Best Madonna single

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Sort of the ultimate typical singles act, I guess, so let's vote for her singles then.

I am using everyhit.com as a reference here, and there may be American singles that I'm not aware of (sadly there is no similar source for the Billboard lists) but I think her singles output has been mostly the same in the UK and US (other than Dear Jessie/Oh Father having different a-sides), so there shouldn't be too many singles lacking here

Poll Results

Option	Votes
Into The Groove	14
Like a Prayer	12
Borderline	8
Vogue	6
Beautiful Stranger	5
Material Girl	4
Lucky Star	4
Deeper And Deeper	3
Take a Box	3
La Isla Bonita	2
Secret	2
Cherish	2
Justify My Love	2
Live To Tell	2
What It Feels Like For a Girl	2
Music	2
Don't Tell Me	2
Frozen	1
Hung Up	1
This Used To Be My Playground	1
Erotica	1
Bedtime Story	1
Drowned World (Substitute For Love)	1
Ray Of Light	1
Human Nature	1
Don't Cry For Me Argentina	1
Another Suitcase In Another Hall	1
Hanky Panky	1
Open Your Heart	1
Crazy For You	1
Like a Virgin	1
Dress You Up	1
Holiday	1
Express Yourself	1
Dear Jessie	1
Love Profusion	0
Gambler	0
The Power Of Goodbye	0
Nothing Really Matters	0
Angel	0
American Pie	0
Get Together	0
Worry	0
American Life	0
Hollywood	0
Die Another Day	0
Papa Don't Preach	0
Rescue Me	0
Oh Father	0
Bad Girl	0
Fever	0
Rain	0
I'll Remember	0
The Look Of Love	0
Causing a Commotion	0
Keep It Together	0
Who's That Girl	0
You'll See	0
One More Chance	0
You Must Love Me	0
Everybody	0
True Blue	0
Jump	0

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 08:53 (eighteen years ago)

"Take A Box"????????

Since when did Madonna become a gameshow host?

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:03 (eighteen years ago)

Hmmm. Hopefully those who want to vote for "Take a Bow" will not be disctracted by that. :)

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:07 (eighteen years ago)

just look at that list.

just! look! at! it! there is no greater.

i voted 'deeper and deeper'; i can never decide between that and 'into the groove', which seems more "important", to encapsulate madonna (and the entirety of pop) better, but 'deeper and deeper' is the more personally resonant.

― lex pretend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:08 (eighteen years ago)

i just went through that to count all the ones i'd unhesitatingly give 10/10 to if i was reviewing them - fully THIRTY-ONE perfect-in-every-way singles! who else can boast that?

― lex pretend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:11 (eighteen years ago)

and that was when being harsh on 'la isla bonita' and 'holiday'...

― lex pretend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:11 (eighteen years ago)

I'd maybe give 10/10 to one of them, i.e. "Take A Bow" which has always been my favourite because that's the one moment where Madonna lets the mask slip. Several 8s and 9s but quite a lot of ballast, especially in the latter half, and in at least one case, a zero.

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:14 (eighteen years ago)

I did a similar poll on LJ Geir and everyhit.com does miss out a few US singles I think (like the AMAZING "Burning Up", tho maybe that wasn't a single anywhere.)

Today I voted "Borderline".

― Groke, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:14 (eighteen years ago)

The Steve Winwood synth puts me off that one a little.

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:15 (eighteen years ago)

I voted for "Frozen", although I've only heard probably a third of these songs. I may be under the sway of the video, though.

Don't piss yourself, Lex. (xposts)

― The Reverend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:17 (eighteen years ago)

I'm pretty sure "Burning Up" wasn't a single.

Btw. my vote for "Dear Jessie". Wonderfully twee, and sounds like nothing else she has ever released. :)

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:17 (eighteen years ago)

Wikipedia seems fairly reliable on international singles BTW.

re. Borderline: it's one of her sweetest bubblegum tunes I think, still got the rawness in the voice, not as cutesy as "Holiday" or as rapacious/knowing as "Material Girl". Another day I'd have picked something different.

― Groke, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:18 (eighteen years ago)

"Take A Bow" is quite excellent. (90's Madonna > other crap)

"Dear Jessie", too.

― The Reverend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:19 (eighteen years ago)

She sounds really awful on "Borderline".

― The Reverend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:20 (eighteen years ago)

nb: "Burning Up" was a UK single in '83, but not a hit.

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:20 (eighteen years ago)

My bet = that'll be more singles than votes that will get cast.

― Mark G, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:21 (eighteen years ago)

the bad thing about both the lj poll and this one is that both then and now just seeing all of those singles there made me go a bit wibbly (in the office!) and desperate to hear them all, and i don't have any madonna on me!

the last three 10s - 'jump', 'hung up', 'die another day'...my least favourite madonna single is probably 'one more chance' which i still quite like.

haha that 'worry' on the poll' would be 'sorry' then...

I'd maybe give 10/10 to one of them, i.e. "Take A Bow" which has always been my favourite because that's the one moment where Madonna lets the mask slip

surprised at your choice (though i agree that it's an amazing song) - it's all about ending the masquerade etc but madonna herself is poised and mannered in her heartbreak, it's all about the importance of dignity in the face of sadness which kind of requires a mask of a different sort. 'bad girl' is the one i'd say the mask slips for, though it's not so much letting it slip as deliberately taking it off. madonna's always been about the emotional impact of having to keep the mask on though, in her ballads - her most free moments are obv when she's dancing. hence importance of 'into the groove'.

