I know, I know, PopWatch has already discussed the perplexing lack of airplay for Madonna’s post-”Hung Up” singles from her mighty fine Confessions on a Dancefloor set. And yet, almost a year after the album’s release, Madge is still looking for some chart love with a new video for the album’s fourth single, ”Jump.” (Click here to see it on YouTube.) I am sorry to report it’s a thuddingly literal clip; I mean, can you imagine if the ”Take a Bow” video featured shot after shot of hoodie-clad hipsters taking bows? Or if ”Frozen” had followed dozens of urban dwellers refilling their ice-cube trays? Forget about low concept, we’re talking no concept! For all the money spent capturing footage of impressive rooftop leaps, I wish Madonna had chosen instead to offer us a visually sumptuous slice of storytelling, something along the lines of ”Express Yourself” or ”Bedtime Story.”
That said, at least Madonna’s hung up the leotard and the Valerie Cherish ‘do for a striking blonde bob and a black leather number that reminds us all that her 48-year-old body still looks better than yours (and mine). And as far as ”Jump” goes, it’s got a killer beat, an actual melody (remember those?), and a nice little message about self-empowerment, complete with a tree metaphor. Which, of course, means there’s probably not a radio station in America that’ll play it. Sigh. Too bad girlfriend didn’t swallow her pride and call in a Sacha Baron Cohen cameo, eh?
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When I saw this video it made me happy, happy to know that Madge is too busy to care that her music isn’t being played and too busy to make a great video. She’s been to Russia and Japan, places she either hasn’t toured before or in a long time. With disappointments such as Janet’s 20 Y.O, it’s nice to know that Madge is making gazillions off her latest album – almost 25 Y.O later.
Janet, goes to show that hard work goes a long way, not just magazine covers and boobies.
she’s done it again: ruined a perfectly good song with another one of her lousy videos…
~sigh~
Jump is the best song on the album, but I think any momentum she had after Hung Up is long gone. I would love to hear Jump on the radio, but I’m not holding my breath. Whoever was in charge of choosing which singles to release needs to be fired.
You’re actually feeling sorry for Madonna because she’s not getting enough attention lately? And you expect us to share that in ridiculous emotion?
Good lord, this woman has been the most over-exposed human being on the planet for the past 20 years. And her music has been neither good nor releveant for at least 15 of those years.
Please find a cause worthy of our sympathy to write about — there are plenty out there, and this is not ooe of them.
looove this song… why is she making dissapointing videos? she used to reign supreme in that medium… heres hoping that if she puts out another single she’ll use a good director for the video…
Hey Mr. Slezak why do you have to be such a nerd?! Madonna rocks no matters what she does. I think I finally understand why this magazine has such a bad reputation.
When Madonna says “Jump” I not only ask how high, but also what she wants me to wear, eat, and drink.
http://moviemartin.blogspot.com/2006/10/like-mother-reuters-has-reported-that.html
Having said this I think the video is cool – she did whip it out right after finishing the tour and she has been in this giving back funk (to the dancers, to her fans), ergo the less her in the video. The “Jump” video is no more disappointing than the one for “Get Together” (for which I always envisioned a “Waiting for Tonight”-type vibe, but you know…cooler). She sooo should release the video that Steven Klein made for “Future Lovers” – that video would rule VH-1. I don’t expect to hear “Jump” or anything else of hers on the radio, but I’m confident people will warm up to the “Jump” video. Hopefully for the next album Madonna will not just dazzle us, but give us amazing videos and promotion.
You can say that twice! Entertainment Weekly is the worst magazine on the earth. Remember when they said that Confessions on a Dance Floor runs low in gas? Well I don’t think that I need to say more.
American Radio boycotts anybody who is against Bush, so even though the song is excellent, it won’t be played. Besides, it’s a 4th Single from an album. No worries for Madonna: her tour is the hottest tour, both review wise and money making wise, this year. Her album sold over 11 million copies worldwide. I do agree: I wish she would put some time into making her videos or not make videos at all.
You Madonna fans are so pathetic. This author is complimenting her, just insulting the video. It’s a good song, but lets face it: Madonna doesn’t spend any time on her videos anymore. In terms of US Radio: they are ran by Clear Channel and there have been several reports, even by insiders, that her music is being boycotted. Just ask Bruce Springsteen, Dixie Chicks, and Kanye West (post Gold Digger singles didn’t get played).
Slezak isn’t dissing the song (hello, he clearly lauds it in the second paragraph), just critiquing the video, which, from what I can tell, is completely justifiable. This song rocks, radio sucks, end of story. Btw, Ned, pay attention to what Slezak is saying. He isn’t bemoaning Madonna’s lack of attention, but the lack of attention this particular song is receiving. And Alexander, while I didn’t quite understand the point you were trying to make in regards to EW’s review of the album, why bother to go to ew.com, read popwatch, and post on the message board if EW is the “worst magazine on the planet”?
That video is *ridiculous* — it’s like a parody of a bad video, including the ridiculous outfit Madonna is wearing. I’m all for covering up the ubiquitous boobies on music videos, but sheesh, bring back the leotard! The song isn’t really that great either, frankly. Good, not great. I know I ‘m going to get slammed for that, but it’s true, there’s a lot more interesting dance music out there, like Sexy/Back and Madonna’s own Hung Up.
