Drowned World / Substitute For Love
Madonna · Ray Of Light
I traded fame for love
Without a second thought
It all became a silly a game
Some things cannot be bought
I got exactly what I asked for
Wanted it so badly
Running, rushing back for more
I suffered fools so gladly
And now I find
I've changed my mind
[Chorus:]
The face of you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Should I wait for you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
I traveled round the world
Looking for a home
I found myself in crowded rooms
Feeling so alone
I had so many lovers
Who settled for the thrill
Of basking in my spotlight
I never felt so happy
[chorus]
Mmmmm, ooohhh, mmmmm
Famous faces, far off places
Trinkets I can buy
No handsome stranger, heady danger
Drug that I can try
No ferris wheel, no heart to steal
No laughter in the dark
No one-night stand, no far-off land
No fire that I can spark
Mmmmm, mmmmm
[chorus]
Now I find I've changed my mind
This is my religion
Without a second thought
It all became a silly a game
Some things cannot be bought
I got exactly what I asked for
Wanted it so badly
Running, rushing back for more
I suffered fools so gladly
And now I find
I've changed my mind
[Chorus:]
The face of you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Should I wait for you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
I traveled round the world
Looking for a home
I found myself in crowded rooms
Feeling so alone
I had so many lovers
Who settled for the thrill
Of basking in my spotlight
I never felt so happy
[chorus]
Mmmmm, ooohhh, mmmmm
Famous faces, far off places
Trinkets I can buy
No handsome stranger, heady danger
Drug that I can try
No ferris wheel, no heart to steal
No laughter in the dark
No one-night stand, no far-off land
No fire that I can spark
Mmmmm, mmmmm
[chorus]
Now I find I've changed my mind
This is my religion
Drowned World / Substitute For Love
Madonna's 'Drowned World / Substitute For Love' serves as the closing track on her 1998 electronic masterpiece, Ray Of Light. This dual-title track blends ambient textures with dance rhythms, reflecting the album's exploration of spiritual and technological themes. As a signature element of her late-90s work, the recording exemplifies her transition into electronic and ambient genres, utilizing synthesizers and atmospheric production to create a meditative yet rhythmic soundscape. The song complements the album's broader narrative, offering a reflective conclusion that resonates with fans of her experimental period while establishing her as a pioneer in integrating electronic music into pop culture.