Ad

Tracklist

Drowned World/Substitute For Love5:09
Swim5:00
Ray Of Light5:21
Candy Perfume Girl4:34
Skin6:22
Nothing Really Matters4:27
Sky Fits Heaven4:48
Shanti/Ashtangi4:29
Frozen6:12
The Power Of Good-Bye4:10
To Have And Not To Hold5:23
Little Star5:18
Mer Girl5:32

Credits (15)

Notes

Seventh studio album. Worldwide street date: 3rd of March, 1998; Japan: 22nd of February, 1998.

Singles:
FrozenRay Of LightDrowned World (Substitute For Love)The Power Of Good-Bye Nothing Really Matters

Special releases:
Little Star

Versions

Filter by
    184 versions
    Image, In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory
    Version DetailsData Quality
    Cover of Demo Assembly As Of 6/4/97, 1997-06-00, CDrDemo Assembly As Of 6/4/97
    CDr, Test Pressing
    Maverick – noneUS1997US1997
    Cover of LP Seq As Of 12/4/97, 1997-12-08, CDrLP Seq As Of 12/4/97
    CDr, Album
    Maverick – noneUS1997US1997
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-02, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – 9362-46847-2, Warner Bros. Records – 9362-46847-2Europe1998Europe1998
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, VinylRay Of Light
    2×LP, Album
    Maverick – 9362-46847-1Europe1998Europe1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album, Limited Edition, Special Edition, Lenticular Digipak
    Maverick – 9 46884-2, Warner Bros. Records – 9362-46884-2UK & Europe1998UK & Europe1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-05-25, VinylRay Of Light
    2×LP, Album, Gatefold
    Maverick – WPJR-2003/2004, Warner Music Japan – WPJR-2003/4Japan1998Japan1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-02-22, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album, Stereo
    Maverick – WPCR-2000, Warner Bros. Records – WPCR-2000, WEA Japan – WPCR-2000
    +1 more label...
    Japan1998Japan1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – 9362468472, Warner Bros. Records – 9362468472Australia1998Australia1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-00-00, CassetteRay Of Light
    Cassette, Album
    Maverick – 9 46847-4, Warner Bros. Records – WM-0077India1998India1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-00, MinidiscRay Of Light
    Minidisc, Album
    Maverick – 9362 46847 8Europe1998Europe1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CassetteRay Of Light
    Cassette, Album
    Maverick – 9362-46847-4, Warner Bros. Records – 9362-46847-4Europe1998Europe1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, VinylRay Of Light
    2×LP, Album, Promo
    Maverick – PRO-A-9378US1998US1998
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-03, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album, WEA Mfg. Commerce
    Maverick – 9 46847-2, Warner Bros. Records – 9 46847-2US1998US1998
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CassetteRay Of Light
    Cassette, Album
    Maverick – 9 46847-4, Maverick – 4-46847US1998US1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-10-25, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue
    Warner Bros. Records – WPCR-2279Japan1998Japan1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-03, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – CDW 46847, Warner Bros. Records – CDW 46847Canada1998Canada1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-00-00, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Warner Music Taiwan – 9362-46847-2, Maverick – 9362-46847-2, Warner Bros. Records – 9362-46847-2, UFO Group – 9362-46847-2
    +2 more labels...
    Taiwan1998Taiwan1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – 936246847-2, Warner Bros. Records – 936246847-2Brazil1998Brazil1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-03, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album, Limited Edition, Special Edition, Lenticular Digipak
    Maverick – 9 46884 2, Warner Bros. Records – 2-46884US1998US1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – CD 498, Warner Bros. Records – 9 46847-2Indonesia1998Indonesia1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, VinylRay Of Light
    LP, Limited Edition, Album, Unofficial Release, Light Green
    Warner Bros. Records (2) – 9362-46847-3UK1998UK1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-03, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, BMG Direct, Wea. Mfg. Olyphant Pressing
    Maverick – 9 46847-2, Warner Bros. Records – 9 46847-2US1998US1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CassetteRay Of Light
    Cassette, Album, Unofficial Release
    Mortal Dreams Production – LC 9362-46847-2, Magik Art Entertainment – LC 9362-46847-2Russia1998Russia1998
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-02-00, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album, Promo, Numbered
    Maverick – PROP370, Warner Bros. Records – 9362-46847-2Europe1998Europe1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-03, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – WBCD 1886, Warner Bros. Records – WBCD 1886South Africa1998South Africa1998
    New Submission
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, VinylRay Of Light
    LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release, Limited Edition
    Maverick (2) – 9362-46847-3, Warner Bros. Records (2) – 9362-46847-3US1998US1998
    New Submission
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, VinylRay Of Light
    LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release, Limited Edition
    Warner Bros. Records (2) – PLP 93626-4688600UK1998UK1998
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CassetteRay Of Light
    Cassette, Album
    Warner Music Taiwan – 9362-46847-4, UFO Group – 9362-46847-4Taiwan1998Taiwan1998
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CassetteRay Of Light
    Cassette, Album
    Maverick – 198 834Chile1998Chile1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – 9 46847-2, Warner Bros. Records – 9 46847-2Argentina1998Argentina1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-03, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album, Club Edition
    Maverick – 348821, Maverick – 9362-46847-2Europe1998Europe1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-03, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – 46847-2, Warner Bros. Records – 46847-2Philippines1998Philippines1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-03, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – 9 46847-2Hong Kong1998Hong Kong1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light = 光芒萬丈, 1998, CDRay Of Light = 光芒萬丈
    CD, Album
    UFO Group – 9362-46847-2, Warner Music Taiwan – 9362-46847-2, Maverick – 9362-46847-2, Warner Bros. Records – 9362-46847-2
    +2 more labels...
    Taiwan1998Taiwan1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-00, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    Maverick – 46847-2, Warner Bros. Records – 46847-2South Korea1998South Korea1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album
    WEA – SCD-420, China Record Shanghai Corporation (CRSC) – SCD-420China1998China1998
    New Submission
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, VinylRay Of Light
    Album, Unofficial Release, LP, Red
    Warner Bros. Records (2) – 9362-46847-3UK1998UK1998
    New Submission
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CassetteRay Of Light
    Cassette, Album, Dolby HX-Pro
    Sonografica – 936246847-4, Maverick – 936246847-4, Warner Bros. Records – 926246847-4
    +1 more label...
    Venezuela1998Venezuela1998
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998, CDRay Of Light
    CD, Album, Club Edition, Cinram Pressing
    Warner Bros. Records – W2 46847, Maverick – W2 46847Canada1998Canada1998
    New Submission
    Cover of Ray Of Light, 1998-03-03, CassetteRay Of Light
    Cassette, Album
    Maverick – 24 68474, Warner Bros. Records – 24 68474Canada1998Canada1998
    Recently Edited