― lex pretend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:21 (eighteen years ago)

Love Profusion
Worry
Get Together

I don't remember any of these!

― Mark G, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:22 (eighteen years ago)

I love her early voice - so hungry! Full of character!

― Groke, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:23 (eighteen years ago)

My bet = that'll be more singles than votes that will get cast.

Sure. And it seems the votes are all over the place too, so it is possible the results will not make much sense.

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:23 (eighteen years ago)

I don't remember any of these!

The "American Life" was generally considered a failure. No surprise most of the singles from it bombed.

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:24 (eighteen years ago)

for ref, the poptimists poll: http://community.livejournal.com/poptimists/145946.html

― lex pretend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:26 (eighteen years ago)

Sure. And it seems the votes are all over the place too, so it is possible the results will not make much sense.

No, I'm fairly sure there will be a bunch with a lot of votes, a few with one or two, and a vast swaythe without any.

(Oh, and I reckons the one I picked will have total=1)

― Mark G, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:28 (eighteen years ago)

Voting for the worst would be more fun, I think - aka Dear Jessie vs American Pie FITE.

― Matt DC, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:33 (eighteen years ago)

i love 'dear jessie' and i like 'american pie', shut up HATER.

i still get mildly obsessed with random madonna songs every few weeks or so - last week it was 'open your heart' which just makes you want to stride out of your house with absolute certainty over how good you look and with complete determination to get what you want.

― lex pretend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:35 (eighteen years ago)

normally i would have voted for holiday or borderline, but ive gone for la isla bonita today, im in a real 86-87 mood at the moment

― 600, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:43 (eighteen years ago)

Borderline = teh genuis

― SeekAltRoute, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:44 (eighteen years ago)

It is utterly beyond my comprehension how anyone could love Dear Jessie.

― Matt DC, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:48 (eighteen years ago)

All I have to say about "American Pie" is that Madonna and Rupert gave the song the treatment it thoroughly deserved.

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:48 (eighteen years ago)

I'm not a big fan, but I'm glad people are voting for "Tick A Box", which I've always thought sounded quite heartfelt and genuine compared to some of her other stuff.

― the next grozart, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:53 (eighteen years ago)

As for worst Madonna single, personally I'd go for "Justify My Love" but I'm pretty sure one of the "Evita" singles would have woon.

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:53 (eighteen years ago)

Runners up - Dear Jessie, Cherish and Vogue.

― the next grozart, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:54 (eighteen years ago)

Voting purely with my heart, it has to be "Cherish", by a small but significant whisker.

― mike t-diva, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 09:59 (eighteen years ago)

keep it together was a single??

― pisces, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 11:06 (eighteen years ago)

It is utterly beyond my comprehension how anyone could love Dear Jessie.

it's a holiday inside the love parade, you bastard.

― blueski, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 11:11 (eighteen years ago)

I totally agree with Lex, if you count singles only, Madonna must be the greatest recording artist of last 25 years. Can't think of anyone who'd come close.

― Tuomas, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 11:18 (eighteen years ago)

i still get mildly obsessed with random madonna songs every few weeks or so - last week it was 'open your heart' which just makes you want to stride out of your house with absolute certainty over how good you look and with complete determination to get what you want.

best double whammy to listen to pre-date - beyoncé's 'upgrade u', then this

― lex pretend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 11:23 (eighteen years ago)

In fact it's hard to think of any artist from the last 100 years who'd have a better row of singles - Duke Ellington maybe? So all this folks who say Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath are better than Madonna can stick to their opinion, but I'd say few other artists have brought so much musical delight into the world for such a long period.

― Tuomas, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 11:24 (eighteen years ago)

Those Caruso cylinders set the bar high.

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 12:20 (eighteen years ago)

dj deeon had a pretty great run of singles too dont forget

http://www.discogs.com/artist/DJ+Deeon

― 600, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 12:22 (eighteen years ago)

In fact it's hard to think of any artist from the last 100 years who'd have a better row of singles

The Beatles obv.

Although admittedly they didn't keep going for more than 20 years, still at the top of their game.

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 12:31 (eighteen years ago)

In fact it's hard to think of any artist from the last 100 years who'd have a better row of singles

Bing Crosby's 300+ Top 30 and 40-odd #1 hits come to mind. I'd take Der Bingle over Madonna every time.

― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 13:06 (eighteen years ago)

Bing Crosby released a lot of dogshit too.

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 13:07 (eighteen years ago)

"They cut out eight bars, the dirty bastards/And they didn't tell me which ones they were gonna cut/Why doesn't someone tell me these things around here?/Holy Christ I'm going off my nut!"

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 13:11 (eighteen years ago)

well if we going to open it up, i dont see anyone who can step up to jack hylton level

― 600, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 13:12 (eighteen years ago)

Very difficult to choose: "Into the Groove," "Open Your Heart," and "Deeper and Deeper."

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 14:05 (eighteen years ago)

Burning Up had a video, so I've always just assumed it was a single.

This poll will require a lot of deliberation for me.

― Matt Armstrong, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 17:28 (eighteen years ago)

Oh ffs, I always vote for the wrong one on these. I voted for "This Used to be My Playground" when it should have been, of course, "Hanky Panky".

― DavidM, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 17:37 (eighteen years ago)

I'm voting for Vogue, even thought I've not heard most of those other songs. Are any of them like Vogue?

