Madonna - Take A Bow Reaction 

Hey everyone! We have a little poll about our next reaction here! ru-vid.comUgkxUVHCZ8k2X6cc-3haTlQw5inSaj71i2Uo

Don't miss "You'll See", which is the sequel to "Take A Bow".

Madonna said she played this video for the President of Argentina at the time to persuade him to allow the use of the Casa Rosata for the balcony scene in Evita. Her enhanced vocals and of course her appearance in the video were on point. I remember Madonna saying the President couldn’t resist her perfume 😂 fast forward to her portrayal of Evita on the actual balcony Eva addressed the public. Magical

Madonna's look was in fact inspired by Evita.

Back in 1995, that song played non stop in Brazil.

Thank you ladies for your reaction! Here in Barcelona, at that time, I remember she was "the" main headline in every newspaper (Erotica and girlie show era), and she was descrived as "a singer with no voice, with no talent except for the using of sex to be in the spot". As you see with "Secret" and now with "Take a bow", a calm and solid Madonna tries to defend that she worth her position for more reasons than just selling scandals. Later, with Human Nature, you'll discover her point of view about what other people think about her, and with BedTime Stories song you'll enjoy a powerful peace of art. This video has a second part "Youl'll see", great song of her and underrated that is a MUST to discover. Cheers from Barcelona!!

TAB is the standout hit ballad from her 1994 Bedtime Stories album. Madonna had envisioned the music video as her auditioning tape for the Evita musical film adaptation-on how she can look in the 1940/50s era fashion of Eva Peron, acting and singing in a Spanish/Latin environment. Amazingly, she spared no expense for artistic integrity by flying her production crew of 60 people to locations in Andalucia region of Spain, hired a true-to-life matador, bullfighters and filmed the video in real bullfighting rings, with hundreds of local extras, over a period of 5 days in early November of ‘94. She had to overcome local objections/protests, pay for location permits-all these to complete the 4 & a half minute mv! She also ensured that no bull was harmed or killed. She released the mv on MTV on November 22 ‘94; the single of TAB on December 6 ‘94; and that Christmas she sent a copy of the mv with her handwritten 4-page letter to Evita film project director, Alan Parker, lobbying for the Evita role. She got the job. The use of a full string orchestra using pentatonic scale is typical for Japanese/Chinese music used in oriental theatrical shows that Madonna used in TAB, is most likely Madonna’s decision to evoke/hint of the music and tragic story behind Puccini’s 1904 opera Madame Butterfly of an enduring tragic tale of unrequited love, passion, betrayal, abandonment and sacrifice which is at the heart of Madonna’s TAB narrative but with a different twist in the ending. I find it so fascinating that in TAB she decided to explore and portray a woman who is passive, submissive almost masochistic compared to her empowered, assertive, in control, dominatrix image she’d projected in her previous songs, videos and tours. Ironically by portraying this opposite, she got criticized by some from the feminist movement. But, I think, what she wanted to convey by choosing a celebrated bullfighter as her lover here-someone traditionally a symbol of male machismo in Latin culture-is that behind the fame, power and chauvinism is often an adulterous, abusive relationship with women that’s either ignored or tolerated within a double standard for men and women in society. But in TAB, Madonna sees through all of these and she’s telling abused women to find the strength and courage to walk out of such a relationship and not have the tragic ending of the heroine in Madame Butterfly. ❤your insight and reaction.

You should react to Madonna - Take A Bow Live at American Music Awards 1995. 😎👍

Madonna & Babyface. Take A Bow is also her biggest #1 song- staying 7 weeks at the top spot. Madonna rarely sings this song because she said it’s vocally a very challenging song. So agree gorgeous song. Today it’s rarely mentioned as one of her great songs (Like A Prayer, Vogue, Frozen, Music, Hung Up, Live to Tell). It definitely belongs up there as one of her best.

Madonna " you'll see " is part two to this song and video. Please do a reaction to " You'll see"

Unless I'm mistaken, Take A Bow is actually one of her biggest hits in the US

Beautiful reaction ❤ Best live version was the duet with Babyface at the American Music Awards. She dresses the Asian influence.

The song was indeed inspired by the Japanese song known as Sukiyaki among others. The aesthetics and styling of the video are, as you astutely pointed out, often seen as a precursor to Evita…Madonna’s visual audition so to speak! You’ll See, released a year later, is Madonna’s only video sequel. Perfect reaction, as always! 💛

I love this song! She looks stunning in this video.