    Recommendations

    Reviews

    • SingleReel's avatar
      SingleReel
      Can confirm... This US promo pressing sounds phenomenal. Fantastic amount of high-end clarity along with deep bass. Doubt any release or pressing can match or surpass this.
      • chevvies's avatar
        chevvies
        Astonishingly good album, ‘To Have And Not To Hold’ and ‘Frozen’ have to be 2 of the greatest songs written. Thanks due to ‘RMlegshaver’ for pointing out that Willem Makkee was involved with this 2003 vinyl pressing, he also did work for ‘Speaker’s Corner Records’.
        • boris72petrov's avatar
          boris72petrov
          What the heck is "To have and not to have". Lewis Caroll supposed to know that.)
          • sk8erbrofeet's avatar
            sk8erbrofeet
            Edited 4 months ago
            Both my copies of this pressing have bad cover art that is over saturated and harsh. I got two copies of the clear vinyl from Record Store Day, and the covers are beautiful. The 2015 pressing also looks much more like the Cd Art when I saw it in the store.

            Anyone else with multiple pressings notice this is over saturated color wise and kinda muddyish? I’m just talking about the front cover. Every other pressing the front cover looks clean and pretty.
            • Hectoravalos's avatar
              Hectoravalos
              Edited 5 months ago
              Buen sonido soy de Chile y en mi pais tiene un precio muy economico 30 dolares , unas de las mejores creaciones de Madonna
              • PokemonBlueVersion's avatar
                The German Madonna - Ray Of Light (081227943356) pressing I think is one of the best next to the original Europe pressing Madonna - Ray Of Light. This is a close 3rd.

