"Paradise (Not
For Me)" was the first track from
"Music" that fans had the
opportunity to hear, as it was also
released internationally in April 2000 on
Mirwais' "Production" album.
The song combines lush strings, a slow
techno beat, and occasional electronic
baubles with Madonna's half-sung,
half-spoken vocals. She even sings a
verse in French. Lyric interpretations
vary, with many assuming that
"Paradise" is directed at her
fans, while others believe that it is
about her mother.
"Paradise" was
used as a centerpiece for Madonna's 2001
Drowned World Tour. She even went so far
as to film a music video for the song,
which was used as a segue point in the
tour while Madonna changed outfits
backstage. The video continues her
fascination with Japanese geisha culture.
The end of the clip has confused some
fans, as it depicts a geisha Madonna
bruised and battered, flailing about as
if being attacked, before ending with a
grim smile of determination. One possible
interpretation is that this is symbolic
of Madonna being beaten up by the press,
only to emerge smiling and emotionally
unscathed.
"Paradise" was
never released as a single in any
country, although shortly after
"Music" was released, Icon
claimed that "Paradise" would
be released as the second single from
Mirwais' "Production" following
on the footsteps of the similarly
geisha-themed video for Mirwais'
"Disco Science." Such plans
never materialized.
Along with "I
Want You," "Paradise" is
Madonna's only song to have a video but
remain unreleased as a single in any
country. Unlike "I Want You,"
which was promoted to VH1 and MTV and
used promotionally for "Something to
Remember," "Paradise" was
not seen anywhere outside of the Drowned
World Tour. Unfortunately, the full video
was not included as an extra on the
Drowned World Tour DVD, so it can now
only be viewed interspersed with live
concert footage from Madonna's Detroit
concert.
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