You have http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=194424&st=0 and http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=195049&st=0 for your favourite Madonna ballad and now it's time to tally up and count down your top 11. The ballads span through her entire career and there's an eclectic mixture of eras and ages, all united in the message of love/loss and emotion.
Here are the 11 songs vying to be named Madonna's BEST Ballad ~
Crazy For You
Frozen
Ghosttown
I'll Remember
Intervention
Live To Tell
Oh Father
Power of Goodbye
Rain
Take A Bow
You'll See
What do you want to win? Come last? Predict the order? LET'S GO
Crazy For You wins
Intervention loses
LET'S GO ~
11. Intervention // 45 points
This is actually the same amount of points that the first artwork got in the artwork results. Small coincidence~ Yes first out as Vibe predicted/wished for is the signature ballad from Madonna's 'American Life' album. The album brilliantly combines acoustic and electronic elements, and this song take the former much further. Folk-inspired and highly reflective, throughout the ballad Madonna sings of being optimistic in love and continuing down the tricky roads faced. It's a lovely song and amassed a fair amount of support in the recent AL polls so it's clearly liked here. Did well to make this stage, but ultimately falls out first by some distance!
the road looks lonely but that's just Satan's game
I'd have liked to have seen this higher, but it is true that it's done extremely well to have made it to the finals. I suppose the fact we've recently revisited the American Life album helped it immensely to do so. I love the lyric you quoted, the melody is beautifully simple and the message is so encouraging and optimistic without sounding cliched or patronising.
Crazy for you didn't win 😭
Bloody frozen !!!
you'll see!
Lmao Liam doesn't know the results, so his post most certainly is NOT a spoiler!
Frozen, surely?
10. I'll Remember // 60 points
Kick-starting the top 10, we have 'I'll Remember' the whimsical soundtrack single from film 'With Honors'. The song marked a departure from the sexualised image she had conveyed throughout the Erotica era. Racking up noms from the Golden Globes and Academy Awards, it was a commercial and critical success and it's easy to see why - so blissfully uplifting and nostalgic. There is a honesty throughout the song, a personal conveyance of where the artist had come from up until that point. It's not her most striking song but as a ballad it's a sweet number ~
now that I'm standing on my own, I'll remember
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
I'll remember is a sweet song .
'I'll Remember' has an interesting take on a break-up song, yet it's one that's quite realistic. It's neither a "f*** you, I'm better without you" or a "I miss you so, please take me back", but an "okay, it's ended, it's sad, but you taught me so much and I'll treasure that and you always; I realise that some things don't last and it's all part of a bigger plan for oneself". Also, it has a gorgeous melody that I'd have thought would have made a refreshing change following the Erotica album.
In fact, the song is almost in reference to the Erotica era, as if she's saying to herself "right, this image and sound didn't really work with the public, but that's okay, because I needed to put it out there and I learned a lot from it".
Frozen is my favourite!
It's just so electronic and the combination of the music and her voice made this song one of the best hits of that era
The sound effects were great
And the music video suits the song very well
One of her best music videos ever.
Welcome to the forum!
I agree that the 'Frozen' video compliments the song really well. The colour, her costume, the look she gives with her head tilted down - it's all so cold and bleak and eerie, which really highlights the chilling strings and sound effects in the song itself. It's not as extravagant like most other Madonna classic videos are, but it doesn't need to be and it still does exactly what a music video should do.
09. Take A Bow // 70 points
Next up we have one of the more well known songs on the countdown, and the second single from 'Bedtime Stories'. Madonna's airy vocals sing over the plucky instrumental and (without meaning to shade it!) it makes for the perfect bedtime, lullaby, time to fall asleep backing music. A big #1 single for Madonna, it's very listener friendly and one of her most accessible songs, let alone ballads. It manages to squeeze into the top 10 here perhaps for it being not the most daring ballads but a safe and content number.