― ablaeser, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 17:42 (eighteen years ago)

hahahahaha

this poll is IMPOSSIBLE!

there isn't always a best, ya know

― Surmounter, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 17:57 (eighteen years ago)

I went for Human Nature on a whim. It's a great tune and I'd like to see it get at least one vote. Also the video was of great help to me when I was fourteen.

― chap, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 18:06 (eighteen years ago)

ok, I'm going with Secret, because it helped get me through freshman year of high school.

Runners up: Open Your Heart, Borderline, Lucky Star, Cherish, Like A Prayer, Vogue

The next Madonna poll should be best video!

― Matt Armstrong, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 18:07 (eighteen years ago)

i changed my mind again, six times in the past half hour

on a related note, my recently listened tracks on last.fm:

Madonna – Open Your Heart just listened
Madonna – La Isla Bonita 7 minutes ago
Madonna – Like a Virgin 10 minutes ago
Madonna – Borderline 14 minutes ago
Madonna – Lucky Star 17 minutes ago
Madonna – Deeper and Deeper 23 minutes ago

― lex pretend, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 18:07 (eighteen years ago)

Ok now THIS is the more apropos Madonna poll. "Like a Prayer," girls!

― Kevin John Bozelka, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 18:17 (eighteen years ago)

into the groove
or beautiful stranger, don't know.

― groovemaaan, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 18:28 (eighteen years ago)

I really may have voted for Burning Up if it was on the poll. Such a gorgeous song.

― Matt Armstrong, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 18:29 (eighteen years ago)

omg what if madonna never happened

― Surmounter, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 18:35 (eighteen years ago)

what the hell would we do?

― Surmounter, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 18:35 (eighteen years ago)

What about the B-Sides? That can be a difference maker on a single!

― NYCNative, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 19:23 (eighteen years ago)

Oh ffs, I always vote for the wrong one on these. I voted for "This Used to be My Playground" when it should have been, of course, "Hanky Panky".

-- DavidM, Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:37 PM (2 hours ago)

Don't worry David, I threw mine to Hanky Panky. Nothin' like a good spanky!

― Finefinemusic, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 19:59 (eighteen years ago)

I'm voting for Vogue, even thought I've not heard most of those other songs.

Where have you been spending the past 20 years? Mars?

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 20:25 (eighteen years ago)

though Vogue is not a bad vote at all

― Surmounter, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 21:10 (eighteen years ago)

I'm always amazed at how she keeps coming back with amazing huge singles time after time. I mean who else puts out songs like "Ray Of Light", "Music", or "Hung Up" twenty years into their carreer?

― LeRooLeRoo, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 21:51 (eighteen years ago)

I voted for "Lucky Star," just 'cause.

― Curt1s Stephens, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 21:57 (eighteen years ago)

or SORRY

― Surmounter, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 21:57 (eighteen years ago)

deeper n deepr

― deej, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 21:57 (eighteen years ago)

Come on, stick Like A Virgin on, listen to that intro and just vote for it already.

― Alba, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 22:04 (eighteen years ago)

VOGUE. all the way. oh MAN the memories.

― pisces, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 23:00 (eighteen years ago)

"open your heart" though on another day it might have been "holiday"

― fact checking cuz, Thursday, 26 April 2007 00:09 (eighteen years ago)

Best: "Into the Groove"
Worst: "American Life"

― Mr. Snrub, Thursday, 26 April 2007 00:29 (eighteen years ago)

For me it's "Like a Prayer." Today and every day.

― deusner, Thursday, 26 April 2007 00:46 (eighteen years ago)

I voted for "What It Feels Like For A Girl." I'm sure I'll be the only one. 00's Madonna represent.

― danzig, Thursday, 26 April 2007 00:54 (eighteen years ago)

I finally decided Get Into The Groove. I have that 7" single. Was difficult to choose between that and Like A Prayer, Material Girl and Ray Of Light.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Thursday, 26 April 2007 01:52 (eighteen years ago)

so...when are we going to do Prince? ;)

― admrl, Thursday, 26 April 2007 04:27 (eighteen years ago)

wow SO much into the groove luv

― Surmounter, Thursday, 26 April 2007 05:04 (eighteen years ago)

Uhh "Beautiful Stranger"!!! Hello, amazing William Orbit production?!

― Stevie D, Thursday, 26 April 2007 06:12 (eighteen years ago)

But then again that seems like more of a William Orbit single that Madonna just happened to release. So as far as like Madonna singles I'm going to have to say "Human Nature"

― Stevie D, Thursday, 26 April 2007 06:28 (eighteen years ago)

For me, "Borderline" and "Ray of Light" tower above all the rest. And I already gave "Borderline" its props in the Albums list. So, "Ray" it is.

― Myonga Vön Bontee, Thursday, 26 April 2007 06:40 (eighteen years ago)

I was so tempted to say "Ray"

― Stevie D, Thursday, 26 April 2007 06:43 (eighteen years ago)

00's Madonna represent.

recognise!

every single other pop star i can think of goes into decline. madonna just...hasn't. her 00s work ALONE would make her a pretty awesome pop star - 'die another day' and 'hung up' are probably my favourites from this decade. 'music' is a monster, and 'don't tell me' is such fun to dance to.

her entire "mid-90s slump" is a massive myth too - erotica is an all-time classic; bedtime stories is loads better than its singles would imply (and given that one of its singles is madonna's BEST BALLAD EVER, this is a massive compliment). which means it's just evita which is a bit dodgy.

