I’m so glad I found this. I often think why do people not talk about her music it’s always about her controversy etc. she is so under appreciated as a writer thank you I’ll be checking out the book
Such a wonderful interview thank you. I too made space in my book because no matter what anyone else says, in my estimation, there will never be another artist that can match what she has accomplished
What a great interview thank you both. I’ve been a huge Madonna fan since 1985 when I was 10. I’ve always been frustrated that her skills as a songwriter, producer are dismissed and belittled. Her vocal ability never gets the credit it should. Her ability to alter her singing style snd vocals can shift significantly making her very versatile. I always think she is at heart a huge fan of music as an art form and has a constant thirst for exploring new sound and directions: The celebration tour was phenomenal and was the perfect vehicle for 40 years ad one of the just important influences in my life.
I just received the book…almost 800 pages of glossy full colour pages with loads of pictures….it’s already my favorite Madonna book that was ever released….it really has it all ❤❤
Even Bob Dylan praised Madonna and that was long before she she’s a one off . No one remotely in her league. Her body of work and performances are astonishing in their diversity and cultural impact.
My partner got this book for me for Christmas, so excited to read it, as I’ve been a huge Madonna fan since the beginning of her career. So glad I found this interview.
Great interview. It is so true that the focus is never on the music. I'm 55 now and still love listening to her albums. Especially Erotica . My favourite album and Live To Tell must be my favourite song of all time.
Love this interview!! Wholeheartedly agree that those of us who were teenage fans of those first albums have a deep connection and undying loyalty to this woman who seemed to understand us so well as we matured. I was turning 18 and leaving home with Like a Prayer. About 20 and thought myself very sophisticated (ha!) with Erotica (we ALL thought Bad Girl was about us!) Then approaching and turning 30 during the trifecta of RoL, Music and American Life. "She wants her songs to be the listener's song, not her own" hit me so hard because it's exactly what I've felt my whole life.
@@todddepue681 Beautifully put and wow can I relate. We must be close in age… I completely identify with what you were experiencing and when, and the effect her always changing and evolving artistry had on us as we changed and evolved ourselves.
@@popthehistorymakers there were gilrs bands in the 80's - Arabesque and A La Carte . I don't know if you know them, they were mainly known in Europe and Asia. If you're ever interested to take interviews with some members of these bands - please, just give a sign. I could help with it since we have been collaborating with them... Best regards and please, keep going strong!
Madonna is a great artist, her songs Borderline, Gambler,, Live to tell, my favourites along with her first album. I bought these mentioned records at the time, I don’t like everything she did but these I loved. Then her Live Aid performance was awesome, she had briefly had red hair that time. So I would say 1982 to 1986
I remember Madonna from the very start. I can't remember if it was Lucky Star or Borderline, but she was played a lot on MTV. I was 12 also in 1985. I was obsessed with her! at 14, in 1987, Who's That Girl was my first concert. 1989 Like A Prayer is my coming out album. I just saw her for the 4th time in my life this past March in concert.
We are all in agreement that Erotica was a masterpiece and criminally underrated. 100% her best album, though really, every album after it up to Confessions was also a classic. Still waiting for a new studio album. Seems to me this is the perfect time for her to write some music, considering the world is falling apart.
Mine arrived today! Matt's books are galore but I think M Songbook is prob the holy grail now. Erotica my fave time period.. the gorgeous and underrated 90s M. The best unreleased tracks are from the ROL era.
The one mistake she made was giving that great song to Nick Kamen, she should have recorded that herself, she would have had a monster stand alone single.
Madonna never, for me, sounded better than she did in True Blue. I love when she belts the high notes in Papa Don't Preach, for instance--her voice was raw, and she means it in the song! The post-Evita Madonna is fine, but too controlled and at points elocutionary for my tastes. I still love her, but I loved the raw Madonna who lacked the self-consciousness that trammelled her post-Evita.
