such as "You're frozen, when your heart's not open" reflected an artistic palette, "encompassing diverse musical, textual and visual styles in its lyrics."[30] "The Power of Good-Bye" is an emotional ballad which lyrically meditates on loss and longing. It was released as the album's fourth single. "To Have and Not to Hold" is about a distant lover and "Little Star" is about her daughter, Lourdes. Both are superficially vibrant but with underlying subtlety and restrained arrangements prevailing.[24] "Mer Girl", the album's final track, is a surreal meditation on mortality and the death of Madonna's mother Madonna Fortin Ciccone, in which she sings, "And I smelled her burning flesh/Her rotting bones, her decay/I ran and I ran/I'm still running away."[22] "She stepped out of the vocal booth," Orbit recalled of its recording, "and everybody was rooted to the spot. It was just one of those moments. Really spooky."[31]
Release and promotion
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Ray of Light was released in Japan on February 22, 1998, with an additional Japan-only bonus track "Has to Be".[32] The album was later released in the United States on March 3, 1998. In New Zealand, a box set of Ray of Light and the 1990 compilation The Immaculate Collection was released to accompany the album. It reached number 12 on the albums chart and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) for shipment of 7,500 copies.[33] A promotional instore VHS compilation titled Rays of Light was released in the United Kingdom in 1999, compiling all the music videos to all five singles from the album. All five videos were later included on the compilation The Video Collection 93:99 (1999).[34] "Sky Fits Heaven" was released as a promotional single in the United States. It peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.[35]
To promote the album, Madonna made a number of televised appearances and live performances of the album's songs. On February 14, 1998, she debuted "Sky Fits Heaven", "Shanti/Ashtangi" and "Ray of Light" at Roxy NYC nightclub.[36] "Frozen" was performed on The National Lottery Show in the UK (February 21),[37] 1998 Sanremo Music Festival in Italy (February 24),[38] Wetten, dass..? in Germany (February 28)[39] and The Rosie O'Donnell Show in the United States (March 13).[40] On April 27, Madonna made an unannounced appearance at the Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City to sing "Frozen". She also joined the other stars of the concert, including Sting, Elton John, and Billy Joel to perform "With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Twist and Shout" with them.[41] On May 29, Madonna appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and sang "Little Star" and "Ray of Light" there.[42] On September 10, she opened 1998 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City with the performance of "Shanti/Ashtangi" and "Ray of Light" featuring Lenny Kravitz on guitar.[43] "The Power of Good-Bye" was sung at the 1998 MTV Europe Music Awards in Italy (November 12)[44] and Top of the Pops in the UK (November 19).[45] On February 24, 1999, Madonna performed "Nothing Really Matters" at the 41st Grammy Awards ceremony at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.[46]
Madonna performed "Drowned World/Substitute For Love", "Ray of Light", "Candy Perfume Girl", "Sky Fits Heaven", "Frozen" and "Mer Girl" on the Drowned World Tour, her fifth concert tour, which promoted Ray of Light and its successor album. It started in June 2001 and was Madonna's first tour in eight years. The tour was to be started before the new millennium,[47] but she had become pregnant with her son Rocco Ritchie, released the album Music that year, and married British filmmaker Guy Ritchie in December 2000.[48][49] The show was divided into five sections, Cyber-Punk, Geisha, Cowgirl, Spanish and Ghetto.[50] The Drowned World Tour received positive reviews.[51] The tour was a commercial success, grossing a total of US$75 million, and it was the top concert tour of a solo artist in 2001.[52] The concert was broadcast live on HBO from The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan, on August 26, 2001.[53] The Drowned World Tour 2001 DVD was released in all regions on November 13, 2001. Like the original airing of the show, the DVD received very good reviews. The photographs used on the DVD packaging were taken by Madonna's friend Rosie O'Donnell.[54]
Singles
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"Frozen" was released as the lead single from the album on February 23, 1998. It peaked inside the top five in most musical markets worldwide, while topping the singles chart in Finland, Italy, Spain and on the United Kingdom Singles Chart, where it became Madonna's first single to debut at number one.[55][56] It became her sixth single to peak at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a record for Madonna as the artist with most number-two hits in the chart history.[57][58] The song received critical acclaim, and was labelled a masterpiece whose sound was described as "cinematic".[22] However, the Belgian court in 2005 ruled that the opening four-bar theme to the song was plagiarized from the song "Ma vie fout le camp", composed by Salvatore Acquaviva. The ruling forbade the sale of the single and the entire Ray of Light album, as well as other compilations that included the track in Belgium.[59] In February 2014, a Belgian court ruled that Madonna did not plagiarize Acquaviva's work for "Frozen". The court spoke of a "new capital offense" in the file: composer Edouard Scotto Di Suoccio and societies Tabata Atoll Music and Music in Paris had also filed a complaint for plagiarism. According to them, both "Ma vie fout le camp" and "Frozen" originated in the song "Blood Night" which they composed in 1983.[60] After all three tracks in the case were compared, the final ruling was that the songs were "not sufficiently 'original' to claim" that any plagiarism had taken place.[61] This ruling ended the eight-year ban of the song that was in place in Belgium since 2005.[61]
