Inside The Groove - Madonna’s Music

Edward Russell

The story behind Madonna’s most famous songs

Each episode focuses on a particular track or era and discusses the creative process and how the song was received.

With reference to the videos and live performances, the episode often plays snippets from the song’s multitrack session.

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112 episodes
Updated July 5

Episodes112

Newest first

Feb 15, 2021 · 24 min
Deep Dive - Deeper and Deeper (part1)
One of Madonna's most loved songs, from its origin on a cassette played to Madonna in Chicago, through to being a high;ight of the Erotica album. This episode discusses everything from Castanets to Plagiarism, via a record shop in Paris.
Feb 5, 2021 · 21 min
Interview - Donna De Lory (part 2)
Starting with Donna's stories of recording the Erotica album in New York, 1992, through to the Girlie Show and beyond - right up until the Madame X era, Donna takes us on her own personal Madonna journey.
Jan 30, 2021 · 36 min
Interview - Donna De Lory (part 1)
An exclusive interview with Madonna's background singer and dancer, Donna Delory. This part explores the era from the Who's That Girl tour to Blond Ambition and Donna's first solo LP.
Jan 23, 2021 · 21 min
Guest Episode - Deee-Lite 'Groove Is In The Heart'
There's no new Madonna episode this week. In its absence, here's an episode from our other podcast, Inside The Hits.
Jan 23, 2021 · 22 min
Guest Episode - Pet Shop Boys 'It's A Sin'
There's no new Madonna episode this week. In its absence, here's an episode from our other podcast, Inside The Hits.
Jan 16, 2021 · 27 min
Deep Dive - Madonna Against The Music
Since her career began, Madonna has contributed her distinctive vocals to other people's songs and even given away some of her unreleased gems, earning big hits by proxy. With features on hits by Brtiney Speaks, Dua Lipa and Ricky Martin not to mention having the likes of Kylie Minogue, Gary Barlow and Nick Kamen take care of her cast-offs, this episode explores 20 such songs.
Jan 9, 2021 · 21 min
Deep Dive - Bitch I'm Madonna
Love it or hate it - 'Bitch I'm Madonna' was the third single from Madonna's 'Rebel Heart' album in 2015. Hear how it was developed, along with the original demo before Scottish artist Sophie added her own touches to it. There's also discussion about other tracks from the album which changed drastically over time.
Jan 3, 2021 · 20 min
Deep Dive - Keep It Together
Released as a single in 1990 and performed as the closing song for Madonna's Blond Ambition tour, it's the single-that-never-was for many territories where it was held back in favour of Vogue. Nonetheless, Keep it Together is one of the highlights from the Like A Prayer album and now we learn more about its recording and hear those individual instruments clearer than ever before.
Jan 2, 2021 · 21 min
Deep Dive - Cherish
The third single from Madonna's Like A Prayer album had its origins in Madonna's Broadway dressing room. But it was the second song she'd written with the title Cherish. Find out about that unreleased track, hear the demo for Cherish and discover new and interesting facts about the song and its video.
Dec 18, 2020 · 17 min
Christmas Special - Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
The story of how Madonna recorded a cover of an album track by Swedish band ABBA but never release it. Hear the various demos and other tracks that were abandoned during the follow-up to Ray of Light. Also, hear the story of the recording of the ABBA original in 1981 - including the various demos.
Nov 29, 2020 · 3 min
Deep Dive - Keep it Together (teaser)
(The full version of this episode is available to patrons only). Released as a single in 1990 and performed as the closing song for Madonna's Blond Ambition tour, it's the single-that-never-was for many territories where it was held back in favour of Vogue. None the less, Keep it Together is one of the highlights from the Like A Prayer album and now we learn more about its recording and hear those individual instruments clearer than every before.
Nov 15, 2020 · 2 min
Promo: Series 2
Get a sneak peak of some of the songs and subject to be covered in 2021.
Nov 14, 2020 · 29 min
Something To Remember -Bright Light Bright Light
Singer Rod Thomas aka Bright Light Bright Light talks through his Madonna memories and also discusses working with Madonna's backup singers, Donna Delory and Nicki Harris.
Nov 13, 2020 · 23 min
Something To Remember - Gareth Jones
Excuse the sentimentality - here's an interview with my husband, about his favourite Madonna songs... and also a chance for me to answer the Something To Remember questions.
Nov 6, 2020 · 30 min
Something To Remember - Justin Myers
Justin has written for GQ, Guardian, Empire - many publications - about Madonna and the first of his two novels, 'The Last Romeo', has quite an imaginary new dating app..
Oct 29, 2020 · 37 min
Something To Remember - Matt Cain
Matt Cain, author of The Madonna of Bolton discusses the Madonna songs that have soundtracked his life.
Oct 24, 2020 · 21 min
Deep Dive - Celebration
Madonna's 2009 track recorded with Paul Oakenfold is a great song which references some ideas from her previous hits and was the lead from her greatest hits compilation of that year. Hear about its creation along with some elements left out of the final mix.
Oct 24, 2020 · 6 min
Bonus Beats - Vogue - the samples
Madonna's classic track lifts inspiration and samples from other songs. Here's a refresher, but we've also identified a key loop that's used throughout the song - revealed for the first time.
Oct 16, 2020 · 38 min
Interview: Inside the MLVC Groove
When two podcasts meet! We try and find out Madonna's most underrated song.
Oct 11, 2020 · 24 min
Deep Dive: American Life
One of Madonna's most experimental recordings and the title track to her ninth studio album, the song is memorable for its rap which was largely unliked by non Madonna fans, yet the song is adored by her closest followers. This episode tries to work out why the song wasn't quite so loved by all.

Inside The Groove - Madonna’s Music

Deep Dive - Deeper and Deeper (part1)

Interview - Donna De Lory (part 2)

Interview - Donna De Lory (part 1)

Guest Episode - Deee-Lite 'Groove Is In The Heart'

Guest Episode - Pet Shop Boys 'It's A Sin'

Deep Dive - Madonna Against The Music

Deep Dive - Bitch I'm Madonna

Deep Dive - Keep It Together

Deep Dive - Cherish

Christmas Special - Like An Angel Passing Through My Room

Deep Dive - Keep it Together (teaser)

Promo: Series 2

Something To Remember -Bright Light Bright Light

Something To Remember - Gareth Jones

Something To Remember - Justin Myers

Something To Remember - Matt Cain

Deep Dive - Celebration

Bonus Beats - Vogue - the samples

Interview: Inside the MLVC Groove

Deep Dive: American Life