After much hype, Madonna and Sam Smith released their dance duet “Vulgar” last week.
At just two minutes and 37 seconds, its a tight, fierce banger tailor made for TikTok with a two-note beat and with no real chorus other than when Madge and Smith say the song’s title in unison.
“Time Stood Still” was never released as a single but it still charted at #3 in the Czech Republic.
With the success of Smith and Kim Petras‘ monster hit “Unholy” last year, expectations were high that “Vulgar” would recreate that same chart magic. But the verdict appears to be mixed.
“Vulgar” debuted with 1,377,503 streams on Spotify and currently stands at #10 among the Top Songs Debut Globally for this past weekend. Over on iTunes, the track was #35 in the US on Monday.
— DrownedMadonna.com (@DrownedMadonna) June 12, 2023
While in Smith’s UK homeland, “Vulgar” is going to just miss debuting in the top 40 and is expected to land at #47. It’s still too early to know where it will wind up on the Billboard charts in the United States, but fans did choose it as their favorite new music release of the week over BTS, Niall Horan, Rosalía, and Janelle Monae
Critical reviews have also varied from Billboard calling it a “pulsating dance anthem” to The Guardian labeling it “a tame attempt at manufacturing outrage.”
But if you ask Madonna stans, the “Vulgar” era is here to stay:
#VULGAR predictably flopping this week (so far) because Sam Smith waited too long to drop it after they cancelled the Manchester show when the song was meant to premiere. All interest sadly died instantly. #madonnapic.twitter.com/dcnYojlcWm
While “Vulgar” may not turn out to be the blockbuster song of the summer (Padam!), Madonna is seeing more undeniable success with another collaboration.
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti and Madonna’s joint venture on the track “Popular” is set to debut at #43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-hop song chart.
It’s Madonna’s 58th entry on the Hot 100 and her first since “Bitch I’m Madonna” in 2015. It’s also her highest placement on the chart since “Give Me All Your Luvin'” back in 2012.
Adding to her reign, the Queen of Pop has also now earned a new Hot 100 hit in each of the last five decades (1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s). Bow down!
In addition to “Vulgar” and “Popular,” Madonna also appears on three songs (“Angels Crying In My Bed,” “I Met An Angel” and “Lick The Light Out”) on Christine And The Queens’ new album, Paranoia, Angels, True Love.
So whether you love them or not, there’s definitely a lot of new Madonna music for everyone to argue about. And she’d have it no other way.
Madonna has lived at the peak of stardom for most of her life, but her heart remained grounded in the queer community.
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I love Sam Smith and his music as a rule. But I actively hated Vulgar and turned it off half way through. The lyrics are detestable. The music a bore. There is no Vulgar era and Smith and Mad are not a hit in my book.
Vulgar was literally made out of experiment & fun, Sam & Madonna just wanted to make music for the sake of making a statement towards the bad press both have been receiving unfairly.
Radio isn’t being played and with very weak playlisting, it was never going to be an hit regardless…
Surely they could have created something better if they were aiming for something playful and experimental? Even the royalty-free music on YouTube is of a considerably higher calibre than this low effort mess from so-called mainstream artists.
madonna is trying too hard to stay relevant. just be madonna. it’s literally becoming a train wreck. she has proven herself and should be happy with that. i’m sure her concerts will sell out but at what price ? i wish her nothing but the best but to align herself with just anyone who is remotely popular is something she’s been doing since her war album which almost ruined her career. after this she turned to the dj’s and they have done well for her but remixes of old songs and sampling yourself just seems a bit odd and for gods sake we all know who you are. you don’t need to give us your name in every song
literally this. i used to love madonna in the 90s and early 00s, she was an amazing singer, did some movies i enjoyed like Evita (yeah yeah i know, drag me) and had some great albums she came out with. but now? now it’s like she is terrified that she will slip into irrelevance so she says or does these cringey things to try and still shock people like she used to, but the problem is that it doesn’t land like it used to. i mean doing an interview while you are taking poppers the whole time and going on and on about how much you like them? and then inserting lyrics into songs like “b!tch im madonna”? yeah honey we know who you are, you don’t need to remind us. i don’t think there’s anyone alive who would deny the impact Madonna has had on music and culture, so i don’t understand why she doesn’t seem more secure in that legacy like Cher is. she almost reminds me of Mariah Carey at this point. used to love that girl in the 90s as well but its like she hasn’t gotten the memo that she doesn’t hold the star power that she used to and at this point her ego is larger than her star power.