The album's second single, "Ray of Light", was released on April 27, 1998. It peaked at number one in Spain and attained the top five position in Canada, Finland, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.[56][62][63] It entered the Hot 100 at number five, becoming Madonna's highest debut on the chart ever.[57] The song was also a hit on Hot Dance Club Play chart, remaining at number one for four weeks, and became the "Top Hot Dance Club Play Single" of 1998.[64] Critically, it also received positive reviews, being praised for its club-perfect, yet "sonically progressive" sound, as well as her powerful vocals.[14]
"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" was released on August 24, 1998, as the third single outside the United States. It reached number one in Spain and the top ten in Italy and the United Kingdom.[56][65] The music video, directed by Walter Stern, caused controversy due to scenes that featured Madonna being chased by paparazzi on motor-bikes, a scenario similar to Princess Diana's death in 1997.[66]
The fourth single, "The Power of Good-Bye", was released on September 1, 1998. It reached the top-ten peaks in Austria, Canada, Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.[67][56][68] In the United States, the song peaked at number eleven on the Hot 100.[57] Its music video was directed by Matthew Rolston. "Little Star" was released as a double A-side single with "The Power of Good-Bye" in the United Kingdom on November 23, 1998.[69]
"Nothing Really Matters" was released as the album's sixth and final single on March 2, 1999. It became a top-ten hit in Canada, Finland, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.[56][70] In the United States, it became Madonna's lowest-charting single on the Hot 100, peaking at number 93, but was a number-one hit on its dance chart.[57] Its music video, directed by Johan Renck, was inspired by Arthur Golden's book Memoirs of a Geisha, and featured Madonna dressed as a geisha.[71]
Critical reception
Ray of Light received universal acclaim from critics.[72][73]
Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called it Madonna's "most adventurous record" and "most mature and restrained album".[14] Paul Verna of Billboard commented: "Easily her most mature and personal work to date, Ray of Light finds Madonna weaving lyrics with the painstaking intimacy of diary entries and wrapping them in hymn-like melodies and instrumentation swathed in lush, melancholy ambience—with forays into classic house, trance, and even guitar pop. Of course, she balances the set's serious tone with chewy pop nuggets that allow her to flex her immeasurably widened vocal range to fine effect." He finished the review by calling the album "a deliciously adventurous, ultimately victorious effort from one of pop music's most compelling performers."[74] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine described the album as "one of the great pop masterpieces of the '90s" and stated that: "Its lyrics are uncomplicated but its statement is grand" and "Madonna hasn't been this emotionally candid since Like a Prayer".[22] Rob Sheffield's review for Rolling Stone called the album "brilliant", but was critical of Orbit's production, saying that he doesn't know enough tricks to produce a whole album, and so becomes repetitive.[75] "Until Simply Red enlist John Zorn, or Mariah Carey works with Tortoise," Stuart Maconie wrote in Q, "she remains the only pop aristocrat who's keeping her ears open."[76]
David Browne of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "For all her grapplings with self-enlightenment, Madonna seems more relaxed and less contrived than she's been in years, from her new Italian earth-mother makeover to, especially, her music. Ray of Light is truly like a prayer, and you know she'll take you there."[77] Roni Sarig, in City Pages, was most impressed by Madonna's vocal range, depth, and clarity and called Ray of Light "her richest, most accomplished record yet".[78] Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "One reason why her new Ray of Light is the most satisfying album of her career is that it reflects the soul-searching of a woman who is at a point in her life where she can look at herself with surprising candor and perspective."[79] In Melody Maker, Mark Roland drew comparisons with St Etienne and Björk's Homogenic album, highlighting Ray of LightTemplate:'s lack of cynicism as its most positive aspect: "It's not an album turned on the lathe of cynical pop manipulation, rather it's been squished out of a lump of clay on a foot-powered wheel. Lovingly teased into life, Ray of Light is like the ugly mug that doesn't match but is all the more special because of it."[80] Joan Anderman from The Boston Globe said Ray of Light is a remarkable album. He described it as a deeply spiritual dance record, ecstatically textured, a serious cycle of songs that goes a long way toward liberating Madonna from a career built on scavenged images and cultivated identities.[81] Robert Christgau was less impressed in Playboy, deeming it a "great-sounding" but average record because enlightenment themes always yield awkward results for pop entertainers. However, he praised sensual songs such as "Skin" and "Candy Perfume Girl".[82]
Commercial performance
Upon its release, Ray of Light topped the official charts of 17 countries.[2] It broke the record as Warner Music Group's album with most shipments before its release at 2.5 million units worldwide, excluding the U.S.[83] The album managed to sell 3 million copies in five days.[84] With over 16 million copies,[85][86] Ray of Light is one of the best-selling albums by women.
