Living for Love explained

Living for Love
Cover:Living for Love Remixes cover.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Madonna
Album:Rebel Heart
Recorded:2014
Genre:
Label:Interscope
Producer:
  • Madonna
  • Diplo
  • Ariel Rechtshaid
Prev Title:Turn Up the Radio
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:Ghosttown
Next Year:2015

"Living for Love" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna for her thirteenth studio album, Rebel Heart (2015). It was written and produced by Madonna, Diplo and Ariel Rechtshaid, with additional writing from MoZella and Toby Gad. Originally intended for a Valentine's Day 2015 release, the song was rush-released as the lead single from the album on December 20, 2014, by Interscope Records, after demos recorded for the album leaked on to the internet. An EDM, diva house, disco and electropop track on which Madonna experimented with different musical genres, "Living for Love" contains instrumentation from percussion and piano by singer Alicia Keys, along with a gospel choir. Madonna composed the track as a break-up song, however she wanted to deviate and make the lyrics as uplifting in nature, talking about counteracting negative thoughts with positive responses.

"Living for Love" received positive reviews from critics, who praised its rhythm and lyrics, comparing it to her earlier works. They also considered the song a step-up from her last two lead singles. In the United States, it failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100, but became Madonna's 44th number-one hit on the Dance Club Songs chart, tying her with country singer George Strait as the act with most number-one singles on any Billboard chart. Although United Kingdom's BBC Radio 1 decided not to play it, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 26, becoming Madonna's 71st top-forty single, extending her record as the female artist with the most top-forty UK singles. "Living for Love" reached the top-twenty of the charts in Finland, Hungary, Israel, Japan and Lebanon, but was commercially unsuccessful in other nations.

An accompanying music video was directed by the French duo Julien Choquart and Camille Hirigoyen, together known as J.A.C.K., and was released in February 2015. The storyline incorporates mythological elements and shows Madonna as a matador, fighting her dancers dressed like minotaurs in a red circular stage. It had numerous costume changes, and was critically appreciated for its empowering theme and transcending gender roles. Madonna first performed the song in a similar matador theme at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards; it became the most-watched moment of the night. The second performance was at the 2015 Brit Awards, which made headlines due to the singer's wardrobe malfunction causing her to be pulled down a flight of stairs that made up part of the stage. Alternate versions of "Living for Love" were performed on Le Grand Journal, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and on Madonna's 2015–16 Rebel Heart Tour.

Writing and development

"Living for Love" was written and produced by Madonna, Diplo and Ariel Rechtshaid, with additional writing from MoZella and Toby Gad. Madonna's collaboration with Diplo was revealed in May 2014 through an image on her Instagram showing her working on her laptop with him.[1] She had invited him for her annual Oscar party, and he could not make it. So he began texting with her about music and sent some music. Madonna replied with a 20-page text containing her anecdotes on the music. Following this they started collaborating for the album.[2] In an interview with Idolator, Diplo explained that Madonna had asked him to provide his "craziest record" for the album. Together they wrote and recorded seven songs and Diplo added that "Those records are gonna be crazy-sounding. We really pushed the envelope with some of the stuff we were doing... [S]he was up for anything. I love when an artist gives a producer the confidence he needs to work with them, and Madonna was very open-minded to my ideas... she was down from day one."[3] According to Diplo, "Living for Love" had almost 20 versions ranging from a piano ballad to an EDM composition, ultimately Madonna and Diplo compromising on a middle level. Rechtshaid and British singer MNEK also joined for writing sessions with them, improving the verse of the song.[2] [4] Madonna denied that there were 20 versions of the song, admitting it "might be a little too high", and commented on how she wanted it to sound:

We knew we wanted to make a dance record. But you know, there's so many different levels of dance music and even different categories of house music. So, it was really like, what's the bass line gonna sound like? Is it gonna be really stripped down and sparse, or is it going to be loaded up? Is it gonna be Chicago house? Is it gonna be U.K. house? It's like, all over the place. Is it gonna be a little bit of one vocal line? Is it gonna be a whole choir singing? So we were experimenting and trying out different things. They all sounded good, but at the end of the day, we wanted it to sound timeless, also. Not just something of the moment.[5]
In October 2014, American singer Alicia Keys confirmed that she worked on Madonna's upcoming studio album, saying "It was good. I was in here doing a meeting or something and [Madonna] was working with Diplo. They were like, 'Oh, maybe you can play some piano on this thing'. And I was like, 'Alright. I'll try. If you hate it, you can take it off'. It was just like that, casual and cool."[6] Annie from the London Community Gospel Choir provided the female background vocals throughout the song. Madonna also mentioned that new versions would be "coming out, but just not yet".[5] Describing the song as "one of [Diplo's] more mellow productions", Madonna composed "Living for Love" as a break-up song, commenting, "lots of people write about being in love and being happy or they write about having a broken heart and being inconsolable. But nobody writes about having a broken heart and being hopeful and triumphant afterwards. So I thought, how can I do this? I didn't want to share the sentiment of being a victim. This scenario devastated me, but it just made me stronger".[7] She complemented saying that "Living for Love" was "kind of like the old me and the new me all mixed in together".[5]

Release

The demo version of "Living for Love" leaked onto the Internet in December 2014, alongside the other twelve demo recordings for Madonna's then untitled thirteenth studio album.[8] On December 20, 2014, the album's title was confirmed to be Rebel Heart and became available for pre-order on iTunes along with six tracks, including "Living for Love" as the album's lead single.[9] Madonna stated that the songs were meant to be "an early Christmas gift". Originally, "Living for Love" was intended to be released on Valentine's Day 2015, with the rest of the record slated for a spring release. However, due to the leak of materials, the release date had to be pushed up. She went on to say she would prefer her fans hear the completed versions of some of the songs instead of the incomplete tracks that were circulating.[10]

Gordon Murray from Billboard reported that two versions of the song were sent to US club DJs on December 21, 2014: the original version and the instrumental. Interscope sent the song as a "soft sell" on December 22 to radio outlets, and it failed to receive airplay at the Top 40 formats, garnering a total of 10 plays due to the rushed out release and being on a Christmas week, when most programmers were on vacation. The label decided to re-service it to radio after 2015 started, with an official adds date to Top 40/Mainstream radio stations on February 10.[11] "Living for Love" was commercially released on February 25 in the United Kingdom. A number of remixes were released for streaming, namely those by Djemba Djemba, Offer Nissim, Mike Rizzo and Drew G.[12] [13]

Recording and composition

"Living for Love" is an EDM,[14] [15] diva house,[16] disco[15] and electropop[17] song which starts as Madonna sings over a "regal" piano line which is eventually joined by percussion.[18] The song is set in the simple time signature of 4/4, with a tempo of 123 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of F minor, with Madonna's vocals spanning the range from E3 to C5. "Living for Love" has a I–IV–V–I sequence as its chord progression, with the rhythm flowing as Fm–Cm–D–A–E/A.[19] The song was engineered by Demacio "Demo" Castellon and Nick Rowe, while the former also mixed it. Angie Teo did the additional recording and mixing of the track, with Ann Mincieli. Along with The London Community Gospel Choir, MNEK and Santell also provided backing vocals on the track, while Keys and Gad acted as additional musicians.

Dean Piper from The Daily Telegraph explained that "Living for Love" has "some classic Madonna traits: religious references, a gospel choir, 1990s piano beats and a whirling bass", and was compared to her 1989 singles, "Like a Prayer" and "Express Yourself", by Jason Lipshutz from Billboard.[18] [20] [21] Keys' piano tracks are played along with the electronic music, up to the chorus.