@@jeffkoons001 I get what you’re saying there and agree with the elocutionary style she had with Evita though for me it obviously fitted the musical theatre of those songs. And I loved that. I also think it’s interesting what Niki and Donna said in their interview on the channel about getting her to love just singing all the time. That changed her voice through those years, and I’m not sure that without an evolution she would have maintained success. I like a lot of different eras of Madonna, and again for me it’s about the combination of all that goes into the songs, not just voice, but also lyrics in Ray of Light, Performance, Music and her voice which fits and often leads those changes. But great comment.
@@popthehistorymakers I think that vocal style definitely works for many songs -- and yes, her evolution is reflected in the vocals. But there are times in the post-Evita era where I could feel her trying to 'do it correctly' where she needed to let go. I loved the Donna and Niki interview BTW, you did a great job on that. Cheers, wonderful channel.
I know this comment won't be liked.. but i don't understand where she's going these days-- where her mind is. I loathe Madame X. I think it's terrible. And then Vulgar with Sam Smith. I miss an adult album which truly speaks to the older mega fans. She's not doing this anymore. And might not again. Her legacy is never forgotten ...of course not. But there needs to be an album that is a "return to form". The past decade have been painful (don't hate me!!). I loved Hard Candy--i never meet many who do. I just wish she'd have another Bedtime Stories or LAP. Great pop classics with ballads showing her sensitive side.
@@jartober you’re entitled to your opinion and it’s not negative , its just what you think. I actually liked Madame X, but that’s just me. As she’s working with Stuart Price maybe we are in line for something ‘classic’ - at least it’ll be interesting to see how that differs from Confessions.
I guess she's more like "yes, we get old, have fun, do what you like, listen to yourself" I have enjoyed her last albums a lot and what she does around them, I just think she's focused on her family and not the world she's into.
@@AM-js8fv not sure that's true at all because if you look at her social media it's all about her, her expensive clothes, yes she post pictures of the kids but a lot of the stuff she posts is just sheer narcissism as usual
i dont think so that she,s wrote the song Borderline ,Holiday Open your heart,thats the holywood project in that time and whole outfit and image and enginers was made thats all songs ,made a structure between disco and pop style on their terms to sound better like they sound today,thats all the MTV programed comercial package,including and other musicians,Billy Idol,cindy lauper,Bon jovi,Duran duran,INXS,etc...
thats entertainment ,very comercial visualy...and very expencive ,she had must returned all that money to the company and to the producers who invested in her image and her style its very hard in that time to make all that things...and spend the money with big risk in her capacity...she was unknown at that time for wide audience in Europe among big stars Pat Benatar and Donna Summer
The secret: She gets introduced to new material, changes a few words, pays people so she can ad/attach her name to the song credits - if necessary! There is nothing wrong with that as long as she can create a balanced/nuanced concept (American Life, Confessions and Ray Of Light ). But she hasn't done that since Confessions! Fortunately all true Madonna fans recognize her writing style and recognize a Madonna song lyrically & melodically immediately! I assume she hasn't written a full song in ages! Not because she can't. Most probably nobody respects her enough to spend time sit with her through a writing session (as Patrick, Steven and William did) Times have changed. People send stems and files back and forth. They rather work remote and be free to work on many different projects at the same time instead of spending their time traveling to Madonna to sit around in a studio! Best example: Kanye West! Her bridge structure/B section is completely gone or set up the entire song to fail, overall the songs are emotionally detached and empty, the dance songs have become lyrically reductive and repetitive (since after Confessions) the different sections within the song are detached from eachother and can be interchanged randomly (a structure that they have invented for Rihanna) Last true "Madonna song" was probably the Ghosttown's verses. And in that song the cold and generic EDM production ruins the entire idea. It is desperately chorus/hit focused and the mid section is a complete fail. The mid range used to be the most emotional/memorable part of her voice and she rarely uses that side of her voice. Tragic to see that many young(er) songwriters write better Madonna songs than Madonna herself! Byeh
@@firouz256 Madame X had some great experimental tracks that showed she still has good instincts and is constantly pushing the boundaries of what a song can be. It’s not as cohesive and solid as the Erotica to Confessions era, true, but it was miles ahead of MDNA and Rebel Heart. And yes, Ghosttown is a genius level track that should have gotten way more airplay.
