Throwback Thursday: Madonna – “Take a Bow”

Throwback Thursday: Madonna – “Take a Bow”

Y’know…we give Madonna shit every now and then (and for good reason), but the lady has quite a catalog. As a matter of fact, until 2018, she had more top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 than any other artist in history. Thanks, Drake.

One of my favorites from Madge is “Take a Bow,” the second single from her sixth studio album, Bedtime Stories. Written and produced by the singer and Babyface, “Take a Bow” is a smooth R&B ballad about a lover who is only affectionate when he has an audience. Production-wise, it has all the signature markings of a Babyface song of that era. And if you doubted his presence for one second, Babyface provides rather prominent background vocals on the track.

For as Babyface-ish as the song may sound, it is worth noting that he only had a beat and chords laid down when he and Madonna started working on the track. This is important to know because there is a tendency among music writers to question the veracity of the contributions of female artists who are credited as writers and producers on their songs. Respect Madonna’s pen.

“Take a Bow” was Madonna’s 11th No. 1 as an artist and 9th as a songwriter on the Billboard Hot 100 — both records among women at the time, and both records that now belong to one Mariah Carey. The song would rule the chart for seven weeks, becoming one of her biggest hits. Check it out below.

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