Unlike Madonna's previous two lead singles, "4 Minutes" (2008) and "Give Me All Your Luvin'" (2012), "Living for Love" puts the emphasis on the lyrics and vocals, with the lines on the bridge going like "Took me to heaven, let me fall down/Now that it's over, I'm gonna carry on" and a "throbbing drop" in the middle.[18] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine described the song as Kiesza meets "Like a Prayer", and noted that there were many changes from the leaked demo version: the throwback house music being replaced by an 808 pulse sound and Keys' piano, as well as handclaps and gospel riffing being removed towards the end of the song.[22] For Jon Lisi from PopMatters, "Living for Love" fitted with contemporary pop music releases and the DIY ethic they displayed, starting from Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off", to Ariana Grande's "Break Free" and Katy Perry's "Roar". The survivor anthem-like nature of the track was evocative of Madonna's survival in her music career.[23] With NRJ the singer herself explained the meaning behind the lyrics: "It's a song having your heart broken but it's about saying you know what I'm going to my life goes on, I will carry on, I won't stop believing in love, I'll pick up my crown, put it back on my head and I will walk through life proudly believing that love, true love does exist."[24]

Critical response

Following its release, "Living for Love" earned critical praise.[25] Lipshutz was appreciative of the song, commending Madonna's "confident" vocal delivery. He said that the song sounded "like a giddy combination of Madonna's past and present, and represents an encouraging sign for a 2015 project that was unexpectedly thrown into jeopardy at the end of 2014."[18] Stern compared the song to Madonna's 1992 single "Deeper and Deeper", noting that unlike the UK dance acts and the teen-pop groups paying homage to 1990s house music, Madonna had lived through that era. Calling the song a "total beast of a collaborative effort", and ended his review saying "Fuck singing about Tanqueray in the club: This is the Madonna we've always known and lived to love, with flares of the future and nostalgic nods to the past."[26] Times Jamieson Cox observed that "Living for Love" was tailor-made for radio, with the increase in popularity of house music and the crossover success of British house musicians.[27]

Writing for USA Today, Brian Mansfield complimented the optimistic and "self-assured" nature of the song, adding that "it's the sort of determined dance anthem Madonna does so well".[28] The Dallas Morning News Hunter Hauk described the song as a "solid melding" of different club musics and appreciated the dance break, and Madonna's singing attitude, calling it "less prickly or defiant than we see on Instagram these days".[29] Jeff Miers from The Buffalo News compared "Living for Love" to earlier club anthems, songs which had become commercial success for Madonna.[30] Writing for i-D, Nick Levine described the song as a "perfectly-pitched comeback single: rather than returning with a cheap EDM banger... When she sings 'I picked up my crown, put it back on my head', it feels like a statement of intent."[31] Lewis Corner from Digital Spy listed it as one of the top ten tracks of the week, adding that the composition made it "an euphoric first cut from... Rebel Heart".[32] Jed Gottlieb from Boston Herald described the track's beats as contemporary, while found the chorus and the hooks to be reminiscent of "old school" Top 40 songs. "True Blue fans will hear a joy and nostalgia in [the song]".[33] Jon Pareles from The New York Times commended "Living for Love"'s ability to transform "the breakup emotions into an uplifting redemption". He called it "one of Madonna's best singles in a decade".[34] Writing for PopMatters, Lisi found the track to be Madonna's "most joyous" release since "Express Yourself".[23]

Daryl Deino from The Inquisitr praised the song for being "epic and uplifting", believing that it would open up Madonna's music to a new generation.[35] Jim Farber of New York Daily News found the song to be a return to form for the singer, describing it as "prime mix of club and pop music, with an old-school R&B piano, soaring backup vocals and a melody that keeps lifting you higher."[36] Zel McCarthy from Vice believed that the song reflected the personalities of its songwriters, feeling that the production and the personable lyrics made it a success.[37] Bernard Zuel from The Sydney Morning Herald believed that "Living for Love" embodied every aspect of Madonna's life, a mixture of her past, present and future.[38] This view was shared by Lindsay Zoladz from New York, who had criticized the other five songs from the album, but called "Living for Love" as "an unexpectedly perfect balance between the ghosts of Madge past and future".[39] Dean Piper from The Daily Telegraph called it the "most original" among the songs released, however he was critical of the lyrics saying that they failed "to penetrate your soul".[20] Cinquemani complemented the changes in the song from the demo version, calling it Madonna's "most rousing lead single in years", but lamented the nasal vocals of the singer.[22] Michael Jose Gonzalez from Danish music magazine, Gaffa, found the song to be melodic but reminiscent of the music from Madonna's tenth studio album, Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005).[40]

At their year-end ranking of the Top 25 Singles of 2015, Slant Magazine listed "Living for Love" at number 25, saying "Overworked and overthought, for sure, but the song's essence remains, and if Madonna's message of life after love didn't register as a commercial comeback on the scale of, say, Cher's 'Believe', it remains a pop-gospel sequel of the highest order."[41] While ranking Madonna's singles, in honor of her 60th birthday, The Guardians Jude Rogers placed "Living for Love" at number 23, writing that its "pulsing house piano, gospel vocals and boxfresh Diplo production sound fantastic".[42] Chuck Arnold from Entertainment Weekly called it a "righteous return to form" for Madonna, comparing it to Gloria Gaynor's 1978 hit "I Will Survive". He listed "Living for Love" as the singer's 53rd best single.[43] In August 2018, Slant Magazines Ed Gonzalez placed "Living for Love" at number 56 of his ranking of the singer's singles, calling it a "straight shot of electro-fried love-as-religion theater that sounds too much like a remix of a true original for it to ever cast a lasting spell, nostalgic or otherwise".[44]

Chart performance

See also: Radio 1 Madonna controversy. Following the pre-order release of Rebel Heart, "Living for Love" entered the Dance/Electronic Songs chart at number 16 and the Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart at numbers 12, with 10,000 digital downloads.[11] The next week, "Living for Love" moved to number 13 on the Dance/Electronic Songs chart, with further sales of 11,000 copies, and has since peaked at number 9, thereby becoming the singer's first top-ten single on the chart.[45] It achieved 587,000 streams after the music video premiere and further sales of 17,000 copies, becoming the greatest gainer on the Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart.[46] In January 2015, "Living for Love" debuted at number 32 on the Dance Club Songs chart, making it the singer's first appearance since her previous single "Turn Up the Radio".[47] It then climbed to number 18 and the following week to number 11 as the greatest gainer on the chart for both weeks.[48]

For the issue dated March 7, 2015, "Living for Love" became Madonna's 44th number-one song on the chart. She equaled George Strait—who collected 44 chart-toppers on the Hot Country Songs—as the act with most number-one singles on any Billboard chart.[49] [50] "Living for Love" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 but debuted at number 8 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. It became Madonna's 29th entry in the Pop Songs chart, debuting at number 36 on February 24, 2015. Billboard reported that the debut was due to an increased radio spins from iHeartMedia stations. It also debuted at number 35 on Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart.[51] Madonna became the oldest female artist to enter the Pop Songs chart, since Carly Simon, who reached number 20 as the featured artist on Janet Jackson's 2002 single, "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)".[52]

Across Europe, the song debuted at number 50 in France, number 12 in Hungary and number 21 in Spain, alongside the other tracks from Rebel Heart. In Japan, the song debuted at number 80 on the Japan Hot 100 for the week ending January 12, 2015, climbing to number 26 the following week.[53] In Spain it debuted at number 21 on the Spanish Singles Chart; after the release of the remixes, they charted separately on the albums chart at number 93.