I’m so glad I found this. I often think why do people not talk about her music it’s always about her controversy etc. she is so under appreciated as a writer thank you I’ll be checking out the book
@@scottsaunders5087 great! Thx for the comment!
Yes BUT M causes that herself. Always has. It's even in the Something To Remember liner notes :)
Such a wonderful interview thank you. I too made space in my book because no matter what anyone else says, in my estimation, there will never be another artist that can match what she has accomplished
What a great interview thank you both. I’ve been a huge Madonna fan since 1985 when I was 10. I’ve always been frustrated that her skills as a songwriter, producer are dismissed and belittled. Her vocal ability never gets the credit it should. Her ability to alter her singing style snd vocals can shift significantly making her very versatile. I always think she is at heart a huge fan of music as an art form and has a constant thirst for exploring new sound and directions: The celebration tour was phenomenal and was the perfect vehicle for 40 years ad one of the just important influences in my life.
@@richardround3858 thx so much for your comment. Totally agree
Many all time greats are more revered after their death . Shakespeare wasn’t a thing until 200 years after he died
I just received the book…almost 800 pages of glossy full colour pages with loads of pictures….it’s already my favorite Madonna book that was ever released….it really has it all ❤❤
@@MrGizmo-eq5mb I know it’s really really exceptional!
Even Bob Dylan praised Madonna and that was long before she she’s a one off . No one remotely in her league. Her body of work and performances are astonishing in their diversity and cultural impact.
My partner got this book for me for Christmas, so excited to read it, as I’ve been a huge Madonna fan since the beginning of her career. So glad I found this interview.
@@deborahcostello515 how sweet! It’s a beautiful book
Great interview. It is so true that the focus is never on the music. I'm 55 now and still love listening to her albums. Especially Erotica . My favourite album and Live To Tell must be my favourite song of all time.
@@theoldmule3619 I love Erotica. And it’s a shame that music is not always at the forefront of the discussion around her!
Thank you so much for this amazing and interesting video
@@diegozepahua4410 thx for commenting
Brilliant. I'm getting a copy of the book. I was born in '88 and became a die hard during high school and never looked back. Brilliant interview.
@@Luqas808 🙏
Great interview and looking forward to getting this book.
Love this interview!!
Wholeheartedly agree that those of us who were teenage fans of those first albums have a deep connection and undying loyalty to this woman who seemed to understand us so well as we matured.
I was turning 18 and leaving home with Like a Prayer. About 20 and thought myself very sophisticated (ha!) with Erotica (we ALL thought Bad Girl was about us!)
Then approaching and turning 30 during the trifecta of RoL, Music and American Life.
"She wants her songs to be the listener's song, not her own" hit me so hard because it's exactly what I've felt my whole life.
@@todddepue681 wonderful!
@@todddepue681 Beautifully put and wow can I relate. We must be close in age… I completely identify with what you were experiencing and when, and the effect her always changing and evolving artistry had on us as we changed and evolved ourselves.
I'm a recent subscriber to this channel. Thank you, Steve, for another interesting interview 🎉❤ love and support ❤
@@YourDisco80NeedsYounew thx. Good to hear. Always looking for an interest subject and, of course, a positive angle on Madonna is welcome! 🙏 😘
@@popthehistorymakers there were gilrs bands in the 80's - Arabesque and A La Carte . I don't know if you know them, they were mainly known in Europe and Asia. If you're ever interested to take interviews with some members of these bands - please, just give a sign. I could help with it since we have been collaborating with them... Best regards and please, keep going strong!
@ I’d love to interview Sandra or/and Michael Cretu
@@popthehistorymakers sorry, can't help, these are two we are not working with....
Madonna is a great artist, her songs Borderline, Gambler,, Live to tell, my favourites along with her first album. I bought these mentioned records at the time, I don’t like everything she did but these I loved. Then her Live Aid performance was awesome, she had briefly had red hair that time. So I would say 1982 to 1986
I remember Madonna from the very start. I can't remember if it was Lucky Star or Borderline, but she was played a lot on MTV. I was 12 also in 1985. I was obsessed with her! at 14, in 1987, Who's That Girl was my first concert. 1989 Like A Prayer is my coming out album. I just saw her for the 4th time in my life this past March in concert.