― lex pretend, Thursday, 26 April 2007 09:09 (eighteen years ago)

Like a Prayer came on shuffle this morning and I noticed some really dodgy background vocal samples. Still the peak of her career though.

― ledge, Thursday, 26 April 2007 09:12 (eighteen years ago)

All the singles from Bedtime Stories are k-awesome.

― The Reverend, Thursday, 26 April 2007 09:14 (eighteen years ago)

Borderline for me - fucking perfect. But Beautiful Stranger pushes it close, as does, Like A Prayer, Live tO Tell and Open Yr Heart.

― Dr.C, Thursday, 26 April 2007 09:20 (eighteen years ago)

"Like a Prayer" it is for me too - several other of her singles are as good it as songs, but it's the arrangement, the gospel choir and the house breakdown that really do it for me. One of the few tunes I'm never tired of dancing to.

― Tuomas, Thursday, 26 April 2007 09:44 (eighteen years ago)

Beautiful Stranger of course.

― MRZBW, Thursday, 26 April 2007 10:49 (eighteen years ago)

Any love for Frozen? It's so immaculately produced and arranged.

― chap, Thursday, 26 April 2007 10:52 (eighteen years ago)

If I was to vote for a song from "Ray Of Light", I'd rather have gone for "The Power Of Goodbye"

― Geir Hongro, Thursday, 26 April 2007 11:07 (eighteen years ago)

i'll rep for 'frozen' - the stop-start structure works amazingly well.

'the power of goodbye' is gorgeous too, it's so immersive, the production is like a jacuzzi bubbling around your neck.

― lex pretend, Thursday, 26 April 2007 11:08 (eighteen years ago)

Beautiful Stranger is awesome as well yes.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Thursday, 26 April 2007 12:12 (eighteen years ago)

voted for lucky star. into the groove would've been my second choice.

― Frogman Henry, Thursday, 26 April 2007 12:19 (eighteen years ago)

Gambler: that was a single? I'm recalling it as her foray into denim-jacket n' wayfarers AOR. I'm not finding it on ITMS to confirm.

― bendy, Thursday, 26 April 2007 12:25 (eighteen years ago)

UK single; reached #4 in October 1985.

― Marcello Carlin, Thursday, 26 April 2007 12:30 (eighteen years ago)

25 singles 10/10s, but no album i would rate 10/10.

― pinkmoose, Thursday, 26 April 2007 12:31 (eighteen years ago)

Argh, argh, "favourite" or "best"?

Favourite = Beautiful Stranger, hands down.

Best = Vogue? Express Yourself? Argh!

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 26 April 2007 12:35 (eighteen years ago)

In fact it's hard to think of any artist from the last 100 years who'd have a better row of singles - Duke Ellington maybe? So all this folks who say Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath are better than Madonna can stick to their opinion, but I'd say few other artists have brought so much musical delight into the world for such a long period.

-- Tuomas, Wednesday, April 25, 2007 8:54 AM (Yesterday)

I love all three. They make me dance.

I voted for Into the Groove because it has the energy and the catchiness. Borderline is great too. But Hung Up is still fucking great.

― filthy dylan, Thursday, 26 April 2007 15:40 (eighteen years ago)

I was sort of saying that Prince is better then Madonna.

― admrl, Thursday, 26 April 2007 15:50 (eighteen years ago)

better best worst... why can't we all just get along?

― Surmounter, Thursday, 26 April 2007 20:12 (eighteen years ago)

Yes, sorry. We're friends now.

― admrl, Thursday, 26 April 2007 20:13 (eighteen years ago)

I was "chumming the waters". I love Madonna, really.

― admrl, Thursday, 26 April 2007 20:14 (eighteen years ago)

Was Thief of Hearts never released as a single? Tough one to pick. Fever, Deeper & Deeper, Borderline or Take A Bow. It's Madonna's fault that I split my head open. She postponed one of her Girlie Show concerts in 93 due to rain, so we went on a pub crawl instead.

― Hard like armour, Friday, 27 April 2007 02:48 (eighteen years ago)

'the power of goodbye' is gorgeous too, it's so immersive, the production is like a jacuzzi bubbling around your neck.

i know mashups are passe and all, but the go home productions version of "the power of goodbye" (mashed with "bittersweet symphony" under the title "three steps to a bittersweet goodbye") is gorgeous.

― fact checking cuz, Friday, 27 April 2007 02:56 (eighteen years ago)

I'd damn well better not be the only person voting for "Lucky Star."

― Curt1s Stephens, Friday, 27 April 2007 02:56 (eighteen years ago)

oh wait Frogman voted for it too

― Curt1s Stephens, Friday, 27 April 2007 02:57 (eighteen years ago)

Frogman Henry and I'd damn well better not be the only people voting for "Lucky Star."

― Curt1s Stephens, Friday, 27 April 2007 02:57 (eighteen years ago)

Tight between "Vogue," "Everybody" and "Erotica." Went with the last one to piss Geir off.

― Eric H., Friday, 27 April 2007 04:07 (eighteen years ago)

OK I did it - Vogue

― Surmounter, Friday, 27 April 2007 13:53 (eighteen years ago)

i know mashups are passe and all, but the go home productions version of "the power of goodbye" (mashed with "bittersweet symphony" under the title "three steps to a bittersweet goodbye") is gorgeous.

You might love Madonna's 'You'll See' over LFO's 'Shove Piggy Shove' courtesy of Frenchbloke. I kinda do.