In the United Kingdom, BBC Radio 1 decided not to play Madonna's single as their playlist committee did not think the track was good enough for heavy airplay. According to their head of music, George Ergatoudis, Madonna's fans were older than station's target demographic.[54] The station was criticized by the singer as well as musicians Diplo and Boy George for promoting age discrimination. Representatives from Radio 1 said that the songs listed on their playlists were not chosen on the basis of an artist's age but on quality.[55] "Living for Love" was later added to the playlist of BBC Radio 2, which caters to audiences aged 35 and more.[56] According to the Official Charts Company, the track moved towards the top-twenty of the UK Singles Chart with two days of available sales as reported in their mid-week chart report.[57] It ultimately debuted at number 26 on the chart with sales of 17,936 copies,[58] becoming Madonna's 71st top-forty single, and extending her record as the female artist with the most top-forty UK singles.[59]

Music video

Development

In December 2014, Madonna's manager Guy Oseary announced that a music video was scheduled to be released in early February 2015.[60] The video was directed by the French duo Julien Choquart and Camille Hirigoyen, together known as J.A.C.K. It was edited by Danny B. Tull, styled by B. Akerlund and choreographed by Megan Lawson.[61] According to Madonna, she wanted to have a cinematic and storytelling aspect with the video adding that:

The thing about that song, it's such a passionate song. I had to present it in a passionate way, and I used mythology to tell the story, with the story of the Minotaur, the matador, fighting for love. And the color red. And flowers. Horns, and death. And naked men. You know, the important things in life. I don't want to make every video the same. But I did love the richness of that video. To me it felt like a painting that came to life. That's what I was trying to do.[62]
Verena Dietzel, creator of the fashion label V-Couture, who specializes in different kinds of corsets, were enlisted to create clothing for the video, as well as a Grammy Awards performance. Dietzel explained that she had initially thought Madonna's e-mail as spam, however after confirmation from the singer's assistant stylist, B. Åkerlund, she started working on the designs. Within 48 hours she sewed a new corset, as well as created two new ones, by basing them on the only information provided to her, that of Madonna's bra-size. She had to search on Google for deducing the rest of the singer's proportions. In total four different corsets were shipped off to Madonna.[63] Lebanese designer Shady Zeineldine was also contacted by Åkerlund, who visited the designer's press conference in Los Angeles, and asked him to send his ideas and sketches for the video. After the deal was finalized, he created a custom made matador jacket which Madonna wore in the video. Another dress was a bodysuit, featuring a nude satin-stretch corset covered in three different types of lace, a black chiffon silk top and a satin tie. There was also a red velvet bolero jacket.[64]

The corset was described by Steff Yotka from Style.com as "masculine-feminine mix... it's the sort of tight, sexy, gender-bending thing we've come to expect from [Madonna]". The singer and her team had sent matador references to Zeineldine, who wanted to give a feminine touch to the designs, utilizing numerous laces and nude color palette to highlight the singer's body curves.[65] Amber Kallor from Style.com explained that Madonna's make-up in the video was inspired by recent runway shows of Christian Dior and Givenchy. The singer had applied parallel eye liner with her bolero jacket look, as well as sported bobby pin and Princess Leia like buns on her hair. Designer Riccardo Tisci approved of the Minotaur costumes used by the dancers, which used crystal masks designed by Marianna Harutunian and leather horns. He also gave his approval of the gemstones applied on the singer's face for one sequence in the video.[66]

Release and synopsis

The music video was released on picture messaging application Snapchat on February 5, 2015, where it was available for viewing on the application's "Snap Channel" platform.[61] Madonna became the first artist to premiere her video on Snapchat. The video was deleted after 24 hours, in lieu of Snapchat's self-destructing ethos, and was later uploaded on Madonna's Vevo channel.[67] Sara Spary from Marketing Week commended the decision, believing it to be "a major move for Snapchat and the decision by Madonna's label could pave the way for other label giants to host content on the app as well as other branded content."[68]

The video begins with a focus light on Madonna's hand which gradually reveals a circular red stage surrounded by red curtains. Madonna, wearing the red velvet jacket moves around the stage throwing off a cape and does choreographed dance moves. Interspersed are visuals of a male dancer as a Minotaur wearing the horned mask, dancing on the ground and Madonna in the matador dress. She entices the male dancer with the cape as the chorus ends. A flock of male dancers wearing similar horned mask appear and surround Madonna around the stage.[69]

Throughout the second verse Madonna chase the dancers and defeat them in mock fight. One of them pick her up and together they perform a second choreography atop the stage. Madonna is also shown in the bejeweled corset flapping around a red cape. For the final verses and chorus, Madonna in the nude corset dances among the Minotaurs, and ultimately slays them all. The last visual shows the singer standing among the slain bodies of the Minotaurs, throwing off the cape while holding a pair of horns in her left hand. Red roses fall around her and sound of applause is heard as a quote by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche flashes on screen, "Man is the cruelest animal. At tragedies, bullfights and crucifixions he has felt best on earth; and when he invented hell for himself that was his very heaven."[69]

Reception and analysis

Hugh McIntyre from Forbes commended Madonna's decision to partner with Snapchat for the video release, because he considered it to be a profit for both parties. For Madonna it would enable her to connect with the younger audience, while for Snapchat, release of a new Madonna video would lead to an older demographic to download the app.[70] Matthew Jacobs from The Huffington Post believed that the music video and its imagery matched with the uplifting nature of the song. He compared parts of the video with "Express Yourself" and "Hung Up", saying that Madonna emerging victorious among a flock of men dressed as bulls, evoked the leaks of Rebel Hearts songs. Recalling the self-referential undertones in the videos for "Give Me All Your Luvin'" and "Girl Gone Wild", Jacobs explained that "Madonna presents herself as queen of the big top without relying on allusions to her own résumé to prove she is the master of the postmodern pop scene... This is the Madonna video we've waited a decade for."[71] The Houston Chronicles Joey Guerra gave another positive review, saying "we haven't already learned time and again – never underestimate Madonna" and describing the video as a "nice fit" for the song.[72] A writer for The Guardian described the video as a "straightforward performance clip" and believed that the simplistic nature of the video suggested that it was designed for being viewed on mobile devices.[73]

Louis Virtel from HitFix called "Living for Love" as Madonna's "best video since 'Hung Up'". He found references to older Madonna videos, like "Express Yourself" in the "unusual choreography with all of its masculine posturing and grappling", "Take a Bow" with its bullfighting theme and playing on a familiar imagery from her career, and "Open Your Heart" during the sequences where Madonna fends off the Minotaur dancers. Virtel also commended the choreography, costumes, Madonna's looks and the cinematography of the video.[74] Along with the "Take a Bow" reference, Billboards Joe Lynch called the video as incredible and "lush, arresting" but criticized for the misspelling of Nietzsche at the end."[75] Rita Kokshanian from InStyle said that the video was "just as good as you could have expected... And while we were completely transfixed by her killer moves and insane physique, we were equally in awe of her outfits."[76]

Nathan Smith from Out found the video to be transcending gender roles, with Madonna assuming the role of a matador, a title generally reserved for a man. Also he noted that Madonna demonstrated her "toned and lean physique, demonstrating her unique and unparalleled mastery of the male species".[77] For Alyssa Tomey from E!, Madonna "transforms into a fierce and sexy matador in the clip" and dances "her butt off with some seriously acrobatic moves".[78] Jim Farber from New York Daily News found a contrast with the song's title and the "battlefield" like portrayal in the video, saying "While it's sonically exuberant, the song's lyrics reflect the aftermath of a hard-won battle."[79] Rachel Pilcher from Yahoo! found the video to be strange, but believed that it was to be expected from Madonna.[80]

Live performances

Madonna first performed "Living for Love" at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards on February 8, 2015. She confirmed her appearance at the ceremony, by uploading an image of the Grammy trophy wrapped with black strings like the Internet memes for the cover art of Rebel Heart.[5] [81] The singer was dressed in a one-piece outfit in matador red, surrounded by male dancers as Minotaurs similar to the song's music video. It was developed by designer Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy and styled by Akerlund. The performance was described as a "beautiful story for why the matadors fight the bulls and that also reflects life".[82] After being introduced by singers Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj, the performance began with images of Madonna on a kabuki screen talking about starting a revolution. She emerged from the screen and started singing, surrounded by the dancers.[83] Near the end, the singer encouraged the audience to sing-along with her, finally being pulled atop the stage on a wire.[84] Dina Gachman from Forbes reported that Madonna's performance was the most-watched moment of the night.[85] Brittany Spanos from Rolling Stone described it as "the legendary singer was out for blood with her first live performance [of the song]".[86] Shauna Murphy from MTV News observed Illuminati symbolism with the performance, including rituals, organized religion homage and a metaphor for death.[87] MuuMuse's Bradley Stern listed it as the best performance of the Grammys, saying that "this is how a major pop performance should really look".[88] Her effort to sing live without Auto-Tune during the choreographed performance was also heavily praised.[89] [90]

