Frozen (song)

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“Frozen”
“Frozen” cover
Single by Madonna
from the album Ray of Light
B-side "Shanti/Ashtangi"
Released February 23, 1998 (Europe)
March 4, 1998 (U.S.)
Format CD, cassette, 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl
Recorded 1997
Genre Pop, Chill out, Electronica
Length 6:11 (full-length version)
5:08 (Edit)
Label Maverick, Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Madonna, Patrick Leonard
Producer Madonna, William Orbit, Patrick Leonard
Madonna singles chronology
"Another Suitcase in Another Hall"
(1997)		 "Frozen"
(1998)		 "Ray of Light"
(1998)
Ray of Light track listing
"Shanti/Ashtangi"
(8)		 "Frozen"
(9)		 "The Power of Good-Bye"
(10)
GHV2 track listing
"Beautiful Stranger" (William Orbit radio edit)
(8)		 "Frozen" (edit)
(9)		 "Take a Bow" (edit)
(10)
Alternate cover
Spanish promo CD single cover
Spanish promo CD single cover

"Frozen" is a pop song by American singer Madonna from her 1998 album Ray of Light, written and produced by Madonna, Patrick Leonard and William Orbit. The song was released as a single in February 1998.

Contents

[edit] Song information

"Frozen" was a radical change for Madonna. The darker electronic undertones, eastern strings, a touch of Middle Eastern percussion in the opening and her new vocal range were all previously unexplored territory for her. However, the song was a huge success and is praised as being one of her best songs. Its success worldwide also marks it as one of Madonna's biggest hits ever. The song was mainly composed in F minor.

 Audio sample:
  • "Frozen"
    A slow tempo dance track featuring Madonna's voice over layers of string arrangements and synthesizers. In the UK it was seen as a "big comeback", becoming her first song ever to debut at number-one, and her first chart-topper since 1990.
  • Problems playing the files? See media help.

"Frozen" also marked the beginning of a series of remixes which were done during the Ray of Light era. For the first time Madonna was working with Victor Calderone, who went on to remix most of her follow-up singles. His club-mix of "Frozen" is a favorite of most fans. The same goes for the remix done by the Stereo MCs. Their remix was used by Madonna on her 2001 Drowned World Tour. Madonna also performed "Frozen" on her 2004 Re-Invention Tour.

In 2003, Madonna fans were asked to vote for their Top 20 Madonna singles of all-time by Q-Magazine. "Frozen" was allocated the #10 spot.

[edit] Plagiarism

On November 18, 2005, a Belgian judge seated in Mons ruled that the opening four-bar theme to "Frozen" was plagiarized from the song "Ma vie fout le camp"[1], composed by Salvatore Acquaviva of Mouscron. The judge subsequently ordered the withdrawal from sales of all remaining discs, and forbade any further playing of the song on Belgian TV and radio under wide protest of the Belgian population. "Frozen" was a chart topper in Belgium and widely popular. Many radio and tv-stations and their audience stated that "Frozen" was loved, while the supposedly plagiarized song was unknown and disliked. The judge also ordered Warner, EMI and Sony to publish and spread the decision within fifteen days to various media outlets on pain of a penalty of €125,000 for non-compliance with the court order. No damages were granted.[2][3]

[edit] Chart Performance

"Frozen" topped the charts in several countries worldwide. It peaked at #2 in the United States, being held off the top spot by K-Ci and JoJo's "All My Life".

In the UK, despite sporadically high sales of singles such as "You'll See" (a #5 hit in 1995) and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" (a #3 success), "Frozen" was seen as a "big comeback" for Madonna, becoming her first single ever to debut at number-one. It was also her first UK chart-topper since "Vogue" in 1990. "Frozen" spent eleven weeks at #2 in the European Singles Chart.

[edit] Music video

Madonna in "Frozen" video.
Madonna in "Frozen" video.

Madonna traveled to the Indian Well Valley of the Mojave Desert in California to shoot the music video for "Frozen" from January 7-10, 1998. It was directed by Chris Cunningham, and was inspired by the movies The English Patient and The Sheltering Sky. Madonna walks about the desert wearing a flowing black dress and her hands painted with Henna ink. The video also contains stunning special effects of Madonna changing into a murder of crows and a Doberman, which won an MTV Video Music Award for "Best Special Effects" in 1998. The cinematography was done by Darius Khondji, who also shot Madonna's 1993 music video "Fever", and the 1996 film Evita.

The video premiered on February 12, 1998 in Europe and on MTV four days later. There were also two remix videos of "Frozen" released that same year by Dan-O-Rama titled "Stereo MC's Mix" and "Calderone Club Mix".

The video was parodied by Australian comedienne Gina Riley in an episode of the short-lived sketch show "Something Stupid".