― blueski, Friday, 27 April 2007 14:00 (eighteen years ago)

I voted for "Deeper & Deeper" of course, but it could so easily be "Lucky Star", "Vogue", "Into The Groove", "Live To Tell", "Bad Girl", "Take A Bow"...

"Borderline" is great but it goes on a bit doesn't it.

Lex I disagree about a 00s slump - in fact i'd say the slump basically starts with Evita. Who actually wants to listen to [i]Ray of Light nowadays? ("Ray of Light" however I'll allow). I look at all those singles and think, "yeah, I like [x] and [y], but I could probably go without hearing them ever again if I had to."

― Tim F, Friday, 27 April 2007 14:34 (eighteen years ago)

we know Orbit wasn't her first choice for what became ROL. but didn't she ever want to do anything more with Nellee Hooper at one point?

― blueski, Friday, 27 April 2007 14:50 (eighteen years ago)

i wanted to listen to ray of light the other night (ok not all of it), but i couldn't find the cd cos i haven't unpacked it yet! 'frozen', 'ray of light', 'swim', 'the power of goodbye', 'skin', 'to have and not to hold' - all gorgeous. and then music which isn't a great album but its highs rival madonna's greatest heights, then american life which is nowhere near as bad as it's made out to be and which has some GREAT songs on it, then confessions which is triumphant.

i mean, none of those albums (except confessions) are particularly consistent, but it's not as if madonna's ever made consistent albums apart from a select few.

― lex pretend, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:03 (eighteen years ago)

"last week it was 'open your heart' which just makes you want to stride out of your house with absolute certainty over how good you look and with complete determination to get what you want.

-- lex pretend, Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:35 PM (2 days ago)"

you have an amazing talent for putting me off songs by making them sound like out-and-out yuppie shit.

i voted 'vogue'.

awesomely produced 'beautiful stranger' hamstrung by being weirdo Serious Madge/Comedy OST hybrid.

― That one guy that quit, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:25 (eighteen years ago)

making them sound like out-and-out yuppie shit.

i voted 'vogue'.

lol

― blueski, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:28 (eighteen years ago)

yeah but not coz it makes you feel like gareth cheeseman on a night out!

― That one guy that quit, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:29 (eighteen years ago)

i shouldn't be, but i am still surprised that so many ilxors seem to find feeling absolutely amazing & confident a mysterious and slightly hateful experience, as if we should scurry around miserably all the time

― lex pretend, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:30 (eighteen years ago)

cos those are the two alternatives.

― That one guy that quit, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:31 (eighteen years ago)

i dunno ilx can seem like such a pit of doom & gloom sometimes, all the while i'm like :DDDDDDD

― lex pretend, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:33 (eighteen years ago)

which just makes you want to stride out of your house with absolute certainty over how good you look and with complete determination to get what you want.

like Madonna, in other words. you go girl.

― blueski, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:40 (eighteen years ago)

theres always been a curious...distrust of positivity on ilx.

ive felt it too on occasion, so not exempting self

― 600, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:45 (eighteen years ago)

wtf "Beautiful Stranger"

"Haven't we met?"

OBVIOUSLY NOT!

― Mark G, Friday, 27 April 2007 15:46 (eighteen years ago)

Confessions is like that weird kind of consistency where b/c everything sounds the same you only need one track, and it barely matters which. I kind of lean towards either "Hung Up" or "Get Together", but either way I only need one.

I think I just can't take Madonna's vocals on Ray of Light seriously. That might change if I listened to it again and really tried to like it.

The weird thing is that her vocals on Bedtime Stories are GREAT, so throaty and husky and just the epitome of sex (moreso than Erotica actually, which isn't nearly so much a sex album as people think) - why did she have to change?!?!?

― Tim F, Friday, 27 April 2007 16:06 (eighteen years ago)

Bedtime Stories was her last pre-opera-training album. She gets unduly prissy from that moment on (Ray of Light's "Substitute for Love" is just about unbearable for that reason). However, I think Confessions is the album on which she finally learned how to subsume "improved vocals" to the beat.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 27 April 2007 16:28 (eighteen years ago)

I know the backstory - what depresses me is that she'd finally really clinched her mature vocal style I think, and then Evita ruined it.

I agree that the vocals work far better on Confessions. Shame about the lyrics!

― Tim F, Friday, 27 April 2007 16:48 (eighteen years ago)

"I think I just can't take Madonna's vocals on Ray of Light seriously."

otm.

but really she's NEVER had a sense of humour i think. she is kind of the tom cruise of pop.

― That one guy that quit, Friday, 27 April 2007 16:56 (eighteen years ago)

(gasp) OTM!

Now I'll be thinking of parallels all night.

Risky Business = Like a Virgin
Top Gun = True Blue
A Few Good Men = Like A Prayer
Eyes Wide Shut = Erotica
African Baby = Katie and Suri held hostage by mad Scientologist

― Tim F, Friday, 27 April 2007 17:01 (eighteen years ago)

Eyes Wide Shut = Erotica

OMG, my eyes are now open! Awesome!

― Eric H., Friday, 27 April 2007 17:02 (eighteen years ago)

African Baby = Katie and Suri held hostage by mad Scientologist

hahahahahaha!