Madonna also performed the song at the 2015 Brit Awards, on February 25.[91] However, in the early stages of the performance, a wardrobe malfunction caused her to be pulled down a flight of stairs that made up part of the stage.[92] It was later revealed that since her cape was tied tightly, when her dancers attempted to remove it from her neck, she fell down to the floor. However Madonna then continued the performance as planned. She later took to Instagram to confirm that she was well, posting "Thanks for the good wishes! I'm fine".[93] Richard Smirke from Billboard praised the performance and Madonna's recovery, saying that "[the singer] didn't let the fall affect her performance and quickly recovered to deliver a slickly choreographed routine that mirrored the matador theme of her recent Grammy Awards performance."[94] Madonna explained on The Jonathan Ross Show that she was told to start walking towards the stage further than originally planned. Hence her team thought that the cape could have slid off and tied it tightly round her neck. The singer had two choices when the cape did not come undone, "I could either be strangled or fall, and I chose to fall". Madonna endured a whiplash and added that she "smacked the back of my head. And I had a man standing over me with a flashlight until about 3 am to make sure I was compos mentis". The singer jokingly added that she would not use any cape for further performances and attributed her prompt recovery to having good core strength and her daily exercise routine.[95] [96] The accident led to an increase in viewership of the awards show. According to the British Phonographic Industry, the event resulted a 95% increase in Twitter activity about the show compared with the previous year, with an exchange of 7.8 million tweets, while 6.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the performance.[97] The singer's fall was voted the most shocking "Celebrity Moment of 2015" by UK's Channel 5.[98]

On February 26, 2015, Madonna appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show in the United Kingdom, which aired on March 14. She performed an edited version of "Living for Love" wearing a black matador dress.[99] [100] On March 2, Madonna appeared on France's Le Grand Journal show, where an edited version of "Living for Love" was also performed.[101] Lionel Nicaise from MCM observed that Madonna did not wear any cape during the performance.[102] Writing for Idolator, Bradley Stern noted that the performance used an "energetic remix" of the song, with MNEK's vocals in the background. There was also voguing and during one segment Madonna climbed atop a piano to sing the song.[103] [104] Two weeks later, similar performance aired on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US, where she was joined by DeGeneres onstage at the end of the performance.[105] Madonna added the song on the third section of the set list of her 2015–16 Rebel Heart Tour. The singer had enlisted a Spanish tailoring company from Zaragoza for creating two bullfighter traje de luces costume, along with a cape and matador related costumes for her backing dancers.[106] Set to a remix of the song, the performance had the same choreography as that of the Brit Awards.[107] Jordan Zivitz of Montreal Gazette said that the performance was one of "the evening's minor victories" calling it a "sulphur-scented campiness", although he saw a smooth transition from "Living for Love" to the next section of the tour.[108] The performance of the song at the March 19–20, 2016 shows in Sydney's Allphones Arena was recorded and released in Madonna's fifth live album, Rebel Heart Tour.[109] During the Celebration Tour, an instrumental extract of this version was played as an interlude.

Track listings and formats

CD single
  1. "Living for Love" – 3:38
  2. "Living for Love" (Offer Nissim Living for Drama Mix) – 6:34
Digital download
  1. "Living for Love" – 3:38
Digital download (Remixes)
  1. "Living for Love" (Djemba Djemba Club Mix) – 5:47
  2. "Living for Love" (Erick Morillo Club Mix) – 6:12
  3. "Living for Love" (Thrill Remix) – 5:11
  4. "Living for Love" (Offer Nissim Living for Drama Mix) – 6:33
  5. "Living for Love" (Offer Nissim Dub) – 7:15
  6. "Living for Love" (DJ Paulo Club Mix) – 8:14
  7. "Living for Love" (Mike Rizzo's Funk Generation Club) – 7:02
  8. "Living for Love" (Dirty Pop Remix) – 4:58
CD maxi single
  1. "Living for Love" – 3:38
  2. "Living for Love" (Mike Rizzo's Funk Generation Club) – 7:02
  3. "Living for Love" (Offer Nissim Living for Drama Mix) – 6:33
  4. "Living for Love" (Djemba Djemba Club Mix) – 5:47
Digital download (The Remixes 1)
  1. "Living for Love" (Mike Rizzo's Funk Generation Club) – 7:03
  2. "Living for Love" (Djemba Djemba Club Mix) – 5:47
  3. "Living for Love" (Erick Morillo Club Mix) – 6:12
  4. "Living for Love" (DJ Paulo Club Mix) – 8:15
Digital download (The Remixes 2)
  1. "Living for Love" (Thrill Remix) – 5:10
  2. "Living for Love" (Dirty Pop Remix) – 4:59
  3. "Living for Love" (Offer Nissim Living for Drama Mix) – 6:30
  4. "Living for Love" (Offer Nissim Dub) – 7:12

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Madonna's official website.[110]

Management

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2015)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[111] 157
Israel (Media Forest)[112] 4
Italy (FIMI)[113] 30
Lebanon (The Official Lebanese Top 20)[114] 20
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[115] 18
Russia Airplay (Tophit)[116] 116
South Korea (Gaon)[117] 71
Sweden (DigiListan)[118] 8
US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard)[119] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (2015)Position
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[120] 4
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[121] 43

