You'll See

For other uses, see You'll See (disambiguation).
"You'll See"
A golden yellow flower in front of a black background.
Single by Madonna
from the album Something to Remember
B-side "Verás"
Released October 30, 1995
Format
Recorded September 1995
Genre Pop
Length 4:39
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Madonna
  • David Foster
Madonna singles chronology
"Human Nature"
(1995)
"You'll See"
(1995)
"One More Chance"
(1996)
Music video
"You'll See" on YouTube

"You'll See" is a song by American recording artist Madonna from her ballads compilation, Something to Remember (1995). The album was released with the intention of toning down the image of Madonna, who was being heavily criticized at the time. The singer decided to work with producer David Foster, who co-wrote and produced three songs with Madonna in September 1995. "You'll See" was released on October 30, 1995, by Maverick Records as the lead single from the album. An acoustic pop ballad, "You'll See" features instrumentation from percussion, tremolo guitar and piano, while lyrically it speaks of independence after end of a love affair. The song received positive reception from contemporary critics, with reviewers praising Madonna's vocals. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored it as the Most Performed Song, in their annual ASCAP Pop Awards for 1997.

"You'll See" was commercially successful, reaching the top five in Austria, Canada, Finland, Italy and the United Kingdom. The single also managed to peak at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 making it Madonna's 29th top-ten single on the chart. An accompanying music video was directed by Michael Haussman, where the story line served as a sequel to Madonna's previous music video for "Take a Bow". An alternate Spanish version, written by Argentine singer-songwriter Paz Martinez, also received a music video, and was included on the Latin American edition of Something to Remember. Madonna has performed the song live on the British television program Top of the Pops and on selected US shows of her 2001 Drowned World Tour. In 2009, Scottish singer Susan Boyle included a cover of the song on her debut studio album I Dreamed a Dream.

Background and development

David Foster looking to the right
David Foster, co-writer and producer of "You'll See".

After a controversy-fueled period, Madonna's personal life had started to dominate over her musical career. "She knew it was time to make a change" as said by one anonymous member of her management team who claimed that she wanted to prove there was more to her than the constant media circus surrounding her.[1] In November 1995, Madonna released a compilation album, Something to Remember, featuring a selection of her ballads over a decade of her career and three new songs; described as a "love letter from Madonna to her fans and music lovers alike" the compilation was targeted to emphasize the singer's musical abilities, and away from the theatrics.[2] On the album's liner notes, Madonna further explained:

So much controversy has swirled around my career this past decade that very little attention ever gets paid to my music. The songs are all but forgotten. While I have no regrets regarding the choices I've made artistically, I've learned to appreciate the idea of doing things in a simpler way. So without a lot of fanfare, without any distractions, I present to you this collection of ballads. Some are old, some are new. All of them are from my heart.[1]

For the new songs, Madonna worked with David Foster, a well-known producer who had worked with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Al Jarreau and Earth, Wind & Fire.[3] Foster initially did not expect Madonna would collaborate with him, as he believed that his music would not "really [be] hip enough for her".[4] The recording session with Foster resulted in two new songs to the final track list, "You'll See" and "One More Chance".[3] Foster commented: "At the end of the day, the songs we did were not particularly impressive, though one of them, 'You'll See', was really neat. Madonna had written a great lyric ('You think that I can't live without your love / You'll see') and I thought my music was great".[5] The track was produced and arranged by Madonna and Foster, who worked on the song during the third weekend of September 1995.[6]

Recording and composition

"You'll See"
A 29 second sample of "You'll See". The chorus features Madonna singing over a pop rock influenced background, while saying the line "You'll See" in the end.

Problems playing this file? See media help.

