BuzzJack Music Forum _ Madonna _ 'The Immaculate Collection' • album discussion
Posted by: HausofGhibli 26th May 2020, 05:18 PM
A place to discuss Madonna's 1st greatest hits album 'The Immaculate Collection'. Released in 1990.
1. Holiday 2. Lucky Star - US ReMix Version 3. Borderline - Remix 4. Like a Virgin 5. Material Girl 6. Crazy for You - Edit 7. Into the Groove - Edit 8. Live to Tell 9. Papa Don't Preach 10. Open Your Heart 11. La Isla Bonita - Remix 12. Like a Prayer 13. Express Yourself 14. Cherish 15. Vogue 16. Justify My Love 17. Rescue Me
What are your thoughts on this album? Share any opinions, memories, favourite songs, or just discuss it anytime you're re-listening!
Posted by: HausofGhibli 26th May 2020, 05:18 PM
Posted by: dandy* 26th May 2020, 06:42 PM
Obviously one of the most perfect albums to ever exist, even with the Q versions. Although I do like the versions of Borderline and Into The Groove... in fact now I think about it I like pretty much everything aside from the version of Like a Prayer - but then that's still Like a Prayer so is great but just not as great.
Plus it has Rescue Me which is forever underrated
Posted by: Bjork 27th May 2020, 07:51 AM
they could have added Dress you up and True blue to make it more complete
Posted by: Liam.k. 27th June 2020, 04:06 PM
I've been listening to this today - what a collection! I love the edits of 'Into the Groove' and 'Express Yourself'. Like Dandy, I prefer the original of 'Like a Prayer' but this version is still good and I don't think it was necessary to add another three and half minutes to 'Lucky Star', but these are minor points (on the physical editions of the album, 'Lucky Star' is under 4 minutes anyway).
It's wall-to-wall of big pop hits, such a great party playlist (even with two ballads on there!). It really shows Madonna's growth as an artist and packages the first chapter of her career perfectly. It would have been nice if 'True Blue' and 'Who's That Girl' were on there too but there's so much on offer here that I don't feel like I miss them.
What's everyone's thoughts on the album cover?
Posted by: dandy* 27th June 2020, 04:15 PM
I'm glad that True Blue and Who's That Girl aren't on it, they aren't as good as what has been included so it would have just lowered the overall quality.
The album cover is sooooo basic but I kinda love it. The pale blue and gold works!
Posted by: Liam.k. 27th June 2020, 05:01 PM
I really like the cover too! I think it looks quite official looking and adds a sense of prestige, like it holds something of extreme value (oh wait, it does!).
I believe the image on the back cover was meant to be on the front (as it is on the music video collection of the same name). I don't think it really works as an album cover and, although I like a lot of the photoshoots for the album, I don't think anything beats the final version. I do quite like https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQozR1mO5lg/V_KZ0AwnT0I/AAAAAAAA4yI/Q3zzHPLOgQs_eKBlALuPbpZvqP7TuI51QCLcB/s1600/Immaculate%2BCollection%2Bby%2B%2540mdnaextreme.jpg, it reminds me of one of the covers for David Bowie's 'nothing has changed.' compilation.
Reading up on the original ideas for this compilation, it was set to just be titled 'The Ultimate Collection' until someone came up with its actual title (a genius idea). Apparently a chain of stores already listed it under 'The Ultimate Collection' and it was too late to notify them, so die-hard fans had spent lots of time trying to hunt down this non-existent product! There was also a different order to the tracking list:
1) Like a Virgin 2) Material Girl 3) Crazy For You 4) Live to Tell 5) Papa Don't Preach 6) Open Your Heart 7) Like a Prayer 8) Cherish 9) Lucky Star 10) Borderline 11) Into the Groove 12) La Isla Bonita 13) Express Yourself 14) Holiday 15) Vogue 16) Untitled new song (presumably 'Justify My Love')
A song titled 'Get Over' was recorded for the collection but was scrapped and later recorded by Nick Scotti (you can hear Madonna's vocals in the background):
Posted by: dandy* 27th June 2020, 05:05 PM
I'm glad they changed the tracklisting from that! It works really well in chronological order and demonstrates exactly how much she progressed during the 80s.
Posted by: vibe 28th June 2020, 02:05 PM
Madonna wanted the shot of her grabbing her crotch to be the front cover . The record company didn’t allow it so the design logo was made.
Posted by: dandy* 28th June 2020, 02:11 PM
Quick rate...