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
WorldwideDecember 20, 2014Digital downloadUniversal[122]
ItalyDecember 22, 2014Contemporary hit radio[123]
United StatesFebruary 9, 2015Digital download (Remixes)Interscope[124]
February 10, 2015Contemporary hit radio[125]
United KingdomFebruary 25, 2015Digital downloadPolydor[126]
Digital download (The Remixes 1)[127]
Digital download (The Remixes 2)[128]
GermanyFebruary 27, 2015CD singleUniversal[129]
WorldwideMarch 9, 2015[130]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Madonna Hits Studio With 'Slave Driver' Diplo . Chris . Payne . May 8, 2014 . May 26, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140511223850/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6084527/madonna-studio-diplo-photos-instagram-new-album . May 11, 2014 .
  2. Billboard Cover Story Sneak Peek: Diplo Got Drunk With Madonna and 4 Other Details on Their Upcoming Collaboration . Jason . Lipshutz . August 21, 2014 . December 1, 2014 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141115222904/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6228951/diplo-billboard-cover-story-sneak-peek . November 15, 2014 .
  3. Diplo: Madonna Asked for 'Craziest Record I Had' for New Album . Blistein . John . July 3, 2014 . December 1, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129021925/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/diplo-madonna-asked-for-craziest-record-i-had-for-new-album-20140703 . November 29, 2014 .
  4. Billboard Cover: Diplo on His Katy Perry Connection, Madonna Collaboration and 8-Figure Lifestyle . Jonathan . Ringen . August 22, 2014 . December 1, 2014 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140822231240/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6228953/billboard-cover-diplo-on-his-katy-perry-connection-madonna-collaboration-and-8 . August 22, 2014 .
  5. News: Madonna on New 'Rebellious and Romantic' Music, Demo Leaks, 'Possibly' Crashing the Grammys and the 'Crazy' Sony Hack . Keith . Caulfield . December 21, 2014 . December 21, 2014 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141222054112/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6414043/madonna-interview-rebel-heart-leaks-sony-grammys-new-music . December 22, 2014 .
  6. Web site: Alicia Keys confirms 'casual, cool' recording sessions for Madonna's new album . David Renshaw . October 11, 2014 . . December 21, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141221011807/http://www.nme.com/news/madonna/80320 . December 21, 2014 .
  7. Ganz . Caryn . 'Rebel Heart': Madonna Reveals the Story Behind Six Surprise Songs . December 21, 2014 . December 21, 2014 . Rolling Stone . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141225013638/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/rebel-heart-madonna-reveals-the-story-behind-six-surprise-songs-20141221 . December 25, 2014 .
  8. Web site: Madonna's New Album Leaks Way, Way Ahead of Schedule . Stern . Bradley . December 17, 2014 . . December 19, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141217224139/http://www.idolator.com/7574509/madonna-album-leak-early-demos . December 17, 2014 .
  9. Web site: Madonna premieres new single 'Living For Love' from Rebel Heart . . Corner . Lewis . December 20, 2014 . December 21, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141221092215/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a617791/madonna-premieres-new-single-living-for-love-from-rebel-heart.html . December 21, 2014 .
  10. Madonna Responds to 'Rebel Heart' Leak by Releasing Six Songs . December 20, 2014 . Rolling Stone . December 20, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141223010314/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-responds-to-rebel-heart-leak-by-releasing-six-songs-20141220 . December 23, 2014 .
  11. Madonna Debuts Three Tracks on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart . Murray . Gordon . December 24, 2014 . December 26, 2014 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141227071544/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6415173/madonna-hot-dance-electronic-songs-chart-rebel-heart . December 27, 2014 .
  12. Web site: Madonna unveils first official remix of new single 'Living For Love' . . Corner . Lewis . January 9, 2015 . January 9, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110004503/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a620510/madonna-unveils-first-official-remix-of-new-single-living-for-love.html . January 10, 2015 .
  13. News: We're living for Madonna's new 'Living for Love' remixes . Mansfield . Brian . January 16, 2015 . January 16, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150116070101/http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2015/01/15/madonna-living-for-love-remixes/ . January 16, 2015 .
  14. Web site: Surprise! Madonna's New Album Is Available For Pre-Order . Hugh . McIntyre . December 20, 2014 . . December 21, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141220133806/http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2014/12/20/surprise-madonnas-new-album-is-available-for-pre-order-now/ . December 20, 2014 .
  15. Web site: Thomas Erlewine . Stephen . Rebel Heart - Madonna . . 6 February 2020 . July 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190727033718/https://www.allmusic.com/album/rebel-heart-mw0002806491 . live .
  16. Web site: Hopper . Jessica . Madonna: Rebel Heart Album Review . . July 26, 2020 . March 13, 2015 . December 13, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171213082718/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20293-rebel-heart/ . live .
  17. News: Murphy . Lauren . If you listen to one thing this week: Madonna's Rebel Heart . . August 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200811072704/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/if-you-listen-to-one-thing-this-week-madonna-s-rebel-heart-1.2127291 . August 11, 2020 . March 5, 2015 . live.
  18. Lipshutz . Jason . Madonna Survives in Style on 'Living For Love': Single Review . December 20, 2014 . December 20, 2014 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141225013049/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6414019/madonna-living-for-love-single-review . December 25, 2014 .
  19. Web site: Madonna 'Living for Love' Sheet Music . December 30, 2014 . . January 6, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150701182357/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdVPE.asp?ppn=MN0145055 . July 1, 2015 .
  20. News: New Madonna tracks sound like a 'test of loyalty' . Piper . Dean . December 20, 2014 . December 21, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141220231844/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/madonna/11305467/New-Madonna-tracks-sound-like-a-test-of-loyalty.html . December 20, 2014 .
  21. News: Queen of Pop Says 'Bitch I'm Madonna' Dropping Six New Tracks From 'Rebel Heart' . Ellwood . Gregory . December 20, 2014 . December 21, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141221002943/http://www.hitfix.com/news/queen-of-pop-says-bitch-im-madonna-dropping-six-new-tracks-from-rebel-heart . December 21, 2014 .
  22. News: Madonna Releases 6 New Songs from Rebel Heart, Including Lead Single 'Living for Love' . Cinquemani . Sal . December 20, 2014 . December 21, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141221033135/http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/article/madonna-releases-6-new-songs-from-rebel-heart-including-lead-single-living-for-love . December 21, 2014 .
  23. News: Madonna's 'Rebel Heart' Reinforces Her Relevance . Lisi . Jon . January 10, 2015 . January 10, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110191441/http://www.popmatters.com/post/189474-madonnas-rebel-heart-reinforces-her-relevance/ . January 10, 2015 .
  24. News: Madonna Interview Again for NRJ . January 30, 2015 . January 30, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150130202422/http://www.nrj.fr/artistes-509/fiches-artistes-522/artiste/actu/445-madonna.html?actu_id=322648_madonna-craque-encore-pour-un-francais . January 30, 2015 .
  25. News: What Everyone Said About Madonna's New Songs This Weekend . Jacobs . Matthew . December 22, 2014 . December 25, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141226112203/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/22/madonna-new-songs_n_6366422.html?ir=India . December 26, 2014 .
  26. Web site: Madonna, 'Rebel Heart': Track-By-Track (Part One) . Stern . Bradley . December 20, 2014 . December 23, 2014 . MuuMuse . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141223120250/http://www.muumuse.com/2014/12/madonna-rebel-heart-track-by-track-first-listen-part-one.html/ . December 23, 2014 .
  27. Madonna's Next Album Is Shaping Up to Be Her Best in a Decade . Cox . Jamieson . December 22, 2014 . . December 25, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141225041634/http://time.com/3643968/madonna-rebel-heart-new-music/ . December 25, 2014 .
  28. News: Song of the week: Madonna's 'Living for Love' . Mansfield . Brian . December 25, 2014 . December 25, 2014 . USA Today . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224211958/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/12/22/madona-living-for-love-listen-up-song-of-the-week/20768787/ . December 24, 2014 .
  29. News: Madonna returns: We review the 'Rebel Heart' songs released over the weekend . Hauk . Hunter . December 22, 2014 . December 26, 2014 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141225234557/http://popcultureblog.dallasnews.com/2014/12/madonna-returns-we-review-the-rebel-heart-songs-released-over-the-weekend.html/ . December 25, 2014 .
  30. News: Madonna turns security breach into iTunes gold . Miers . Jeff . December 22, 2014 . December 26, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141226163736/http://buffalo.com/2014/12/23/uncategorized/madonna-turns-security-breach-into-itunes-gold/ . December 26, 2014 .
