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Posted by: HausofHitchcock 23rd November 2020, 05:33 PM

15 years on from release, it's time to reveal the results for Madonna's much-loved 10th studio album's http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=239825.

Competing for the dancefloor crown are:

Hung Up
Get Together
Sorry
Future Lovers
I Love New York
Let It Will Be
Forbidden Love
Jump
How High
Isaac
Push
Like It Or Not
Fighting Spirit
Super Pop







Any predictions? What will the top 3 look like? Highest album track? Lowest single? First out? Predict and comment away - let's turn the music up HIGH as we celebrate this incredible era of music.

Posted by: HausofHitchcock 23rd November 2020, 07:17 PM

pretending like I haven't seen the results yet

MY PREDICTIONS:

What will the top 3 look like? Hung Up, Sorry and Get Together in some sort of order~

Highest album track? I pray it's Forbidden Love, but predicting Isaac~

Lowest single? Jump~

First out? One of the bonus tracks ~

Posted by: vibe 23rd November 2020, 10:06 PM

Hung Up - Win
Push - First Album track out

Posted by: HausofHitchcock 24th November 2020, 08:11 PM

14. Super Pop ~ 5.75

If I was a dog, I would be a man

First out it's the bonus track Super Pop. The track was only included on the Icon Members download edition of the album. The song tells of how Madonna would be able to conquer any career and art form away from music. She lists influences from different fields and claims she could be as great as those, before taking a jibe at men and those in power. It's a fun little track but with the songs on the main album stealing our hearts, this was always going to fall short. It takes home the wooden spoon award here~

Posted by: Liam.k. 24th November 2020, 11:59 PM

I do have a big soft spot for 'Super Pop'. It is a bit on-the-nose lyrically but it's pretty catchy. Not a surprise to see it out first but at least the average isn't too bad.

Posted by: HausofHitchcock 25th November 2020, 07:09 PM

'Super Pop' is ok at best, but the throwaway lyrics and the fact the production is a major step down from the main tracklist makes it a very worthy last place here.

Posted by: HausofHitchcock 25th November 2020, 09:16 PM

13. Fighting Spirit ~ 6.00

Keep the fighting spirit of love

And to the shock of no-one, the second track out is the second bonus track! Fighting Spirit was only included on the limited box set edition of the album and sees Madonna asking her lover how they will survive without her nearby. The chorus ebs into an empowering message of love conquering this distance between herself and the lover and leaves the listener with strength and positivity in the face of adversity.

Posted by: Liam.k. 26th November 2020, 08:52 PM

I think I awarded a 5 for 'Fighting Spirit' but the hook was stuck in my head for the rest of the night after that, so maybe I should have given it a rank higher.

This was definitely the correct bottom two though (although I'd have swapped them). Wonder how much the average will jump - I'm going to say 7+.

Posted by: HausofHitchcock 26th November 2020, 09:52 PM

12. Push ~ 7.07

Everything I do, I owe it all to you

The first album track out is Push - are you surprised or pleased? Incorperating lyrics from The Police's "Every Breath You Take", the song is a thank you to those who pushed Madonna to challenge herself and expand her limits throughout her life and career. Produced by Madonna and Stuart Price, the pair create a song that is intoxicating and inspirational. Throughout it, Madonna sings simple messages of hope and driving herself further, and it through this repetition that we truly believe her fight. It's the lowest ranked song from the main album here, but it still manages to muster up a great, above-average score and so it's a respectable performance!

Posted by: dandy* 26th November 2020, 10:16 PM

An acceptable bottom 3... although I am surprised that any of the bonus tracks beat an album track

Posted by: HausofHitchcock 27th November 2020, 07:02 AM

QUOTE(dandy* @ Nov 26 2020, 10:16 PM)

An acceptable bottom 3... although I am surprised that any of the bonus tracks beat an album track

Posted by: vibe 27th November 2020, 08:49 AM

I detest Push , i find it so jarring.

Posted by: HausofHitchcock 28th November 2020, 10:02 PM

I don't dislike Push! But on such a strong album, it is one of the weaker points unfortunately~

Posted by: dandy* 28th November 2020, 10:03 PM

QUOTE(HausofHitchcock @ Nov 27 2020, 07:02 AM)

Posted by: Liam.k. 28th November 2020, 10:05 PM

QUOTE(dandy* @ Nov 28 2020, 10:03 PM)

Posted by: dandy* 28th November 2020, 10:10 PM

YES thank you Liam that is totally a plausible explanation that I'm pretty sure didn't happen but I'm happily running with it!

