Madonna’s “Drowned World/Substitute for Love” Lyrics Meaning

Madonna gave birth to her first child, a daughter by the name of Lourdes, in 1996. And the album Drowned World/Substitute for Love” is featured on was the first one she dropped since giving birth. Or viewed from another perspective, the Queen of Pop’s life and worldview had changed significantly since becoming a mother. And that is the reality which “Drowned World/Substitute for Love” is theorized to point to.

First off it’s not abundantly clear what the “Drowned World” part of the title is supposed to represent, as it is not actually mentioned in the lyrics. But the term “substitute for love” is. And apparently, the idea it is meant to allude to is something along the lines of Madonna’s past lifestyle being a “substitute for love”. That is when she was ‘traveling around the world’ partying, banging ‘handsome strangers’ and experimenting with drugs, she perceived such a lifestyle to ultimately lead to a sense of fulfillment. However, such did not prove to be the case. Instead it is apparently motherhood that ultimately provided her with such contentment and indeed proved to ‘answer questions’ she had concerning life in general.

So basically, this song is centered on a sentiment where the singer has ‘changed her mind’ by rejecting her old celebrity modus operandi. Exotic locations and spontaneous events no longer have the same appeal to her, for she has finally found what she was looking for, albeit through an unexpected source.

Facts about “Drowned World/Substitute for Love”

This is the third single from Madonna’s album “Ray of Light”. It was released by Warner Bros. Records and Madonna’s own entertainment company, Maverick, on 24 August 1998.

There are five writers of this song. First is Madonna and the person who originated the tune, William Orbit. He and Madonna are also the producers of the track. Then there is Rod McKuen (1933-2015) and Anita Kerr. They are acknowledged because “Drowned World / Substitute for Love” samples and was inspired by a song named “Why I Follow the Tigers” they dropped back circa 1969. And the final writer is actually an interior designer who was associated with Madonna at the time by the name of David Collins, who made contributions to the track.

The part of the song which samples “Why I Follow the Tigers” features the voice of a late actor and professional narrator by the name of Jesse Pearson (1930-1979).

Madonna named her 2001 Drowned World Tour after this song, and it was the opening number during that event. In fact the Queen of Pop has pointed out that this track is actually the most-important tune on the “Ray of Light” album.

The music video to “Drowned World / Substitute for Love”, which was helmed by director Walter Stern, drew its fair share of criticism. This is because it was based on a storyline of Madonna being hounded by paparazzi, which many felt was actually an allusion to the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997.

“Drowned World / Substitute for Love” charted in 15 countries, including breaking the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. Where it performed best was Spain. There. the song hit number one (Madonna’s seventh track to do so in that country) on the AFYVE chart.