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Posted by: Regina Jan 19 2018, 08:43 PM

Dun dun DUUUUUUNNNNNNN...............

*i hope this is okay? I didn't ask permission*

Posted by: liamk97 Jan 19 2018, 08:48 PM

No no this is fine! Looking forward to this! I just know there's going to be some interesting choices.

Posted by: Regina Jan 19 2018, 09:08 PM

Before we kick off, a few songs that sadly missed out



Crazy For You
Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
Gang Bang
Jump
Love Don’t Live Here Anymore
Open Your Heart
Rain
Sky Fits Heaven
Vogue

Posted by: dandy* Jan 19 2018, 09:17 PM

Ooh looking forward to this...

Posted by: HarryEzra Jan 19 2018, 09:19 PM

Open Your Heart just missing out </3

Hype!

Posted by: Josh! Jan 19 2018, 09:21 PM

Crazy for You and Open Your Heart are two of her top three songs for me so gah at both of those missing out already. True Blue rounds out the trio for me so hopefully see an appearance from that here?!?

Posted by: Regina Jan 20 2018, 11:39 AM

20. You Must Love Me

First off we have a song from Madonna's role in the musical Evita. The song was specifically written for the film version by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and Madge
undertook vocal lessons in order to train her voice for this musical. Clearly they worked as this is one of her most emotive performances and one of her best ballads. The song was a
top 10 hit here in the UK and won the Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Original Song.




19. Gone

Popping over to the Music album next.
The closing track for the album not including bonuses and what a closer. A slow guitar led ballad, the song lets her voice shine.
William Orbit's production kicks in after the first chorus and really lifts the song up. This acoustic/electronic sound would feature heavily on American Life,
this song bridges the gap between the two albums really well and has some really powerful lyrics too.

Posted by: vibe Jan 20 2018, 04:21 PM

Gone is an amazing choice

Posted by: dandy* Jan 20 2018, 06:07 PM

Not really a fan of You Must Love Me, it's okay in context in the film but I'd never choose to listen to it otherwise. Gone is a good choice though, I don't think I included it back when I did a list but I do really like it.

Posted by: Regina Jan 21 2018, 04:31 PM

18. Live To Tell

The lead single from True Blue and one of her defining ballads IMO. I do like me a Madonna ballad.
The song was a #2 here and a #1 in America and the video for it has her looking a lot like Marilyn Monroe. A really powerful and
intoxicating ballad, with some of her best lyrics and vocals. The performance from the COnfessions Tour has become infamous due to
her wearing a crown of throns and being strapped to a giant cross for most of it. I have included it above and urge you all to watch it.



17. American Life

Oddly enough, this song comes from the album American Life. It also has a lot in common with the video for Live To Tell in terms
of subject matter. The song tackles the theme of the American Dream and the general attitudes of the country at the time, something that holds a smuch
power now as it did in 2003, one of the reasons why I love it. I also adore her rap. Not even sorry. The original video features a ilitary fashion show that combines with
scenes of war and destruction. It was scrapped and swapped with a video of flags, due to the invasion of Iraq and backlash it recieved,

Posted by: HarryEzra Jan 21 2018, 05:37 PM

Yes to both of them two songs especially American Life which has become a staple of hers for me

Posted by: liamk97 Jan 21 2018, 06:05 PM

I love all those songs that missed out, but then all the songs that have made it into the Top 20 so far are also fab.

I don't really return to 'You Must Love Me' but it's still a gorgeous piece and Madonna gives a heartbreaking vocal performance. The S&S Tour version blows me away.

'Gone' is one of my favourites from Music; touching on what you said, Grant, it has one foot in Ray of Light and the other in American Life. It's both dreamy and profound, always leaving me reflective when I've finished listening to it.

'Live to Tell' is one of her best ballads with really powerful yet ambiguous lyrics. The Confessions Tour version is indeed incredible, bringing draws your attention to the lyrics and Madonna sells the song with such conviction. One of her best performances.

The original video for 'American Life' is one of my absolute favourite videos from Madonna. The song itself is great too; I just love how brash it all is with the spiky production and the overly simple rhyming and lyrics. It just seems to work so well within the context of the song and seems to highlight Madonna's humour.

