Hard Candy (Madonna album)

Infobox Album
Name = Madonna: Hard Candy
Type = studio
Artist = Madonna


Released = Start date|2008|04|25
(see release history)
Recorded = 2007-2008
Genre = Pop, R&B, electropop, dance pop, urban pop
Length = 56:13 (Standard Edition)
63:28 (Special Edition)

Label = Warner Bros.
Producer = Madonna, The Neptunes, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Danja
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|2|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dxfuxzejldhe link]
* BBC Music [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7336448.stm link]
* "Blender" rating|4|5 [http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8271/blender01qy4.jpglink]
* "Entertainment Weekly" (B+)
* "NME" Rating-10|5 [http://www.nme.com/reviews/madonna/9645 link]
* "The Observer" rating|4|5 [http://music.guardian.co.uk/pop/reviews/story/0,,2273969,00.html link]
* Pitchfork Media (5.3/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/50210-madonna-hard-candy link]
* PopMatters Rating-10|5 [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/reviews/article/59381/madonna-hard-candy/ link]
* "Rolling Stone" rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/20255940/review/20256148/hard_candy link]
* "Slant Magazine" rating|3.5|5 [http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1368 link]
*"USA Today" rating|3.5|4 [http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2008-04-28-madonna-hard-candy_N.htm link]
Last album = "The Confessions Tour"
(2007)
This album = "Hard Candy"
(2008)
Next album =Singles
Name = Hard Candy
Type = studio
single 1 = 4 Minutes
single 1 date = March 17, 2008
single 2 = Give It 2 Me
single 2 date = July 15, 2008
single 3 = Miles Away
single 3 date = October 21, 2008

"Hard Candy" is the eleventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna and was first released on April 25, 2008 cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580782/20080201/jay_z.jhtml | title=Katharine McPhee marries Nick Cokas; Plus Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Amy Winehouse, Madonna, Janet Jackson & more, on for the record | work=MTV | date=2008-02-01 | accessdate=2008-02-03 ] cite web | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/02/15/madonnas-new-album-and-video-exclusive-rolling-stone-preview/ | title=Madonna's new album and video: Exclusive Rolling Stone preview | work=Rolling Stone | last=Ganz|first=Caryn | date=2008-02-15 | accessdate=2008-04-11 ] by Warner Bros. Records. This release is the final studio album under her contract with Warner Bros., her record company for the past 25 years.

Album title

Madonna initially wanted the album to be called "Candy Shop", after an album track, but Warner Bros. disallowed the name, citing it as too close to the song by 50 Cent. She then wanted to call the album "Give It 2 Me", after the second single, but Warner Bros. again disallowed the name, citing it was too close to the song by Timbaland, Give It To Me. In the end, she called the album "Hard Candy", as a "juxtaposition of toughness and sweetness".

Release

"Hard Candy" was released towards the end of April following the full release of its lead single "4 Minutes". April 26 was the official release date in Australia but many retailers chose to sell the album two days prior to this April 24, while a select few European countries saw the album's release on April 25, including Ireland, Germany, Austria and Belgium. On April 28, 2008 [ cite web | url=http://music.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,2255302,00.html | title=10 essential albums for spring | publisher=The Observer | author=Killian Fox | date=2008-02-10 | accessdate=2008-04-11 ] the album was released in the United Kingdom, Brazil and most other European countries, and on April 29, 2008 in the United States, Argentina, Mexico and Canada.

Musical style

The album, overall, has an urban vibe, while remaining a dance-pop record at heart. cite web | url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article24734.ece | title=Madonna taps up Timberlake | work=The Sun | publisher=News International | date=2007-04-11 | accessdate=2007-04-11 ] In the early stages of recording, Stuart Price, the producer of "Confessions on a Dance Floor", described the new album as moving in an urban direction. It had initially been defined as having "a lot of producers from a lot of genres in there.", The Sun proclaiming that "it could be her most ambitious project yet.”

