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Posted by: HausofTove 25th August 2019, 07:41 PM

It's time.

242 songs. 4 decades.



Thank you to everyone that voted! The results will be presented by Liam and I over the course of the foreseeable future.

Please get involved, comment, predict and discuss the songs as they come.



It's been a massive labour of love and has taken months to get the rates done but we're ready. Come join the celebration ~

http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=222974
http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=223418
http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=224132
http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=224672

Posted by: HausofTove 25th August 2019, 07:41 PM

reserved

Posted by: HausofTove 25th August 2019, 07:46 PM

I have briefly glanced at the results (they are currently being double checked to avoid any sort of error) and all I can say is... there are some SHOCKS and unexpected positions. Predict as we go along - it's going to be a fun ride ~

Posted by: Jade 25th August 2019, 07:46 PM

'Frozen' to win please I applaud you guys so much for taking on such a mammoth task!

Posted by: HausofTove 25th August 2019, 07:53 PM

we'll need all of your guys' support throughout to keep it going

Of the likely contenders, Frozen is my pick for winner too!

Confessions singles and album tracks to dominate too please <3

Posted by: dandy* 25th August 2019, 08:36 PM

Oh I'm really looking forward to this! I'll definitely be along for the ride

Posted by: blacksquare 26th August 2019, 09:26 AM

There is only one deserved winner and I refuse to accept anything else~

Posted by: Jay ☆ 26th August 2019, 11:49 AM

^ !!

I’m so ready *.*

Posted by: dandy* 26th August 2019, 05:08 PM

I wonder will get the lower average, Common Sense in the rate or Autotune Baby?

Posted by: HausofF 26th August 2019, 05:29 PM

242. Autotune Baby // Rebel Heart // -0.154
241. Act of Contrition // Like A Prayer // 2.063

First out, was there any surprise? Autotune Baby crashes out with one of the lowest averages i've ever seen on an artist's rate Madonna pines to be someone's baby, wrapped up and tended to.. and there's autotune for some reason? Lmao. We also lose the jarring Act of Contrition that closes the Like A Prayer album is distorted and warped fashion. It's an interesting song to close such a soaring and at times tender album, but as a song on its own I can see why it isn't favoured here. Do these two deserve the awards as the worst of Madonna's entire discography?

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 9/9
True Blue: 9/9
Like A Prayer: 10/11
Other (80s): 10/10
I'm Breathless: 12/12
Erotica: 14/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 13/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 12/12
Music: 13/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 13/13
Other (00s): 5/5
MDNA: 16/16
Rebel Heart: 24/25
Madame X: 18/18
Other (10s): 3/3

80s: 47/48
90s: 76/76
00s: 57/57
10s: 61/62

Posted by: HausofF 26th August 2019, 05:30 PM

Common Sense: 0.35
Autotune Baby: -0.154

Posted by: JosephAvery 26th August 2019, 05:31 PM

Auto-Tune Baby robbed x

(that average!!!! )

Posted by: Jade 26th August 2019, 05:33 PM

That average! Deceased. Deserved tho x

Posted by: blacksquare 26th August 2019, 05:33 PM

Deserved.

Autotune Baby somehow being worse than anything on MDNA will forever shock me.

Posted by: HausofF 26th August 2019, 05:34 PM

I am genuinely shocked and confused and saddened that the woman that gave us Ray of Light thought that Autotune Baby, in any way shape of form would be worthy of inclusion on an album. Like she must have been in the studio SINGING ALONG TO THAT AND THINKING SOMETHING I DON'T GET IT.

Posted by: blacksquare 26th August 2019, 05:50 PM

Posted by: Jay ☆ 26th August 2019, 06:02 PM

Only that could be last place. I was so bewildered by it! :')

I found Act of Contrition to be a very abrasive listen. I feel like I was missing something by not "getting it", but maybe it being a harsh listening experience was the point? Idk, but it really threw me as the closing song on an otherwise fantastic album.

I intend to listen to the songs again as they're revealed here... is this going to be Auto-Tune Baby's second and last ever play~

Posted by: dandy* 26th August 2019, 06:21 PM

Autotune Baby is one of the worst things I've ever heard from a mainstream act. It's beyond awful and fully deserves its negative average. Jay - if you listen again it will be one more than I have ever done!