  31. News: Madonna's rebel heart reviewed . Levine . Nick . December 25, 2014 . December 25, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141226003235/http://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/article/madonnas-rebel-heart-reviewed . December 26, 2014 .
  32. Web site: Playlist: 10 tracks you need to hear — Madonna, Miguel, Jack Savoretti . Corner . Lewis . December 22, 2014 . December 25, 2014 . Digital Spy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224160645/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/feature/a617620/playlist-10-tracks-you-need-to-hear-madonna-miguel-jack-savoretti.html . December 24, 2014 .
  33. News: Madonna displays innovative style on 6 released songs . Gottlieb . Jed . December 20, 2014 . December 21, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141223124006/http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/music_news/2014/12/madonna_displays_innovative_style_on_6_released_songs . December 23, 2014 .
  34. News: After Leak, Madonna Offers Show of Force . Pareles . Jon . Jon Pareles . December 22, 2014 . December 25, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141226024318/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/arts/music/madonna-6-songs-offers-preview-of-rebel-heart-album.html?_r=0 . December 26, 2014 .
  35. News: Madonna Wins Back 'Queen of Pop' Title: Rebel Heart Tracks Earn Praise . Deino . Daryl . December 22, 2014 . December 25, 2014 . The Inquisitr . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141225005346/http://www.inquisitr.com/1698639/madonna-wins-back-queen-of-pop-title-rebel-heart-tracks-earn-praise/ . December 25, 2014 .
  36. News: Madonna songs leaked: 'Rebel Heart' tracks are best when pop star favors classic over trendy . Farber . Jim . December 20, 2014 . December 21, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141221001452/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/new-madonna-songs-rebel-heart-review-article-1.2051828 . December 21, 2014 .
  37. News: Beat by Beat Review: Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Safely Evolves Without Reinventing . McCarthy . Zel . December 21, 2014 . December 26, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150424112707/https://thump.vice.com/en_us/article/beat-by-beat-review-madonnas-rebel-heart-safely-evolves-without-reinventing . April 24, 2015 .
  38. News: Madonna's Rebel Heart early review: Something old, something new, something borrowed . Zuel . Bernard . December 22, 2014 . December 26, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224182024/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/madonnas-rebel-heart-early-review-something-old-something-new-something-borrowed-20141222-12c1pf.html . December 24, 2014 .
  39. News: 8 Best New Songs of the Week . Zoladz . Lindsay . December 22, 2014 . December 26, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141225195103/http://www.vulture.com/2014/12/best-new-music-of-the-week-madonna-weeknd.html . December 25, 2014 .
  40. News: Spændende, men rodede smagsprøver lover godt for popdronningens kommende udspil . Exciting, but messy tastings bodes well for Queen of Pop's forthcoming response . Gonzalez . Michael Jose . January 1, 2015 . January 6, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150106102647/http://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/91029 . January 6, 2015 .
  41. Web site: The 25 Best Singles of 2015 . December 16, 2015 . Slant Magazine . December 9, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151211212021/http://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/the-25-best-singles-of-2015 . December 11, 2015 .
  42. Web site: Rogers . Jude . Jude Rogers . Every one of Madonna's 78 singles – ranked! . . August 26, 2018 . August 16, 2018 . August 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180816144826/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/16/every-one-of-madonnas-78-singles-ranked . live .
  43. Arnold . Chuck . Madonna's 60 best singles, ranked . . September 28, 2018 . August 15, 2018 . August 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180815230537/https://ew.com/music/2018/08/15/madonnas-60-best-singles-ranked/ . live .
  44. Web site: Gonzalez . Ed . The Beat Goes On: Every Madonna Single Ranked . Slant Magazine . 14 May 2019 . 1 August 2018 . March 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190322005529/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-beat-goes-on-every-madonna-single-ranked/2/ . live .
  45. Nick Jonas Conquers Dance Club Songs Chart, Madonna Climbs . Murray . Gordon . January 2, 2015 . January 3, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150105035950/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6429337/nick-jonas-conquers-dance-club-songs-madonna-climbs-hot-dance-electronic-songs . January 5, 2015 .
  46. Madeon Makes His Mark on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart . Murray . Gordon . February 21, 2015 . February 21, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150221184807/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6480133/madeon-hot-dance-electronic-songs-chart . February 21, 2015 .
  47. Robin Schulz's 'Prayer' Progresses, Madonna Debuts on Dance/Electronic Charts . Murray . Gordon . January 16, 2015 . January 16, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150119224618/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6443513/robin-schulz-madonna-dance-charts . January 19, 2015 .
  48. Chart Highlights: Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars Top Pop Songs . Murray . Gordon . January 24, 2015 . January 29, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150128160546/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6450979/chart-highlights-mark-ronson-bruno-mars-top-pop-songs-dancemix . January 28, 2015 .
  49. Madonna Notches Historic 44th No. 1 on Dance Club Songs Chart . Trust . Gary . February 19, 2015 . February 20, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150223052153/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6479962/madonna-44th-number-1-dance-club-songs . February 23, 2015 .
  50. Dance Songs: Top Dance Music Chart: Week of March 7, 2015 . February 27, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150302164204/http://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/2015-03-07 . March 2, 2015 .
  51. Chart Highlights: Madonna's 'Living for Love' Debuts on Pop Songs, Leads Dance Club Songs . February 23, 2015 . February 24, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150225232822/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6480337/chart-highlights-madonnas-living-for-love-debuts-on-pop-songs . February 25, 2015 .
  52. Ask Billboard: It's 2015 ... and Madonna & Paul McCartney Are in the Top 40 . Trust . Gary . February 24, 2015 . February 24, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150226172150/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6480440/ask-billboard-its-2015-and-madonna-paul-mccartney-are-in-the-top . February 26, 2015 .
  53. Japan Hot 100: Week of January 24, 2015 . January 23, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150124103148/http://www.billboard.com/charts/japan-hot-100/2015-01-24 . January 24, 2015 .
  54. News: Radio 1 boss: Madonna isn't banned, she just needs some better songs . Singh . Anita . March 24, 2015 . June 7, 2015 . Daily Telegraph . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150521100439/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/madonna/11490233/Radio-1-boss-Madonna-isnt-banned-she-just-needs-some-better-songs.html . May 21, 2015 .
  55. News: BBC Radio 1 slapped with ageist claims over Madonna diss . Caulfield . Philip . February 18, 2015 . February 20, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150220175456/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/bbc-radio-1-slapped-ageist-claims-madonna-diss-article-1.2120046 . February 20, 2015 .
  56. News: BBC Radio Claims It Didn't Ban Madonna's Music Because She Is 'Irrelevant and Old' . February 17, 2015 . February 20, 2015 . Francesca . Bacardi . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150219183215/http://www.eonline.com/news/626262/bbc-radio-claims-it-didn-t-ban-madonna-s-music-because-she-is-irrelevant-and-old . February 19, 2015 .
  57. News: Madonna's Living For Love hurtling towards Official Chart Top 20 . Copsey . Robert . February 27, 2015 . February 27, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150228021158/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/madonna-s-living-for-love-hurtling-towards-official-chart-top-20__8211/ . February 28, 2015 .
  58. News: Sam Smith tops first streaming integrated UK Albums Chart . Jones . Alan . March 1, 2015 . March 1, 2015 . . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150306011142/http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/sam-smith-tops-first-streaming-integrated-uk-albums-chart/061022 . March 6, 2015 .
  59. Madonna Scores Historic 71st Top 40 U.K. Single . Caulfield . Keith . March 1, 2015 . March 1, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150303045118/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6487504/madonna-scores-historic-71st-top-40-uk-single . March 3, 2015 .
  60. Madonna's Alleged Diss Track 'Not About Gaga,' Manager Says . December 28, 2014 . December 28, 2014 . Keith . Caulfield . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141228200021/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6422275/madonna-alleged-rebel-heart-diss-track-not-about-lady-gaga-says-manager . December 28, 2014 .
  61. Exclusive: Madonna to Premiere Music Video from 'Rebel Heart' on Snapchat Discover Today . February 5, 2015 . February 5, 2015 . Megan . Buerger . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206030845/http://www.billboard.com/articles/6458500/madonna-video-premiere-snapchat-revel-heart-living-for-love . February 6, 2015 .