90's Madonna is my favorite era/decade. I love Madonna from the yesteryears to the present day. But 90's Madonna is where it's at for me. The whole Bedtime Stories album is so creamy and smooth to listen to from beginning to end. One of my Top 5 Madonna albums for sure!

She quotes Shakespeare in this song, when she says "all the world is a stage, and everyone has their part". That's from Shakespeare's play "As you like it". And yes, the bullfighting is a metaphor for their relationship, she being the bull of course, and he knowing how it will end all along.

Madonna kind of got that feel of our land,the 2 knocks in the bed before the matador goes out and a few others..life is like this,nobody is perfect.

It’s a great reaction yet again ladies! The live American music awards performance is well worth a watch. Plus the great story telling of this video is continued in the “You’ll see”video. The only time she has done a sequel video!

Keep in mind when you get to the song You’ll See, the video is a sequel to Take a Bow. It’s coming up after Bedtime Stories. For me, it’s her most beautiful vocals ever on record. You’ll see! 😁

TAKE A BOW spent 7 weeks at #1 on the BILLBOARD HOT 100 ❤

Another beautiful ballad from the same album is love tried to welcome me. I think you would love it ladies

Love the hair again

#1 for seven weeks. The video is breathtaking

This ended up being one of her biggest hits ever in America, since it spent at the top spot of the Billboard 100 list for seven weeks. An absolute beauty I think, glad you like it too. Btw she has has said filming the music video for this song was her favourite ever.

Thank u again ladies for knocking it out of the park

Please don’t forget “You’ll See” it’s the sequel for this smash hit, fun fact “Take a Bow” is her longest running number one in the USA charts

Yes, this was so cinematic and beautifully conceived from start to finish. This to me implies relationship abuse. Make sure to watch the follow up video kind of Madonna's revenge to this story called "You'll See" !

Madonna mentioned recently, this is her favorite video of her own. The song was absolutely massive spending 7 weeks at #1 in early 1995 and propelling the Bedtime stories album to triple platinum.

BEAU-TI-FUL!!!!

Hello, greetings from Chile, this song is beautiful but the story of this couple continues in the single you'll see

Stunning visuals here. Madonna wears a John Galliano suit with his signature "disappearing" lapels. When she was campaigning for the Evita role, she submitted this video as her "audition tape" along with a lengthy handwritten letter explaining why she was the only choice for the film.

I was just a kid I could not understand the lyrics as an Italian kid but it felt so emotional

You have to watch/listen to the sequel to this song/video. It’s called “you’ll see” another brilliant ballad and video.

Beautiful song. 💯 I love Madonna's ballads. 💯

BtS is my favorite album ever. My Sanctuary. You will love it. It’s like a peaceful dream and you never want to wake up! Forbidden Love, Love Tried to Welcome Me, Sanctuary and Bedtime Story… no words for this sequence. I love you and your reactions. Beijinhos from Portugal ❤❤❤

Great reaction and classic song that was written and collaborated with Babyface, who is doing the backups. Her voice sounds impeccable.

👋 hi ❤❤ Beautiful song and epic video to boot. Always a fan favourite. Loved and still love this ballad, she is such a great storyteller. Thanks again for your great reaction and your spot on insights. ❤❤ American awards show is what I think you need to watch next ❤

The video was basically her resume that she submitted to director Alan Parker for her role in Evita.

The "sequel" to this video is her 1995 single, "You'll See," which is another beautiful ballad.

Her best ballad ❤

Can't wait for your reaction to You'll See; the music video is a sequel to Take A Bow.

This was her lobbying for the part of Eva Perón in Evita. She felt people needed to "see" her as Perón, so that's why she went with this theming and costuming. Then she had the video sent to directer Alan Parker.

Another fact is that Madonna made the Spanish version of You’ll See call “ Veras” worth watching ! Her vocals in Spanish sound even more beautifully you’ll see!

She and Baby Face work so well together! I think they have other songs that have never been published (according to Mary Gabriel's recent biography 'Madonna: A Rebel Life') With "Take A Bow", they crafted and produced #1 hit for many weeks running in the U.S. I think you'll also like Part II, the video "You'll See." She was, in a sense, auditioning for Evita with these two videos.