Act of Contrition isn't great. I guess there was a thing about acts using reverse play as a cool thing at one point in time and it feels very much like an attempt to have something artsy on Like a Prayer for the sake of it, I can listen to it but I don't massively enjoy it.

Posted by: HausofF 26th August 2019, 06:56 PM

I'm re-listening as we go through, and hearing these two again.. yep, correct bottom 2

Posted by: dandy* 26th August 2019, 07:10 PM

Pretty much all of Like a Virgin and MDNA to go out next please

Posted by: HausofF 26th August 2019, 07:29 PM

Not before the many soundtrack filler tracks we have to get through!

Posted by: vibe 26th August 2019, 08:35 PM

I can’t get through a while listen of auto tune baby !

Posted by: dandy* 26th August 2019, 10:10 PM

Oh I completely erased those from my memory :/

Posted by: Medellíam 26th August 2019, 11:54 PM

I forced myself to listen to 'Autotune Baby' all the way through for the sake of the rate and I too plan to listen to all the songs of the course of the results, so I'm listening to it again. This really was the only choice for last place. Even away from the crying baby, which is such a distressing, uncomfortable sound, her vocal is awful and the lyrics are rather incestuous. Lol at that average. Did well to score two 3s!

'Act of Contrition' isn't a song that I'd listen to on it's own, although I don't mind it in the context of the album. It's a hard one to rate, it's basically an outro rather than an actual song. It's a bizarre moment but finishes what is a deep, personal and thought-provoking album listen with a touch of humour.

Posted by: Medellíam 26th August 2019, 11:58 PM

Next batch of results coming about midday... some real stinkers!

Posted by: Jordan Lee 27th August 2019, 12:58 AM

I don’t think anything from Like A Prayer will go for a long while yet.

Act Of Contrition though is one of those take of leave like tracks.

It’s not the second worst thing she’s ever recorded though!

I actually would’ve preferred it as the album opener tbh.

Gonna predict that one of MDNA or Rebel Heart will be her first studio album to be completely out of this.

Like A Prayer or Frozen I feel could win.

Posted by: Medellíam 27th August 2019, 05:38 PM

240. Hey You // Others (00s) // 2.143
239. B-Day Song (feat. M.I.A.) // MDNA // 2.462
238. Cry Baby // I'm Breathless // 2.615
237. I'm Going Bananas // I'm Breathless // 3.231
236. Shoo-Bee-Doo // Like A Virgin // 3.688

'Hey You' claims the title of Madonna's worst rated single. Released for charity campaign Live Earth, the song has good intentions as it promotes self-love as the first step to making a change to the environment around you, but ultimately fails with its sickly-sweet lyrics and vocals too high for Madonna's capabilities. MDNA deluxe track 'B-Day Song' falls next and its existence can only be explained as the result of one too many drinks between Madonna and M.I.A; it offers nothing to the album and is a waste of what could have been an exciting collaboration. Two tracks from I'm Breathless - 'Cry Baby' and 'I'm Going Bananas' - drop out, songs in which Madonna mimics Betty Boop and Carmen Miranda. The vocals are excruciating and even the fact the songs are clearly not meant to be taken seriously can redeem them. Last of this group of songs is the 60s girl group resembling 'Shoo-Bee-Doo' from Like a Virgin. I think it's unfair to be placed among such monstrosities but perhaps it's too long and too overly sweet for most?

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 8/9
True Blue: 9/9
Like A Prayer: 10/11
Other (80s): 10/10
I'm Breathless: 10/12
Erotica: 14/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 13/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 12/12
Music: 13/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 13/13
Other (00s): 4/5
MDNA: 15/16
Rebel Heart: 24/25
Madame X: 18/18
Other (10s): 3/3

80s: 45/47
90s: 74/76
00s: 56/57
10s: 60/62

Posted by: Medellíam 27th August 2019, 05:46 PM

That's all my -1s out already so I'm quite pleased with that! 'Shoo-Bee-Doo' deserved better - in terms of Madonna's 80s material, yeah it could be argued it's one of her weaker efforts, but it's average at worst when you look at the other songs that have left.

Posted by: dandy* 27th August 2019, 05:50 PM

Evita slaying!

Posted by: Medellíam 27th August 2019, 06:02 PM

I found it hard rating Evita. I wouldn't listen to it outside of a handful of songs and I couldn't tell you how those songs I don't listen to go like, but to award them no points and place them among the likes of 'Hey You', 'Cry Baby' and 'Autotune Baby' wouldn't be right. They're not bad songs, they're just not to my tastes.

