Express Yourself

The second single from Madonna's multi-platinum selling album Like a Prayer became Express Yourself in pop/dance genre. Being written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray, the single was released as in May, 1989.

Express Yourself differs from all other Madonna’s songs. The single has a clear sense – the message for women never "go for second-best" and to put their love "to the test". This is Madonna’s anthem of female empowerment.

Before the music video for Express Yourself release a great amount of attention was attracted to it in the media. The clip directed by David Fincher was shot in April 1989 at Culver Studios. Madonna was shown as an icon of feminine. Dressed in a man's suit, she is featured protected and isolated by her surroundings and "chained" to her desires. The plot is going in such a way that Madonna’s heroine meets a young worker. Heroes can't suppress their feelings and give rein to their passions. They are kissing and fall to the floor in an embrace. The video ends with a quotation from the film: "Without the heart, there can be no understanding between the hand and the mind". The clip topped on Slant Magazine's "100 Greatest Music Videos", ranked #10 on Rolling Stone magazine's "The 100 Top Music Videos" and on MTV's "100 Greatest Videos Ever Made".

Express Yourself reached top positions in different charts around the world. It topped Italy and Switzerland, got good positions in Australia, Austria, China, the United Kingdom and many others. In Japan and US single reached high positions, and in Europe it became number one and kept those position for three weeks. In France it was released only as maxi-single as Madonna’s previous single Like A Prayer was still very successful there. However French radios decided to play the song it was not eligible to chart in the French Top 50. USA certified the single Express Yourself Gold. In the United Kingdom it got Silver certification.

Express Yourself was remixed several times. Q-Sound Mix was included in The Immaculate Collection Mix, in 1990 Pettibone did another remix the Shep's Spressin' Himself Remix. Those and others mixes were recorded. The extended mixes from this single also appeared on Remixed Prayers.

Madonna opened her Blond Ambition Tour in 1990 with the Non-Stop Express remix of Express Yourself.

Later Kelly Clarkson used the song Express Yourself for her audition.