Posted by: HausofHitchcock 28th November 2020, 10:21 PM

11. I Love New York ~ 7.21

If you can't stand the heat, then get off my street

I Love New York just misses out on the top 10! The song exemplifies Madonna's adoration for her adopted home town and the place in which her career began. She states that she doesn't need the other cities and it is only New York that she has time for. The song was written while she was touring in the city (during the American Life era) and she felt its electiricity. The song, with its choice lyrics, misses the all-important top 10~

Posted by: vibe 29th November 2020, 07:52 AM

this rate is going so well !!!

Posted by: Esmerelda 29th November 2020, 03:03 PM

Push is probably my least favourite album track. Don't think I ever heard the bonus tracks.

If it weren't for the clunky lyrics, I Love New York would be in my top 3 for the album.

Posted by: jlj 29th November 2020, 08:13 PM

I love Push!

Of the standard album though I do think I Love New York is the weakest track.

Very intrigued at where Isaac places!

Posted by: vibe 29th November 2020, 08:18 PM

Isaac is a fav on this site

Posted by: HausofHitchcock 30th November 2020, 09:56 PM

10. Like It Or Not ~ 7.93

Can't have the femme without the fatale

We enter the top 10 with the standard album's final track. Like It Or Not, 10 is the highest it could get! The song is a fair bit slower and subdued than the other numbers on the album, and it offers a more meloncholy end to the otherwise banging tracklist. In the song, she shoots back at critics as she states that love her or hate her, she will continue to blossom and thrive in her music and artistry. The Biblical references add power and might behind her struggle to remain on top of the game. It aptly closes an album that many consider to be one of her very best, and so it perfectly shows how despite the critics coming for her, even so far into her career she is able to shine in the way she does in this era.

Posted by: dandy* 30th November 2020, 10:52 PM

This is all going very well so far, the bottom three album tracks are all in my bottom 4 so if How High goes out next then I'll have all my faves remaining

Posted by: vibe 1st December 2020, 09:11 AM

Like It Or Not is my fav track on the album !!!

The lyrics are so relatable !!!

I love it !!!

Posted by: dandy* 1st December 2020, 12:15 PM

Definitely not mine, it's okay but I usually wish I'd put a real Goldfrapp track on instead.

I don't particularly care for the lyrics either, they're too generic - also I guess generic does often mean it can be related to by many.

Posted by: Qween 1st December 2020, 12:22 PM

Good results so far, I love Like It Or Not, but can easily see why others don't. Would be hard pushed to rank it much higher overall either, more down to the strength of the rest of the album.

Posted by: ✖ leww ✖ 1st December 2020, 12:48 PM

the results are going pretty on track so far!!

Posted by: Santa Haus 1st December 2020, 09:38 PM

09. How High ~ 8.07

Will it matter when I'm gone?

We are already in the 8 averages for songs and we've only just started the top 10! How High continues the theme of the previous song, as Madonna reflects on her career and her achievements to date. She questions how her fame has led to some uncertainties and issues but she will continue to power through them and achieve yet more greatness. It is a song that showcases great pride but also a sense of humility and reflection. It features the same electronic dance production of the rest of the album and uses this to explore whether her sacrifices in life and her career highs have been worth it. The robotic vocals that open the song set up vs the more honest vocals that follow show this conflict brilliantly. It's a song that asks 1000 questions and also leaves 1000 more to be answered.

Posted by: Santa Haus 4th December 2020, 09:40 PM

08. Let It Will Be ~ 8.14

I'm at the point of no return

In Let It Will Be Madonna sings of her success and fame to date. She tells of the importance of making your own path in life and not letting others influence your decisions. As she sings to "watch her burn", she emphasises that mistakes will be made along the way, but these should be celebrated. It's a triumphant song where Madonna fights against her demons and tries to celebrate her success against this. The song continues the pulsating, synthing beats that surround it and it offers a further insight into M's mind at a crucial point in her career. Here, it ranks with a greatly respectable average as the huge scores continue!

Posted by: Liam.k. 5th December 2020, 09:05 PM

Catching up ~ 'Push' is the only song on the main album I don't love so it's in the right position for me, as is 'I Love New York' but the goofy lyrics don't take away from the great production.

My personal order differs after that but the results are still going as I expected them to. 'Let It Will Be' and 'How High' manage to offer insight into Madonna's career without going too heavy; I particularly like how the latter asks questions that don't get answered, like a spontaneous flow of thought and reflection. The main focus of the album is clearly the music and these are two brilliant productions. 'Like It or Not' is a great way of winding down the album and gives a very confident, concluding statement following the more vague expressions earlier on.

Also, shout out to the fab Paper Faces remix of 'Let It Will Be'!

Posted by: Santa Haus 7th December 2020, 07:49 PM

A bit of a SHOCK next methinks (at least in my opinion)...