In the United States, Ray of Light debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 albums chart on the issue dated March 21, 1998.[87] It set the record for biggest first-week sales by a female artist in Nielsen SoundScan era at that time with 371,000 copies sold.[87] However, the album was not able to top the soundtrack album of the motion picture Titanic, becoming Madonna's fifth album to peak at the runner-up position.[88] During the second week, the album sold 225,000 copies and was still kept off the top spot by the soundtrack.[89] On March 16, 2000, the album was certified four times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of four million units of the album.[90] Madonna became the first female artist to have seven multi-platinum studio albums by RIAA.[91] According to Nielsen SoundScan, Ray of Light had sold 3,900,000 copies in the United States as of February 2023.[92] This figure does not include units sold through clubs like the BMG Music, where the album sold over 459,000 copies.[93] In Canada, the album debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart with first-week sales of 59,900 copies.[94] It was later certified seven-times platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) for shipment of 700,000 copies.[95]
Ray of Light achieved commercial success in Latin America, being certified 3× platinum in Argentina for 180,000 copies recognized by Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas (CAPIF) and platinum in Brazil for shipments of over 250,000 units certified by Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos (ABPD).[96][97] In Mexico, initial shipments of the album were 30,000 units.[98][99] The album also achieved commercial success in Oceania, debuting at number one on the albums chart in Australia[100] and New Zealand.[101] It was certified triple platinum by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and platinum by Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) for shipments of 210,000 and 15,000 copies respectively.[102][103] Ray of Light became the best-selling album from Warner Music in the Asia-Pacific region during 1998,[104] and sold over one million copies in Asia as of June 1999.[105]
Ray of Light achieved its biggest commercial reception in European countries, where it topped the European Top 100 Albums chart[106] and was certified seven times platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for sales of seven million copies, becoming the ninth best-selling album in Europe for the 1998–2007 period.[107][108] In the United Kingdom, Ray of Light debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart with opening sales of nearly 139,000 copies and remained at the top spot for two weeks.[109][110] It was certified six times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipment of 1.8 million copies.[111] As of 2018, the album sold 1,730,000 units in the UK according to Official Charts Company.[112] In France, Ray of Light entered the albums chart at number two, staying there for seven weeks before descending the chart.[100] It was certified three times platinum by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for shipments of 900,000 copies.[113] In Germany, the album reached number one on the Media Control Charts and remained there for seven weeks.[114] It remains Madonna's best-selling album in Germany with three times platinum certification from Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI) for shipment of 1.5 million copies.[115] In the rest of Europe, Ray of Light topped the official charts of Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Spain and Switzerland.[62][100]
Accolades
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At the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, Ray of Light received four awards out of six nominations.[116] The album won Best Pop Album and Best Recording Package, and was nominated for Album of the Year, while the title track won Best Dance Recording and Best Short Form Music Video, and was nominated for Record of the Year.[117] The album gave Madonna her first musical Grammy of her career, as previously she had only won in the video category. Madonna also became the biggest winner of the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, winning six awards from nine nominations.[118] "Frozen" won Best Special Effects; "Ray of Light" won Best Choreography, Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Female Video and Video of the Year, and was also nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Dance Video and Breakthrough Video. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored Madonna two awards of Most Performed Song for "Frozen" and "Ray of Light" at the 1999 ASCAP Pop Music Awards,[119] as well as Top Dance Song for "Ray of Light" at the 1999 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.[120]
Ray of Light also gave Madonna several trophies from various international award shows—including two Danish Grammy Awards for Best International Album and Best International Female Vocalist from IFPI Denmark,[121] a Fryderyk award for Best Foreign Album from Związek Producentów Audio Video (ZPAV) in Poland,[122] a Golden Giraffe Award for International Pop Album of the Year from Mahasz in Hungary,[123] two Porin awards for Best International Album and Best International Video ("Frozen") in Croatia,[124] and two Rockbjörnen awards for Best International Album and Best International Artist in Sweden.[125]