Posted by: vibe Jan 21 2018, 07:42 PM

American Life is harmless enough but is not good enough for my top 50 😉

Posted by: Regina Jan 22 2018, 02:38 PM

16. Oh Father

Another one of those ballads. This time from the overly overhyped Like A Prayer album.
A song about her complicated relationship with her father apparantly, it really hits you in the gut with it's lyrics
and vocal delivery. Despite being recorded in the 80's, it didn't chart in the UK until the mid 90's where it got to #16.



15. You'll See

The lead single from Madonna's ballad compilation Something To Remember, an album made to soften he rmage after the Erotica era.
You'll See was the first single from it and was a top 10 here and in the UK. It was, at the time, her highest debut in the US when it entered at #8.
A much more powerful and authoritative vocal from Madge, the song really shows how she can be powerful without needing to be overly sexual.

Posted by: vibe Jan 22 2018, 04:35 PM

Two amazing choices

My top selections would be all ballads too .

Posted by: Regina Jan 22 2018, 06:45 PM

14. This Used To Be My Playground

Used for the film A League of Their Own, the song sits between Rescue Me and Erotica, an interesting sandwich.
Another heartfelt ballad, this time about letting go fo the past, or not as the case may be. It's for a stunning backing track
and again has some gorgeous vocals. The song gained her a #1 in the US and a top 5 in the Uk, as well as a Golden Globe
nomination.



13. Queen

One of the newest songs on my list, from the Rebel Heart album.
A truely honest song and one that deals with a legacy being lost and of someone reaching the end of their life/reign at the top.
A similar theme has just been done in Kylie's new single. Rebel Heart had a share of...interesting song choices but then there are enough
songs like this to prove Madonna is still able to knock it out the park. It's a really haunting song, especially the "may God bless you all..." outro.

Posted by: HausofTroye Jan 22 2018, 09:36 PM

Catching up!

Gang Bang
Jump
Open Your Heart
Rain
Sky Fits Heaven
Vogue

^ these are my massive favourite from those that missed out

I expect to see a few American Life tracks here so good to see the title track appearing.

Live to Tell is a STUNNER and Oh Father is possibly my favourite traditional ballad from her. Queen is one of my favourite tracks from RH so a brilliant inclusion here <3

Posted by: vibe Jan 22 2018, 09:51 PM

I don’t listen to queen enough because it was a leak.

Posted by: Regina Jan 23 2018, 02:34 PM

12. Bedtime Story

Hey it's not a ballad!
The third single from the Bedtime Stories album, this sounds so much like a Bjork album, weird.....not really, she co-wrote it.
More in line with the Ray of Light album than Bedtime Stories, for that reason it really stands out and is just a hypnotic sonic orgasm.
It did well here in the UK getting to #4 but underperoformed in the US, missing the top 40, her first to do so since Burning Up.
The video is super amazing too, better check that out.



11. Candy Shop

Yes. Really. No joke, not a typo.
Is this her best collection of lyrics? It is her most adventurous production? No. Is it fun beyond words? YES.
The opening track of Hard Candy, this song just lifts my mood everytime I hear it, which has been ALOT recently. I actually listened to this
after my last operation and it took my mind off my sore eye for a couple minutes. I even adore the "my sugar is raw" line and the Sticky & Sweet performance
is iconic too.

Posted by: Regina Jan 23 2018, 02:49 PM

Now we're venturing into the top 10, anyone care to hazard a guess as to what might be there?

Posted by: liamk97 Jan 23 2018, 05:26 PM

'Oh Father' and 'You'll See' are two of her best ballads! So glad to see them make an appearance.

Never really got the fuss over 'Queen'. I know the lyrics are really honest and reflective but the song itself just doesn't do anything for me.

Totally expected an appearance from 'Candy Shop'! It is a big guilty pleasure for me to be honest and I'm beginning to just accept it.

I'm expecting more controversial choices in the shape of 'Hanky Panky' and 'Revolver' but also some beauties from American Life too.