One lonely star you don't know who you are
09. Take A Bow | 70
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
I've never been a huge fan of Take A Bow. It ticks all the boxes, but it's less than the sum of its part, probably because it's a little too saccharine and bland for my liking and doesn't quite have the same urgency/connection as some of her earlier work. It's a good transition into the earth mother late 90's Madonna of course, but it also pales massively in comparison to what came after.
08. Ghosttown // 76 points
The most recent song on the countdown, taken from Madonna's latest studio album it's 'Ghosstown'. The song was released as the second single from the album, accompanied by an Armageddon style music video. With nothing to hold onto but love, the song is a soaring pop ballad and a signature sound that Madge resurrected for the album, harking back to her earlier heydays. A brilliant song from M's recent output and a very worthy 8th place finish in the countdown of her best ballads of all time.
Everything's bound to break sooner or later
08. Ghosttown | 76
09. Take A Bow | 70
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
Ghosttown is so amazing !!
Why did she leave it off the tour setlist ? 😭
Ghosttown should have been a little higher I think (though not in all ALL TIME list done for real, just out of this selection). It's both comforting and annoying that even at this stage she can still come up with such a truly perfect pop ballad.
I can appreciate criticisms that it's too slow and dreary (I very much held this opinion at first) but the past couple of years or so have really cemented 'Take a Bow' as one of my favourite Madonna ballads. I know what you mean about the lullaby and winding down tone - it's definitely a fitting closer to an album titled Bedtime Stories - yet I also feel that there's something quite dramatic and theatrical about it. I think the Shakespeare-esque elements and performance references just make me envision Madonna on a stage delivering some sort of soliloquy, really getting to grips with the actually quite heart-breaking lyrics. Plus the video is one of my favourites, if only for fumbling around on the bed...
'Ghosttown' is very bittersweet, both in its theme and the way it makes me feel. It's certainly one of the most imaginative Madonna songs of recent times; it's a great take on the "living for love" theme because its message essentially says that, even with nothing else, love will keep us alive, yet not for one moment does it feel cliched or cheesy or patronising. I love her vocals; you can tell they have been slightly aided, but her live performances have shown she is just as capable of singing the song, and I think it suits her naturally ageing voice and brings out the best in it. Obviously there's sad elements of the song but the message of hope and just the knowledge that Madonna is still capable of creating genuine beauties like this makes me very happy.
07. Rain // 82 points
TOO LOW. The absolutely haunting and beautifully brooding 'Rain' drops out next. A stand-out on the 'Erotica' album for being so melodic and soft it's a wondrous moment of total beauty. The song tells of the power of water (whatever that may symbolise for the listener) to was away life's problems and for love to be empowered through this. It's a heart-felt song with a strong message of endurance and inner strength. This is coupled with a music video that exposes M not like how she had been previously in the era's music videos, but in a more innocent, mournful, reflective state. All-in-all a stunning moment of Madonna's entire discography, not just among her ballads.
Wash away my sorrow, take away my pain
07. Rain | 82
08. Ghosttown | 76
09. Take A Bow | 70
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
I have nothing but love for this song. It fills me with so many emotions with every listen. An eternal beauty
I'm really in love with rain at the moment .
She should consider singing this live again.
Too low! Such a beauty. My favourite Madonna ballad and definitely within my Top 5 Madonna songs overall
Jay
And vibe yeah, I'd love for her to reignite it with a live performance at some point.
This will continue over the weekend apologies I've had a hectic few days!! Keep predicting and commenting guys *.*
I don't think I love 'Rain' as much as a lot of people here do - I've even found it to drop down my ranking of the Erotica album - but it nonetheless remains a lovely and surprising moment on the album. She has a gorgeous tone to her voice and I think she'd be able to master it if she brought this back to the stage. The use of rain as a metaphor has the potential to be cliched but I don't think that comes across in this song at all. I love the simplicity and colour pallet of the video too.
I feel like 'Rain' should have been single #3. I know it's easy to say with hindsight, but it out-performed both 'Bad Girl' and 'Fever' despite being released at the end of the campaign, so it can be assumed it was much better received. It would seem the main reason behind 'Bad Girl' being a single was to change perceptions of the era and I think 'Rain' would have done a better job of doing that.
