Justify My Love
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| "Justify My Love" | ||
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| Single by Madonna | ||
| from the album The Immaculate Collection | ||
| B-side(s) | "Express Yourself" (remix) The Beast Within |
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| Released | November 6, 1990 (Worldwide) December 10, 1990 (Japan) |
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| Format | CD, CD maxi, Video | |
| Recorded | 1990 | |
| Genre | R&B | |
| Length | 4:59 | |
| Label | Sire Records Warner Bros. Records WEA International |
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| Writer(s) | Lenny Kravitz Ingrid Chavez Additional lyrics by Madonna |
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| Producer(s) | Lenny Kravitz Andre Betts |
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| Certification | Platinum (United States) Silver (United Kingdom) |
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| Chart positions | ||
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| Madonna singles chronology | ||
| "Hanky Panky" (1990) |
"Justify My Love" (1990) |
"Rescue Me" (1991) |
| The Immaculate Collection track listing | ||
| "Vogue (15) |
"Justify My Love" (16) |
"Rescue Me" (17) |
"Justify My Love" is a single released by Madonna in 1990. The song went on to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Madonna's ninth number one in the United States.
Contents |
[edit] Song
"Justify My Love" was written by Lenny Kravitz, Ingrid Chavez and Madonna. Kravitz wrote the song for Madonna, based on a poem written by friend and Prince protégé Chavez. Kravitz added the title hook and chorus. Madonna contributed a few lines. Chavez was not credited for the song and later sued Kravitz in 1992. She received an out-of-court settlement, and gained a co-writing credit.
Producer Kravitz recreated the drum beat found on Public Enemy's instrumental "Security of the First World" in the song. The song was unique in that Madonna's vocals are primarily spoken and whispered. This style served as a prelude to her next album Erotica, in which she spoke the lyrics on some of the songs rather than singing them. Kravitz provided sung background vocals. Rumors of a love affair between Kravitz and Madonna sprang up in the press upon the release of the song. Kravitz has denied these rumors.
The Beast Within is the most famous remix of this song; it uses only the chorus and certain lines. The verses are replaced by excerpts from the Book of Revelation. Madonna showcased "The Beast Within" in her 1993 Girlie Show tour and even more in her 2004 Re-Invention tour. In the latter, "The Beast Within" was a prologue that played amongst apocalyptic imagery of Madonna on the video screens, prior to her appearance on the stage.
The song was covered by rapper Vita and pop-R&B singer Ashanti for The Fast and the Furious soundtrack. Rapper Jay-Z's song, "Justify My Thug," from his Black Album, produced by DJ Quik, is a remake of "Justify My Love."
[edit] Music video
Although it was a number one pop hit, "Justify My Love" is perhaps most notable for its controversial music video, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. The video depicts images of goings-on at a bizarre party in a Parisian hotel. Featuring scenes of partial nudity, homosexuality, mild sadomasochism and other overt sexual situations. The video featured her then-boyfriend, model and actor Tony Ward. Some of the dancers featured in the video are also dancers from her Blonde Ambition tour.
[edit] Controversy
The video became one of the first-ever music videos to be banned on MTV. MTV's pass on the video created a furor that made headlines. ABC's Nightline played the video in its entirety and Madonna herself appeared on the program to defend her position and express her views on censorship. In any case, the video itself became a bestselling "video single" when it was released on the VHS-format that year. When Forrest Sawyer pointed out to Madonna that she stood to profit even more from the banning of "Justify My Love", Madonna, in typical fashion, smiled and said, "Well, lucky me!"
The video for "Justify My Love" was also banned from regular rotation on MuchMusic in Canada, although the controversy (as well as the subsequent banning of a video by Mitsou) led MuchMusic to launch a new series, Too Much 4 Much, which played controversial music videos accompanied by panel discussions on their artistic and cultural context.
In mid-2002, this video was aired in its entirety on MTV2 as part of a special countdown showing the most controversial videos ever to air on MTV. This countdown was only shown late at night because of the graphic imagery of "Justify My Love" and several other videos on the countdown. Despite its controversial nature, the video was at #2 on the countdown (The Prodigy's Smack My Bitch Up was #1)
[edit] US CD single track listing
- Q-Sound Mix (Immaculate Collection version) 5:00
- Orbit 12" Mix 7:19
- Hip Hop Mix 6:35
- Express Yourself (Shep's Spressin' Himself Remix) 9:33
- The Beast Within Mix 6:13
| Preceded by "Because I Love You (The Postman Song)" by Stevie B |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single January 5, 1991- January 12, 1991 |
Succeeded by "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson |
[edit] See also
Albums: Madonna (1983) · Like a Virgin (1984) · True Blue (1986) · Like a Prayer (1989)
I'm Breathless (1990) · Erotica (1992) · Bedtime Stories (1994) · Ray of Light (1998) · Music (2000)
American Life (2003) · Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005)
Discography · Tours · Videography · Filmography · Achievements and Awards · Bibliography · Unreleased songs · Controversies