Awesome interview. Thank you!
@@SAULNIERVincent 🙏
We are all in agreement that Erotica was a masterpiece and criminally underrated. 100% her best album, though really, every album after it up to Confessions was also a classic. Still waiting for a new studio album. Seems to me this is the perfect time for her to write some music, considering the world is falling apart.
I always refer to it as 'Neurotica'. Suits her.
Great interview, can’t wait to read the book
I bought a copy and I will pick up it next february, when I arrive in Portugal.
Where did you find it to purchase in Portugal?
@@kaden_eu actually I bought one on internet to be delivered in Portugal.
Mine arrived today! Matt's books are galore but I think M Songbook is prob the holy grail now.
Erotica my fave time period.. the gorgeous and underrated 90s M.
The best unreleased tracks are from the ROL era.
I'm so glad I refound your channel 🥂
@@LesChicosDolci how come you lost it?
I couldn't get in my old account 😊 but the algorithm brought us back together.
@@LesChicosDolci this time thx algorithm!
Thank you for this interview.
Thx!
Excellent interview! Subscribed 😊
@@butchbrewer4923 thx
Giulio is so interesting, easy on the eyes too!
@@RebelBuddha1971 he’s a married man (but yeah!!!!)
Super livre, merci ! Il serait possible de faire une version en Français ? Merciiiii
@@christophechancel8355 ask the author @madonnasongbook - thx for watching!!
Steve your an mtv interviewer icon
Hi Steve! I remember your Erotica interview, it was for MTV Spain, wasn't it?
It was for MTV Europe but shown everywhere I think. Loved doing that interview
The controversy usually overshadows the music but I'm sure she wouldn't be sucessful for so long without great songs.
Very cool.
Does anyone know where I can order this book? 😃
@@JuanMoriel-v1u the link is in the text under the video. It’s also on Amazon !
@@popthehistorymakersI looked at Amazon and couldn’t find anything …do you have a link?
@ instagram.com/madonnasongbook?igsh=MTZwMWMwa3QyYnJyZw==
Author’s Instagram page
@@popthehistorymakers Thank you!
The one mistake she made was giving that great song to Nick Kamen, she should have recorded that herself, she would have had a monster stand alone single.
Just read Bob Stanley's Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!, he's not the greatest Madonna-fan, but he really appreciates Erotica too.
Well st Etienne are iconic!
The Queen of Pop
Madonna never, for me, sounded better than she did in True Blue. I love when she belts the high notes in Papa Don't Preach, for instance--her voice was raw, and she means it in the song! The post-Evita Madonna is fine, but too controlled and at points elocutionary for my tastes. I still love her, but I loved the raw Madonna who lacked the self-consciousness that trammelled her post-Evita.
@@jeffkoons001 I get what you’re saying there and agree with the elocutionary style she had with Evita though for me it obviously fitted the musical theatre of those songs. And I loved that. I also think it’s interesting what Niki and Donna said in their interview on the channel about getting her to love just singing all the time. That changed her voice through those years, and I’m not sure that without an evolution she would have maintained success. I like a lot of different eras of Madonna, and again for me it’s about the combination of all that goes into the songs, not just voice, but also lyrics in Ray of Light, Performance, Music and her voice which fits and often leads those changes. But great comment.
@@popthehistorymakers I think that vocal style definitely works for many songs -- and yes, her evolution is reflected in the vocals. But there are times in the post-Evita era where I could feel her trying to 'do it correctly' where she needed to let go. I loved the Donna and Niki interview BTW, you did a great job on that. Cheers, wonderful channel.
Madonna in 'Evita': "I think I can really sing." Real musicians: "No, you can't, darling."