Timbaland, one of the featured producers of the record, referred to the album as being "like 'Holiday' with an R&B groove." [ cite web | url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/3am/2007/04/13/madge-is-mad-for-it-89520-18897798/ | title=Madge is mad for it | work=Daily Mirror | publisher=Trinity Mirror | date=2007-04-13 | accessdate=2007-04-13 ] Justin Timberlake also defined the album as being "an R&B/pop/dance record." Upon release, The New York Times reviewed the album as "a set of catchy, easily digestible, mass-appeal songs." [cite web | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/arts/music/27pare.html?ref=arts | title="Material Woman, Restoring Her Brand" | author=Pareles, Jon | date=2008-04-27 | accessdate=2008-04-28]

The album features vocal appearances from Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Pharrell and Kanye West along with production credits from Timbaland, Timberlake, The Neptunes, and Nate "Danja" Hills as well as co-production from Madonna. Additionally, "Hard Candy" includes a guest appearance of American guitarist and singer-songwriter Wendy Melvoin, best known for her work with Prince, contributing with guitars on the song "She's Not Me", on which she is mentioned.

Promotion

Seven songs from the album were also made available during the week prior to the albums official release, a song a day downloadable via mobile phone. [ cite web | url=http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3575836.ece | title=Madonna to release new album via mobile | publisher=The Times | author=Jonathan Richards | date=2007-03-18 | accessdate=2008-04-11 ] Beginning on April 21 and ending on April 27, these songs were distributed in order as follows: "Candy Shop", "Miles Away", "Give It 2 Me", "Heartbeat", "Beat Goes On", "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" and "She's Not Me". Additionally, "Hard Candy" and the "4 Minutes" music video were pre-loaded onto the Samsung F400 in France. [ cite web | url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i7d6885cb31509ec4173f1437142f2920 | title=Samsung dials up Madonna deal for France | author=Aymeric Pichevin | work=Billboard.biz | publisher=Nielsen Company | date=2008-04-04 | accessdate=2008-07-14 ] A similar deal was made with Sony Ericsson, who offered the album alongside or pre-loaded onto its phones in 27 different countries worldwide. [ cite web | url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i36ba53a2d13a6bd765e61046418fefc4 | title=Madonna's 'Candy' a treat for Sony Ericsson users | author=Lars Brandle | work=Billboard.biz | publisher=Nielsen Company | date=2008-06-05 | accessdate=2008-07-14 ]

"Hard Candy" was also streamed on MySpace four days before the United States release. [ cite web | url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20194994,00.html | title=Madonna releases her new album early | work=People.com | publisher=Time Inc. |date=2008-04-25 | accessdate=2008-04-25 ] Furthermore, The season finale of "Ugly Betty"'s second season, "Jump", solely featured Madonna's music, "Candy Shop", "Spanish Lesson", "She's Not Me" and "Miles Away" all played, as well as the 2006 single "Jump". The Japanese television drama "Change" also featured "Miles Away" during the closing credits.

Hard Candy Promo Tour

To promote the album, Madonna embarked on the Hard Candy Promo Tour, the first venture as part of Madonna's new contract with concert promoters Live Nation with media content provided by "Frank the Plumber LLC" . [cite press release |title=Madonna Live In New York — Official Press Release |publisher=Warner Bros. Records |date=2008-04-29 |url=http://madonna.com/news/news.php?uid=227 |format= |language= |accessdate=2008-08-02 |quote= ] The show consisted of a 40 minute set featuring six songs, with dates in New York City, Paris and Maidstone. During the performance at the Roseland Ballroom in New York, Justin Timberlake accompanied Madonna onstage for the performance of "4 Minutes". Pharrell also appeared on video screens during the performance of "Give It 2 Me". Alongside these and album tracks, "Miles Away" and "Candy Shop", Madonna performed a rock-infused version "Hung Up", featuring a few lines from "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction". "Music", was also remixed using a sample of Fedde Le Grand's "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit".