09 Holiday (I like the edit more than the full version) 06 Lucky Star 10 Borderline 06 Like a Virgin 09 Material Girl 10 Crazy for You 10 Into the Groove 10 Live to Tell 10 Papa Don't Preach 10 Open Your Heart 10 La Isla Bonita 10 Like a Prayer 10 Express Yourself 10 Cherish 10 Vogue 10 Justify My Love 10 Rescue Me
:loon:
Posted by: Liam.k. 28th June 2020, 02:18 PM
Omg! I see no lies tbh.
Posted by: vibe 28th June 2020, 05:47 PM
Madonna must be the only artist ever to leave 2 number 1 hits off a GH album.
WTG also went to number 1 in the states .
Posted by: LJ JORD 7 28th June 2020, 09:30 PM
Who’s That Girl to me is like her most forgotten #1 both UK and US.
Posted by: Spiceboy 29th June 2020, 12:15 AM
What a collection, the only thing that bugs me is Lucky Star being on it while True Blue and Who's that girl are left off (WTG less so)... Lucky Star is one of the worse songs ever it's like a child's playground song, I truly don't understand why she felt that was worth being represented but True Blue which was a #1 wasn't? I also find WTG being left off a shame not because I really like the song but because she represents all her albums up to that point except the WTG one.
Clearly Madonna likes Lucky Star a lot for some reason, it's on Celebration too and she performs it on tour...
Posted by: Spiceboy 29th June 2020, 12:16 AM
QUOTE(LJ JORD 7 @ Jun 28 2020, 10:30 PM)
Who’s That Girl to me is like her most forgotten #1 both UK and US.
This used to be my playground I think is her most forgotten #1 (USA #1).
Madonna must be the only artists who actively leaves #1's off her Greatest Hits albums GHV2 also missed off 2 #1's (not a fan of TUTBMP so not really bothered lol)
Posted by: vibe 29th June 2020, 09:57 AM
Lucky Star live is amazing , the song totally gets inspired when done live. I agree about the album version not being one of her best.
I guess the video /image is to iconic to be left off.
Posted by: Liam.k. 29th June 2020, 12:25 PM
'Lucky Star' and all the early hits were key moments to Madonna's journey into being a huge star. It was her first Top 5 hit in the US and the video makes the song very memorable and loved. 'True Blue' seemed to be a song Madonna wished to move on from and isn't representative of her sound or style; 'Who's That Girl' might have been too similar to 'La Isla Bonita', especially as it would follow it on the album, and maybe it being part of a separate project to her 'own' music releases could have been a factor. I love both songs but those are the reasons I can think of for leaving them out.
Posted by: vibe 29th June 2020, 01:40 PM
She prob left off WTG as it was from the film with the same name that flopped!! Even though it is her best film !!! She still wanted to be an actress at this point.
Posted by: HausofGhibli 29th June 2020, 04:41 PM
Lucky Star at the Confessions Tour is a MAJOR highlight! On its own it's not one of her best, but it really shines live, I agree!
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 9th November 2020, 09:34 PM
Happy 30th birthday to this seminal album!
Posted by: Hotlady 10th November 2020, 12:13 AM
It's such an fantastic album. Madonna songs are truly wonderful. I just love them all.
Posted by: Liam.k. 10th November 2020, 12:53 PM
Happy 30th to 'The Immaculate Collection'! 14th best selling album in the UK with over 3.8m sales (second highest by a female) and I believe held the record for highest weekly sale for a female album until 2007 with 340k sold on Christmas week 1990!
A celebratory article from Albumism: https://www.albumism.com/features/madonna-the-immaculate-collection-turns-30-anniversary-retrospective
QUOTE
It’s incredible to think that The Immaculate Collection covers just seven years of the singer’s career, but those seven early years are also a major part of a decade that saw so much change and was determined to welcome in even more. This album represents so much more than a narcissistic collection of hits—it is a musical diary that highlights the cultural moment that Madonna initiated, developed and conquered. This is the moment when female empowered lyrics took control wholeheartedly and its facilitator, Madonna, proved time and time again why she deserved the title of “Queen of Pop.”
A collection of immaculate songs it is, The Immaculate Collection it will always be.
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 10th November 2020, 09:10 PM
Love that article! Also this is so retro and so on point:
Posted by: Liam.k. 10th November 2020, 11:22 PM
Love that quote! So true.