Recording of the song was done in Brooklyn Studios and assisted by Ronnie Rivera. It was engineered and mixed by David Reitzas, who also produced the remix of "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" for Something to Remember. Simon Franglen provided synclavier programming for the song. Only three instruments were used for the song—acoustic guitar played by Dean Parks, electric guitar played by Michael Thompson and keyboard played by Foster.[7] A Spanish version of the song, titled "Verás", was recorded by Madonna at Gloria and Emilio Estefan's studio in Miami. The song was translated into Spanish by Paz Martinez and was included as a bonus track on the Latin American editions of Something to Remember.[8][9] "You'll See" premiered on the radio forums of the official Warner Bros. Records' website on October 18, 1995 and was officially released as the album's lead single on October 30, 1995.[10]

Musically "You'll See" is an acoustic pop ballad.[11] It is set in the time signature of common time, having a tempo of 120 beats per minute. The song is played in the key of G Major, with a basic sequence of Em–D–Em as its chord progression during the first verse, while piano and guitar are used to play the background music. The sequence shifts to Em–C–D–G–C–F during the chorus. Madonna's voice spans from G3 to C5.[12] Throughout the chord changes progression to give Madonna's vocals dominance in the song, and after a minute the percussion starts with a tremolo guitar added later. String synths and drums build the track further with the second verse seeing the singer harmonizing with herself.[11] During the recording of the track, the singer used her vocal lessons for Evita; she said "If you listen to those songs, you can hear how I was trying to absorb and utilize what I was learning for the recording [of Evita]."[13] Lyrically the song talks of independence after the end of a love affair stating that Madonna will go onto greater things.[11] When asked if the track was about revenge, the singer replied "No, it's about empowering yourself".[14] However, she also added that "there's another side too which is—'Don't fuck with me, I don't need anybody. I can do what I want', and 'You'll See' reflects that".[15]

Critical reception

Upon release, the song received generally positive feedback. According to Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker, "You'll See" is just one of the "consumer enticements that just add to the allure".[16] J. Randy Taraborrelli, the author of Madonna: An Intimate Biography, called the song, along with "One More Chance", as one of "the most sombre songs [Madonna] has ever recorded."[17] Billboard's Keith Caulfield opined that the track "showcased Madonna's newly-trained vocal abilities, which would prepare audiences for her lead role in the following year's Evita".[18] AllMusic's Jose F. Promis described the song as "an empowered, somewhat melodramatic, Latin-tinged ballad that helped to even further cement Madonna as a constant on adult contemporary radio, which, in turn, further distanced her from her raunchier days earlier in the decade".[19] Promis also praised the Spanish version "Verás"; "[Madonna] sings the Spanish lyrics surprisingly well".[19] Billboard critic Timothy White called it a "bittersweet serenade."[6] In another review from the publication, Larry Flick called it a "deliciously fruitful collaboration with... Foster". Flick further added in his review:

Foster's flair for musical melodrama inspires Madonna to turn in what is easily her most assured and full-bodied vocal performance to date. Amid a swirl of strings and Spanish guitars, she spews the song's declaration of romantic independence with a theatrical verve that perfectly matches the stagey, potentially overpowering tone of Foster's arrangement without flying over the heads of her youthful top 40 following. A stunning effort that could easily become the 'I Will Survive' of this generation.[20]

The Huffington Post ranked the song sixth on their list of "The 13 Most Underrated Madonna Songs"; author Pandora Boxx wrote: "This song takes a sad break-up and empowers it [...] This is truly a hidden gem in the vast Madonna library".[21] Louis Virtel, from TheBacklot.com, placed "You'll See" at number 48 of his list "The 100 Greatest Madonna Songs". He wrote; "Madonna's declaration of independence over beautiful Spanish guitar-playing is organic and inspired".[22] Writing for The Huffington Post, Matthew Jacobs gave the song a more negative review; "it could be credited as a curtsy to Madonna's impending Evita/Ray of Light comeback. Unfortunately, it also sounds like a dull displacement from a compilation of yearning '80s ballads". Nevertheless, he placed "You'll See" at number 69 of his list "The Definitive Ranking Of Madonna Singles".[23] The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored it as the Most Performed Song, in their annual ASCAP Pop Awards for 1997.[24]