In an interview with the BBC, Madonna stated: [cite video |people=Madonna (performer), Jo Whiley (host) |date2=01 |month2=May |year2=2008 |title=Jo Whiley meets Madonna Part 1: Madonna talks about her live performance in New York and what people can expect at Radio 1's Big Weekend |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2008/artists/madonna/index.shtml#emp |format= Flash (streaming video)|medium=Interview |publisher=BBC |location=London, England |accessdate=2008-08-03 |time=2:40 |quote=I'm very excited about it... ] cquote|Obviously, I want to do new stuff because I'm very excited about it. I feel that's what people come to hear but I also want to do a few of my oldies but goodies. I chose Hung Up because that was the biggest hit from my last record and I chose Music because it's a crowd pleaser, it's anthemic and it brings people together.

The April 30 New York set was shown live via MSN in association with Control Room and Live Nation. The May 10 Maidstone concert was shown live on BBC Three and later a special program "Madonna Live at Radio One's Big Weekend" was shown on BBC One, both including interview footage with Jo Whiley. Highlights of the show were also shown all that week on BBC Interactive. The Maidstone show caused controversy with Madonna's use of swearing causing complaints to be made to the BBC. [cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23690062-5006024,00.html|title=Madonna shocks Radio 1 crowd with swear words and demands|date=2008-05-13|accessdate=2008-07-29|last=|first=|work=Herald Sun]

*Setlist:
#"Candy Shop"
#"Miles Away"
#"4 Minutes (featuring Justin Timberlake)"
#"Hung Up" (Rock Remix)
#"Give It 2 Me"
#"Music" (Fedde Le Grand Remix)

Further promotion of the album will include the Sticky & Sweet Tour, which started at the end of August 2008 with dates in Europe, North & South America in 2008.

ingles

The lead single, "4 Minutes", was released digitally on March the 18th, 2008 worldwide and was physically released in April 19, 2008. The single features Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. It is currently the most successful release from the album, reaching #1 in twenty-four countries including the United World Chart and becoming one of Madonna's biggest-selling singles.

The second single, "Give It 2 Me", was released to radio on June 4, 2008 in Europe and June 24, 2008 in the United States, where it peaked at #57. It currently has gone #1 in the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, Spain, Bulgaria, Brazil and on the U.S. Dance and Airplay Chart. It is also in the top 5 in seven other countries. The single reached also the top 10 in eight other countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Mexico. It has only had moderate success in Australia reaching #23, while in Japan only in the top 40.

A promotional single of "Miles Away" was released on 17 July 2008 in Japan regions, where the song had increased Airplay and Digital Downloads.

The third single, "Miles Away" is going to be released to US radio on October 13th, but has already been played in many Canadian radio station already. So far there are no plans for the release of a video. Many think the video will include live footage from "Sticky & Sweet Tour" but nothing is officially planned.

Reception

Critical reception

date=2008-04-20 | accessdate=2008-04-29 ]

The album was however still criticized for being "an attempt to harness the urban market", cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7336448.stm | title=Hard Candy | work=BBC Music | publisher=BBC | author=Mark Savage | date=2008-04-08 | accessdate=2008-04-26 ] with Mark Savage, of BBC Music, writing that "Timbaland's tracks are frequently reminiscent of his (superior) work for Nelly Furtado" and later stated that "if a handful of the tracks had been delivered to more producers with a touch more subtlety, "Hard Candy" could have ranked alongside Madonna's best." The Times felt similarly, noting that while "Hard Candy is no disaster, " the album's producers have "already done the same thing with Nelly Furtado, Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani." [ cite web | url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/live_reviews/article3701646.ece | title=Hard Candy | work=The Times | publisher=News International | date=2008-04-08 | accessdate=2008-04-26 ] "The Independent" said that the album reflects "how a once diverse talent has ossified into simply satisfying the sweet tooth of functional dance-pop." [ cite web | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-madonna-hard-candy-warner-brothers-807609.html | title=Hard Candy | work=The Independent | publisher=Independent News & Media | author=Andy Gill | date=2008-04-11 | accessdate=2008-04-26 ] "PopMatters" wrote that the album "is overpopulated with recycled pop that is indistinguishable and artificial, something Madonna’s soothing arpeggiating vocals cannot alleviate". [ cite web | url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/59381/madonna-hard-candy/ | title=Hard Candy | work=PopMatters.com | publisher=PopMatters | author=Thomas Hauser | date=2008-06-10 | accessdate=2008-07-08 ]