Maybe 'Frozen' to be out next?
I've never understood the love for Bad Girl , it's far too long and not single material imo. But I know many fans who love it .
Bit of a shock next?
06. Live to Tell // 94 points
Just missing out on the top 5 by two points is the cinematic, grand soaring 'Live to Tell' taken from M's iconic 'True Blue' album. Quite a sprightly, upbeat album, this song cuts to the core partway through and makes for one of her most darkest and opening songs ever. Madonna's third number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and cited by many as her greatest ballad, it just misses the top 5 here. Brought back to startling light around a decade ago with her killer performance on the Confessions Tour, it has one that continues to age brilliantly.
The light that you could never see, it shines inside, you can't take that from me
06. Live to Tell | 94
07. Rain | 82
08. Ghosttown | 76
09. Take A Bow | 70
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
WHAT THE FUCK
goodbye fools
I have always loved it but today the lyrics have REALLY resonated with me because of issues I'm having at work and the song has taken A NEW HEIGHT. David I should never have doubted its power
Live To Tell <3
05. You'll See // 96 points
The lead single from Madonna's Ballad compilation album Something to Remember, it's only fair it made the countdown and it's done very well to come in the top half here. The song was a commercial success and continued to convey Madonna's more toned down and personable image. The song itself is a love letter from Madonna to her fans and returns the focus away from the controversy back to the music. It's a lovely little song and has exceeded my initial expectations for it here so it clearly has its fans on the forum!
I know I'll stay alive all on my own
05. You'll See | 96
06. Live to Tell | 94
07. Rain | 82
08. Ghosttown | 76
09. Take A Bow | 70
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
04. Oh Father // 103 points
And now we lose, for me, her most heartbreaking ballad ever. From the playful, childish opening to the damning realisation that Madonna is painfully disregarding the male figures in her life, it's an all too real and personal indictment of cruelty and patriarchal angst. But the song is so much more than that, it's also a cry for help and a plea for hope in the face of adversity. The glorious Fincher music video perfectly captures the pain and remorse of the song and adds to its beauty. A stunning song and a strong showing for it here </3 Heartbreaking, honest and endearing, everything a ballad should be.
You can get used to the tears and the pain
04. Oh Father | 103
05. You'll See | 96
06. Live to Tell | 94
07. Rain | 82
08. Ghosttown | 76
09. Take A Bow | 70
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
Oh father is a stunning masterpiece .
So haunting with the vocal delivery and the lyrics . The video is incredible too.
TOP 3 TO COME AND STILL WAITING FOR MORE REPLIES FOR THE LAST FEW MASTERPIECE SONGS
Top 3 ~
Crazy For You
Frozen
The Power of Goodbye
'Live to Tell' is one of Madonna's most important ballads. It's so self-assured, with its near-minute long intro, the monologue-esque delivery and the anonymous subject matter that still makes an impact. Most of the song's selling power relies in the hands of Madonna's vocals, set in a lower tone that holds such a vulnerability yet a longing to be strong. We can guess at the song's message or put our own experiences forward; either way, the impact is always powerful. I must also add that, despite being a world away from the direction of the rest of True Blue, I've never found the song to stick out badly within the context of the album for some reason.
Placed back-to-back shows just how similar 'You'll See' is to 'Live to Tell', but not for a moment does it sound like a second-rate imitation. The intro is equally as dramatic and atmospheric, but there's a hint of something sinister there too. I don't pick up on any suggestion of that in the lyrics, so perhaps it's not meant to make that impression but, nevertheless, it sends chills down my spine and allows me to immediately engage with the song. The vocals are much higher but there's still that conflict of vulnerability and strength, although the latter seems to be more dominant since Madonna defiantly states "you are weak...I don't need anyone at all...no one can take it from me", which is a step up from the 'I hope but I'm just not sure" feelings we get from the above song. I feel I could be on to something with a journey of 'Live to Tell' to 'Take a Bow' to 'You'll See'.