Chart performance

"You'll See" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 8 the week of December 9, 1995.[25] It became Madonna's highest debuting single of her career, following "Erotica" (number 13 in 1992) and "Rescue Me" (number 15 in 1990).[26] The single reached a peak position of number six the following week.[27] The track ranked at number 51 on the Billboard year end chart for 1996.[28] It was eventually certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 27, 1996, for shipments of 500,000 copies.[29] The song also reached the top-ten of the Adult Contemporary and Mainstream Top 40 charts. Billboard ranked it at number 28 on their list of "Madonna's 40 Biggest Hits" on the Hot 100.[18] In Canada, the song debuted at number 97 on the RPM Top Singles chart, the week of November 6, 1995.[30] After nine weeks, on January 15, 1996, it peaked at the second position of the chart.[31] "You'll See" also reached number three on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.[32]

In the United Kingdom, the song reached a peak of number 5 on the UK Singles Chart the week of November 4, 1995, and was present on the top 100 for a total of 14 weeks.[33] According to the Official Charts Company, the single has sold over 305,000 physical units as of October 2010, and was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[34][35] In Australia, "You'll See" peaked at number 9 on the ARIA Singles Chart the week of February 18, 1996, staying on this position for two week and a total of eleven weeks on the chart.[36] It also ranked at number 87 on the ARIA year-end charts for 1995, and was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipment of 35,000 copies of the single.[37] In Italy, it reached the fifth position of the FIMI Singles Chart.[38] On the year-end Italian charts, it was ranked at number 21.[39] "You'll See" reached a peak of number 2 in Finland, and also reached a peak of number 13 on the Irish Singles Chart.[40][41] Across Europe, the song reached a peak of number eight on the European Hot 100 Singles chart on January 27, 1995.[42]

Promotion and cover

Susan Boyle included a cover of the song on her debut album I Dreamed a Dream.

The music video for "You'll See" was directed by Michael Haussman, and premiered on November 7, 1995.[43] The video became Madonna's first sequel clip, as it followed the storyline of the singer's previous video for "Take a Bow", the second single from Bedtime Stories.[18] The video for the latter had portrayed the singer being mistreated by her lover, played by Spanish Torero Emilio Muñoz. In the music video for "You'll See", Madonna walks out leaving him behind in despair. Also present are scenes of the singer riding a train and later on a plane, with Muñoz trying to catch up with her.[43] The last frame of the video shows Madonna smiling hopefully for a better life.[44] The video's wardrobe was styled by noted fashion editor and stylist Lori Goldstein, who had previously worked with Madonna on "Take a Bow".[45] Another music video was created for the song's Spanish version, "Verás", which was released only in Latin America. This one intersperses scenes from the original video with footage of Madonna recording the Spanish version of the song.[46] The music video for "You'll See" was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography in 1996.[47] The Spanish version of the video won the MTV Latino award for Best Female Video.[48]

On November 2, 1995, Madonna performed the song on British television program Top of the Pops.[15] Six years later, Madonna performed "You'll See" on some US shows of her Drowned World Tour. In his review of the show at New York City's Madison Square Garden, Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani praised the "French-techno/acoustic revamping of the powerful 'You'll See'".[49] The performance was not included on the tour's live video album release, Drowned World Tour 2001.[50]

Scottish singer Susan Boyle covered the song for her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream (2009).[51] Reportedly, Boyle loved the song for years, and used to sing the ballad at auditions when she was cruelly turned away. At the end of the number Boyle, sometimes "reduced to tears", would assert "You'll see".[52] Reviewing the album for the New York Daily News, Jim Farber felt that Boyle's voice sounded "remote and idealized" on the album, until "You'll See", where the characteristic "anger and vengeance" in her vocals "give her a harder character to chew on".[53] The cover was included on the first episode of Brazilian telenovela Ti Ti Ti (2010).[54] When Boyle started working on the musical I Dreamed a Dream which was based on her life, she had asked Madonna's permission to use the song onstage, but Madonna denied usage of the track.[55]