Hi everyone! We would like to know which live version (not from a tour) of this song you would like us to react to. Put your suggestions in the comments below. :)

IMO this is one of your best reactions. So much insight on the music video! Things I just had not considered as a young person as I was so into the gorgeous aesthetic of the mv. Now that you’ve help me see the whole picture I think this is absolutely one of her very best mv’s!

This song also features song writer Babyface sings with Madonna in "Take a Bow " 1995😊😊

There's an MTV making of Special for Take A Bow - it's so funny and interesting. She filmed this video in a 2000 year old bull ring in the Ronda region of Spain... The next video is another masterpiece, but on a completely different way. The techniques that were developed for use in Bedtime Story later developed into what we now call CGI effects. At the time they could only use computers to move single pixels at a time so when you see the video you'll be amazed at what they did. Also... Bedtime Story uses a LOT of imagery from some of Madonna's favourite artists and their works and the lyrics written by Bjork are a feminist reactionary puzzle to male dominated places of learning and education (apparently) but it's all in a dreamscape. I cannae wait!!!

That’s Babyface doing the male vocals. My mother and sisters just went to see him and he was great. Babyface and Madonna wrote this song together.

the male voice in the song is BabyFace the black great producer of some artists, and had many collaborations with many artists like Mariah Carey

Looking forward to the continuation in "You'll see"! =)

There was an "MTV No Bull The making of Take a Bow" documentary that is good to watch. She got criticism from animal rights groups for the video. She did this video hoping to prove she could play the role of Evita. I think the relationship she wrote about was Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton?!?!

Emilio Munoz in the video, is a real toreador, a famous spanish toreador in those years in Spain

The color of sadness :P

The live version on the AMA 1995 is amazing. It’s also interesting you mentioned an Asian influence and you will see why when you watch this live performance ❤

Thank you gorgeous ladies for your amazing reaction ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Madonna take a bow song and video is stunning and beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I love that both of you are vibing to the song! And your insights on the video are spot on. Love how you interpreted it 😊 this song was released when I became a fan, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I understand you talking about Asian influence, which we see in her career during Ray of Light, but since she was trying to get the Evita role it was not exactly an unexpected move of hers to do this imagery for the video. By the way, it has a part 2: the music video for You’ll See tells what happened after Emilio left her. Now two fun facts about this: no bulls were harmed and Madonna took all 3 into one of her properties. Take a bow was her longest-lasting #1 hit in billboard, staying in this position for 5 weeks and taking the spot of I will always love you by Whitney Houston. In the making of this video (which you can find here on RU-vid) she is asked “do you hope this song takes the place of IWALY?” To which she replies “is that still #1?” 😂

"You'll see " is a single , and is a sequel of the video "Take a bow", a great song. I'll be waiting to see the reactions of " Human nature"and "Bedtime story". "Bedtime story" was written by Bjork.

Bullfighting is not something I would personally glorify, but the song is fantastic 👏

Amazing!!! Thank you ladies❤❤

Hello ladies!! So happy you popped up into my feed today. My favourite Madonna ballad, and an exquisite video! You did get Evita vibes, she submitted this video along with a 4 page letter begging for the role, which paid off. Not sure where I heard this, but I did hear this was inspired by her relationship with Warren Beatty. There is a companion piece, called You’ll See, which serves as the other side of Madonna’s broken hearted Take a Bow. She performs this live on the American Music Awards with Babyface, who cowrote the song. It’s beautiful! Once again, another fabulous review… Such great comments…. thank you so much. Love Emily’s hair!! Cute curls!! Hope to see you soon. Have a great night! ❤️

Beautiful song and video! That’s so funny you should say that as Madonna sent this video along with a letter to Director Alan Parker telling him why she was perfect for the role of Eva Peron in ‘Evita’. She actually recorded a part 2 music video from this song with her song ‘You’ll See’ from the 1995 ballads album ‘Something to Remember’. You will love it ❤

I can’t wait to see what you guys have to say about the Bed Timestory video. The images in the video are inspired by the artwork of several of Madonna’s favorite artwork by some of her favorite artists such as Frida Khalo… The two Friday and other artists work such as Salvador Dali

The You’ll See video is the second part of Take a Bow! Can’t wait for this reaction ! Please don’t forget to react to Love tried to Wellcome Me and Forbbiden Love as well ❤