I still remember the first time I heard 'Oh Father'. I decided one day to sit down and watch all of Madonna's music videos, which also meant I'd be hearing some songs for the first time too. 'Oh Father' was one of them and I think it was all the more impactful by watching the video at the same time. Firstly, we're introduced to one of those lullaby mobile things hanging over a snowy scene with a young girl skipping around whilst a twinkly tune plays over. All very nice and sweet, before the mood drastically changes when a more dramatic grand piano piece kicks in and we see that a woman has just passed away. At this point, I'm already hooked. I loved that initial juxtaposition and the vocal of that small first verse is so endearing. Then, BAM! The mood changes again, significantly more so than before. We see the sweet little girl playing dress up, doing what typical young girls do at that age, when the father bursts through the door, grabs and shakes the girl, practically lifting her off her feet, and shouts in her face before ripping away the pearl necklace. Clearly, the belongings were of the late mother and the father has a lot of unresolved issues surrounding her demise, but it hasn't sunk in for the girl and she doesn't understand her father's negative reaction. Of course, there is no excusing that behaviour and my sympathies are entirely with the girl, who's left visibly shaken and, from then on, remains afraid of her father. It's hard-hitting in itself, but that scene just immediately made me draw parallels with my own reality. My best friend had, around the same sort of time, revealed to me the estranged relationships she'd had with so-called father figures in the past and then-present and, whilst it wasn't necessarily exactly what we see in this video, it was enough to make me reflect and really hit me hard. I shared the video with her and it impacted her too; subsequently, it's kinda been "our" song, so I always think of her as well as the themes that the song/video intended to portray, which is why I'll always have a special place for 'Oh Father'.
ANYTHING BUT FROZEN (though the other 2 are 11/10's so if either make it to the top then WIN)
The trio of Oh Father, You'll See and Live To Tell is almost too much BACK TO BACK. The progression in her voice across the 3 and less than a decade is huge, yet even with You'll See she's still able to harness that deep well or raw emotion which has always made her ballads so powerful.
03. Frozen // 108 points
The top 2 were a fair bit ahead of this, but making the top 3 is one of M's most well-known, signature, beloved beauties. 'Frozen' was the lead single of the hugely critically acclaimed 'Ray of Light' album and showcased yet another transformation for the artist. This time she was brooding, eery Earth Mother with tantalising lyrics, sensual sounds and hypnotic vocals. 'Frozen' is one of two songs from that album to feature in the top 3 and it came accompanied with one of her most beautiful and stunning videos. The song is constantly named as one of her greatest ever but a few low scores meant it was named "only" her 3rd best ballad.
Let all the hurt inside of you die
03. Frozen | 108
04. Oh Father | 103
05. You'll See | 96
06. Live to Tell | 94
07. Rain | 82
08. Ghosttown | 76
09. Take A Bow | 70
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
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Lmao
because if Frozen is a definite weak point in her career / this countdown
I believe my apathy towards it is well known, but it's more that the other 2 options are vastly, vastly superior (as is Live To Tell, Oh Father and You'll See but we can't have EVERYTHING)
You only have apathy for it because it's so loved by many others. Such an extreme response for the song dropping out THIRD just because you prefer the other two lol. I also (as said previously) find it really similar to TPOG so to have huge love for one and apathy for the other is ODD but again it's the old "overrated so i have to express disdain for it at all times!!1" effect rather than judging the song on its own merits.
It really isn't that at all, my NOT LOVE for Frozen is much the same as is the case with Take A Bow, when both on paper should be perfect (Take A Bow of course also being similar to You'll See, which I rate much more highly). Production wise the entire ROL album is sonically similar, but TPOG has a much more 'normal' structure and a stronger hook and Crazy For You has a whopper of a chorus (which, again, Frozen does not).