Posted by: Santa Haus 7th December 2020, 08:08 PM

07. Isaac ~ 8.58

Bring the heavens and the stars, down to earth for me

A shock? Still, this position is not to be snuffed at especially with such an impressive average. But alas, Isaac leaves us at a modest #7. The song takes us to the heavens, it brings the stars and the universe back down to earth and it does this through its exploration of time, space and everything in between. It challenged the listener to find their place in the grand scheme of the world around them and to challenge themselves to go to places they have never been before. It challenged listeners to tackle their demons and face the darkness around them. Ultimately about letting go (it was originally going to be called 'Fear of Flying'), Madonna settled on the titular name after the featured vocalist Yitzhak Sinwani, who sang portions of the Yemenite Hebrew poem Im Nin'alu. It's an incredibly engrossing song and one that sounds huge on an already grand and elaborate album.

Posted by: Liam.k. 7th December 2020, 08:18 PM

I'd have placed 'Isaac' higher but, knowing the songs that are above it, it would be hard to argue any of them didn't deserve their place in the Top 6.

It's my favourite album track on 'Confessions'; the way the production builds and drops towards the end is everything.

Posted by: Santa Haus 7th December 2020, 08:24 PM

The final half is so sublime. The entire song is, but the end in particular

Posted by: dandy* 7th December 2020, 08:55 PM

I won't be shocked at anything I don't think unless Hung Up doesn't win - but I'd definitely have had Isaac higher than 7th. It's so unique among her catalogue and totally agree that the second half of it is just fantastic.

Posted by: Santa Haus 10th December 2020, 08:37 PM

06. Future Lovers ~ 8.64

I'm gonna tell you about love

One of Madonna's most fascinating and alluring songs; with a hefty average, it has narrowly missed the top 5. Future Lovers is the tour's opener and in a way, it should be the album's introduction too. The opening lyrics "I'm gonna tell you about love" set the scene perfectly for a trippy experience that is to follow as Madonna takes us down a futuristic road of love and lust and ethereal experiences. Heavily inspired by Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" (and performed as part of a medley with the song on the Confessions Tour), it's a song that daringly takes the listener into a distant future where love is free and can shine on for an eternity. It has multiple meanings and interpretations, but above all it represents love in its most powerful guise and all of its glory.

Posted by: Santa Haus 10th December 2020, 08:39 PM

GOSH what an album. The way songs like Future Lovers and Isaac can miss the top 5 and it not be considered a major travesty. The strength is undeniable, everything is KILLER <3

Posted by: vibe 11th December 2020, 09:10 AM

I thought isaac would be higher especially on this site.

Posted by: Santa Haus 13th December 2020, 08:05 PM

05. Jump ~ 9.11

I'm gonna tell you about love

The fourth and final single from the album, it's the first of the singles to drop out here. Jump was originally intended to be the third single but was pushed further back in favour of 'Get Together'. The song is about self-empowerment and finding strength in the start of a new relationship. The music video for the song was shot in Tokyo and shows Madonna in blonde wig alongside neon signs and parkour acrobats. The song was a middling hit across the world and continued the dance-pop synthing vibes of the three singles before it. A club ready song, it has here passed the 9 average mark and has done exceptionally well, especially considering it has "only" managed 5th place!

Posted by: Santa Haus 13th December 2020, 08:05 PM

This used to be my favourite single from the album but it has since been overtaken considerably by the rest of them. Still, this is a delight though and such a vibe

Posted by: Simon. 14th December 2020, 05:28 PM

Love that 'Forbidden Love' is top 4, I'd possibly place it before 'Get Together'.

Posted by: Santa Haus 14th December 2020, 09:07 PM

04. Forbidden Love ~ 9.23

Hearts that intertwine

Out in 4th place, it's the final album track to feature in this countdown. Your favourite album track from this album is officially: Forbidden Love. And it has done it in immense style with a huge average! The song is about a futuristic love and intergalactic relationship, whereby Madonna has second thoughts about it as she starts to question if they are supposed to be together. The song shares a name with a track from her Bedtime Stories album, and it turns out the decision to take that name and re-use it was intentional as she states: "I mean, if I'm going to plagiarize somebody, it might as well be me, right? I feel like I've earned the right to rip myself off. 'Talent borrows, genius steals,'". The song has performed exceptionally well and it leaves 3 humongous singles left to battle it out for the crown!

Posted by: Santa Haus 14th December 2020, 09:07 PM

My favourite album track from her (from this album or otherwise)! An absolute intoxicating beauty - shivers with every listen!

