About this episode

Yasi and Patrik discuss Madonna's evolution from 'Like a Prayer' to 'Bedtime Stories', exploring themes of religion, sex, and controversy in her music.

Yasi is joined by writer and Bandsplain MVP Patrik Sandberg for Part 2 of the Madonna epic. This chapter follows Madonna from 'Like a Prayer' through 'Bedtime Stories' as she alchemizes religion, sex, fashion, and controversy into one of the most fascinating and powerful runs in pop music history. They talk about the history of “Vogue,” the groundbreaking Pepsi commercial, her major leap with 'Erotica,' the much-discussed 'Sex' book, and, of course, the backlash and what it meant for her creativity. Plus: the reinventions, the Cher beef, her acting career, all the incredible music and imagery of this period, and so, so much more. Episode PlaylistListen to the Madonna: Part 2 playlist here. CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Patrik Sandberg @patriksandbergProducer: Rob SundermannEditor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Yasi Salek

Guest: Patrik Sandberg

Topics covered

• Madonna's music career
• pop music history
• religion and sex in music
• controversy in pop culture
• music reinventions
• acting career

Keywords

• Madonna
• Part 2
• music history
• Vogue
• Erotica
• Sex book
• Pepsi commercial
• reinventions
• Cher beef

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Ringer

Books & works: Like a Prayer, Bedtime Stories, Vogue, Erotica, Sex

More episodes of Bandsplain

• Madonna: Part 4 With Caryn Ganz · May 28, 2026 · 3h 46m
• Madonna: Part 3 With Paul Hamann · May 21, 2026 · 4h 2m

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