In Canada, Madonna won Best International Video for "Ray of Light" at the 1999 MuchMusic Video Awards and was nominated for Best Selling Album (Foreign or Domestic) at the 1999 Juno Awards.[126][127] She also received Best Female and Best Album trophies at the 1998 MTV Europe Music Awards.[128] At the 14th annual International Dance Music Awards, Madonna won Best Dance Solo Artist and Best Dance Video for "Ray of Light".[129]
Legacy
Ray of Light has been credited for bringing electronica music into global pop culture. The Los Angeles Times noted that "aside from occasional breakthroughs such as Fatboy Slim, electronica wasn't totally mainstream fare when Madonna released Ray of Light."[130] Until the album brought the genre to the top of music charts, according to author J. Randy Taraborrelli, "techno and electronica had, for years, been the music played at so-called raves, hugely popular, illegal underground parties taking place in abandoned warehouse and deserted areas on the outskirts of town all around the world."[131] AllMusic editor Liana Jonas stated that the album's title track has "brought mainstream attention to electronica music, which ascended from its underground status to wild popularity in the early 21st century."[132] The ObserverTemplate:'s writer Daryl Deino called Ray of Light "a risk-taking album that helped define mainstream electronic dance music."[133]
Elliott H. Powell in an American Studies study for New York University observed that Ray of Light made South Asian culture accessible to the American public in the 1990s.[134] Rhonda Hammer and Douglas Kellner in their book Media/Cultural Studies: Critical Approaches recalled that "the phenomenon of South Asian-inspired femininity as a Western media trend can be traced to February 1998, when pop icon Madonna released her video 'Frozen'." They explained that "although Madonna did not initiate the fashion for Indian beauty accessories [...] she did propel it into the public eye by attracting the attention of the worldwide media."[135]
According to Taraborrelli, the album has been hailed as bold and refreshing in music of the late 1990s, which was dominated by boybands and teenage artists such as the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.[136] Larry Flick from Billboard said that the album "not only provided the chameleon-like artist with her first universally applauded critical success, it has also proved that she remains a vital figure amongst woefully fickle young audiences."[137] Journalists have discussed how the album affected Madonna's career and public perception. According to Billboard's Kristen S. Hé, Ray of Light remains the singer's most critically acclaimed album, as of 2020.[73] Music critic Lucy O'Brien commented: "1998's Ray of Light certainly rehabilitated Madonna's image. Up to that point she had still been written off as an average pop glamour girl who got lucky, but with this record she reached a whole new audience, proving that she was a good songwriter with an intensely productive talent."[138] Mary von Aue from Stereogum stated that "Ray of Light reestablished Madonna as a groundbreaking artist",[139] and Nick Levine of Dazed said the Ray of Light era "won Madonna the kind of critical acclaim she’d never enjoyed in the past".[140] For PopMatters, Peter Piatkowski observed that the album effectively divided Madonna's career into two distinct eras: "those who followed her career from the beginning in 1982 ... would find themselves choosing one camp over the other: the music before Ray of Light was arguably more accessible and radio-friendly", whereas her subsequent works would contain at least some elements of the experimental electronic dance music she had embraced on Ray of Light.[141]
Ray of Light has been featured on numerous critics' lists of greatest albums of all time. Rolling Stone magazine placed the album at number 367 on the list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[142] In September 2020, an updated edition of the Rolling Stone list was published, showing the album rising 145 spots, at number 222.[143] In 2001, a quarter of a million music fans on VH1 voted Ray of Light as the 10th of "100 Best Albums of All Time".[144] In 2003, Ray of Light was allocated at number 17 on Q magazine readers' list of "100 Greatest Albums Ever".[145] The album is also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[146] Mojo magazine also listed Ray of Light at number 29 on "100 Modern Classics: The Greatest Albums of Our Lifetime".[147] In 2013, the album was also included at number 241 on NME magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".[148] Pitchfork ranked Ray of Light as the 55th best album of the 1990s, "Madonna's trying, with all her might, to evoke the blackest depths and most euphoric joys of the human heart. The album's title track sounds like it was forged inside a meteor; the surreal, pitch-black poem 'Mer Girl' is as still as death itself."[149]
Ray of Light has also been influential on other artists' work. Canadian singer Nelly Furtado stated that she used it as a template for her album Loose (2006).[150] Moreover, English singer Adele named the record as "one of the chief inspirations" for her third studio album, 25 (2015).[151] Madonna herself has considered Ray of Light the most fulfilling evolution of her career, with her referencing it as the "quintessential Madonna album" in a 2013 Reddit AMA.[152][153]
Track listing
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Notes[154]
- <templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^[a] "Drowned World/Substitute for Love" contains a sample of "Why I Follow the Tigers", as performed by the San Sebastian Strings.