  • Director: Chris Cunningham
  • Producer: Nick Wrathall
  • Director of Photography: Darius Khondji
  • Editor: Gary Knight
  • Production Company: Black Dog Films

[edit] Track listings and formats

US 7" vinyl (7-17244)[4]
US CD single (9 17244-2)[5]
EU CD single (5439-17224-9)[6]
JP CD single (WPCR-1791)[7]
SP promo CD single (1 17244-2 01)[8]
UK cassette single (W0433C)[9]
  • A1 "Frozen" (Album Version) — 6:15
  • B "Shanti / Ashtangi" — 4:29
US 12" promo vinyl (PRO-A-9254-A)[10]
  • A1 "Frozen" (William Orbit Widescreen Mix) — 6:34
  • A2 "Frozen" (William Orbit Drumapella) — 5:15
  • B "Frozen" (Victor Calderone Drumapella) — 5:09
US 12" vinyl (9362 43993 0)[11]
  • A1 "Frozen" (Album Version) — 6:15
  • A2 "Frozen" (Stereo MC's Remix) — 5:49
  • B1 "Frozen" (Extended Club Mix) — 11:21
  • B2 "Frozen" (Meltdown Mix) — 8:09
US promo CD single (PRO-CD-9182)[12]
  1. "Frozen" (Radio Edit) — 5:10
  2. "Frozen" (Album Version) — 6:15
  3. "Frozen" (Call Out Research Hook)
US promo CD single (PRO-CD-9254-R)[13]
  1. "Frozen" (Stereo MC's Remix Edit) — 4:52
  2. "Frozen" (Extended Club Mix Edit) — 4:55
  3. "Frozen" (Radio Edit) — 5:10
US Maxi-CD (9 43993-2)[14]
  1. "Frozen" (Album Version) — 6:15
  2. "Frozen" (Stereo MC's Remix) — 5:49
  3. "Frozen" (Extended Club Mix) — 11:21
  4. "Frozen" (Meltdown Mix) — 8:09
EU 12" vinyl (9362 43991 0)[15]
UK 12" vinyl (W 0433 T)[16]
  • A "Frozen" (Extended Club Mix) — 11:21
  • B1 "Frozen" (Stereo MC's Remix) — 5:49
  • B2 "Frozen" (Meltdown Mix) — 8:09
EU promo CD single (PRCD 1007)[17]
  1. "Frozen" (Radio Edit) — 5:10
  2. "Frozen" (Album Version) — 6:15
UK CD single (W 0433 CD)[18]
JP Maxi-CD (WPCR-1846)[19]
  1. "Frozen" (Album Version) — 6:15
  2. "Frozen" (Stereo MC's Remix) — 5:49
  3. "Frozen" (Meltdown Mix) — 8:09
  4. "Frozen" (Extended Club Mix) — 11:21
  5. "Frozen" (Widescreen Mix) — 6:33

[edit] Official versions

  • Album Version (6:15)
  • Radio Edit (5:10) (Promo Only)
  • Call Out Research Hook (Promo Only)
  • Stereo MC's Mix (5:49)
  • Stereo MC's Mix Edit (4:56) (Promo Only)
  • Extended Club Mix (11:21)
  • Extended Club Edit (4:41) (Promo Only)
  • Victor Calderone Drum-A-Pella (5:07) (Promo Only)
  • Meltdown Mix (8:10)
  • Meltdown Short Mix (4:53) (Promo Only)
  • William Orbit Drum-A-Pella (5:14) (Promo Only)
  • Widescreen Mix (6:33)

[edit] Charts

Chart (1998)[20][21] Peak
Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 2
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay 7
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales 10
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 1
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks 8
U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream 4
Australia 5
Austria 2
Belgium 3
Brazil 1
Canada 2
Denmark 4
European Hot 100 Singles 1
Finland 1
France 2
Germany 2
Ireland 2
Italy 1
Japan 1
Latvia 1
Mexico 1
Netherlands 2
New Zealand 5
Norway 2
South Africa, Republic of 1
Spain 1
Sweden 2
Switzerland 2
UK Singles Chart 1
United World Chart 2
Preceded by
"Brimful of Asha" by Cornershop		 UK Singles Chart number-one single
March 1, 1998 — March 8, 1998		 Succeeded by
"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion

[edit] References

  1. ^ YouTube - Alain Barriere - Ma vie
  2. ^ http://misc.skynet.be/index.html?l1=actuality&l2=today&l3=all&l4=home&a=viewmessage&p1=44676 Misc.skynet.be[dead link]
  3. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4449580.stm News.bbc.co.uk
  4. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  5. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  6. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  7. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  8. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  9. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  10. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  11. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  12. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  13. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  14. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  15. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  16. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  17. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  18. ^ Madonna - Frozen
  19. ^ Madonna - Frozen (Remixes)
  20. ^ JustZheng.com Madonna — artist chart history. Retrieved on August 3, 2007
  21. ^ Billboard magazine Madonna — charts and awards. Retrieved on August 3, 2007