Posted by: dandy* Jan 23 2018, 07:11 PM

Queen and Oh Father are the highlights so far for me, really love both. Queen is a great example of the type of song I want to hear more of from her now while Oh Father is her most emotional ballad for me, I adore it.

As for what is to come - I know one track from American Life will feature for certain as I love it as much as you do but not sure about the others...

Posted by: Regina Jan 29 2018, 12:42 PM

10. Like A Prayer

First off in the top 10 is Madge's most iconic song, or one of them anyway.
The lead single from the album of the same name, the video to this song, which has a whole bunch of religious syymbols in it,
caused a lot of hoohaa and it was boycotted by some people and led to Pepsi dropping her from their ads.
The song is a perfect marriage of rock-pop and gosepl music. I defy anyone to listen to this song and NOT sing along to the chorus. especially
when the choir kicks in. It never fails to go off live too, whether she does it traditionally or remixes it.

Posted by: dandy* Jan 29 2018, 07:49 PM

Obviously a Madge essential, simply cannot fault it

Posted by: liamk97 Feb 2 2018, 12:38 AM

'Like a Prayer' seems to reach out to the biggest audience, like people who aren't fans of Madonna or aren't fans of pop music seem to love that song. It's easy to see why as it has a huge, anthemic, sing-along chorus and has the ability to really unite the dancefloor. It's not one of my personal top favourites but it's definitely up there with her best.

Posted by: dandy* Feb 2 2018, 08:38 PM

MORE PLEASE REGGI.

Posted by: Regina Feb 2 2018, 08:52 PM

09. Time Stood Still

The Next Best Thing is......okay I admit it, I kinda like it. I actually quite like her acting, she's not the best but
there are far worse out there. This song was recorded for this movie and then got totally overlooked forevermore. Which is a crime.
One of her most haunting and motional ballads, her voice is just heavenly from start to finish and it is expertly produced.
Sadly the song was never made a single or put on the Music album, beingrejected in favour of American Pie. Hmmmm.

Posted by: dandy* Feb 2 2018, 08:59 PM

I can honestly say I've never even heard of that!

Posted by: Regina Feb 2 2018, 09:37 PM

Posted by: HarryEzra Feb 3 2018, 01:09 AM

Like A Prayer is one of my essential Madonna singles just amazing

Posted by: Regina Feb 3 2018, 03:24 PM

08. Isaac

Okay, I admit it, I don't hate Confessions as mcuh as I used to. It's actually risen the ranks to my 3rd favourite all time Madge album.
Don't tell Haus.
Isaac is one of the best tracks on it (does that mean another Confessions song is to come? ) and one of her best ever. When she sings "wrestle with your darkness"
I get chills. The chanting and the dark and pulsing backing track all blend together and it really doesn't feel like it is as long as 6 months. THe way it picks up pace as it
goes on too is just eargasmic. It mizes old and new perfectly.

Posted by: dandy* Feb 3 2018, 08:21 PM

I quite like Time Stood Still on first listen, the chorus is quite lovely and the strings really make it.

Isaac is good too, not top 10 worthy for me but it does stand out as being something different among her back catalogue and definitely one of the highs on Confessions.

Posted by: liamk97 Feb 4 2018, 05:44 PM

Time Stood Still is really lush, can't believe I hadn't heard it before you mentioned it a couple of weeks back!

Isaac is a Confessions highlight for sure! Glad you've come round to the album too. Just Ray of Light to go now!

Posted by: HausofTroye Feb 5 2018, 07:36 PM

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY SO SO HAPPY TO HEAR THIS <3

A great pick from the album too. Isaac is just so absurd and wonderful. I also adore the "wrestle with your darkness" lyric. Great pic and excited to see if there's more Confessions to come

Posted by: Regina Feb 6 2018, 08:39 PM

I WILL continue this but I have family coming on Friday so getting the house ready

Posted by: Regina Feb 12 2018, 06:36 PM

07. La Isla Bonita

Shake your maracas y'all.
The last single from her True Blue album, and the one that I feel is the best of the bunch.
A song about a mystical beautiful island, the song is the sort of thing I imagine Jennifer Lopez would sing if she was around in the late 80's
making music. More in line with Gloria Estefan than Madonna, it sticks out for it's latin rhytms and never fais to whisk you away to a tropical climate.
Another one that explodes live and one she does a fair bit too which is great. I adore the mash up with Latte she did on Sticky & Sweet.
One thing I don't like is her dancing in a flowing gown surrounded by fire in the video, gurl, fire safety!

