Mark and Kenny explore what may prove to be THE key track on Bedtime Stories that points the way towards the future. Discussed along the way: Herbie Hancock, Walt Whitman, Mary Oliver, Natalie Imbruglia, Tina Turner, and post-punk cult band Ednaswap (where’s that demo, Anna & Scott?!).

Kenny and Mark share a heart-to-heart about love and vulnerability (and a major appreciation for the song craft of Madonna and Dave Hall) over this pagan to loneliness and romantic disappointment (accompanied by some mournful mandolins), as well as paying impromptu tribute to a singer-songwriter kindred spirit.

Mark and Kenny face their own forbidden fears about love while grooving to the first collaboration with Babyface Edmonds. Topics include the superstar sequencing of Bedtime Stories, the musical beauty of whispering, the rumored musical video, the shadow disco song of the same name, Mike the Trainer, and a sexy jaunt through 90s radio R&B. Plus, the imagined first meeting in Central Park with … Carlos Leon!

Madonna musically addresses her critics for the first time with a funky Dave Hall-penned anthem and a definitive video (welcome back to the party, Jean-Baptiste Mondino!) as Kenny and Mark explore misogyny, punk, Main Source, a new perspective on the reception of the Sex book, Bettina Rheims, the Bottom Heavy Dub (and that maxi-single!), Norman Mailer’s interview for Esquire, Ruby Wax, and Princess Diana. Bring on the chameleonic syllabus!!

Mark and Kenny celebrate the breathy hidden gem of Bedtime Stories - and the transformative aspects of time, experiences, and strong songwriting (not to mention some killer samples and production!) to celebrate the role of Madonna’s mother on her art and the path she continues to chart in her life. Here’s to a soaring 2022 for us all!

Kenny withholds his appreciation of this mid-tempo charmer and suggests an alternate version of Bedtime Stories, leaving Mark scrambling for worthy substitutions, including lost b-sides “Let Down Your Guard” and “Your Honesty,” and sending a warning shot into Season Four. Sing La Di Da De and Happy New Year!!

Bedtime Stories gets truly funky as Mark and Kenny discuss the meeting of Tupac Shakur & Madonna. Topics include: Dave Hall, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Rosie Perez, Jada Pinkett, Lou Donaldson’s “It’s Your Thing” sample, and the arrival of Maverick artist (and bassist extraordinaire) ME’SHELL NDEGEOCELLO. All that we know is her albums are classics - check ‘em out!

Happiness lies in Kenny and Mark’s hands as they discuss the powerful first single from Bedtime Stories, including it’s visually brilliant (if narrative-light) video. Topics include: Dallas Austin, Melodie McDaniel, the power of an acoustic guitar, Madonna’s warpaint look, pregnancy rumors, and a bizarre side trip down the streets of Philadelphia (tell the boys at Woody’s hello!). Share your secrets.

Mark and Kenny dig into the first song on the first side of the pivotal Bedtime Stories album - a musical crossroad for Madonna. Topics include: the (brief) return of Niki Haris and Donna De Lory, the wide-array of star collaborators, the searching cover art and design of the record, fixing the feud with Letterman, and how Madonna’s contemporaries may (or may not) have informed her new approach to making art and music. “And you thought we wouldn’t last …”

Kenny and Mark begin the new season as Madonna embarks on a new era with the yearning and beautiful theme song from the WITH HONORS soundtrack. Topics include: Miami, Joe Pesci, Moira Kelly, Brenden Fraser, Alex Keshishian, basketball games, stand-in back-up singers, that disappointing music video, the many Maverick projects a-brewing, and - oh yes - the Letterman appearance in the early spring of 1994. Dave’s getting soft and we’re starting HARD.

Welcome back and Happy Listening!!