I've always felt of Frozen as a mood piece, and had I been a fan in 1998 then perhaps it would have had a bigger significance to me as it ushered in the glorious ROL era, but as is it's overshadowed by an album filled with superior melodies and hooks and feels like an overlong interlude at times.
Frozen is quite simply glorious! It would have been my preferred winner out of the Top 3, but I'm not mad. x
Throwing my support behind Crazy For You now.
I can see John's point of view. The likes of 'Oh Father', 'The Power of Goodbye' and 'You'll See' have bigger emotive impact and generally have a bigger presence than 'Frozen' which has more subtle vocals and less of a focus on the lyrics (imo). The production is the main focal and creates one of the best atmospheres. The strings are spine-chilling and the little bits of Orbit wizardry are so eerie and suspenseful. I don't know the exact definition of a 'mood piece' but that feels like a very good description. It's easy to see why it has such great fans, and I'm definitely a fan, although I don't think I could rank it above the aforementioned songs because they just hit the heart in a bigger way.
LET'S DO THIS
02. Crazy For You // 124 points
In second place it's 'Crazy For You' - a classic, vintage, much loved ballad from the 80s. Taken from 'Vision Quest' and later featuring on her compilation albums, the song is the first proper ballad she released as a single and so its a fitting tribute for it to feature so highly here. The song garnered critical success, scoring M her first ever Grammy award and also smashed the charts worldwide. It's easy to see why, a beautifully crafted and vocalised number.
You're so close but still a world away
02. Crazy For You | 124
03. Frozen | 108
04. Oh Father | 103
05. You'll See | 96
06. Live to Tell | 94
07. Rain | 82
08. Ghosttown | 76
09. Take A Bow | 70
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
01. The Power of Goodbye // 132 points
A fairly close yet comfortable win for this, your favourite ever Madonna ballad is 'The Power of Goodbye'! Released as the fourth single from 'Ray of Light' the song is a brooding, mysterious and heartbreaking number that takes the ballad form and makes it into something so alluring and mystical. While she sings of the need to say goodbye, the song is hopeful and portrays departure and goodbyes as an empowering and freeing state of being. It's a brilliant, hopeful song deep down but her delivery of it and the production does not make for the most easy of listens. Vulnerable and haunting, it's no surprise to see it so celebrated among fans and it's done the business to be named Madonna's best ever ballad! There's nothing left to lose~
Your heart is not open so I must go
01. The Power of Goodbye | 132
02. Crazy For You | 124
03. Frozen | 108
04. Oh Father | 103
05. You'll See | 96
06. Live to Tell | 94
07. Rain | 82
08. Ghosttown | 76
09. Take A Bow | 70
10. I'll Remember | 60
11. Intervention | 45
TPOG is seriously overrated on this forum . I love it but not the winner !
I'll go into detail tomorrow, but I wasn't expecting a win for 'Power'! I knew it was well loved but I was fully geared up to see 'Crazy for You' in first position.
'Crazy for You' is a staple 80s hit, but I see it as so much more than a nostalgic throwback. As far as most were concerned, this was Madonna's first ballad; the first to step away from her pop-dance comfort zone; and she pulls it off perfectly. It's technically not that advanced from any other 80s balladry, but the intro never fails to make me feel all warm and fuzzy and Madonna's delivery elevates the song and puts a genuine sense of desperation in the lyrics. As Billboard said, it's the ultimate slow-dance song, with the swaying melody and the theme of unconditional, undying love.
From the desire of a love beginning to the need to let it go, 'The Power of Goodbye' is a very worthy winner of best ballad. Both songs are up there with her best, but the development between the two is incredible. The vocals are more restraint but visibly stronger, the production is both moody and dreamy, the lyrics are more complex and poetic - you definitely get a sense that Madonna knows what she is doing and has picked up on things that work along the way. I love the message of essentially turning something bad into something good; this idea that saying goodbye to a chapter in your life can be rejuvenating and refreshing instead of trying to keep it in tact for the sake of what it once was. Very reminiscent of the likes of 'I'll Remember', 'Take a Bow' and 'You'll See', but done in its own way.
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