Take a Bow (Madonna song)
"Take a Bow" is a song by American singer Madonna from her sixth studio album, Bedtime Stories (1994). It was released as the album's second single on December 6, 1994, by Maverick Records. It is a midtempo pop ballad written and produced by Madonna and Babyface. Following the sexually explicit persona portrayed by Madonna on her previous album, Erotica, she wanted to tone down her image for Bedtime Stories. Experimenting with a new musical direction and a more radio-friendly sound, Madonna decided to collaborate with Babyface, whose work with other musicians had impressed her. "Take a Bow" was developed after she listened to the basic beat and chords of a piece of music composed by him.
Babyface co-wrote and co-produced "Take a Bow" with Madonna.
With "Take a Bow" topping the Billboard Hot 100, Madonna replaced Carole King as the woman who had written the most number-one songs.
Michael Haussman directed the video.
Plaza de Toros de Ronda, where the bullfighting scenes were shot
Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)
Bedtime Stories is the sixth studio album by American singer Madonna, released on October 25, 1994, by Maverick and Sire Records. In 1992, Madonna released her fifth studio album Erotica, the coffee table book Sex, and starred in the erotic thriller Body of Evidence. Due to their sexually explicit nature, all three projects were negatively received by critics and fans alike, who felt the singer had "gone too far" and that her career was over. Madonna decided that she needed to soften her image if she wanted to regain her audience. The first attempt was the ballad "I'll Remember" from the soundtrack to the 1994 film With Honors, which gained positive critics and reached the second spot of the Billboard Hot 100. For her sixth studio album, Madonna decided to incorporate R&B elements, and collaborated with Babyface, Dallas Austin, and Dave Hall. She also chose to explore the British club musical scene, where genres such as dub had been growing in popularity, and hired producer Nellee Hooper.
Rapper Meshell Ndegeocello (pictured in 2016) played bass and provided her vocals on the album's third track, "I'd Rather Be Your Lover".
Madonna performing "Take a Bow" on one of the Taipei concerts of 2015–2016's Rebel Heart Tour. Released as Bedtime Stories' second single, it's her longest-running number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Madonna singing title track and third single "Bedtime Story" on the Celebration Tour (2023—2024). The song reached the top-five of the UK Singles Chart.
Image: Snoop dog 02