Today in Madonna History: April 13, 1995

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On April 13 1995, Bedtime Story was released as a single in North America by Maverick/Sire as the third single from the album Bedtime Stories. The song was written by Björk, Nellee Hooper & Marius DeVries and was produced by Madonna & Nellee Hooper.

Bedtime Story was released in Europe in February but the release was delayed for several months in North America due to the prolonged chart reign of her previous single, Take A Bow.

The commercial maxi-single featured remixes by Junior Vasquez and Orbital. Additional promo-only remixes by Mark Picchiotti & Teri Bristol were also later serviced to clubs.

An official remix video was released to promote the Bedtime Story maxi-single. It was edited by Ed Steinberg – the director of Madonna’s very first music video for Everybody in 1982 – and was set to Junior’s Single Mix.

Today in Madonna History: April 12, 1994

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On April 12 1994, Madonna sent a handwritten note to David Letterman wishing him a “Happy Fucking Birthday”.

Sent less than two weeks after her infamous profanity-laced appearance on the Late Show, the cheeky letter takes Letterman to task for having used the controversy to his advantage.

Today in Madonna History: April 11, 1990

On April 11 1990, the Keep It Together single was certified gold for sales of 500,000 units in the USA.

Written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray, the main inspiration behind Keep It Together was Madonna’s relationship with her family—whom she dearly missed after her divorce from actor Sean Penn.

Keep It Together became the last Madonna single release to feature a collaboration with Bray—a partnership that had begun romantically when Madonna & Stephen were college students at the University of Michigan. Madonna later persuaded Bray to join her in New York where he became the drummer for her band, Emmy. After briefly falling out over Madonna’s decision to work with more established producers after signing to Sire Records in 1982, the pair quickly made amends and went on to write and produce some of Madonna’s most memorable 80’s hits.

A final collaboration between Madonna & Bray, Get Over, was reworked by Madonna and Shep Pettibone for possible inclusion as one of the new tracks on The Immaculate Collection, but was instead given to Warner Bros artist Nick Scotti to record in 1991. Although Madonna’s background vocals are featured prominently in Scotti’s versions of the song, a full Madonna vocal version has yet to surface.

Today in Madonna History: April 10, 2012

On April 10 2012, MDNA was issued on vinyl as a deluxe 2-disc set in North America.

The same configuration of the album was also released in European markets one week later.

Today in Madonna History: April 9, 1983

On April 9 1983, Madonna’s Burning Up debuted at #66 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the USA.

 

Today in Madonna History: April 8, 2003

On April 8 2003, American Life was released digitally as the lead single from Madonna’s ninth studio album of the same name.

American Life was written and produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï, and was released by Maverick Records.

 

Today in Madonna History: April 7, 2005

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On April 7 2005, a new Versace campaign featuring Madonna appeared in Belgian Marie Claire.

Donatella Versace describes the campaign:

“When thinking of Madonna, you won’t picture an average business woman. But that’s exactly how she was photographed by Mario Testino for the latest campaign. Talking on the phone in her fancy office, Madonna shows off the summer collection.

She’s an icon, a chameleon, a trendsetter, and she’s the best in her profession. It doesn’t matter how old you are, everybody wants to identify himself with Madonna.”