Hard Candy

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

In February 2007, Timbaland confirmed he was working on the album, noting it would be Madonna's last for Warner Bros. before she joined Live Nation Artists under a 10-year deal covering all future music and brand exploitation. By August 2007, Timbaland revealed to MTV News that he and Justin Timberlake had written ten songs, including "La, La" (inspired by the beat of Bubba Sparxxx's "Ugly") and Pharrell Williams' "Candy Shop." Madonna explained her shift to well-known producers like Timberlake because she loved his record *FutureSex/LoveSounds* and was listening to it obsessively. She wanted to avoid repeating herself, bringing in artists who were already established rather than unknowns. The album was described by MTV as moving in an urban direction with "a lot of producers from a lot of genres," while Timbaland likened the vibe to "'Holiday' with an R&B groove."

In Their Own Story

Recording sessions began with Pharrell Williams, but manager Guy Oseary suggested Justin Timberlake join after hearing about the project. Timberlake was impressed by Madonna's preparation, noting she handed over huge notebooks filled with thoughts, riddles, poems, and feelings to be pieced together like a puzzle. Their first recorded track was "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You," which Madonna had worked on for years; Timberlake felt it compared to her 1998 hit "Frozen" and helped turn the line into a catchy hook. For "Miles Away," Timberlake played a guitar riff, leading to discussions about long-distance relationships—a concept they found too personal yet universal enough to use. Madonna later stated that after recording, everyone in the studio could relate to it. The album spawned three singles: "4 Minutes" (originally titled "4 Minutes to Save the World"), which topped charts in 21 countries and became her 37th Billboard Hot 100 top-ten hit; "Give It 2 Me"; and "Miles Away." Madonna promoted the album by performing in small venues across three cities before embarking on the Sticky & Sweet Tour, which became the highest-grossing concert tour by a female artist at the time.

Reader's Guide

The album features vocals from Timberlake, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, and Kanye West. "Candy Shop," produced by The Neptunes, uses candy as a metaphor for sex. "4 Minutes" incorporates bhangra beats, brass, foghorns, and cowbells, driven by a message of social awareness inspired by Madonna's visit to Africa; it also led her to produce the documentary *I Am Because We Are*. "Give It 2 Me," an anthemic self-manifesto referencing her three-decade career, features West African percussion and backing vocals by Williams. The track "Miles Away" is a melancholy electronic ballad about long-distance relationships, inspired by then-husband Guy Ritchie. "She's Not Me" addresses being emulated by another woman, while "Incredible" shifts from a love song to a plea for return, reflecting feelings of abandonment and desire. The album debuted at number one in 37 countries, becoming the year's eleventh best-selling album with over 4 million copies sold.

Did You Know?

• Madonna initially wanted to portray an alter-ego called the "black Madonna" but scrapped the idea to avoid controversy.
• "4 Minutes" was originally titled "4 Minutes to Save the World" and inspired the documentary *I Am Because We Are*.
• Justin Timberlake noted that Madonna handed him huge notebooks filled with riddles, poems, and feelings which he used like a puzzle.
• The album marked the end of Madonna's 25-year history with Warner Bros. Records before she signed with Live Nation Artists.
• "Miles Away" is an autobiographical ballad inspired by Madonna's relationship with her then-husband Guy Ritchie.