A couple of TV ads:
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 11th November 2020, 06:57 AM
’90s Flashback: Madonna’s Underrated “Rescue Me”
QUOTE
Every now and again, a music anniversary will make your head spin. And The Immaculate Collection turning 30 this week is one of them. Madonna’s landmark greatest hits compilation not only ranks as one of the best-selling albums of all time (it sold more than 30 million copies worldwide), it also serves as a time capsule of the 1980s. If you want to know what that decade sounded like, just press play. More importantly, it charts the Queen of Pop’s progression from bubblegum-pop diva to the risk-taking, rule-breaking icon she went on to become in the 1990s.
The two new songs, “Justify My Love” and “Rescue Me,” underscore this shift. Of course, the former is the best-remembered cut. Not only was it very, very good and highly controversial, the sexy anthem also topped the charts becoming Madonna’s ninth number one. Unfortunately, the other original has become something of a footnote in M’s holy discography, which is a shame because it was a groundbreaking bop in its own way. In some ways, “Rescue Me” can be thought of as a companion piece to “Vogue.” The execution isn’t as majestic, but it plays with the same ideas.
For starters, Madonna was experimenting with spoken-word or rapped verses. “I think when love is pure you try to understand the reasons why and I prefer this mystery,” the enduring hitmaker dictates, almost in a stream of consciousness. “It cancels out my misery and gives me hope that there could be a person that loves me.” The understated verses are juxtaposed with a massive, gospel-tinged chorus. “Rescue me, your love has given me hope,” Madonna belts over Shep Pettibone’s house beats. “Rescue me, I’m drowning, baby throw out your rope.”
“Rescue Me” was released as a single in early 1991. It was something of an afterthought and only really happened because radio started playing the song, forcing Warner’s hand. The single cover was recycled from “Justify My Love” and the banger didn’t even get a music video. Nonetheless, “Rescue Me” still became a sizable hit around the globe — peaking at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the 30th anniversary of The Immaculate Collection revisit the album’s most underrated cut
05 Holiday 06 Lucky Star 11 Borderline 10 Like a Virgin 10 Material Girl 09 Crazy for You 11 Into the Groove 11 Live to Tell 11 Papa Don't Preach 09 Open Your Heart 11 La Isla Bonita 11 Like a Prayer 08 Express Yourself 08 Cherish 10 Vogue 08 Justify My Love 07 Rescue Me
so many 11s
Posted by: Liam.k. 11th November 2020, 04:42 PM
^ Love that!
Probably changes all the time but this is my rank based on today's listen:
1) Vogue 2) Papa Don't Preach 3) Into the Groove 4) Like a Prayer 5) Live to Tell 6) Crazy For You 7) La Isla Bonita 8) Cherish 9) Express Yourself 10) Open Your Heart 11) Rescue Me 12) Borderline 13) Holiday 14) Justify My Love 15) Material Girl 16) Lucky Star 17) Like a Virgin
'Rescue Me' is great, it seems to combine all the notable elements of Madonna's late 80s/early 90s: gospel, house, spoken-word. A shame there was no video as I'm sure it would mean the song was more remembered today, however it was never planned to be a single, released merely off the back of the airplay it was receiving. Quite impressive to think it went Top 3 in the UK and Top 10 in the US all considered - just shows how huge Madonna was back then.
Posted by: vibe 11th November 2020, 05:37 PM
What do we thinks coming ?
She keeps teasing us on Insta!
Posted by: dandy* 11th November 2020, 06:21 PM
01 Vogue (11) 02 Open Your Heart (11) 03 Rescue Me (11) 04 Into the Groove (11) 05 Papa Don't Preach (11) 06 Like a Prayer (10) 07 La Isla Bonita (10) 08 Borderline (10) 09 Live to Tell (10) 10 Express Yourself (10) 11 Crazy For You (10) 12 Justify My Love (10) 13 Cherish (10) 14 Holiday (09) 15 Material Girl (08) 16 Like a Virgin (06) 17 Lucky Star (05)
I used to love the version of Like a Prayer back when the album was released but in retrospect it really isn't as good or as euphoric as the original.
Rescue Me really is the most underrated single of hers though, it's an absolute 11/10 moment and perfectly straddles the line between the Vogue era and the Erotica one.
Posted by: vibe 11th November 2020, 06:39 PM
1. Crazy For You 2. Live To Tell 3. Borderline 4. Into The Groove 5. Vogue 6. Rescue Me 7. La Isla Bonita 8. Like A Prayer 9. Holiday 10. Cherish 11. Papa Dont Preach 12. Open Your Heart 13. Express Yourself 14. Lucky Star 15. Justify My Love 16. Like A Virgin 17. Material Girl
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 11th November 2020, 07:05 PM
I'm giving the album a celebratory listen right now!