― lex pretend, Friday, 27 April 2007 17:03 (eighteen years ago)

"respect the cock" = 'sex'

― That one guy that quit, Friday, 27 April 2007 17:04 (eighteen years ago)

American Pie= Vanilla Sky

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 27 April 2007 17:05 (eighteen years ago)

swearing on letterman = going nuts on oprah

― lex pretend, Friday, 27 April 2007 17:06 (eighteen years ago)

sex with gay hooker = sex with Rupert Everett

― Eric H., Friday, 27 April 2007 17:08 (eighteen years ago)

Botox = Botox

― Tim F, Friday, 27 April 2007 17:13 (eighteen years ago)

I'd say Ray of Light is her most consistant, and best, album. There's nothing too forced or anything that grates. A cooly smooth and clean pop album.

― DavidM, Friday, 27 April 2007 17:20 (eighteen years ago)

Those Orbit swoops, woops, and blips were tiresome even in 1998.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 27 April 2007 17:32 (eighteen years ago)

i dunno i love the density on some of those tracks still. candy perfume girl is off the hook, forgive the tired expression.

tim i do love the bedtime stories vocals, so hot. what's that one ballad, love tried to welcome me - i love her vocals on that.

bedtime stories is one of my favorite madonna albums, without a doubt yo

― Surmounter, Friday, 27 April 2007 17:52 (eighteen years ago)

Tonight I have done the major wrestling match: Lucy Star vs. Into The Groove. But still Lucky Star wins.

Remember I had never had the pleasure of hearing New Order's brand of dance music at the time I heard "Lucky Star" - this was a whole new command to dance with my 12" records!!

but "Into The Groove" just about matches it with the break in the middle "touch my body/we move in time/now I know you're mine"

― Bimble, Saturday, 28 April 2007 06:27 (eighteen years ago)

Also here's something I've long wanted to ask that has really bothered me about Madonna: does anyone remember one or two videos of her on MTV back in the day where she was writhing around on the floor of a stage live in a white wedding dress and her hair was absolutely horrible (either she hadn't washed it in months or it had way too much hairspray)? I think she probably did Like A Virgin at this gig, but I think she might have done Dress You Up, too. Please, please help. I didn't find these clips on YouTube.

― Bimble, Saturday, 28 April 2007 06:30 (eighteen years ago)

oh, has to be "Borderline"

― Stormy Davis, Saturday, 28 April 2007 06:31 (eighteen years ago)

Bimble I think you're talking about her performance of "Like A Virgin" on the MTV Video Music Awards.

― LeRooLeRoo, Saturday, 28 April 2007 16:30 (eighteen years ago)

yes, great madonna moment. "horrible" hair = hot. i love that performance so much.

― Surmounter, Saturday, 28 April 2007 17:13 (eighteen years ago)

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/050831/101027__madonna_l.jpg

i so wish madonna were my friend. the Like A Virgin era style really hits home with me for some reason.

― Surmounter, Saturday, 28 April 2007 19:57 (eighteen years ago)

It's Like A Prayer. And except for Hung Up she clearly hasn't made a good song since Nothing Really Matters.

― sonderangerbot, Saturday, 28 April 2007 21:47 (eighteen years ago)

I love that "Fever" was a single. That track, more than any other, epitomizes what I love about Erotica.

― Eric H., Saturday, 28 April 2007 22:00 (eighteen years ago)

Went with "Borderline."

Second place: "Into The Groove"

Most underrated award: "Keep It Together."

― xhuxk, Saturday, 28 April 2007 22:08 (eighteen years ago)

i love keep it together! sonder, ur crazy!!!

― Surmounter, Saturday, 28 April 2007 22:19 (eighteen years ago)

Bumping this one too. The "Madonna" singles don't quite dominate like one might expect from the thread (and the albums poll)

― Geir Hongro, Monday, 30 April 2007 23:23 (eighteen years ago)

2 people voted for "What It Feels Like For A Girl"??? Why?????

― Tim F, Monday, 30 April 2007 23:29 (eighteen years ago)

I find the votes for the "Evita" singles more surprising (except they were the "None. I don't like Madonna" picks, I guess)

― Geir Hongro, Monday, 30 April 2007 23:32 (eighteen years ago)

Yay for Into The Groove.
Surprised at 0 votes for some of those singles though. None for Papa Don't Preach or True Blue?

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Monday, 30 April 2007 23:33 (eighteen years ago)

no one voted for 'papa don't preach'!!!!! or 'bad girl'!

― lex pretend, Monday, 30 April 2007 23:34 (eighteen years ago)

Best Voteless Madonna Single:
"Papa Don't Preach"

― NYCNative, Monday, 30 April 2007 23:35 (eighteen years ago)

I'm shocked by ILM.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Monday, 30 April 2007 23:36 (eighteen years ago)

thought it would be closer.

have never really liked 'True Blue' but hard to say why.

― blueski, Monday, 30 April 2007 23:37 (eighteen years ago)

1 vote for Like A Virgin. Bloody hell.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Monday, 30 April 2007 23:37 (eighteen years ago)

i'm actually really surprised about into the groove. i mean it's groovin and great, but BEST madonna single? really??

― Surmounter, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 00:20 (eighteen years ago)

no one voted for 'papa don't preach'!!!!!

Yeah this is surprising!

― Curt1s Stephens, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 00:22 (eighteen years ago)

but BEST madonna single? really??

why not?

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 00:25 (eighteen years ago)

sidewalk talk!

― dknytodd, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 00:26 (eighteen years ago)

Surmounter needs to get into the groove.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 00:27 (eighteen years ago)

This thread has inspired me to download all of Madonna's early albums from Ruckus.