Posted by: dandy* 14th December 2020, 10:07 PM

One of my top 10 favourite tracks of hers and my favourite on the album, it’s just lovely and such a positive message. I loved the choreography on the tour too

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn 14th December 2020, 11:40 PM

Can't believe 'Forbidden Love' has placed above 'Jump'. Wuttttt.

Posted by: Santa Haus 17th December 2020, 07:47 PM

03. Get Together ~ 9.5

There's too much confusion

The third single from the album is the 3rd placed song overall for you guys. Get Together was picked as the 3rd single after it performed strongest on downloads following on from the album's release. The song is inspired by 'Music Sounds Better with You' by Stardust and it similarly creates a sonic landscape from the heavens. The song wasn't a huge success in the US, but it did become a top 10 hit in the UK and other countries. The music video incorporated Madonna's performance of the song at London's Koko Club, but was animated to reflect the dream-like nature of the song. Nominated for a Grammy and becoming a fan favourite over the years, it hasn't quite done enough to topple the two biggest singles from the album. But which of those has come out on top?

Posted by: Santa Haus 18th December 2020, 06:52 PM

'Get Together' was a 10 for me and I rank it ahead of 'Sorry' but I can see why this has fallen behind that and 'Hung Up'. I find this to be such an experience whenever I listen to it. So atmospheric <3

Posted by: dandy* 18th December 2020, 07:31 PM

I did wonder if Get Together would sneak second after it did so well in the discography rate but third is still a very good result. I definitely prefer it to Sorry and I possibly even prefer it to Hung Up these days too

Posted by: Liam.k. 18th December 2020, 07:44 PM

Same Dandy, I thought it might have snuck a #2 placing! It's become one of her most loved by fans, long gone are the days where it 'spoilt' the potential 1-2 punch of 'Hung Up' into 'Sorry'! Those two are still my Top 2 and I'd have had 'Isaac' complete the Top 3, but what a banger 'Get Together' is! Love the fluidity of the production and that explosion of energy towards the end is irresistible!

It's so deserving of a better music video, a shame that 'Confessions' seemed to be the point where Madonna start caring more about the tour than a lengthy, full-committed album campaign. They did a good job with what they had, as you say, the dream-like/hallucinatory nature of the video suits the song, but it needed more content. I'd have liked them to continue the storyline from 'Sorry'.

'Forbidden Love' is a very worthy choice for best album track. It's probably the deepest lyrically but it doesn't let the party stop and it's another example of Madonna keeping something ambiguous yet so overtly personal. I love how the production gradually builds and before you know it it's right at the forefront of the song.

Posted by: Santa Haus 19th December 2020, 05:54 PM

TOP 2 INCOMING

Posted by: Santa Haus 19th December 2020, 06:13 PM

02. Sorry ~ 9.54

Je suis désolé

Only marginally ahead of 'Get Together', in second place, it's the second single! Sorry was one of the first songs developed for the album and it is a song of personal empowerment and self-sufficiency. It became Madonna's 12th #1 single in the UK and went on to be one of the biggest dance songs of the decade in the US. The music video featured Madonna roaming around a city in a van, dancing on roller skates and fighting with a group of men in a cage, continuing off from the 'Hung Up' music video. The song incorperated loads of different languages, and it harks back to disco-inspired 80s hits that Madonna first became famous for a few decades previously.

Posted by: Santa Haus 19th December 2020, 06:14 PM

01. Hung Up ~ 10.13

Time goes by so slowly

Was there ever any doubt about what would come out on top? I think the only question was, how high the average would be and here it is - an above perfect score of 10.13!! Hung Up samples ABBA's 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)' and makes it soar into the 2000s with an inescapably catchy, and irrestistibly iconic instrumentation. Written and produced alongside Stuart Price, the pair create a magical hit that has gone on to become one of Madonna's biggest hits ever. Taken straight out of the 80s, it has a ticking clock that allows the song to have a sense of immediacy as it signifies time being wasted and the fears of time moving on. A #1 in the UK and one of the best selling songs of all time, it reignited Madonna's commercial career after a more muted era that came before it. It also showed yet another transformation from the ever-changing and evolving artist and allowed her to reach new audiences and generations. The music video is a tribute to dance itself and it features Madonna in her instantly iconic pink leotard. Here, the song has smashed through the rate and become the highest rated song by some considerable distance. There was never any doubt that one of the greatest ever songs would top a rate for one of the greatest ever albums. Pure perfection.

Posted by: Santa Haus 21st December 2020, 09:24 PM

The correct winner for me! I'd have put 'Get Together' and 'Forbidden Love' above 'Sorry' but really the entire top 5 is pure perfection. What an album!

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn 22nd December 2020, 01:34 AM

I can't deny 'Hung Up' but I definitely prefer 'Sorry'!