Posted by: Theo. Feb 13 2018, 09:48 AM

"La Isla Bonita" is one of my Madge faves! Love the Latin vibes - it was defo the inspiration for the gay anthem "Mi Chico Latino" by Geri too

Posted by: dandy* Feb 13 2018, 07:42 PM

Well that's a classic choice so no arguing to be found here. It's aged rather well too hasn't it? Especially as if there was one of her big hits I'd have expected to age quite badly it would have been that.

Well, aside from True Blue.

Posted by: Regina Feb 14 2018, 01:20 PM

It has indeed ages really well, not bad for a song recorded in the 80's.

Posted by: Regina Feb 14 2018, 01:24 PM

06. The Power Of Good-Bye

The first time a Ray of Light song appears, although Tim Stood Still could easily have been on it.
4th single from the album and it was another big hit for her, obviously, it's too gorgeous not to be.
A song all about how saying good0bye can be good for you and a powerful experience, it is not too different in sound
to Frozen, but I always preferred this, her voice seems more warm and emotional on it, I guess a song called Frozen doesn't call for
warmth but anyway.

Posted by: HausofTroye Feb 14 2018, 06:14 PM

La Isla is always a treat.

Great to see TPOG here. One of my favourites for sure and big contender for favourite ballad from her alongside Frozen. The video too is spectacular.

Posted by: Regina Feb 14 2018, 07:17 PM

05. How High

I told y'all I liked Confessions now.
The gleaming gem of that album (but only just ahead of Isaac tho) is this monster song.
It's chorus just punches you right in the gut and kicks you in the balls and it is pure joy. A song all about the rise
to fame and the pitfalls that come from making it to the top, it has Madonna looking reflective while also being a dancefloor staple.
In that sense it reminds me a lot of Kylie's early PWL songs, the lyrics are often sombre but the production is poppy and joyful.
It feels very intimate too with Madge asking if any of this (fame and glory) will really matter in the end. It reminds me a bit of Easy Ride.

Posted by: dandy* Feb 16 2018, 08:28 PM

Interesting choice. I couldn't actually even remember how it goes before I clicked the youtube link but it turns out it's a bit better than I remember it being. I think it suffered for me at the time by not being able to live up to the punch of the Let It Will Be / Forbidden Love / Jump sequence.

Posted by: Regina Feb 16 2018, 09:02 PM

04. Celebration

Her last UK top 10, boo. But if it will remain her last then what a way to go out.
Used as the lead single from Greatest Hits album Celebration, the song is the perfect single to promote a GH.
it is classic Madonna with influences of her older hits but all with a modern twist. It might not be ground breaking, but it
is an undeniable bop, and the chorus just explodes, which I crave in these kinds of songs.

Posted by: dandy* Feb 17 2018, 11:24 AM

Not sure I can totally get on board with that choice! It’s okay I guess but generic as anything.

Still, intriguing and different - have no idea what to expect for the top 3 aside from an American Life cut.

Posted by: Regina Feb 20 2018, 11:42 AM

03. 4 Minutes (Feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland)

Her most recent UK #1 and probably her last, but what a way to go out.
The lead single from criminally underrated Hard Candy, the song shows a more Urban side to Madge and saw her collab with
Trousersnake himself. Their voices blend well together, he even added his voice to other songs in the album, namely Dance 2Nite and the unused track
Across The Sky. A song all about saving the world and having fun while you do it, it makes you wanna put a cape on and fight crime tbh. And JT looks
damn hot in the video, I assume Madge does too but I don't pay her any attention.


So that leaves only two songs left any idea what they might be?

Posted by: Regina Feb 24 2018, 12:55 PM

Posted by: liamk97 Feb 24 2018, 02:29 PM

'La Isla Bonita' is fantastic; never fails to bring me to complete peace of mind and envision exotic imagery. Sounds lush blasting out in the sun yet can still brighten the darkest of days.

