article

"Ray of Light"
Single by Madonna
From the album Ray of Light
Released April 1998
Single format CD single
CD maxi-single
Video single
Cassette single
7" Single
12" maxi-single
Recorded 1998
Song length 5:20
Genre Pop, Techno
Charts #7(US, CAN) #2(UK)
Record label Maverick
Warner Bros.
Writers Madonna
William Orbit
Clive Muldoon
Dave Curtiss
Christine Leach
Producers Madonna
William Orbit
Madonna singles chronology
"Frozen"
(1998)
"Ray of Light"
(1998)
"Drowned World/Substitute for Love"
(1998)

"Ray of Light" is a single by American singer Madonna from her 1998 album Ray of Light.

The song was written by Madonna, William Orbit, Clive Muldoon, Dave Curtiss, and Christine Leach. It was produced by Madonna and Orbit.

It has received the remix treatment from Victor Calderone, Sasha and William Orbit himself.

The B-Side to "Ray Of Light (song)" is "Has to Be" which was released as a Bonus track on the Japanese Version of "Ray Of Light"

Chart performance


The track, due to its combination of high-energy techno sounds and its guitar riffs, was considered by many to be groundbreaking. It debuted at #2 in the UK. The U.S. seemed to take to it as well; however, the commercial maxi and single CDs were released with a one-month delay, when the momentum of the track was already fading.

The single managed to break two Madonna records; it sold about 73,000 copies in its first week, and entered both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot 100 Singles Sales at number five, which is where it ultimately peaked on both charts. The song also did well on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, becoming another number-one hit for Madonna; it went on to become the top Dance Music/Club Play single of 1998.

Trivia


The song is based on the track "Sepheryn", which was originally written by Clive Muldoon and Dave Curtiss. William Orbit re-recorded the song with Christine Leach before he started working with Madonna. However it ended up being recorded by Madonna with its lyrics only changed in a few spots, but with a changed melody and instrumentation. All five (Madonna, William Orbit, Clive Muldoon, Dave Curtiss, and Christine Leach) are credited for Madonna's 1998 version of the song.

Charts


Year Single Chart Position
1998 "Ray of Light" Billboard Hot 100 #5
1998 "Ray of Light" Hot Dance Music/Club Play #1
1998 "Ray of Light" World Chart Show #1
1998 "Ray of Light" UK Singles Chart #2
1998 "Ray of Light" UK Singles Chart #2
1998 "Ray of Light" Australian Singles Chart #6
1998 "Ray of Light" Canada Singles Chart #7
1998 "Ray of Light" Europe Singles Chart #9
1998 "Ray of Light" Sweden Singles Chart #14
1998 "Ray of Light" Germany Singles Chart #28
1998 "Ray of Light" United World Chart #2

Australian ARIA Singles Chart
Week 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Position
6
9
8
10
14
16
23
27
26
23
28
32
32
35
40
47
50

Credits


  • Written by Madonna, William Orbit, Clive Muldoon, Dave Curtis, and Christine Leach.
  • Produced by Madonna and William Orbit.
  • Engineered by Pat McCarthy.
  • Art Direction/design by Kevin Reagan.
  • Photography by Mario Testino.

Tracklisting and format


UK CD Single 1
  1. Album Version (5:19)
  2. Ultra Violet Mix (10:43)
  3. Liquid Mix (8:03)
  4. Calderone Club Mix (9:29)

Remixes


Remixes of "Ray Of Light" include mixes by William Orbit, Sasha, and Victor Calderone.

  • Album Version (5:23)
  • Radio Edit (4:37)
  • Video Edit (5:03)
  • Video Instrumental (5:03)
  • Acapella (6:02) Unreleased
  • Instrumental from William Orbit Promo CD (4:02) Promo Only
  • William Orbit Liquid Mix (8:08)
  • William Orbit Liquid Mix Radio Edit (5:13) Promo Only
  • William Orbit Ultra Violet Mix (7:00)
  • William Orbit Stereo Odyssey Version (6:59) Unreleased very early instrumental demo version.
  • Victor Calderone Club Mix (9:29)
  • Victor Calderone Club Mix Radio Edit (4:55) Promo Only
  • Victor Calderone Drum Mix (5:29)
  • Sasha's Ultra Violet Mix (10:48)
  • Sasha's Ultra Violet Mix Radio Edit (5:10) Promo Only
  • Sasha's Stripped Down Mix (5:04)
  • Sasha's Twilo Mix (10:59)
  • Richie Santana Remix (12:24) Unreleased

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Ray of Light (song)".

Home Pageartsbusinesscomputersgameshealthhospitalshomekids & teensnewsphysiciansrecreationreferenceregionalscienceshoppingsocietysportsworld