All About Madonna – Info, News and Videos

Released: March 3, 1998
Recorded: 1997
Genre: Pop, dance, electronica, trance,ambient, trip hop
Length: 66:50 (Regular album), 72:05 (Japanese edition)
Label: Maverick, Warner Bros.
Producer: Madonna, William Orbit, Patrick Leonard, Marius De Vries

Ray of Light is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on March 3, 1998 by Maverick Records. After giving birth to her daughter Lourdes, Madonna collaborated with Patrick Leonard and William Orbit in developing the album. After failed sessions with other producers, Madonna pursued a new musical direction with Orbit and incorporated his extensive usage of trance and electronic music in her songs. The recording took place over four months, but experienced problems with the Pro Tools arrangement by Orbit as well as the absence of live bands.

However, upon release, the album was lauded by contemporary critics as a music masterpiece of the decade. Reviewers complimented the album for its mature, restrained nature as well as commending Madonna’s musical direction, calling it her “most adventurous” record. Commercially, the album was a success on the world charts, peaking at number one in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and mainland Europe. On the U.S.Billboard 200, the album debuted and peaked at number two. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it Quadruple Platinum on March 16, 2000, recognizing four million shipments in the United States, making it her fifth best-selling recording there. Worldwide, Ray of Light sold 14 million copies.

Five singles were released from the album. The first single “Frozen” was an international success, as was the second one, “Ray of Light”, which won a number of awards for its music video. In 1999, the album received three Grammy Awards, including “Best Pop Vocal Album”, and “Best Dance Recording.” In 2003, the album was ranked #363 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Madonna has performed songs from this album on a number of her world tours, most recently the Sticky & Sweet Tour (2008-09).

Track Listing

1. Drowned World/Substitute for Love
   Length: 5:09
2. Swim
   Length: 5:00
3. Ray of Light
   Length: 5:20
4. Candy Perfume Girl
   Length: 4:39
5. Skin
   Length: 6:22
6. Nothing Really Matters
   Length: 4:27
7. Sky Fits Heaven
   Length: 4:48
8. Shanti/Ashtangi
   Length: 4:29
9. Frozen
   Length: 6:15
10. The Power of Good-Bye
    Length: 4:10
11. To Have and Not to Hold
    Length: 5:23
12. Little Star
    Length: 5:19
13. Mer Girl
    Length: 5:32
14. Has to Be **
    Length: 5:15

Singles

1. “Frozen”
   Released: February 23, 1998
2. “Ray of Light”
   Released: May 11, 1998
3. “Drowned World (Substitute for Love)”
   Released: August 24, 1998
4. “The Power of Good-Bye”
   Released: November 19, 1998
5. “Nothing Really Matters”
   Released: March 5, 1999