Thank you so much for doing this, I always enjoy pretty much your madonna reactions, the way how you both explain the videos, your conclusions, are really awesome and you can see things that i never noticed like the relation between her and the bull and the matador with them as well. The take a bow video is very special for me, I was in Ronda during the filming, I have many pictures and that was the time I was closer to her, the bodyguard was between us lol. Madonna no bull, the making of take a bow MTV documentary is a must to react

Ladies, I think you already know, love it, love it , love it ❤, thanks

This video was filmed in my country, in Spain, in the city of Ronda, i saw a documentary of Madonna filming it. I don't like much the concept of bullfighting as i hate bullfighting or any other way of making suffer an animal. I know that this video portrays a stormy relationship in which they make a simile of Madonna being the bull that is sacrificed at the end. Maybe what I don't like very much is that they romanticize bullfighting, like attending a bullfight or something like that, but I may be wrong and the perception that anyone has is that bullfighting is always something bad. Aside from this, I love the song and the video is beautiful. Very good reaction as always, kisses 😍😍😍

Baby face produced this for Madonna. He also sang backup. Babyface sang backup and also produced this track to give Madonna the R&B feel she wanted for the Bedtime Stories album. When the two met, they were quite impressed with each other in that neither of them swept in with a big entourage. They worked on this song and "Forbidden Love" at Babyface's house in his writing room. "I don't believe anyone who's worked with Madonna would've made a great Madonna song if she hadn't been involved as a writer and producer. We wrote it together." Sep 28, 2022 There is actually a follow up song and video: The music video for "You'll See" was directed by Michael Haussman, and premiered on November 7, 1995. The video became Madonna's first sequel clip, as it followed the storyline of the singer's video for "Take a Bow", the second single from Bedtime Stories.

You HAVE TO react to part 2 , "YOULL SEE," the continuation of this story. It was not included on the bedtime stories album, but was 1 of 4 new songs on a compilation album that followed bedtime stories. You mentioned Evita. Madonna shot and sent this video to Alan Parker, the director of Evita along with a hand written letter and plead with him. to give her the part, that she was made for the part and would put everything that she had into it ( and boy did she .......she actually won the golden globe for best actress) and that she understood and connected with Eva Peron as thec2 of them had similar journeys . Anyhow- watch part 2, "You'll see"

Babyface's backing vocals are sublime. Emily, you made me sooooo happy to see you catch that parallel. 😊 I agree with others who have recommended the AMA's performance. To me it's her first live performance that made me sit up and take notice of the work she was putting in on her vocals to land Evita. Her next album is even crazier with her voice soaring higher than ever before. Also, pwetty pwetty pwease don't skip my personal anthem, Human Nature.

Her biggest charting hit in the US (#1 for 7 weeks). It didnt fare as well in Europe

always love this song, Should react to You'll See ,the continuation of her journey from the matador. Awesome. Equally awesome is the Spanish version of You'll See, Vera's.Her lover is played by real-life Spanish bullfighter Emilio Muñoz. She actually sang it live on some Asian leg of her Rebel Heart tour, first in Taiwan, Manila, etc.

Madonna was lobbying for the role of Evita with this video. Animal Rights Activists accused Madonna of glorifying bull fighting. Kenneth Edmonds aka Babyface is the cowriter and coproducer. His style is heavily incorporated in the song. Take A Bow is her longest (7wks) number one single on the US Billboard Top 100.

hello this video was shot in spain there is a special behind the scenes of the video with mtv madonna interview "No Bull: The Making of Take A Bow"

Again a beautiful reaction for a beautiful video and song!❤❤

Lovely reaction to a lovely song, although not up there in my favourites it does hold memories from back in the day! God bless Emily for clinging onto Christmas btw 😀

I love guys now. These are great, thank you

Love Madonna!!! I remember all that talk was about the nail polish she was wearing. Chanel just released a line called "Vamp" and ladies all around America, and maybe the world fell in love with the nail polish she was wearing while making this video. I can't wait for you to react to Bedtime Stories, the official music video. Have a wonderful weekend, ladies....

From own experience, whenever i feel anxious, i can put this song on and i feel better and more relaxed. Very claming, the whole album does that for me. For a live performance, i would recommand the American Music Awards performance 1995. She also performed this on Wetten Dass in Germany, i believe.