❤
@@MO-ir7bt 😘
I know this comment won't be liked.. but i don't understand where she's going these days-- where her mind is. I loathe Madame X. I think it's terrible. And then Vulgar with Sam Smith. I miss an adult album which truly speaks to the older mega fans. She's not doing this anymore. And might not again. Her legacy is never forgotten ...of course not. But there needs to be an album that is a "return to form". The past decade have been painful (don't hate me!!). I loved Hard Candy--i never meet many who do. I just wish she'd have another Bedtime Stories or LAP. Great pop classics with ballads showing her sensitive side.
@@jartober you’re entitled to your opinion and it’s not negative , its just what you think. I actually liked Madame X, but that’s just me. As she’s working with Stuart Price maybe we are in line for something ‘classic’ - at least it’ll be interesting to see how that differs from Confessions.
@popthehistorymakers i really hope so! I don't mean for her to be the past again... but something BETTER.
I guess she's more like "yes, we get old, have fun, do what you like, listen to yourself" I have enjoyed her last albums a lot and what she does around them, I just think she's focused on her family and not the world she's into.
@@AM-js8fv not sure that's true at all because if you look at her social media it's all about her, her expensive clothes, yes she post pictures of the kids but a lot of the stuff she posts is just sheer narcissism as usual
@jartober she's a superstar, do you expect to see her private life in a SOCIAL media? You answered your own statement.
When being asked, I always told people M was my Bible growing up. 😅
i dont think so that she,s wrote the song Borderline ,Holiday Open your heart,thats the holywood project in that time and whole outfit and image and enginers was made thats all songs ,made a structure between disco and pop style on their terms to sound better like they sound today,thats all the MTV programed comercial package,including and other musicians,Billy Idol,cindy lauper,Bon jovi,Duran duran,INXS,etc...
thats entertainment ,very comercial visualy...and very expencive ,she had must returned all that money to the company and to the producers who invested in her image and her style its very hard in that time to make all that things...and spend the money with big risk in her capacity...she was unknown at that time for wide audience in Europe among big stars Pat Benatar and Donna Summer
79 euros for the book?? Come on!
It’s almost 800 pages
@@phoenix_1684 he put tonnes of work into it. It's more than worth the price.
@@hoxtondean9855 it's going to cost less in the future like every book... I can wait. 😁
I just received the book and it’s absolutely worth the price….it’s almost 800 pages of full glossy colour pages with loads of pictures
I think it worth more, because these kind of information you will not find on internet and no where else.
The secret: She gets introduced to new material, changes a few words, pays people so she can ad/attach her name to the song credits - if necessary!
There is nothing wrong with that as long as she can create a balanced/nuanced concept (American Life, Confessions and Ray Of Light ).
But she hasn't done that since Confessions!
Fortunately all true Madonna fans recognize her writing style and recognize a Madonna song lyrically & melodically immediately!
I assume she hasn't written a full song in ages!
Not because she can't.
Most probably nobody respects her enough to spend time sit with her through a writing session (as Patrick, Steven and William did)
Times have changed. People send stems and files back and forth. They rather work remote and be free to work on many different projects at the same time instead of spending their time traveling to Madonna to sit around in a studio! Best example: Kanye West!
Her bridge structure/B section is completely gone or set up the entire song to fail,
overall the songs are emotionally detached and empty,
the dance songs have become lyrically reductive and repetitive (since after Confessions)
the different sections within the song are detached from eachother and can be interchanged randomly (a structure that they have invented for Rihanna)
Last true "Madonna song" was probably the Ghosttown's verses.
And in that song the cold and generic EDM production ruins the entire idea.
It is desperately chorus/hit focused and the mid section is a complete fail.
The mid range used to be the most emotional/memorable part of her voice and she rarely uses that side of her voice.
Tragic to see that many young(er) songwriters write better Madonna songs than Madonna herself!
Byeh
@@firouz256 Madame X had some great experimental tracks that showed she still has good instincts and is constantly pushing the boundaries of what a song can be. It’s not as cohesive and solid as the Erotica to Confessions era, true, but it was miles ahead of MDNA and Rebel Heart. And yes, Ghosttown is a genius level track that should have gotten way more airplay.
You write a lot for someone that is so wrong and seems to know so little about the subject.
@@diegolcl
I know things you have to google. Get lost before I read you to filth!
Thank you!