Track listings

  • US 2-track CD single[56]
  1. "You'll See" (Edit) – 4:15
  2. "You'll See" (Instrumental) – 4:44
  • US 12" vinyl/CD Maxi single[57]
  1. "You'll See" (Edit) – 4:15
  2. "You'll See" (Instrumental) – 4:44
  3. "Verás" – 4:35
  4. "Live to Tell" (Live) – 8:14

  1. "You'll See" (Edit) – 4:15
  2. "Live to Tell" (Live) – 8:14
  3. "You'll See" (Instrumental) – 4:44
  • European CD single[59]
  1. "You'll See" (Edit) – 4:15
  2. "Rain" (LP Version) – 5:28
  3. "You'll See" (Instrumental) – 4:44

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[7]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1995–96) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[36] 9
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[60] 5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[61] 45
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[62] 11
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[31] 2
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[32] 3
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[40] 2
European Hot 100 (Billboard)[42] 8
France (SNEP)[63] 24
Germany (Official German Charts)[64] 15
Ireland (IRMA)[41] 13
Italy (FIMI)[38] 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[65] 15
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[66] 20
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[67] 17
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[68] 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[69] 6
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[70] 8
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[33] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[71] 6
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[72] 5
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[73] 10
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[74]
"Verás (You'll See)"
21
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[75] 7
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[76] 20

Year-end charts

Chart (1995) Position
Australia (ARIA)[37] 87
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[77] 84
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[78] 8
Italian Singles (FIMI)[39] 21
US Billboard Hot 100[28] 51
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[28] 14

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[37] Gold 35,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[34] Silver 305,000[35]
United States (RIAA)[29] Gold 500,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Notes