The “sequel” to this, You’ll See, I believe is far superior to this. Can’t wait to see your reaction to it. 💚🇦🇺

Gorgeous song and visionary. Well done, ladies. As always. When you get to the song ‘You’ll See’ - you’ll see how this song and video intertwines with that. But yes, Take a Bow song is beyond amazing. Lyrically as well.

OMG I can't wait to your reaction to You'll See which is a sequel to this (sorry if that's considered a spoiler). I truly love the story of two video's together.

I love the bull metaphor.

Madonna being an international star, it is interesting where certain songs are big hits and where they are not. This is arguably Madonna's biggest North American hit (number 1 on Billboard for 7 weeks), but it was not as successful internationally. On the contrary, other of her songs did not do that well in the US (Hung Up, for example, and many others), but were huge hits internationally. As you have both noted numerous times, her range of styles is immense, so different cultural tastes drive different success rates for her music. Personally, I like this song, but it is not one of my favorite of her ballads. Glad you both enjoyed it though. BTW, I much prefer her ballad "You'll See" which is a direct sequel to the video of "Take a Bow". I think you will love it when you see it.

I totally agree with Brenda here I also immediately got the Asian influences as soon as I heard the first few bars. And those violins also of gave me a 50s romantic movie set in Japan kind of vibe. So to be honest I was quite disappointed when I saw the video for the first time back in the day because I had totally different visuals in my head. Today I love it of course. 😉

Always a great reaction. Brenda brought up that she felt there was an Asian influence to the song, and she is right. In fact, Madonna brought a little of it into the live performance on AMA's which she did with Babyface. Also, Madonna submitted this video with a long letter to Alan Parker who directed EVITA when he was still looking for an actress to play the role of EVITA. Madonna had always been known to be considered for the role, as far back as the late 80's when they were trying to get the film produced, but by 1995, so many other actresses were being considered as well. Madonna sent this video along with a 5 page letter to Alan, explaining how she would be good for the role of Evita. This is most definitely my favorite ballad of Madonna's. It's so beautiful. I love the lullaby quality it has to it. She actually did a MTV special for the video that went behind the scenes of the video, as well as being interviewed with Kurt Loder. You might want to check it out or maybe even react to it? It's called Madonna: No Bull: The Making of `Take a Bow'.

I got one for you guys !! "Miss Sun" by The Dukes of September (Boz Scaggs, Donald Fagen, and Michael McDonald!!)

OMG! I mean, I've been a fan since 1990 and heard this song right from the start and saw the video.... but.... I didn't get the thing you got IMMEDIATELY! :D Yes. She's the bull. She didn't get she's the show. Wow. It's so obvious now that you say it. But my teenage mind produced totally different interpretations and they just stayed.... but yeah. Madonna's so much more than you even can imagine in the first place.

We get so used to seeing her excel in telling real stories, i mean, social issues, lgbt, women, aids, ageism, racism and so on that we forget she can be just as outstanding when telling more common stories, like a broken heart. She could easily have a career singing ballads and she would still be iconic. The fact that she choses to do other stuff seems to me that (1) she really likes the challenge; (2) she has too many messages to settle in telling just some of them and (3) she seems to repeal the idea of doing something easy.

This is one song that actually has a part 2. Her song/video,'You'll See,' continues the storyline. Both songs show her softer side.

the live performance of the song at the american music awards has the asian influence you're talking about. (her dress)

Awesome! You should React to True blue and Beautiful Stranger!

Forbidden Love is the other Madonna Babyface collaboration in the BTS album please react. And of course muy favorite is Love Tried to Welcome Me !.

Very well explained.

Wow ladies, I never saw the significance of the parallels of the bull and Madonna and the performance. So insightful of you too. I have seen this video a million times and never realized this. So incredibly grateful that I watch through your lens. Brenda mentioned the Asian influence in the instrumentation, watch the American Music Award performance in 1995 and you will see how correct you are. I'm flawed, how I missed all these parallels. Bravo

I love how emotional you get by watching and listening to Madonna. I feel the same way. I love that you get all the facets of her and what she is trying to convey. Not many people do. I find myself in many conversations, trying to make others understand. Great review ladies 🙂

Lovely

You should review the sequel song and video to this called “You’ll See.”

You should react to the live version

Babny face singing backup. He wrote the lyrics