Madonna: You can do better. Much, MUCH better. Sammie boi: The usual, talentless, boring crapola. You CAN’T do better. Guess it’s just stupid costumes and phat boi wiggle butt from here on out.
I’m not really a fan of Smith (felt they peaked with their debut album), and I’ve never been one for Madonna, but I don’t actually mind this song. There’s a beat to it (when not sampling Unholy) that reminds me of JT’s “Sexyback”.
Musical taste is very subjective but I happen to think this is a fun – but forgettable – song. It is sad that this is what Madonna is putting out these days, in light of her astounding catalogue of timeless, groundbreaking hits. But, she clearly just wants to stay on the scene and be seen, so she’ll connect with anyone who will get her some attention. That happens to be Sam at the moment, in light of his controversial song and performances with Kim Petras.
I love how utterly ridiculous it is, the production is tight AF and Mike Dean keeps serving. No one on this record has a thing to prove or needs another $. I would love a visual for this, but feel we will be left like Renaissance… 🙁
Don’t overthink it — this is a BOP. PERIOD! And F’ all you younger fags who can only listen to one female singer and slam all the others — pathetic! Only time will tell if your ‘queen’ is still dropping bangers over 40 years later into their career — doubtful to say the least!
That language is uncalled for. I don’t care who you are, what you think, and/or whether it’s trying to be reclaimed (like queer was); dropping the F bomb is not cool.
This is such an insipid, pedestrian song. When I first heard about it, I was hoping for some pure fantasy that lived up to the name—something that brought her Erotica era back to mind, with the kind of suggestive lyrics so scandalous that they’ll make your skin peel off.
Like Beyoncé’s Yoncé/Partition with its “he Monica Lewinsky-ed all on my gown” or Janet Jackson’s If with “Your smooth and shiny feels so good against my lips, sugar” or Janelle Monae’s latest, or a dozen others that make you blush without being as explicit (Kylie’s Slow, for instance).
This should’ve been a smart, sex-positive anthem led by the Queen of Pop that either of her past producers, Mirwais or Stuart Price, pushed as hard as it would go. Just saying Vulgar doesn’t make it so, and Madonna lazily uttering “split your banana” might be the cringiest, un-sexiest thing she’s ever said.
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Diplomat
I love Sam Smith and his music as a rule. But I actively hated Vulgar and turned it off half way through. The lyrics are detestable. The music a bore. There is no Vulgar era and Smith and Mad are not a hit in my book.
whatsaywhat
I’m much more more interested in the hot new collaboration between Baby Jane Hudson and Bride of Chuckie (aka Madonna).
GameBoy
Vulgar was literally made out of experiment & fun, Sam & Madonna just wanted to make music for the sake of making a statement towards the bad press both have been receiving unfairly.
Radio isn’t being played and with very weak playlisting, it was never going to be an hit regardless…
monty clift
Surely they could have created something better if they were aiming for something playful and experimental? Even the royalty-free music on YouTube is of a considerably higher calibre than this low effort mess from so-called mainstream artists.
EdWoody
I haven’t even bothered listening. Sam Smith has annoyed me from the start and Madonna has lost her marbles so I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
GameBoy
I’m sure both Sam & Madonna are so devastated with their recent successful tours & careers that Queerty user “EdWoody” doesn’t listen to their music..
Raphael
@GameBoy And I’m sure that, since he doesn’t listen to them, he doesn’t care either way about their feelings.
GameBoy
@Rapheal And? Still irrelevant..
Raphael
@GameBoy Their feelings, or in this case, lack of, towards EdWoody… Yes, they are irrelevant.