  62. Web site: Bitch! I Interviewed Madonna (Part Two) . Kalkhoff . Matt . March 16, 2015 . March 21, 2015 . EdgeBoston.com . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150403224902/http://www.edgeboston.com/entertainment/celebrities/news//173581/bitch%21_i_interviewed_madonna_%28part_two%29 . April 3, 2015 .
  63. Madonna Enlists German Corset Designer For 'Living For Love' Video (And Possibly The Grammys) . Stern . Bradley . January 13, 2015 . January 13, 2015 . Idolator . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150113135308/http://www.idolator.com/7576506/madonna-enlists-german-corset-designer-for-living-for-love-video-and-possibly-the-grammys . January 13, 2015 .
  64. Dress du Jour: Madonna's 'Living For Love' Bodysuit . February 5, 2015 . February 5, 2015 . Stephanie . Chan . The Hollywood Reporter . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150208130357/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dress-du-jour-madonnas-living-770710 . February 8, 2015 .
  65. Web site: Exclusive: Madonna's New Favorite Designer on That Matador Bustier . February 5, 2015 . February 7, 2015 . Steff . Yotka . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207185940/http://www.style.com/culture/entertainment/2015/madonna-living-for-love-video-costumes . February 7, 2015 .
  66. Web site: We're Living for Madonna's Makeup in Her New Music Video . February 5, 2015 . February 7, 2015 . Amber . Kallor . Style.com . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207113901/http://www.style.com/beauty/people/2015/madonna-living-for-love-music-video-makeup . February 7, 2015 .
  67. News: Madonna premieres Living for Love music video on Snapchat . February 5, 2015 . February 5, 2015 . The Guardian . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206153841/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/05/madonna-living-for-love-video-snapchat . February 6, 2015 .
  68. Madonna premieres new album on Snapchat . February 5, 2015 . February 7, 2015 . . Spary . Sara . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207215637/http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1332881/madonna-premieres-new-album-snapchat . February 7, 2015 .
  69. Living for Love. This Week's Fresh Music Top 20. 4Music. February 18, 2015.
  70. News: Madonna Will Release Her New Music Video on Snapchat Today . February 5, 2015 . February 5, 2015 . Forbes . McIntyre . Hugh . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206073058/http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2015/02/05/madonna-will-release-her-new-music-video-on-snapchat-today/ . February 6, 2015 .
  71. News: Madonna Will Release Her New Music Video on Snapchat Today . February 5, 2015 . February 5, 2015 . The Huffington Post . Jacobs . Matthew . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206123916/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/05/madonna-living-for-love-video_n_6622962.html . February 6, 2015 .
  72. News: Madonna premieres 'Living for Love' video on SnapChat . Guerra . Joey . February 6, 2015 . February 6, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207053039/http://www.chron.com/entertainment/music/article/Madonna-premieres-Living-for-Love-video-on-6064835.php . February 7, 2015 .
  73. News: Madonna premieres Living for Love music video on Snapchat . February 6, 2015 . February 6, 2015 . The Guardian . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206153841/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/05/madonna-living-for-love-video-snapchat . February 6, 2015 .
  74. News: Virtel . Louis . Louis Virtel . February 6, 2015 . 10 reasons Madonna's 'Living for Love' Video is her best in years . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207185604/http://www.hitfix.com/news/10-reasons-madonnas-living-for-love-video-is-her-best-in-years . February 7, 2015 . February 7, 2015 . HitFix.
  75. Madonna's 'Living for Love' Video Now Online – Nietzsche Typo & All . February 7, 2015 . February 7, 2015 . Joe . Lynch . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207101455/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6465458/madonna-living-for-love-video . February 7, 2015 .
  76. Madonna Is in Charge! See All the Matador-Inspired Outfits in Her 'Living for Love' Music Video . February 7, 2015 . February 7, 2015 . Rita . Kokshanian . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090625/http://www.instyle.com/news/madonna-charge-see-all-matador-inspired-outfits-her-living-love-music-video . May 18, 2015 .
  77. Notes on Madonna's 'Living For Love' Video . February 7, 2015 . February 7, 2015 . Nathan . Smith . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150208103633/http://www.out.com/music/2015/2/07/notes-madonnas-living-love-video . February 8, 2015 .
  78. News: Madonna Flaunts Ripped Bod as a Sexy Matador in Living for Love Music Video: Watch Now! . February 7, 2015 . February 7, 2015 . Alyssa . Tomey . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207114038/http://www.eonline.com/news/622897/madonna-flaunts-ripped-bod-as-a-sexy-matador-in-living-for-love-music-video-watch-now . February 7, 2015 .
  79. News: Madonna debuts new video 'Living For Love' on SnapChat . Farber . Jim . February 6, 2015 . February 6, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206002010/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/madonna-debuts-new-video-living-love-snapchat-article-1.2104960 . February 6, 2015 .
  80. News: Madonna Premieres New 'Living For Love' Music Video on Snapchat . Pilcher . Rachel . February 7, 2015 . February 7, 2015 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150208032422/https://uk.celebrity.yahoo.com/gossip/omg/madonna-premieres-new--living-for-love--music-video-on-snapchat-154352591.html . February 8, 2015 .
  81. Madonna Will Perform at 2015 Grammy Awards . January 13, 2015 . January 13, 2015 . Keith . Caulfield . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150123061726/http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/grammys-2015/6436598/madonna-will-perform-at-2015-grammy-awards . January 23, 2015 .
  82. News: Exclusive: Riccardo Tisci and B. Akerlund on Madonna's Grammy Outfits . Yotka . Steff . February 9, 2015 . April 22, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150416224134/http://www.style.com/culture/entertainment/2015/madonna-grammy-outfit . April 16, 2015 .
  83. Web site: Grammys: See Madonna return to the stage to perform 'Living for Love' . Digital Spy . Justin . Harp . February 13, 2015 . February 15, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150211074157/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a627540/grammys-see-madonna-return-to-the-stage-to-perform-living-for-love.html . February 11, 2015 .
  84. News: Grammys: Madonna Channels a Matador in 'Living for Love' Performance . Ge . Linda . February 8, 2015 . February 13, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150212142156/http://www.thewrap.com/grammys-2015-madonna-channels-a-matador-in-living-for-love-performance-video/ . February 12, 2015 .
  85. Web site: Forbes . Where's Beyoncé: Top Five 2015 Grammy Moments From TiVo . February 9, 2015 . February 10, 2015 . Gachman . Dina . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150210020756/http://www.forbes.com/sites/dinagachman/2015/02/09/wheres-beyonce-top-five-2015-grammy-moments-from-tivo/ . February 10, 2015 .
  86. Madonna Brings Gospel Choir, Bulls for 'Living for Love' at Grammys . Brittany . Spanos . Brittany Spanos . Rolling Stone . February 8, 2015 . February 15, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150218015439/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-brings-gospel-choir-bulls-for-rebel-heart-at-grammys-20150208 . February 18, 2015 .
  87. News: Madonna's Grammy Performance Was Basically An Illuminati Matador Orgy . Shauna . Murphy . MTV News . February 8, 2015 . February 15, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150215062517/http://www.mtv.com/news/2072801/madonna-2015-grammys-illuminati/ . February 15, 2015 .
  88. News: Madonna Did The Damn Thing With 'Living For Love' At The 2015 Grammy Awards . Bradley . Stern . MuuMuse . February 8, 2015 . February 15, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150212095826/http://www.muumuse.com/2015/02/madonna-did-the-damn-thing-with-living-for-love-at-the-2015-grammy-awards.html/ . February 12, 2015 .
  89. News: Hear Madonna's Impressive Isolated Vocals From Her Grammy Performance . Matthew . Jacobs . The Huffington Post . February 13, 2015 . February 15, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150214183218/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/13/madonna-isolated-vocals-grammys_n_6678482.html . February 14, 2015 .
  90. Web site: Whoa! Listen to Madonna's Isolated Vocals From Her Grammys Performance—You Won't Be Disappointed . . Lily . Harrison . February 13, 2015 . February 15, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150215080631/http://www.eonline.com/news/625708/woah-listen-to-madonna-s-isolated-vocals-from-her-grammys-performance-you-won-t-be-disappointed . February 15, 2015 .
  91. Web site: Madonna to play at 2015 Brit Awards: 'Hello to all my UK Rebel Hearts' . February 3, 2015 . February 3, 2015 . Mayer . Nissim . Digital Spy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150203160800/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a626272/madonna-to-play-at-2015-brit-awards-hello-to-all-my-uk-rebel-hearts.html . February 3, 2015 .
  92. Web site: Brit Awards 2015: Madonna falls off stage . BBC News . February 25, 2015 . February 26, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150225202005/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31633349 . February 25, 2015 .
  93. Web site: Madonna Takes a Major Onstage Tumble at the BRIT Awards . Yahoo! . February 25, 2015 . February 26, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150226051045/https://www.yahoo.com/music/madonna-takes-a-major-onstage-tumble-at-the-brit-112079529441.html . February 26, 2015 .