- <templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^[b] "Shanti/Ashtangi" adapted from text by Shankaracharya, taken from the Yoga Taravali. Additional text: Traditional, Translation by Vyass Houston and Eddie Stern.
- <templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^[c] "Mer Girl" contains an interpolation and elements from "Space" performed by Gábor Szabó.
Personnel
Unless otherwise indicated, Information is adapted from the album's liner notes.[154]
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- Madonna – vocals (2–5, 7–13, lead on 1, 6)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., producer
- William Orbit – producer, guitar, programming, sound effects
- Mike Bradford – programming
- Craig Armstrong – string arrangements (9–10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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- Mark Endert – engineer
- Fergus Gerrand – drums (1–2)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., percussion (13)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Kerosene Halo – design
- Niki Haris – background vocals (6)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Vyass Houston – translation
- Jon Ingoldsby – engineer
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Suzie Katayama – conductor
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- Patrick McCarthy – engineer
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- Kevin Reagan – art direction, design
- Dave Reitzas – engineer
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- Matt Silva – engineer
- Eddie Stern – translation
- Mario Testino – photography
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Charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications and sales
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Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Edition(s) | Template:Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | February 22, 1998 | Template:Hlist | Standard | [200][201] |
| United Kingdom | March 2, 1998 | Template:Hlist | Template:Hlist | [202][203] |
| Germany | ||||
| United States | March 3, 1998 | CD | Template:Hlist | [204][205] |
| Canada | [206] | |||
| Japan | September 8, 1998 | CD | Double edition | [207] |
Notes
See also
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- List of albums which have spent the most weeks on the UK Albums Chart
- List of best-selling albums by women
- List of best-selling albums in Europe
- List of best-selling albums in Austria
- List of best-selling albums in Germany
- List of number-one albums of 1998 (Australia)
- List of Canadian number-one albums of 1998
- List of European number-one hits of 1998
- List of number-one hits of 1998 (Germany)
- List of number-one hits of 1999 (Germany)
- List of number-one albums of 1998 (Spain)
- List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 1990s
References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Script error: No such module "Unsubst".Template:Cbignore
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Songwriter wins case against Madonna Template:Webarchive. Associated Press via USA Today. November 18, 2005. Retrieved May 22, 2006.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Anderman, Joan (March 1, 1998) "Madonna Captures the Moment and Sees the Spiritual Light". Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Bibliography
<templatestyles src="Refbegin/styles.css" />
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
External links
- Template:Discogs master
- Template:Delink playlist on YouTubeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Navbox". Script error: No such module "navboxes". Template:Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album Template:MTV Europe Music Award for Best AlbumScript error: No such module "navboxes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Categories:
- Pages with script errors
- Pages with reference errors
- Pages with broken file links
- 1998 albums
- Madonna albums
- Maverick Records albums
- Warner Records albums
- Albums produced by Patrick Leonard
- Albums produced by Madonna
- Albums produced by William Orbit
- Albums produced by Marius de Vries
- Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album
- Electronica albums by American artists
- Trip hop albums by American artists
- New-age albums by American artists
- Techno albums by American artists