― Curt1s Stephens, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 00:33 (eighteen years ago)

I was the *only* person to vote for "Holiday"? WTF?

― Spencer Chow, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 00:42 (eighteen years ago)

And someone actually voted Hanky Panky.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 00:44 (eighteen years ago)

why not Into the groove? cuz she's had so many singles that seem to have meant so much more to so many people. i had completely forgotten about Into the groove until it kept popping up around here.

― Surmounter, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 00:55 (eighteen years ago)

Deeper and Deeper getting more votes than Cherish is a surprise.

― Matt Armstrong, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 01:10 (eighteen years ago)

Ray Of Light only getting 1 vote is a shocker too.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 01:12 (eighteen years ago)

a good shocker.

― Curt1s Stephens, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 02:45 (eighteen years ago)

Wow, Into The Groove was number one. Well...I can kinda see that. Cheers.

― Bimble, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 02:48 (eighteen years ago)

But how can you say Lucky Star is no better than Material Girl? For fuxxake.

― Bimble, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 02:49 (eighteen years ago)

"Hung Up" is clearly superior to "Cherish," "La Isla Bonita," and "What It Feels Like For a Girl" wtf.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 02:56 (eighteen years ago)

Hell, I'm willing to bet all of these are better than Material Girl. I'm personally, vociferously opposed to Material Girl.

― Bimble, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 03:01 (eighteen years ago)

Lots of minor shocks. I admitted upthread that I voted for "What It Feels Like For A Girl." It was either that or "Love Profusion," another similarly ignored/slammed single. But I think they're both gorgeous, simple, understated, and impossible to get out of my head. I'd probably vote for the 80's tracks if I was a little older and they meant more to me. And I want to kiss the other person who voted for it, although I'm hoping it wasn't a "i don't like madonna" vote.

― danzig, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 03:03 (eighteen years ago)

I'm personally, vociferously opposed to Material Girl.

Bimble and I in disagreement shocker!!

― Curt1s Stephens, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 03:08 (eighteen years ago)

Hahahahah

― Bimble, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 03:09 (eighteen years ago)

Call the Doctor, Curtis! What are we gonna do, buddy? hahahaha

― Bimble, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 03:09 (eighteen years ago)

i thought i just posted?

um, yeah this poll is kindof crazy, not sure about it one bit

bimble answer my email dammit

― Surmounter, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 03:11 (eighteen years ago)

human nature, bedtime story and sorry deserve betta!!!

― Surmounter, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 03:15 (eighteen years ago)

Sorry Ramzi...in a trance listening to music as usual. I knew this thread needed a bump. I will check my email.

― Bimble, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 04:29 (eighteen years ago)

Surprised to see Take a Box so far down after all the comments about it.

― Hard like armour, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 05:28 (eighteen years ago)

agree about 'love profusion' being underrated - 'nothing fails' is also really simple and gorgeous. add 'die another day' (still madge's finest post-erotica moment with poss exception of 'hung up') and the fact that 'american life' the track is actually lots of fun...this is why that album is worthwhile!

― lex pretend, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 09:08 (eighteen years ago)

Amazing number of great singles without votes..

But then, those that like "Papa don't Preach" maybe all voted for "Like a Prayer" as they like that one better. for example...

Or maybe there aren't enough ILM'ers.

― Mark G, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 09:11 (eighteen years ago)

93 votes in total - not enough ILMers voting.

― Marcello Carlin, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 09:12 (eighteen years ago)

There's a difference between late period Madonna singles being better than people think and being the best single she ever released. The notion of voting for anything from her last four proper albums in this category is just deeply puzzling to me! But it's a free world.

― Tim F, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 09:43 (eighteen years ago)

93 is pretty good for a poll these days.

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 09:45 (eighteen years ago)

it's the love for 'Beautiful Stranger' i don't really get. Not a bad production for a deliberately retro affair but why would you prefer that to her modern-sounding greats? Also the video sucked.

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 09:48 (eighteen years ago)

Woah. I'm the only person that voted for Like a Virgin? How unexpected!

― Mordechai Shinefield, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 09:57 (eighteen years ago)

Ok, which wag voted for Don't Cry For me Argentina?

― chap, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 12:21 (eighteen years ago)

Not guilty - I voted for "Take Your Pick," her underrated duet with Des O'Connor.

― Marcello Carlin, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 12:27 (eighteen years ago)

bedtime story should have stolen it

― Surmounter, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 14:04 (eighteen years ago)

it's the love for 'Beautiful Stranger' i don't really get.

"Beautiful Stranger" attracts a certain type of voter by shamelessly biting Love's "She Comes In Colors."

― Jon Lewis, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 14:40 (eighteen years ago)

My vote was unique.

― The Reverend, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 15:26 (eighteen years ago)

"Hung Up" is clearly superior to "Cherish," "La Isla Bonita," and "What It Feels Like For a Girl" wtf.

No it isn't. "Hung Up" is actually called "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" and is possible the worst song on an otherwise great album of self-penned songs that aren't based on some stuff some others have done before.

― Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:06 (eighteen years ago)

No it isn't.

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:08 (eighteen years ago)

great album of self-penned songs that aren't based on some stuff some others have done before.

except Madonna's writing is frequently poor and the stuff 'others have done before' (the Stooges nod on 'I Love New York', the Moroder nod on 'Future Lovers', the PSB nod on 'Jump' etc.) is what rescues it.