  94. Brit Awards 2015: Ed Sheeran & Sam Smith Win Big, But Madonna & Kanye West Steal the Show . Smirke . Richard . Billboard . February 25, 2015 . February 26, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150301131847/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6480635/brit-awards-2015-recap . March 1, 2015 .
  95. Madonna Suffered Whiplash After 'Nightmare' Brit Awards Fall . Stone . Natalie . February 27, 2015 . March 9, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150310124142/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6487387/madonna-suffered-whiplash-after-nightmare-brit-awards-fall . March 10, 2015 .
  96. Madonna on Her Brit Awards Fall: 'I Came Out All Right Because I'm in Good Shape' . March 8, 2015 . March 10, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150310091659/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6494821/madonna-on-her-brit-awards-fall-i-came-out-all-right-because-im-in . March 10, 2015 .
  97. Brit Awards Enjoyed 95 Percent Jump in Tweets (Thanks Madonna!) . March 5, 2015 . March 9, 2015 . Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150309005408/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/6494332/brit-awards-social-numbers-twitter-facebook-youtube . March 9, 2015 .
  98. News: Madonna's Brit Awards stage fall is named most shocking celeb moment of 2015 . Hardington-Gill . Tamara . December 28, 2015 . December 29, 2015 . Metro . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151229033750/http://metro.co.uk/2015/12/28/madonnas-brit-awards-stage-fall-is-named-most-shocking-celeb-moment-of-2015-5587276/ . December 29, 2015 .
  99. Web site: Madonna 'suffered whiplash' after Brits fall . February 27, 2015 . September 26, 2015 . BBC News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925235300/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31656354 . September 25, 2015 .
  100. Web site: Madonna talks to Jonathan Ross about BRITs fall, family, fashion and comedy . March 16, 2015 . March 16, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150315061002/http://shows.stv.tv/talk-tv/313487-madonna-talks-to-jonathan-ross-about-brits-fall-family-fashion-and-comedy/ . March 15, 2015 .
  101. News: Watch Madonna Debut 'Ghost Town' on French TV Without Falling . March 3, 2015 . March 3, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150304042448/https://www.spin.com/2015/03/madonna-ghost-town-live-tv-performance-le-grand-journal-watch/ . March 4, 2015 .
  102. Web site: Madonna : Ghosttown et Living for Love, Ses Performances Au Grand Journal (video) . Nicaise . Lionel . March 3, 2015 . March 3, 2015 . . fr . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232053/http://www.mcm.fr/madonna-ghosttown-et-living-for-love-ses-performances-au-grand-journal-video-a386910.html . March 3, 2016 .
  103. News: Madonna Performs 'Living For Love' And 'Ghosttown' On Le Grand Journal . March 3, 2015 . March 3, 2015 . Idolator . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150304134611/http://www.idolator.com/7583097/madonna-living-for-love-ghosttown-le-grand-journal-live-performance-watch . March 4, 2015 .
  104. News: Madonna Performs 'Living For Love' And 'Ghosttown' On Le Grand Journal . March 3, 2015 . March 3, 2015 . MuuMuse . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150304071247/http://www.muumuse.com/2015/03/madonna-performs-ghosttown-and-living-for-love-on-le-grand-journal.html/ . March 4, 2015 .
  105. Madonna Brings 'Living for Love' to 'Ellen' . Billboard . March 18, 2015 . March 18, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150319194243/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6502393/madonna-living-for-love-ellen . March 19, 2015 .
  106. News: Olé! Madonna orders tour bullfighting suits . Jones . Jessica . April 8, 2015 . July 13, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150712022707/http://www.thelocal.es/20150408/madonna-orders-tour-bullfighting-suits . July 12, 2015 .
  107. Madonna's 'Rebel Heart' Tour Features Pole-Dancing Nuns, An Edith Piaf Cover And A Recreation Of 'That' Brit Awards Performance . The Huffington Post . September 10, 2015 . September 14, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150911113212/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/09/10/madonna-rebel-heart-tour-pics_n_8115490.html . September 11, 2015 .
  108. Web site: Zivitz . Jordan . Concert review: Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour starts beating at the Bell Centre . . September 10, 2015 . September 10, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150911011001/http://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/music/concert-review-madonnas-rebel-heart-tour-starts-beating-at-the-bell-centre . September 11, 2015 .
  109. Madonna. Rebel Heart Tour. 2× CD, DVD, Blu-ray. Eagle Records. 2017.
  110. Web site: Rebel Heart – Credits. June 21, 2015. Madonna.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150621042110/http://www.madonna.com/newalbum. June 21, 2015.
  111. Web site: Madonna chart history, received from ARIA on January 24, 2020. ARIA. Imgur.com. July 12, 2024. N.B. This only contains peaks from the ARIA-produced chart era (June 5, 1988 onwards). The High Point number in the NAT column indicates the release's peak on the national chart.
  112. Web site: Weekly International Chart: Period 11–01–15 to 16–01–15 . January 19, 2015 . January 19, 2015 . . he . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224225928/http://mediaforest.biz/WeeklyCharts/HistoryWeeklyCharts.aspx . December 24, 2014 .
  113. Web site: Top Digital Download – Classifica settimanale WK 11 (dal 2015-03-09 al 2015-03-15) . . it . June 14, 2015 . live . https://archive.today/20170223205100/http://www.fimi.it/classifiche%23/category:digital/year:2015/id:1671#/category:digital/id:2004 . February 23, 2017 .
  114. Web site: Olt20.com: Artist Madonna . February 25, 2015 . February 25, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150225095434/http://www.olt20.com/Madonna . February 25, 2015 .
  115. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 5, 2015. Dutch Top 40. nl. September 5, 2023.
  116. Web site: Chart Search . Tophit for Madonna . October 30, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161031030916/http://www.tophit.ru/ru/tracks/61849/view . October 31, 2016 .
  117. Web site: 2015년 12주차 Digital Chart - 국외. Gaon. ko. March 3, 2022. March 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220303124821/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=week&hitYear=2015&targetTime=12&nationGbn=E&year_time=. live.
  118. Web site: Swedish Digital Chart . January 5, 2015 . December 28, 2014 . . sv . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150204121721/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/topplista.aspx?programid=2697&date=2014-12-28 . February 4, 2015 .
  119. Hot Singles Sales: February 28, 2015 . February 28, 2015 . Billboard . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150226020936/http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2015-02-28/hot-singles-sales . February 26, 2015 .
  120. 2015 Billboard Dance Club Songs . Billboard . December 10, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151214145312/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/dance-club-songs . December 14, 2015 .
  121. 2015 Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs . Billboard . December 9, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151214201019/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/hot-dance-electronic--songs . December 14, 2015 .
  122. Madonna Hits Number One on iTunes in Over 40 Countries . PR Newswire . December 20, 2014 . December 25, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141225180955/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/madonna-hits-number-one-on-itunes-in-over-40-countries-300013441.html . December 25, 2014 .
  123. Web site: Living for Love: Madonna. Mompellio. Gabriel. December 22, 2014. December 24, 2014. Radio Airplay Italy. it. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224015744/http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/102785/MADONNA-Living-For-Love-Interscope-Records. December 24, 2014.
  124. Web site: Living for Love (Remixes) – Madonna . February 9, 2014 . iTunes Store . US . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150301082456/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/living-for-love-remixes/id964995588 . March 1, 2015 .
  125. Web site: Going for Adds: February 2015 Mainstream . . January 7, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160115053320/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 . January 15, 2016 .
  126. Web site: Living for Love (single) – Madonna . December 24, 2014 . . UK . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224020833/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/living-for-love-single/id953579555 . December 24, 2014 .
  127. Web site: Living for Love Remixes 1: Madonna. Amazon UK. April 6, 2015. December 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191216145012/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TRPZNJM. live.
  128. Web site: Living for Love Remixes 2: Madonna. Amazon UK. April 6, 2015. December 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191216145010/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TST753Y. live.
  129. Web site: Living for Love (2-Track) . Amazon Germany . February 3, 2015 . de . DE . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150203163337/http://www.amazon.de/Living-Love-2-Track-Madonna/dp/B00T3Q1C4K . February 3, 2015 .
  130. Web site: Living for Love CD single . Universal Music Store . April 6, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150412185814/https://store.universalmusic.com/madonna/%2A/%2A/Living-For-Love-CD-Single/48HB0000000 . April 12, 2015 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Living for Love".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.