Chart performance

The album peaked at number one in twenty-seven countries worldwide, including United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Turkey, Austria, Canada, the United States, Italy, France, Greece, Japan, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Finland, Hungary, Belgium, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Singapore and Slovakia. [cite web|url=http://www.sugarcainentertainment.com/?p=680|title=Madonna's Hard Candy Debuts At #1 Around The World|date=2008-05-11|accessdate=2008-08-02|work=Sugarcain Entertainment]

During its first day of release in the Netherlands, "Hard Candy" sold over 60,000 copies, earning a platinum certification. The album also received a Gold certification on its first day of release, selling over 15,000 copies. [cite web|url=http://media.www.theloquitur.com/media/storage/paper226/news/2008/04/24/AE/hard-Candy.Cracks.The.Charts-3366841.shtml|title='Hard Candy" cracks the charts|date=2008-04-28|accessdate=2008-08-02|last=Michaluk|first=Christina|work=The Loquitur|publisher=mtvU] Furthermore, after only two days of release, Hard Candy debuted at number one on the French albums chart, selling 38.000 copies. It also debuted at number one on the Oricon weekly album chart in Japan, selling about 55,462 copies. [cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/search/result.php?kbn=ja&types=rnk&year=2008&month=5&week=2&submit5.x=19&submit5.y=15|title=検索結果-ORICON STYLE アーティスト/CD検索|accessdate=2008-08-02|work=Oricon]

"Hard Candy" also debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, where Madonna joined a selected group of artists to achieve ten number one albums, behind Elvis Presley, with eleven, and The Beatles, with fifteen. [ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7383141.stm | title=Madonna celebrates chart double | work=BBC News | publisher=BBC | date=2008-05-04 | accessdate=2008-05-07 ] Madonna achieved a similar feat in Australia, where it became her seventh album to reach number one on the ARIA Albums Chart. The album was certified gold in its first week. [cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm|title=Chartifacts — Week Commencing: May 4, 2008|date=2008-05-04|accessdate=2008-05-09|work=ARIA] "4 Minutes" has also remained in the Australian Top Ten for over eleven weeks.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, "Hard Candy" sold 100,000 copies in the United States upon its first day of release. cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003796943 | title=First day sales put Madonna on track for 7th No. 1 | work=Billboard.com | publisher=Nielsen Company | author=Keith Caulfield | date=2008-04-30 | accessdate=2008-05-07 ] It debuted at number one on the "Billboard" 200 with over 280,000 copies sold. "Hard Candy" became her seventh number one album, making her the female artist with the second most number one albums, behind only Barbra Streisand. It was certified Gold on June 4, 2008, a month after its release. cite web|url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=3&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=madonna&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25|title=Gold & Platinum Database –Madonna|date=2008-06-04|accessdate=2008-08-02|work=RIAA.]

In Latin America the album was also well-received, reaching number nineteen on the Mexican Top 100 Albums chart based on three-day sales alone, [cite web|url=http://greaves.tv/amprofon3/Top100.pdf|title=Semana Del 07 al 13 de Julio de 2008|date=2008-13-07|accessdate=2008-08-02|work=Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas] and after three weeks in the chart, the album has peaked at number four. [cite web|url=http://www.mexicancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Hard+Candy&cat=a|title=Madonna–Hard Candy (2008)|accessdate=2008-08-02|work=mexicancharts.com|publisher=eMedia Jungen] . In Argentina, after debuting at number-four based on shipments, it climbed to number one. [cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?CodOp=ESVP|title=Ranking Quincenal de Venta al Público|accessdate=2008-08-02|work=CAPIF — Representando a la Industria Argentina de la Música]

In New Zealand "Hard Candy" debuted and peaked at number five and only managed to stay on the chart for nine weeks. [http://www.madonna-charts.com/hardcandy/hardcandy.htm Hard Candy around the world ] ]

So far, "Hard Candy" has sold approximately 654,000 copies in the United States and over 3 million copies worldwide in just 5 months.