I agree with your description of 'The Power of Goodbye' being like a warmer and softer version of 'Frozen'. Really gorgeous vocal and Orbit's production is pitched just right; definitely an album highlight on an album that is full of such high standard.

'How High' doesn't seem to get much attention but it's shone through such amazing surrounding material as an album highlight for me too.

'4 Minutes' and 'Celebration' may be a little out of touch with what a lot of die-hard Madonna fans look for with her music, but they are undeniably catchy and I enjoy them immensely.

Posted by: Regina Feb 24 2018, 05:35 PM

Top 2 revealed tomorrow. I think.

Posted by: HarryEzra Feb 25 2018, 10:55 AM

4 Minutes is really good I don't think it gets the love it deserves when looked at among her hits

Posted by: Regina Feb 28 2018, 01:13 PM

02. Ghosttown





01. Intervention




In a countdown filled with ballads it could never end with anything other than her two best right?
Before we come to the winner, let's focus on the runner-up.

Ghosttown was the second single from Rebel Heart and among the first songs officially released from it. A song that proves that no matter how many B-Day Songs or
Autotone Baby's we get, she is still the Queen of Pop and can write and record a song that will stand the test of time and show the lessers who is on top.
Her best vocals in years, her best writing in years and her best video in a decade all combine into a song that should have been HUGE but alas, it wasn't meant to be.
Not only was the video amazing but she herself looked more gorgeous than she has in ages, the long hair and apocalypic cowgirl fashion were on point.

My number one has been my number one for years and it is unlikely to ever change. An album track from her best album American Life, it blends the acoustic/electro sound of the album to its more perfect and shows an emotional and vulnerable side to Madonna that doesn't get seen too often anymore. The acoustic guitar throughout makes it feel so raw and honest.
Watching her perform this on Tears Of A Clown, seeing her so raw and emotional makes me love this even more.

Posted by: liamk97 Feb 28 2018, 03:58 PM

What a gorgeous Top 2! 'Ghosttown' was such a treat at the time, taking classic, warm and emotive Madonna balladry and giving it a modern update. Safe to say that, three years on, it's still a magical song with a message that will be eternally relevant. I hope this can continue securing its place as a Madonna classic among her fanbase.

I anticipated an 'Intervention' win, but it's absolutely deserved! Always been a fan, but the Tears of a Clown performance you mentioned definitely made it all the more special. Seeing her pour all her sorrow into the lyrics, you just can't help but really feel her pain, and I remember that whenever I hear the studio version.

Thanks so much for the countdown, Grant! It's always interesting to hear other people's thoughts and experiences with songs. Some really inspired choices here!

Posted by: Regina Feb 28 2018, 04:26 PM

Full list



1. Intervention
2. Ghosttown
3. 4 Minutes
4. Celebration
5. How High
6. The Power Of Good-bye
7. La Isla Bonita
8. Isaac
9. Time Stood Still
10. Like A Prayer
11. Candy Shop
12. Bedtime Story
13. Queen
14. This Used To Be My Playground
15. You’ll See
16. Oh Father
17. American Life
18. Live To Tell
19. Gone
20. You Must Love Me

Posted by: vibe Feb 28 2018, 05:13 PM

Ghostown is def in my top 5

Posted by: dandy* Feb 28 2018, 08:14 PM

Oh what an absolutely delightful top 2

I knew Intervention was going to be there and it is very much one of my favourites too so an excellent choice, it continues to grow over the years too and I'd rank it in my top 10 at the moment I think. Definitely the clear highlight of American Life for me.

Ghosttown is another that I adore, it was too new to rank any higher than 31st back when I did my countdown but it would definitely be higher today, it's ageing really well and beginning to sound like a classic of hers.

Posted by: HausofTroye Mar 4 2018, 08:41 PM

Brilliant top 2! Good to see Ghosttown there, showing she has the power to create timeless songs.

Intervention is absolutely BEAUTIFUL too. What a moment in the middle of an otherwise abrasive and in your face album