"Justify My Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her first compilation The Immaculate Collection (1990). It was released on November 6, 1990 by Sire Records, as the first single from the compilation. The song appeared on the later greatest hits compilation album Celebration (2008). The song was written by Lenny Kravitz and Ingrid Chavez, with additional lyrics by Madonna. Chavez, however was not credited the song, which led to a lawsuit towards Kravitz and received an out-of-court settlement. The song was unique in that Madonna's vocals are primarily spoken and whispered, but almost never sung, which was present in her then-forthcoming album Erotica (1992).
Musically, "Justify My Love" is a trip-hop inspired song, with mid-tempo settings and instrumentation. The lyrics of the song are primarily about sex and romance. "Justify My Love" received mixed reviews from older critics, but was critically appreciated from many contemporary critics, noting it as one of Madonna's best songs to date. The song became Madonna's ninth number one on the Billboard Hot 100, while reaching the top ten in countries including Australia, Canada, Finland, New Zealand, Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, including more other countries.
The accompanying music video portrayed Madonna as a woman walking in an hotel hallway, looking distressed and tired from work, until being sexually seduced to having sex with a mysterious man and woman. It caused controversy worldwide, due to its explicit sexual images which was subsequently banned from MTV and other TV networks. The video contained imagery of sadomasochism, voyeurism, and bisexuality. The video is the best selling music video. The song has been performed on three of her concert tours, most recently being on her MDNA Tour in 2012.
"Justify My Love" has left a legacy to many, where many critics and fans have deemed "Justify My Love" one of her most, or to say her most controversial song to date and has been deemed one of her most infamous singles to date. The song has been covered by a number of artists and parodied from many people and sketches.
Read more about Justify My Love: Background, Composition, Critical Reception, Chart Performance, SNL Parody, Live Performances and Remixes, Legacy, Cover Versions and Samples, Track Listings
Famous quotes containing the words justify my, justify and/or love:
“All the time I feel I must justify my existence.”
—Prince Charles (b. 1948)
“There is a totalitarian regime inside every one of us. We are ruled by a ruthless politburo which sets ours norms and drives us from one five-year plan to another. The autonomous individual who has to justify his existence by his own efforts is in eternal bondage to himself.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)
“The mother’s battle for her child—with sickness, with poverty, with war, with all the forces of exploitation and callousness that cheapen human life—needs to become a common human battle, waged in love and in the passion for survival.”
—Adrienne Rich (20th century)