Formats

* CD — containing the 12-track album.
* CD Japanese Edition — 13-track edition including the bonus track "Ring My Bell".
* CD Limited Collectors Edition Candy Box — 14-track edition containing the album, two exclusive "4 Minutes" remixes in a hinged DVD-sized "Candy" box with a 16-page booklet and approximately 35 Starlite Mint candies packaged in clear cello bag. [cite web|url=http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/5345781/Hard-Candy/Product.html|title=Hard Candy (Special Edition w/ Starlite Mints Candy)|accessdate=2008-08-02|work=play.com]
* CD Philippine Edition — Disc available in blue ripple and a rare pink ripple (first pressing only).
* LP Limited Edition — full length 12-track album on two pink & white and blue & white "candy swirled" vinyl discs, plus a DJ Remix 12" (on black vinyl) with two exclusive-to-this set remixes of "4 Minutes" by Tracy Young and Peter Rauhofer, and a bonus CD of the album housed in a plain white cd sleeve, all housed in a three-pocket deluxe gatefold Stoughton jacket. A misprint was released in Europe mainly by the CD retailing store HMV. The misprint consisted of the original album (like the USA release) on 3 vinyl discs, but the main color of the album itself was plain pink and plain blue respectively. This version of the album is highly desired by Madonna collectors everywhere and can range from $70-$100 USD on sites such as Ebay and Amazon.com [cite web|url=http://www.whatrecords.co.uk/items/46192.htm|title=Hard Candy Limited Edition Colured Vinyl 3LP Set + Bonus CD album|accessdate=2008-08-02|work=What Records]
* iTunes Deluxe Pre-order version — 16-track edition containing the album, two "4 Minutes" remixes, bonus track "Ring My Bell", digital booklet and a "Give It 2 Me" remix.
* iTunes Pre-order version — 13-track edition containing the album, digital booklet and bonus track "Ring My Bell".
* Deluxe Digital version — 15-track edition containing the album, two "4 Minutes" remixes, digital booklet and a "Give It 2 Me" remix.
* Digital version — 12-track edition containing the album and digital booklet.
* Vodafone Exclusive — from April 21, 2008, seven tracks from the album were released at a rate of one a day counting down the week before the album was available. Each track remained live for 24 hours for download before being replaced by the next one. [cite web|url=http://www.mad.co.uk/BreakingNews/BreakingNews/Articles/4567f4f41edc4552bbaf18e4d21b30bc/Madonna-to-release-album-on-Vodafone.html|title=Madonna to release album on Vodafone|date=2008-03-18|accessdate=2008-08-02|last=Varley|first=Melinda|work=mad.co.uk|publisher=Centaur Communications Ltd. ]

Track Listing

# "Candy Shop" (P. Williams, Madonna) — 4:15
# "4 Minutes" (featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland) (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills) — 4:03
# "Give It 2 Me" (P. Williams, Madonna) — 4:48
# "Heartbeat" (P. Williams, Madonna) — 4:04
# "Miles Away" (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills) — 4:49
# "She's Not Me" (Guitar work by Wendy Melvoin)(P. Williams, Madonna) — 6:05
# "Incredible" (P. Williams, Madonna) — 6:20
# "Beat Goes On" (featuring Kanye West and Pharrell) (P. Williams, Madonna, K. West) — 4:26
# "Dance 2night" (feat. Justin Timberlake) (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills, H. Lane) — 5:03
# "Spanish Lesson" (P. Williams, Madonna) — 3:40
# "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills, J. Henry) — 5:09
# "Voices" (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills, H. Lane) — 3:39