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 11th November 2020, 07:35 PM
QUOTE(dandy* @ Nov 11 2020, 06:21 PM)
Rescue Me really is the most underrated single of hers though, it's an absolute 11/10 moment and perfectly straddles the line between the Vogue era and the Erotica one.
I listen I give it, I believe this to be the case more and more. Certainly one of her most underrated songs! It's such an electrifying jam
Posted by: dandy* 11th November 2020, 08:08 PM
It really is! It's got a real sense of pace and drama to it with the choir and the spoken verses contrast it all so beautifully. And it's got clicks! You can never go wrong with clicks!
I've just listened to it again and electrifying is such a good word for it
Posted by: vibe 11th November 2020, 08:28 PM
In my dreams she opens a tour with rescue me !!!
Can you imagine
‘I’m talking , I’m talking , I believe in the power of love !!!
Orgasmic
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 11th November 2020, 08:34 PM
QUOTE(vibe @ Nov 11 2020, 08:28 PM)
In my dreams she opens a tour with rescue me !!!
Can you imagine
‘I’m talking , I’m talking , I believe in the power of love !!!
Orgasmic
Just got goosebumps thinking about this! Greatest Hits tour in 2022 please x
Posted by: Sour Candy 11th November 2020, 08:38 PM
This is a flawless singles collection, such a shame it is not among the big bestsellers such as Queen's GH and Elton John's Diamonds in 2020 but I assume it is selling pretty ok on a weekly basis.
This was my third Madonna album, the first was Something to Remember and then of course Ray of Light.
Posted by: Liam.k. 11th November 2020, 08:46 PM
It's been consistently in the Top 200 this year and entered the Top 100 a few times:
Wish it did achieve the amount that the likes of Queen, Elton and Fleetwood Mac do on a weekly basis though.
Posted by: vibe 11th November 2020, 09:20 PM
40k is good and it is the 14th best selling album in the UK ever.
Maybe the biopic will help it’s sales but I imagine a new GH could happen.
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 11th November 2020, 09:58 PM
Yeah streaming is definitely helping it, but maybe some of its sales are split with Celebration too making it not as impactful as the other greatest hits? either way, it's been a great year for the album!
Posted by: Bjork 12th November 2020, 06:42 AM
I guess Elton John and Queen were lucky cos they had the movies attached to them... Madonna needs a movie to promote the Immaculate Collection hahaha
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 12th November 2020, 07:07 AM
QUOTE(Bjork @ Nov 12 2020, 06:42 AM)
I guess Elton John and Queen were lucky cos they had the movies attached to them... Madonna needs a movie to promote the Immaculate Collection hahaha
The biopic is coming, and features her early days so this would be the perfect companion! *.*
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 12th November 2020, 06:22 PM
That is beautiful
Posted by: vibe 12th November 2020, 09:01 PM
Stunning
Posted by: Bjork 16th November 2020, 07:50 PM
was thinking that one trick they missed, they could have released an anniversary edition this year on VINYL!! imagine having this on vinyl!!!!! I want it now
Posted by: dandy* 16th November 2020, 08:14 PM
It is readily available! Go buy it!
Posted by: Liam.k. 25th November 2020, 04:43 PM
30 years since the album's first week at #1!
It meant Madonna moved ahead of Barbra Streisand and Kate Bush for the female with most number one albums. It debuted with an estimated 94k and its sales kept climbing until Christmas week when it sold a massive 340k (the only album to sell more in a week prior to this was Michael Jackson's 'Bad' when it sold 350k upon release). The album passed 1m sales on this week, which made it the fastest million seller for a female and second fastest overall (beaten by Phil Collins' 'But Seriously').
'The Immaculate Collection' was the second best selling album of 1990, beaten by the aforementioned Phil Collins album; the 8th best selling album of the 1990s; 138th best selling album of the 2000s and the 14th best selling album of all time.
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 25th November 2020, 05:50 PM
What amazing statistics for an immaculate collection of music. Pure love
Posted by: Liam.k. 26th November 2020, 08:59 PM
Apparently the US maxi-singles (plus a couple of other mixes that were available in other countries) for 'Justify My Love' and 'Rescue Me' are due for release on 4th December!
1) Justify My Love (Q-Sound Mix) 2) Justify My Love (Orbit 12" Mix) 3) Justify My Love (Hip Hop Mix) 4) Express Yourself (Shep's 'Spressin' Himself Re-Remix) 5) Justify My Love (The Beast Within Mix) 6) Justify My Love (Orbit Edit)
1) Rescue Me 2) Rescue Me (Titanic Vocal Mix) 3) Rescue Me (Houseboat Vocal Mix) 4) Rescue Me (Lifeboat Vocal Mix) 5) Rescue Me (S.O.S. Mix) 6) Rescue Me (Demanding Dub) 7) Rescue Me (Alternative Single Mix)
Posted by: dandy* 26th November 2020, 09:09 PM
YES OMG!!! I do want that Titanic mix!