Not the best video, but LOVE the hair! The Queen of Reinvention.
For someone who has been so in control of their career and so dead-on when it comes to knowing what’s hot or what the next big thing is, it’s so disapointing to see these sub-par videos being produced for such a great album. It’s also unbelievable that someone who produced the most amazing tour ever (Confessions Tour) has made such a mediocre effort in the medium she once ruled. I hope that the next album brings back the high-concept videos that most of us used to watch over and over again. Then again, when you’re off trotting around in one of the poorest parts of Africa and doing good for thousands of people, the last thing on your mind is probably how well received your new video is. As well it should be.
I really think Madonna has went down hill sooooo much. She needs to give it up already and grow up.
I am so over Madonna. Someone please tell her to STOP!
I think both the song and video are really good. I mean if you had two days to film it in between shows after a gruelling tour, it’s actually quite amazing!
She still rules the medium of videos and music (insert joke here about lack of musical taste among American public/radio stations). It’s far better than Sexy Back and all these other so-called “good” videos. As I always say, Madonna’s crap videos are far better than any current artists best video…and ya’ll know it.
Props to Madonna for even taking the time to make this video during her Confessions tour. I beleive she only took 2 days to make this video, and yes it does show in the lack of any magical productions or concepts; but at least she is releasing the 2nd best song off her album. Her album is still doing good overseas and I am sure Warner Brothers asked her if she would supplement the song with quick video so the song can get a little more exposure.
I truely don’t think the song will do well on U.S. charts or get any spins on CHR-rythmic or Adult AC stations, probably because this “should” have been the 2nd single released off her Confessions CD.
Videos do not matter anymore, and why should music companies be eating the costs of high video production values. MTV or VH1 do not play videos anymore unless its a 20 second clip on TRL or 3AM. If anything Madonna and Warner Brothers are business savvy in knowing this and not spending a lot of money on videos.
However, I hope this will change in the next few years and hopefully MTV will take off the terrible pre- 16 year old programming they are playing over and over now..ie: Next, Made, good concept to overexposure Real World, and other kiddie crap. My point being, the next Madonna album, hopefully she and Warner Brothers will step it up a notch and start thinking more about brining back that “Madonna” video medium.
I got bored and stopped watching after a minute. It’s terrible.
Chris: Obviously you haven’t seen any Mariah Scarey videos yet then!
I actually quite like that it’s simple and shows Parkour (the new dance) so well. It’s very well art directed too. Are you ready to Jump?
There’s 1 shot where she grabs her crotch and looks an AWFUL lot like “Bad”-era Michael Jackson. Eek.
But this song is still my favorite on the CD and am glad to be able to get some re-mixes.
Long live the Queen.
Hello Kiddies,
I saw the video and personally, I liked the video for Get Together better than this. Jump is a great song, quite possibly second to Hung Up. I got slammed at a Madonna fan forum for stating that this video was sub par to what she’s known for.
Speaking of great Madonna songs, I L O V E “History”!! Why in the world was this not included on the Confessions album?! Instead, she’s releasing it as a b-side to the “Jump” single – god, she can be such a retard sometimes!
who cares about videos? Everything that can be done has been done when it comes to videos…it seems they are only used as a tool for rappers to show off how much money they make…there was a time that they mattered but that time has passed…sadly, even for madonna
Madonna needs a total repackaging of her image. She needs a very strong comeback just like Mariah Carey. I saw both of their concerts, I felt Mariah has the edge now! The Mariah diva can definitely carry her own! Proud of her. I like Madonna too but she needs to reinvent herself again.
The new video is very urban. It’s a combination of ‘Lucky Star and ‘Ray Of Light’!
It’s just her and the beat.
I think her videos are best when it’s just her and the beat.
It may be simplified, but I like when she just jirates and dances or better yet just jirates and ‘Jump’!
Well done Madonna/Madge/Ester!
Yikes! What a Let Down, Jump is so deserving of a Great Video, at least one with Concept!!! M Looks hot though, but Hey!! How about a Video with a story line, yeah that’s a concept!! Love the Album, **Album to the Year** You read it here. Peace~out, Jake.
This is getting a great receptions from the radio stations that play this song. Mariah has an edge now…oh please.
blah. that’s what I thought when I first saw this. clearly someone ran out of her music video budget. the background set looks like something out of “Miss Saigon.”
just wait to see 10 more years to celebrate JUMP video and post comments like “oooooh how ahead of its time, first star to bring parkour mainstream”. The Queen of Pop was celebrating her Millenium back in 1992 when she released Erotica, and does anyone recall the trashy comments back then! Now the album gets review as being most underrated album of hers. People just do not get Madonna at that instant, they need a good 10 years to digest it! That is why she is ahead of everyone. And that is one she is still reigning the world of music after 24 years of her debut. Just try to count a singer who has hit Number 1 in 40 countries recently??
I can’t believe that you people dare to compare Mariah Carey with your Madonna. Since when Mariah is queen of something!!! Oh Madonna forgive them. and you Slezak you have a Lousy ass!