Bonus tracks

*iTunes Deluxe Pre-order Version, iTunes Pre-order Version & Japanese CD Version:
#

"Ring My Bell" (P. Williams, Madonna) — 3:58

*iTunes Deluxe Pre-order Version, Deluxe Digital Version: [ cite web | url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=276716834&s=143441 | title=iTunes: Hard Candy Deluxe Version) | publisher=iTunes | accessdate=2008-04-23 ]
#

"4 Minutes (Bob Sinclar Space Funk Edit)" — 3:23
# "4 Minutes (Junkie XL Remix Edit)" — 4:38
# "Give It 2 Me (Paul Oakenfold Edit)" — 4:59

*CD Limited Collectors Edition Candy Box:
#

"4 Minutes (Tracy Young House Edit)" — 3:33
# "4 Minutes (Rebirth Remix Edit)" — 3:42

*LP Limited Edition:
#

"4 Minutes (Tracy Mixshow)" — 6:19
# "4 Minutes (Peter Saves New York)" — 10:52

Album credits

Production

*Executive Producer: Madonna
*Tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 and "Ring My Bell": Produced by The Neptunes. Co-produced by Madonna.
*Tracks 2, 5, 11, 12: Produced by Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Danja.
*Track 9: Produced by Timbaland and Justin Timberlake. Co-produced by Hannon Lane. Additional Production by Demacio "Demo" Castellon.
*Track 12: Co-produced by Hannon Lane.
*"4 Minutes (Peter Saves New York Edit)" and "4 Minutes (Peter Saves New York)": Remix by Peter Rauhofer for Unique Productions. Additional Production by Eric Kupper.
*"4 Minutes (Junkie XL Remix Edit)": Produced, MIxed and Mastered by Junkie XL in the Computer Hell Cabin. Additional Sound Design by André Ettema and Sam Estes.
*"Give It 2 Me (Paul Oakenfold Edit)": Remix by Paul Oakenfold. Additional Production by Ian Green.
*"4 Minutes (Tracy Young House Edit)" and "4 Minutes (Tracy Mixshow)": Produced and Remixed by Tracy Young. Additional Production by Joseph Carrano.
*"4 Minutes (Rebirth Remix Edit)": Produced by Demacio "Demo" Castellon. Additional Production and Remixing by Vincent di Pasquale and Larry Grant.

Personnel

*Vocals: Madonna
*Track 2: Vocals by Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland
*Track 8: Rap by Kanye West
*Additional Vocals: Pharrell Williams
*Tracks 5, 9, 11, 12: Background Vocals: Justin Timberlake
*Recorded by Spike Stent, Andrew Coleman and Alex Dromgoole at Sarm Studios, London
*Recording Assistants: Graham Archer and Nate Herwick
*Mixed by Spike Stent and Andrew Coleman at the Record Plant, CA
*Engineered by Anthony Asher
*Tracks 2, 5, 11, 12: Recorded by Marella "Ms. Lago" Araica and Demacio "Demo" Castellon
*Programmed and Mixed by Demacio "Demo" Castellon
*Assistant Engineers: Julian Vasquez, Vadim Chislov, Graham Archer and Fareed Salamah
*SCE Assistants: José and Joseph Castellon
*Track 9: Recorded by Demacio "Demo" Castellon
*Guitars: Justin Timberlake, Dan Warner, Wendy Melvoin, Darrell Pearson and Monte Pittman
*Keyboards: Hannon Lane and Danja
*Drums: Timbaland
*Bass: Darrell Pearson
*Scratching: DJ Remo
*Protools Editing: Ron Taylor
*Strings: Stevie Blacke
*Mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound
*Photography by Steven Klein
*Art Direction by Giovanni Blanco
*Management: Guy Oseary

Certifications, peaks and sales

Release history

References