  1. 1 2 Taraborrelli 2002, p. 251
  2. Taraborrelli 2002, p. 254
  3. 1 2 Taraborrelli 2002, p. 253
  4. Foster 2009, p. 130
  5. Foster 2009, p. 131
  6. 1 2 White, Timothy (September 30, 1995). "'Something' In The Way She Grieves". Billboard 107 (39). ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Something to Remember (Liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records, Warner Bros. Records. 1996. 9 46100-2.
  8. Something to Remember (Liner notes). Madonna. Maverick Records Mexico. 1995. 93625-62042-6.
  9. Foster 2009, p. 132
  10. Levy, Art (October 17, 1995). "Hi! Remember me?". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 Rooksby 2004, p. 86
  12. "Madonna Ciccone – You'll See Sheet Music". Music Notes. Alfred Music Publishing. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  13. Flick, Larry (October 26, 1996). "Radio Embraces Madonna's 'Evita'". Billboard 108 (43). ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  14. Rooksby 2004, p. 87
  15. 1 2 "Sex with Madonna! The Exclusive NME Interview". NME 4 (2). 1995. ISSN 0028-6362.
  16. Tucker, Ken (November 24, 1995). "Something to Remember". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  17. Taraborrelli 2002, p. 271
  18. 1 2 3 Caulfield, Keith (August 16, 2015). "Madonna's 40 Biggest Billboard Hits". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  19. 1 2 Promis, Jose F. (November 6, 1995). "Madonna > You'll See". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  20. Flick, Larry (November 4, 1995). "Reviews & Previews". Billboard 107 (44). ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  21. Boxx, Pandora (January 3, 2015). "The 13 Most Underrated Madonna Songs". The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  22. Virtel, Louis (February 3, 2012). "The 100 Greatest Madonna Songs". TheBacklot.com. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  23. Jacobs, Matthew (March 10, 2015). "The Definitive Ranking Of Madonna Singles". The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  24. "1997 Pop Award Winners". Billboard 109 (22): 9. May 31, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510.
  25. "The Billboard Hot 100: Week of December 9, 1995". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  26. Bronson, Fred (November 16, 1996). "Beatles High Flying; Madonna Adored". Billboard 108 (46): 102. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  27. "The Billboard Hot 100: Week of December 16, 1995". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  28. 1 2 3 "The Year in Music: 1996 Hot 100". Billboard 108 (52). ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  29. 1 2 "American single certifications – Madonna – You'll See". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 15, 2011. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  30. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2801" (PDF). RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  31. 1 2 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2858." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  32. 1 2 "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2834." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  33. 1 2 "Madonna: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  34. 1 2 "British single certifications – Madonna – You'll See". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 15, 2011. Enter You'll See in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
  35. 1 2 "Madonna: The Official Top 40". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2010.
  36. 1 2 "Australian-charts.com – Madonna – You'll See". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  37. 1 2 3 Ryan 2011, p. 174
  38. 1 2 "Madonna: Discografia Italiana" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. 1984–1999. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  39. 1 2 "TI singoli più venduti del 1995" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  40. 1 2 "Madonna: You'll See" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  41. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – You'll See". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  42. 1 2 "Hits of the World". Billboard 108 (4): 71. January 27, 1996. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  43. 1 2 Morton 2002, p. 408
  44. Gargiulo, Alessio (February 21, 2015). "Madonna's Spanish trilogy: from Take a bow to Living for Love". Swide. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  45. Staff (December 13, 2013). "Lori Goldstein: Style is Instinct". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  46. "Madonna Online - Videos" (in Portuguese). MTV Brazil. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  47. "Highlights, Winners, Performers and Photos from the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards". MTV News. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  48. Lannert, John (September 14, 1996). "Latin Notas". Billboard 108 (37): 42. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  49. Cinquemani, Sal (July 26, 2001). "Madonna New York, NY – July 25, 2001". Slant Magazine. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  50. Trust, Gary (October 9, 2001). "Madonna's 'Drowned' Comes To Home Video". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  51. "Susan Boyle's First-Week U.S. Album Sales Projected At 550K+". Billboard. November 29, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  52. Heilbron, Alexandra (September 4, 2009). "Susan Boyle outsells Whitney Houston & The Beatles". Tribute. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  53. Farber, Jim (November 22, 2009). "Sweet tone aside, Susan Boyle's is not the voice of experience". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  54. Ti Ti Ti Internacional (Brazilian CD liner notes). Various. Som Livre. 2010. 1698-2.
  55. Corner, Lewis (March 7, 2012). "Madonna refuses Susan Boyle cover of 'You'll See' for musical". Digital Spy. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  56. You'll See (US 2-track CD single liner notes). Madonna. Warner Bros. 1995. PRO-CD-8040-R.
  57. You'll See (Vinyl/CD Maxi-Single liner notes). Madonna. Warner Bros. 1995. 9362-43654-2.
  58. You'll See (US CD single liner notes). Madonna. Warner Bros. 1995. 5439-17719-2.
  59. You'll See (European CD single liner notes). Madonna. Warner Bros. 1995. 9362-46100-2.
  60. "Austriancharts.at – Madonna – You'll See" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  61. "Ultratop.be – Madonna – You'll See" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  62. "Ultratop.be – Madonna – You'll See" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  63. "Lescharts.com – Madonna – You'll See" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  64. "Musicline.de – Madonna Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  65. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Madonna search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  66. "Dutchcharts.nl – Madonna – You'll See" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  67. "Charts.org.nz – Madonna – You'll See". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  68. "Archive Chart: 1995-11-12". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  69. "Swedishcharts.com – Madonna – You'll See". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  70. "Swisscharts.com – Madonna – You'll See". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  71. "Madonna – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Madonna. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  72. "Madonna – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Madonna. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  73. "Madonna – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Madonna. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  74. "Madonna – Chart history" Billboard Hot Latin Songs for Madonna. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  75. "Madonna – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Madonna. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  76. "Madonna – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Madonna. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  77. "Rapports Annuels 1995" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  78. "Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1996" (PDF). RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 12, 2016.

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, May 05, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.