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:10 (eighteen years ago)

"frequently"! Now maybe.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:15 (eighteen years ago)

she can't write!

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:15 (eighteen years ago)

Blatantly ripping off old songs is a no-no.

Being influenced by old stuff to write something in the exact same style or genre is great though.

― Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:17 (eighteen years ago)

I claim the vote for BedSto.

So where wuz yew?

― Mark G, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:18 (eighteen years ago)

Vogue - tough one.

― Surmounter, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:34 (eighteen years ago)

she can't write!

a learning disability?

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:35 (eighteen years ago)

can't write, sing, dance or (especially) act especially well

but still great in spite of it all. that's the trick.

― blueski, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:39 (eighteen years ago)

she's written some fantastic stuff. she wrote borderline, 3rd place. and her voice is great for pop. and her dancing makes me wanna move.

― Surmounter, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 16:45 (eighteen years ago)

two weeks pass...

This new free single, released for Live Earth, didn't make the cute for the poll. I love Madonna, but oh my is this bad:

http://liveearth.msn.com/green/Madonnadownload?wa=wsignin1.0

― matt2, Thursday, 17 May 2007 18:44 (eighteen years ago)

Uh, that's "didn't make the cut"

― matt2, Thursday, 17 May 2007 18:45 (eighteen years ago)

Dunno how to make of it. It's her least electronic song for ages. Which is bad. On the other hand, it sounds like a quite nice tune that may work once it gets into your head.

Anyway, a download exclusive track doesn't really count as a single for me.

― Geir Hongro, Thursday, 17 May 2007 18:49 (eighteen years ago)

Yeah, I just mentioned that since I randomly chose this Madonna thread to post it in.

― matt2, Thursday, 17 May 2007 18:59 (eighteen years ago)

ok THAT is madonna's worst single ever

― lex pretend, Thursday, 17 May 2007 21:29 (eighteen years ago)

i am going to pretend it NEVER EXISTED

― lex pretend, Thursday, 17 May 2007 21:29 (eighteen years ago)

Vogue

― gabbneb, Thursday, 17 May 2007 21:43 (eighteen years ago)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA WHO VOTED FOR "Hanky Panky"?

― HI DERE, Thursday, 17 May 2007 22:35 (eighteen years ago)

Well, it kind of sucks, but I definitely appreciate the craziness of it all.

― Matt Armstrong, Friday, 18 May 2007 01:35 (eighteen years ago)

um i'm disturbed by that song? the lyrics are really upsetting, and her voice sounds disarmingly shitty. the only good parts are when she does that "save someone else, but love yourself" bullshit but even there the lyrics are fucking hauntingly bad. wow.

― Surmounter, Friday, 18 May 2007 01:47 (eighteen years ago)

this is upsetting i had attributed so many theories and meta's to Confessions, heralding it, a club concept suite bla bla, and now this?

― Surmounter, Friday, 18 May 2007 01:49 (eighteen years ago)

it's really not worse than American Pie, is it?

― Matt Armstrong, Friday, 18 May 2007 01:52 (eighteen years ago)

oh right i pretended that never happened too

― Surmounter, Friday, 18 May 2007 01:53 (eighteen years ago)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA WHO VOTED FOR "Hanky Panky"?

HI DERE.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 18 May 2007 02:36 (eighteen years ago)

hanky panky really is a hilarious song

― Surmounter, Friday, 18 May 2007 02:46 (eighteen years ago)

whatever, its like a prayer.
you only say into the groove because i mean..into the groove(y), ify ou know what i mean.

― beatrixapple, Friday, 18 May 2007 03:16 (eighteen years ago)

lol what

― Surmounter, Friday, 18 May 2007 03:18 (eighteen years ago)

i liked 'american pie'!

― lex pretend, Friday, 18 May 2007 06:17 (eighteen years ago)

i mean, it's not amazing, but she made a bad song ok

― lex pretend, Friday, 18 May 2007 06:17 (eighteen years ago)

I think they call it "polishing a turd", Lex.

― King Boy Pato, Friday, 18 May 2007 06:23 (eighteen years ago)

Sad I didn't see this till now and therefore didn't vote! I'd have gone w/"Into the Groove" too. "Dress You Up" would've been No. 2, then "Deeper & Deeper." I think Prince had a better '80s than Madonna but she definitely beats him for consistency over a longer period.

― Matos W.K., Friday, 18 May 2007 06:29 (eighteen years ago)

ONE vote for holiday??

― 696, Friday, 18 May 2007 06:36 (eighteen years ago)

I think the original American Pie is great, and Madge's is terrible. When the sincerity of emotion is removed from the song, not much is left.

― Matt Armstrong, Friday, 18 May 2007 07:17 (eighteen years ago)

ugh yah man

― Surmounter, Friday, 18 May 2007 21:41 (eighteen years ago)

I think Prince had a better '80s than Madonna but she definitely beats him for consistency over a longer period.

Madonna's output took a dive quality-wise in 1990 and she didn't recover until "Ray Of Light". Prince released great albums at least until 1992, but then wasn't worth paying attention to again until last year's excellent "3121". We'll see in 10 years time.

― Geir Hongro, Friday, 18 May 2007 22:14 (eighteen years ago)

Madonna consistently released great singles in the 90s, it's just Ray of Light was somehow packaged as a comeback and the media fell in love with her all over again.

― Matt Armstrong, Friday, 18 May 2007 23:28 (eighteen years ago)

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