"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" is a song performed by American recording artist and songwriter Madonna, which was used for her seventh studio album Ray of Light (1998). The song was written by Madonna, William Orbit, Rod McKuen, Anita Kerr and David Collins, while produced by Madonna and Orbit. Musically, the song is a pop ballad song, which incorporates fused elements including trip-hop, electronica and minor guitar riffs towards the end. The song samples the song "Why I Follow the Tigers" by The San Sebsatian Strings. Lyrically, the song describes the negativity and positiveness in the world of lovers. The song was released as the album's third single off the album worldwide except in North America due to the late release of her previous single "Ray of Light".
"Drowned World/Substitute for Love" received positive reviews from most music critics, who noted its restrained and mature out bring from the album and enjoyed the song as an opener to the album. Commercially, the song had generally modest success, peaking in the top ten in countries including Spain, Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom. Though the song was not released in North America, resulting it not to chart, the B-Side single "Sky Fits Heaven" managed to chart at number 41 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs.
An accompanying music video was released for the single, as it featured Madonna running away from the paparazzi, but the video received controversy during 1998 due to the scenes that feature Madonna being chased by paparazzi on motor-bikes, a scenario similar to Diana, Princess of Wales's death in 1997. The song was performed in two of Madonna's tours, these being the Drowned World Tour (2001) and The Confessions Tour (2006).
Read more about Drowned World/Substitute For Love: Background, Composition, Critical Reception, Chart Performance, Music Video, Live Performances, Track Listings and Formats
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