Erotica (Madonna Album)

Erotica (Madonna album)

Erotica is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on October 20, 1992 by Maverick Records. For the album, Madonna worked with Shep Pettibone and André Betts, and was released simultaneously with Madonna's first book publication, Sex, which had explicit photographs featuring the singer. The album incorporates influences from house music, new jack swing, and lounge music. Madonna incorporated an alter-ego called Dita; she talks about sex and romance throughout the album. Other songs take on a more confessional tone, influenced by the loss of two of Madonna's close friends to AIDS.

Erotica was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. Some praised Madonna's confessional tone on some songs, believing that the album is Madonna's best effort, while others criticized the sexual themes. Erotica was less successful than Madonna's previous records, peaking at number two in the United States and the United Kingdom, being certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It peaked in the top five in Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and other countries, while topping the charts in Australia and France.

Erotica and its accompanying coffee-table book Sex has more recently been seen as one of Madonna's most important releases owing to the sexual controversy surrounding it. She faced strong negative publicity from critics who commented that "she had gone too far" and that her career was over. The record, however, spawned the critically successful Girlie Show World Tour. The tour garnered controversy in Puerto Rico, where Madonna rubbed the island's flag between her legs on stage, revolting the island's government. The concert opened with a topless dancer performing, causing controversy in some countries which the tour visited.

Six singles were released from the album. The title track, the record's lead single, peaked at number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, also reaching the top-five in Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom, topping the charts in Italy and Europe. "Deeper and Deeper", became a top-ten hit throughout Europe. "Bad Girl" entered the top forty in the United States. "Fever" was released in Europe and Australia, and "Rain" as the fourth single in North America, peaking at number 14 in the United States. "Bye Bye Baby" was a moderate chart success, peaking the top ten in Italy, and the top twenty in Australia and Japan.