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Madonna
Studio albums
Madonna (1983) · Like a Virgin (1984) · True Blue (1986) · Like a Prayer (1989) · Erotica (1992) · Bedtime Stories (1994) Ray of Light (1998) · Music (2000) · American Life (2003) · Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005) · Hard Candy (2008)
Compilations
You Can Dance (1987) · The Immaculate Collection (1990) · Something to Remember (1995) · GHV2 (2001) · Remixed & Revisited (2003)
Other Compilations
Remixed Prayers (1989) · The Royal Box (1991) · The Holiday Collection (1991) · The Rain Tapes (1992) · CD Single Collection (1996) · GHV2 Remixed (2001) · Confessions Remixed (2006)
Soundtracks
Vision Quest (1985) · Who's That Girl (1987) · I'm Breathless - Music from and Inspired by the film Dick Tracy (1990) · With Honors (1994) · Evita (1996) Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) · The Next Best Thing (2000) · Die Another Day (2002)
Live Music Videos & Albums
Music Video Compilations
Music Video Singles
"Papa Don't Preach" (1986) · "Justify My Love" (1990) · "Ray of Light" (1998) · "Music" (2000) · "What It Feels Like for a Girl" (2001)
Concert Tours
Promotional Tours
Related topics
v • d • e
Madonna singles discography
Madonna
"Everybody" (1982) · "Burning Up" (1983) · "Burning Up/Physical Attraction" (1983) · "Holiday" (1983/1984/1985/1991/1999) · "Lucky Star" (1983/1984) · "Borderline" (1984/1986)
Like a Virgin
"Like a Virgin" (1984) · "Material Girl" (1985) · "Angel"(1985) · "Into the Groove" (1985) · "Dress You Up" (1985) · "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" (1986)
True Blue
"Live to Tell" (1986) · "Papa Don't Preach" (1986) · "True Blue" (1986) · "Open Your Heart" (1986) · "La Isla Bonita" (1987)
Who's That Girl
"Who's That Girl" (1987) · "Causing a Commotion" (1987) · "The Look of Love" (1987)
You Can Dance
"Spotlight" (1988)
Like a Prayer
"Like a Prayer" (1989) · "Express Yourself" (1989) · "Cherish" (1989) · "Oh Father" (1989/1995) · "Dear Jessie" (1989) · "Keep It Together" (1990)
I'm Breathless
"Vogue" (1990) · "Hanky Panky" (1990)
The Immaculate Collection
"Justify My Love" (1990) · "Crazy for You (Remix)" (1991) · "Rescue Me" (1991) · "Holiday/The Holiday Collection" (1991)
Erotica
"Erotica" (1992) · "Deeper and Deeper" (1992) · "Bad Girl" (1993) · "Fever" (1993) · "Rain" (1993) · "Bye Bye Baby" (1993)
Bedtime Stories
"Secret" (1994) · "Take a Bow" (1994) · "Bedtime Story" (1995) · "Human Nature" (1995)
Something to Remember
"You'll See" (1995) · "Oh Father" (1995) · "One More Chance" (1996) · "Love Don't Live Here Anymore (Remix)" (1996)
Evita
Ray of Light
"Frozen" (1998) · "Ray of Light" (1998) · "Drowned World/Substitute for Love" (1998) · "The Power of Good-Bye" (1998) · "The Power of Good-Bye/Little Star" (1998) · "Nothing Really Matters" (1999)
Music
"Music" (2000) · "Don't Tell Me" (2000/2001) "What It Feels Like for a Girl" (2001)
American Life
"American Life" (2003) · "Hollywood" (2003) · "Nothing Fails" (2003) · "Love Profusion" (2003/2004)
Confessions on a Dance Floor
"Hung Up" (2005) · "Sorry" (2006) · "Get Together" (2006) · "Jump" (2006)
Hard Candy
"4 Minutes" (featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland) (2008) · "Give It 2 Me" (2008)
Other soundtracks
"Crazy for You" (1985) · "Gambler" (1985) · "This Used to Be My Playground" (1992) · "I'll Remember" (1994) · "Beautiful Stranger" (1999) · "American Pie" (2000) · "Die Another Day" (2002)
Other singles
"Me Against the Music" (Britney Spears featuring Madonna) (2003) · "Imagine" (2005) · "Hey You" (2007)
Promo singles
"I Want You" (with Massive Attack) (1995) · "Buenos Aires" (1997) · "Little Star"(1998) · "Impressive Instant" (2001) · "Thunderpuss GHV2 Megamix" (2001) · "Nobody Knows Me" (2003) · "Mother and Father (Peter Rauhofer Re-Invention Remix)" (2005) · "Future Lovers/I Feel Love (Live)" (2007) · "Music Inferno (Live)" (2007)