Happy Friday folks! I trust everyone is ready for the weekend. And, in my mind, what better to prepare for the weekend than spending a little time with the music of Madonna. I have been a fan ever since I heard “Holiday” blasting across the dancefloor at some night club back in my college days during the winter of 1983/1984. The bass/drum combo was in such a funky pocket that dancing to that song was magical. And, I am a straight man who loved to dance.
So, I actually went out and bought the 45 single of that song. Of course, I integrated “Holiday” into my DJ playlist and dance mixtapes I created for people. The song was truly one of the better dance singles for its time. Then, a short time later, I learned of Madonna releasing her debut album, so I purchased it. Upon my first listen, I discovered two things. First, this new artist Madonna might be on to something great, but only time would tell. In retrospect, I was right, but I never dreamed that she would become THE female rock icon/example that she has become. Although many great female singers came before her, and of the singers, a majority of the were icons of the race and women’s struggles of the Sixties and Seventies. But, Madonna became ground zero for strong women to maintain a strong image who use their sexuality only to further empower themselves. If there was no Madonna, then there would be no Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry or any of the other strong females pop stars who are out there lately.
The second thing I realized was that Madonna joined Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles, Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s and Stevie Nicks as my female rock star crushes. Oh well, a man can dream, can’t he? And, I understand the sexist statement of turning this woman into objects and the narrow minded connotations that come with it, but those women are the most attractive to me. Oh, wait a second! Can I throw all three women from Bananarama into my star crush list? I’m a slow learner.
Enough of that fanboy stuff. I need to get back on track. Let’s talk about Madonna’s music. The woman has spent the better part of the Eighties and Nineties and the start of the 2000s at the forefront of dance/rock music and sweet, sincere heartfelt ballads. Of course, eventually, one must leave the dance innovations to the younger crowd, but Madonna continues to innovate in the studio, but not to the degree with which she did from her first single until her brilliant 2000 album Music and the other released songs from that session.
Madonna has be brilliant in the changes she has utilized from album to album, much like David Bowie once did, and Lady Gaga now does. The thing that I still awaiting from Madonna is for her to do an acoustic/Stevie Nicks type of album. She has given us small glimpses of this type of singing with her hits like “Live to Tell” or “This Used to Be My Playground”. I think something along those lines would be an awesome turn for Madonna. Or, how about an acoustic dance album? I would simply love to hear Madonna take on the rock world.
Still, Madonna has given us plenty of great and fascinating music over the four decades she has been in the game. So, allow me to give you My 25 Favorite Songs by Madonna.
25. “This Used to Be My Playground” (1992)
24. “Secret” (1994)
23. “Angel” (1984)
22. “Bitch I’m Madonna” (2015)
21. “Lucky Star” (1983)
20. “4 Minutes (Feat. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland)” (2008)
19. “Papa Don’t Preach” (1986)
18. “Take a Bow” (1994)
17. “Holiday” (1983)
16. Justify My Love” (1990)
15. “Express Yourself” (1989)
14. “Burning Up” (1983)
13. “Material Girl” (1984)
12. “Ray of Light” (1998)
11. “Hung Up” (2005)
10. “Vogue” (1990)
9. “Beautiful Stranger” (1999)
8. “Live to Tell” (1986)
7. “Crazy for You” (1985)
6. “Dress You Up” (1984)
5. “Music” (2000)
4. “Like a Virgin” (1984)
3. “Like a Prayer” (1989)
2. “Borderline” (1983)
1. “Into the Groove” (1985)
Now, that’s a packed Top 25! Let me know which Madonna songs you would have put on this list! And, one last thing: Have a great weekend! See you again on Monday!
If My Records Could Talk 