This is an amazing write up and, as someone who turned 20 at the time Erotica was released, it all rings so true. It was not appreciated in its time and was massively overshadowed by the book (from which it cannot and should not be separated) but it was a gigantic gamble on Madonna's part that I think took three decades to really pay off.
Thank you Dan! It's amazing to look back on it now with the context of time. It was about as bold of a statement a mainstream pop artist could've made and it's surprising that she was able to bounce back from it. It's not that controversial to look at now because so many artists followed in her footsteps.
This is a great post, Jami. It not only highlights Madonna’s significance but also captures the essence of that specific era. Erotica and Sex were largely misunderstood at the time—people focused on the spectacle and scandal, but rarely engaged with the deeper message or the subject matter itself.
I’ve never been a hardcore Madonna fan, but I genuinely enjoy (almost) all of her albums. At the very least, it’s undeniable that she played a major role in shaping culture. She used the megaphone that her success provided her, not just to entertain, but to provoke thought and push boundaries.
In many ways, the last U.S. presidential election marked the end of an era where pop icons could influence public discourse in meaningful ways. That, I think, is the real loss when it comes to Madonna’s absence. She wouldn’t have allowed herself to be launched into space in a rocket shaped like a giant penis just to scream during the descent. She would’ve used that moment to speak out about the state of the world.
Erotica is a great album. I loved how artists like her weren't afraid to express their sexuality in an era of AIDS. This also makes me think of George Michael and how he released "I Want Your Sex."
The radio stations hated him for saying "sex" on a record, but he didn't care. It was a song about monogamy. That's probably why Madonna liked George.
Yes, just — yes. As a Madonna fan who recently finished reading Let The Record Show, this piece made me see a Madonna album that I haven’t previously liked as much as some of her other work in a whole new light. I really appreciate — and I really needed — this perspective.
That is great to hear Max, thank you. I didn't appreciate it as much then either. I needed the gift of hindsight to truly see that what she was doing was for much more than mere shock value.
This is flat-out stunning; the way you craft your thoughts into a brilliant narrative here is, WOW. And I agree with all of your sentiments. EROTICA is one of her greatest works of art. And I wish I'd bought SEX when I could at the time; not for its inflated worth now, but just to own it myself.
I remember seeing her book at my college library. You had to ask the librarian to look at it, which at the time, felt like you were asking your mom to hand you a naughty magazine. I always viewed it as a much tamer version of Robert Mapplethorpe's photos, but considering her celebrity profile, I give her huge credit for using her platform to challenge America's homophobic, conservative, puritanical values.
Many of her critics (and fans) may not have seen Mapplethorpe or Goldin's photography; however, everybody saw or heard about Madonna's book and album! She also single-handedly made mainstream pop music dangerous by challenging the norm, which it sorely lacks today (as does rock & roll).
This is an amazing write up and, as someone who turned 20 at the time Erotica was released, it all rings so true. It was not appreciated in its time and was massively overshadowed by the book (from which it cannot and should not be separated) but it was a gigantic gamble on Madonna's part that I think took three decades to really pay off.
Thank you Dan! It's amazing to look back on it now with the context of time. It was about as bold of a statement a mainstream pop artist could've made and it's surprising that she was able to bounce back from it. It's not that controversial to look at now because so many artists followed in her footsteps.
This is a great post, Jami. It not only highlights Madonna’s significance but also captures the essence of that specific era. Erotica and Sex were largely misunderstood at the time—people focused on the spectacle and scandal, but rarely engaged with the deeper message or the subject matter itself.
I’ve never been a hardcore Madonna fan, but I genuinely enjoy (almost) all of her albums. At the very least, it’s undeniable that she played a major role in shaping culture. She used the megaphone that her success provided her, not just to entertain, but to provoke thought and push boundaries.
In many ways, the last U.S. presidential election marked the end of an era where pop icons could influence public discourse in meaningful ways. That, I think, is the real loss when it comes to Madonna’s absence. She wouldn’t have allowed herself to be launched into space in a rocket shaped like a giant penis just to scream during the descent. She would’ve used that moment to speak out about the state of the world.
She’s missed.
Erotica is a great album. I loved how artists like her weren't afraid to express their sexuality in an era of AIDS. This also makes me think of George Michael and how he released "I Want Your Sex."
The radio stations hated him for saying "sex" on a record, but he didn't care. It was a song about monogamy. That's probably why Madonna liked George.
Thanks, Jami. EROTICA is great.
Yes, just — yes. As a Madonna fan who recently finished reading Let The Record Show, this piece made me see a Madonna album that I haven’t previously liked as much as some of her other work in a whole new light. I really appreciate — and I really needed — this perspective.
That is great to hear Max, thank you. I didn't appreciate it as much then either. I needed the gift of hindsight to truly see that what she was doing was for much more than mere shock value.
This is flat-out stunning; the way you craft your thoughts into a brilliant narrative here is, WOW. And I agree with all of your sentiments. EROTICA is one of her greatest works of art. And I wish I'd bought SEX when I could at the time; not for its inflated worth now, but just to own it myself.
Great post!
I remember seeing her book at my college library. You had to ask the librarian to look at it, which at the time, felt like you were asking your mom to hand you a naughty magazine. I always viewed it as a much tamer version of Robert Mapplethorpe's photos, but considering her celebrity profile, I give her huge credit for using her platform to challenge America's homophobic, conservative, puritanical values.
Many of her critics (and fans) may not have seen Mapplethorpe or Goldin's photography; however, everybody saw or heard about Madonna's book and album! She also single-handedly made mainstream pop music dangerous by challenging the norm, which it sorely lacks today (as does rock & roll).
You had to ASK the librarian to see it at a college library?! That is amazing. I love the visual that conjures in my head.
Love Erotica so much I had this album as a ten year old gay
You better fucking believe it! 🖤
This is such a great article. I remember the furor over the book and video (were there bannings? Can’t remember) when they came out. 💕