The single is amazing, to put it bluntly the collaboration between Madonna and William Orbit (who does 2 mixes of the title track) are ahead of their time! This is RAY OF LIGHT at it's birth! Witness the incredible electronica feel of both of Orbit's mixes and hear how they reinvigerate this already classic Madonna song. This single also includes a great live version of the incredible "Why's It So Hard" from the fantastic Erotica album!

This CD doesn't really compare to Madonna's other maxi-singles. There are only four tracks. The first is the album version of the title-track. The second is a trippy remix by William Orbit, which, at first I really disliked, but give it a chance and it may grow on you (I love it now). The third song is a live version of "Why's It So Hard?" from The Girlie Show. This song isn't very good anyways, and the live version doesn't do much (although you do hear some humorous moaning in the beginning). The last track is another Orbit mix of "I'll Remember." It's *very* similar to the original version and you need to have a keen ear to hear the differences.

Madonna took a break from the music scene halfway through 1993, but she returned in April 1994 with the single I'll Remember. The song peaked at No.7 in the UK and spent 8 weeks on the chart. For a sort of comeback single, this wasn't a very good chart position, but it peaked at No.2 in the US for four weeks which is a lot better. The public still seemed to dislike Madonna at this stage in her career. She had not fully closed the book on her erotic sex phase.

I'll Remember opens with a jittery beat that sounds as if it's bouncing off something. Madonna sighs a bit, before she sings her first verse, "Say goodbye, not knowing when the truth in my whole life began. Say goodbye, and not knowing how to cry you taught me that." It's a short verse, and then Madonna just goes on to sing the simplistic chorus, "And I'll remember the strength that you gave me, now that I'm standing on my own. I'll remember, the way that you saved me. I'll remember." Madonna then goes on to sing her second verse, "Inside, I was a child that could not mend a broken wing. Outside, I looked for a way to teach my heart to sing." Yet again, another simplistic verse, followed by the chorus once more which is altered slightly by Madonna singing "Changed" instead of "Saved" towards the end. Madonna then goes onto sing my personal favourite part of the song, "I learned, to let go of the illusion that we can possess. I learned to let go. I travel in stillness. And I'll remember...happiness." Madonna then sings the chorus a few more times and the song fades out as the backing singers take over. Perhaps one of Madonna's most lyrically simplistic songs, yet such a wonderful ballad that proved to be a big hit.

The video to I'll Remember is rather poor. The song was the theme to the film With Honors, so we have many clips of the film and scenes of Madonna singing this song in a studio. She has yet another totally different look - her hair, her lips, her eyes. It's totally unique to anything we have seen on the Queen of Pop before. All in all, I'll Remember is a fantastic Madonna song and one of her best ballads.

"I'll Remember" was released at a crucial time in Madonna's career. Her first 28 singles made the U.S. Top 20 (26 went Top 10). However, in 1993 for the first time in her career, she experienced back-to-back songs ("Bad Girl" and "Rain") that failed to crack the Top 10. In addition, her CD "Erotica" had under-performed and her "Sex" book had caused a backlash. For the first time, Madonna's career was fading. Given the context, she was in need of a hit single, and "I'll Remembered" admittedly delivered. Recorded for the flop movie "With Honors" (starring Joe Pesci and Brendan Fraser), "I'll Remember" charged into the Top 10, peaking at #2 for 4 weeks.

The song is a smooth, somewhat bland ballad. I've been a fan of Madonna from the beginning of her career, but I have to admit that I don't like "I'll Remember." In fact, aside from "Bad Girl," I think it's her weakest single ever. The maxi-CD includes the original version as well as two remixes by William Orbit, marking one of her first collaborations with him). The best version is the Guerilla Beach Mix which adds some much-needed texture to the song. The Orbit Remix, though, deviates little from the original.

Finally, a live version of "Why's It So Hard" from the "Erotica" CD is included (the CD incorrectly calls the song "Why It's So Hard"). Even though Madonna's vocals on the song are pretty good, a live song tacked onto a maxi-CD just doesn't do much for me, as the most enjoyable aspects of her shows are the dancing and visuals. Overall, this maxi-CD is dull, and definitely below par for Madonna. Not recommended except for Madonna completists.

Great mixes. Also, great photography work.

My best song in this album was "Rain". I love the song in general, and also what she says in the background of this song. (You have to listen very carefully). Yes, suspense !

I also love the phrase in this song of: "I'm going to stand up here in this mountain top, till I feel your rain".