                The artwork on this is absolutely horrible though.
                • Hectoravalos's avatar
                  Hectoravalos
                  Edited 5 months ago
                  Tengo la copia Argentina buen sonido, pero tiene algunos pops trataré de comprar la copia alemana tal vez este mejor .Este es un álbum muy bueno uno de los mejores de madonna
                  • anniekez's avatar
                    anniekez
                    listened to this for the first time high on a tram ride home at 11pm ~ epic
                    • renegadeviking's avatar
                      I was never a Madonna fan truthfully. Here and there I heard her music and it was never something I bothered to take seriously given the style. A few songs before Ray of Light I enjoyed like La Isla Bonita and Like a Prayer. Her first album had an appeal too, but I never bought it. Back in 1998, I saw Ray of Light title song on TV and was surprised by how much I liked it given it was Madonna of all people. My usual tastes were into prog rock, electronics and meditative, new age music. Today, I am a huge fan of Bollywood composer AR Rahman's film scores and songs given his eclectic genius.

                      Coming back to Ray of Light, I heard the title song in a store a couple of weeks ago and reminded me of how much I enjoyed it back in 1998. For some reason, which I now regret, I never bought the full album back then. God, what a huge mistake.

                      I go on YouTube and hear the whole album 21 years later and I am floored. I keep listening again and again and the love for the music keeps growing and growing. It is one of the most beautifully produced and musically satisfying pop albums I have ever heard. No fillers here for me. Every track is rich in sound and melody with the genius of electronic producer William Orbit making all the difference in the world for me. The sound designs that he and Madonna created are simply out of the world and do not sound outdated today in 2019. An album way ahead of its time back in 1998, these songs have literally captured me. My favorites are tracks 9-13, the final 5 of Frozen, Power of Goodbye, To Have not To Hold, Little Star and Mer Girl. Incredible soul, melody, flow and sound production.

                      The lyrics are very personal, thoughtful and eloquent throughout, sharing a deep understanding of Madonna's personal transformation and new maturity after her daughter was born. There is so much she wants to say in this album and boy does she ever. The music amplifies her messages so powerfully. A couple of tracks like Candy Perfume Girl and Skin have the usual sultry lyrics, but even with those, the music is phenomenal. Guitar work throughout is very crafty and edgy with the electronics. Rhythm tracks are bold and very creatively put together creating a lot of dance friendly tracks in addition to the melody and soul. This album really scores high in all areas of sound, composition, arrangements, melody, rhythm and lyrics. Hardly any weaknesses. To me, it is a masterpiece. This is a must for audiophiles and a must to hear on good headphones. Simply brilliant.

                      What makes this album even more special are the Indian, Middle Eastern influences throughout the tracks, especially in songs Swim, Skin, Shanti, Frozen, To Have Not To Hold. Being from India and big into the Indian music scene, this album hit home in such a beautiful way that was not obvious or too upfront. The meditative elements of Orbit's electronic programming gives such a beautiful Eastern flavor as well.

                      Ray of Light is now an all time favorite and I never would have thought Madonna of all artists would be part of my all time favorites.

                      Such an epic and beautiful album is very rare these days especially. I am going to savor this one for life. Thank you Madonna! Thank you William Orbit! Thank you to the entire team of Ray of Light. I am infinitely grateful.
                      • sk8erbrofeet's avatar
                        sk8erbrofeet
                        Be careful people, there are bootlegs of this particular pressing floating around. No I’m not crazy. Ive had multiple copies of this over the years, selling and rebuying it in my 20s. Bought a “sealed” copy from actual Germany and you can tell its fake upon listening.

                        Master Release

                        For Sale on Discogs

                        Sell a copy

                        Statistics

                        • Avg Rating:4.38 / 5
                        • Ratings:4182
                        Ad

                        Videos (13)

                        Edit
                        Ad
                        Ad