Posted by: HausofHitchcock 26th November 2020, 09:55 PM
Oooh This has me very excited!
Posted by: Liam.k. 10th December 2020, 01:03 PM
Guess what we're getting tonight???
Posted by: dandy* 10th December 2020, 01:28 PM
Much excite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy about this, I almost bought the single second hand last month but something stopped me... pleased I didn't now as these will be much better quality
Posted by: vibe 10th December 2020, 01:36 PM
Its great we have the remix packages for
Human Nature Justify My Love Hanky Panky Vogue Rescue Me
Have i missed any?
Posted by: Liam.k. 10th December 2020, 01:37 PM
'Erotica', 'Secret' and 'Music'!
Posted by: dandy* 10th December 2020, 04:14 PM
I wish she'd just add all of her singles! Would be great to get a new one each month or something
Posted by: Liam.k. 10th December 2020, 04:26 PM
I'm guessing they must be working there way towards having all her singles available, much like how they're gradually improving her YouTube channel. They've chosen mostly lead singles so maybe 'Frozen' next or, now they've got her first five singles of the 90s uploaded, 'Deeper & Deeper' and work their way through the years?
Posted by: spiceboy 10th December 2020, 05:49 PM
QUOTE(HausofHitchcock @ Nov 10 2020, 09:10 PM)
Love that article! Also this is so retro and so on point:
Love this review
Posted by: vibe 10th December 2020, 06:20 PM
They wouldn't have to past the LAP era because most singles had album tracks or instrumentals early on in her career.
If they do Papa Dont Preach we will get Aint No Big Deal
Posted by: vibe 10th December 2020, 07:02 PM
I cant find the music package on apple music
Posted by: Liam.k. 10th December 2020, 08:33 PM
QUOTE(vibe @ Dec 10 2020, 07:02 PM)
I cant find the music package on apple music
It appears under 'albums' rather than 'singles and EPs', that might be why. Here's the link: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/music-remixes/1528055232
Posted by: Santa Haus 10th December 2020, 08:39 PM
OOOOOH RESCUE ME MIXES - have been loving this song so much recently so this is perfect timing
Posted by: Liam.k. 11th December 2020, 04:09 PM
iTunes Album Chart: Rescue Me
#2 Greece #3 Bulgaria #7 Singapore #7 Sweden #17 Brazil #20 Mexico #28 Brunei Darussalam #30 Netherlands #31 Belgium #53 United Kingdom #99 United States #137 France #150 Germany
Posted by: Sour Candy 5th June 2021, 11:44 AM
Re-entered the UK album chart again
Still bizarre why this and not Celebration though
Posted by: HausofArgento 7th June 2021, 05:46 PM
I still don't think I fully understand the greatest hits / streaming malarky by the OCC but go off to this classic collection
Posted by: Bjork 8th June 2021, 07:41 AM
I guess The immaculate collection is selling more than Celebration on physicals/itunes, thats why the streams count for TIC Either that or the label has chosen it...
the rule is: Where a track appears on more than one album by an artist, streams of this track will be attributed equally to each studio album and a maximum of one greatest hits album (the hits title with the highest sales DUS for that given week, or other hits title nominated in advance by label).
Posted by: Liam.k. 6th November 2021, 09:41 PM
Only a year late waiting for this to be uploaded!
Posted by: Liam.k. 5th May 2023, 07:03 PM
Full album has been uploaded to Madonna's YouTube channel:
Posted by: Hotlady 6th May 2023, 03:01 PM
It's such a fantastic album. I love listening it.
Posted by: schizo_spice 9th October 2023, 11:01 PM
I was listening to TIC today for the first time in a while.
I forgot about the completely different mix of Like a Prayer. Nowhere near as good a production as the album version. Really takes away from the melancholy feel of the original too. I wonder what the point of that mix was?
I love the edits of 'Into the Groove' and 'Express Yourself'. Like Dandy, I prefer the original of 'Like a Prayer' but this version is still good and I don't think it was necessary to add another three and half minutes to 'Lucky Star', but these are minor points (on the physical editions of the album, 'Lucky Star' is under 4 minutes anyway).
There was also a different order to the tracking list:
either way, it's been a great year for the album!