Gabby
It’s already a hit. It’s a campy/fun summer song. I love it.
gskorich
madonna is trying too hard to stay relevant. just be madonna. it’s literally becoming a train wreck. she has proven herself and should be happy with that. i’m sure her concerts will sell out but at what price ? i wish her nothing but the best but to align herself with just anyone who is remotely popular is something she’s been doing since her war album which almost ruined her career. after this she turned to the dj’s and they have done well for her but remixes of old songs and sampling yourself just seems a bit odd and for gods sake we all know who you are. you don’t need to give us your name in every song
thisisnotreal
literally this. i used to love madonna in the 90s and early 00s, she was an amazing singer, did some movies i enjoyed like Evita (yeah yeah i know, drag me) and had some great albums she came out with. but now? now it’s like she is terrified that she will slip into irrelevance so she says or does these cringey things to try and still shock people like she used to, but the problem is that it doesn’t land like it used to. i mean doing an interview while you are taking poppers the whole time and going on and on about how much you like them? and then inserting lyrics into songs like “b!tch im madonna”? yeah honey we know who you are, you don’t need to remind us. i don’t think there’s anyone alive who would deny the impact Madonna has had on music and culture, so i don’t understand why she doesn’t seem more secure in that legacy like Cher is. she almost reminds me of Mariah Carey at this point. used to love that girl in the 90s as well but its like she hasn’t gotten the memo that she doesn’t hold the star power that she used to and at this point her ego is larger than her star power.
SoloMcDaniel
It sounds like a song a drag queen would make after finishing 10th on Rupaul’s Drag Race. Or Todrick Hall
[email protected]
I love it love it love-say my fuc*in name!!!!!!
Neoprene
Madonna: You can do better. Much, MUCH better. Sammie boi: The usual, talentless, boring crapola. You CAN’T do better. Guess it’s just stupid costumes and phat boi wiggle butt from here on out.
GameBoy
Talentless with 5 Grammys, Oscar & Golden Globe esc but carry on with the baseless claims.
Louis
I’m not really a fan of Smith (felt they peaked with their debut album), and I’ve never been one for Madonna, but I don’t actually mind this song. There’s a beat to it (when not sampling Unholy) that reminds me of JT’s “Sexyback”.
ScottOnEarth
Musical taste is very subjective but I happen to think this is a fun – but forgettable – song. It is sad that this is what Madonna is putting out these days, in light of her astounding catalogue of timeless, groundbreaking hits. But, she clearly just wants to stay on the scene and be seen, so she’ll connect with anyone who will get her some attention. That happens to be Sam at the moment, in light of his controversial song and performances with Kim Petras.
GlobeTrotter
People are obviously easily impressed.
powersthatbe
I love how utterly ridiculous it is, the production is tight AF and Mike Dean keeps serving. No one on this record has a thing to prove or needs another $. I would love a visual for this, but feel we will be left like Renaissance… 🙁
stanhope
Old dusty queen and fat can’t keep a man queen make a tired song…that’s vulgar.
CBHaynes
sorry you are so unhappy.
CBHaynes
Don’t overthink it — this is a BOP. PERIOD! And F’ all you younger fags who can only listen to one female singer and slam all the others — pathetic! Only time will tell if your ‘queen’ is still dropping bangers over 40 years later into their career — doubtful to say the least!
Louis
That language is uncalled for. I don’t care who you are, what you think, and/or whether it’s trying to be reclaimed (like queer was); dropping the F bomb is not cool.
whatsaywhat
Vulgar from the latin “vulgaris”, meaning: common, general, ordinary; common, usual; simple, plain.
About sums it up. ZZZ
paranoid007
This is such an insipid, pedestrian song. When I first heard about it, I was hoping for some pure fantasy that lived up to the name—something that brought her Erotica era back to mind, with the kind of suggestive lyrics so scandalous that they’ll make your skin peel off.
Like Beyoncé’s Yoncé/Partition with its “he Monica Lewinsky-ed all on my gown” or Janet Jackson’s If with “Your smooth and shiny feels so good against my lips, sugar” or Janelle Monae’s latest, or a dozen others that make you blush without being as explicit (Kylie’s Slow, for instance).
This should’ve been a smart, sex-positive anthem led by the Queen of Pop that either of her past producers, Mirwais or Stuart Price, pushed as hard as it would go. Just saying Vulgar doesn’t make it so, and Madonna lazily uttering “split your banana” might be the cringiest, un-sexiest thing she’s ever said.