Posted by: vibe 27th August 2019, 06:30 PM

Can’t argue with any of these results .

I’m expecting more of I’m breathless out with the next batch.

I dont think sex will last much longer either !

Posted by: dandy* 27th August 2019, 07:18 PM

I have such a soft spot for I'm Breathless, it's going to pain me seeing them all go out early

Posted by: Medellíam 27th August 2019, 07:27 PM

Spoilers... but one track from the album did really well!!

Posted by: dandy* 27th August 2019, 07:40 PM

Now I'm Following You!

Posted by: HausofF 27th August 2019, 09:08 PM

Hey You - pretty dreadful, saccharine waste of a track
B-Day Song (feat. M.I.A.) - a real horror in her disocgraphy. Considering I am a huge M.I.A. fan, the thought of her and Madonna on a track with this as a result is just unbelievably bad. Two artists with such artistic integrity producing this - no.
Cry Baby - can't say I even remember how this goes (and relistening - i'm gutted it didn't remain that way!)
I'm Going Bananas - awful.
Shoo-Bee-Doo - the first one that i'm a little "awww" about. Don't get me wrong, it's one of the very worst of her 80s tracks but it's not as bad as the others in this selection when I compare!

Posted by: Medellíam 27th August 2019, 09:25 PM

I wonder if there were any other songs recorded between Madonna and M.I.A. aside this and GMAYL... I can't see how Madonna would have looked at her work and thought "I know the sort of songs I want to make with this artist".

Posted by: HausofF 27th August 2019, 09:36 PM

I imagine songs like Bad Girls, Borders, Exodus between the two of them and think of how good their pairing could have been. Songs that SPOKE to people, that showed a sense of revolution and rebellion. Instead we get GMAYL and B-Day Song

Posted by: Medellíam 27th August 2019, 10:29 PM

Yes! 'Bad Girls' came to my mind too - a song that is full of attitude and empowerment and blends genres of the world. That's the sort of thing that would appeal to Madonna yet we get juvenile, happy-clappy pop with their two collabs? The result definitely isn't equal to the sum of its parts.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 28th August 2019, 10:27 AM

B Day song is pretty bad!

Nothing that’s gone has been any more than like a 4/10

But there’s definitely worse songs on MDNA and Rebel Heart what are worse than the other songs especially Shoo Bee Doo in my opinion.

SEX, Body Shop, Holy Water, Bitch I’m Madonna, Illuminati, Some Girls, Superstar and I Don’t Give A are all amongst the worst stuff she’s ever done.

Posted by: HausofF 28th August 2019, 10:58 AM

Another result coming in a bit and one album is about to lose two album tracks, but which one?

Posted by: blacksquare 28th August 2019, 10:58 AM

That was always something that confused me — why would anyone choose to work with M.I.A. and then come up with those songs? She was clearly drawn to her for a reason.

I remember being so excited at the prospect of them working together — how wrong I was. The results would have been massively different if she went to M.I.A. for Madame X instead. Imagine.

Posted by: Medellíam 28th August 2019, 02:25 PM

Yes! Madame X and M.I.A. would have been perfect! A shame that things seemed to be left on bad terms between Madonna and M.I.A. so we'll probably never get to see them work together again.

Posted by: HausofF 28th August 2019, 02:40 PM

235. S.E.X. // Rebel Heart // 3.808
234. Did You Do It? // Erotica // 3.846
233. Superstar // MDNA // 3.885
232. Body Shop // Rebel Heart // 3.923
231. Goodnight and Thank You // Evita // 4.083

The 10s take a big hit here, especially Rebel Heart as it loses two album tracks! S.E.X. features on the deluxe version of the album and as the title suggests it is a sordid, fetishized song about M's fantasies, sexual positions and demands in the bedroom. It leaves nothing to the imagination... unlike Body Shop which uses the anology of a car and being serviced to the act of sex. Here, M is a car having all sorts of parts investigated, looked at and repaired by a worker at a body shop where she's happy to spend the night. We also lose Did You Do It? which heavily samples another track from Erotica that is still to come; it features the same instrumental and chorus as 'Waiting'! MDNA takes its second hit as Superstar's light dims. The playful, simplistic lyrics and nature of the song compare M's lover to famous people ranging from Travolta to Lincoln! A music video for the track was filmed, but never released due to its controversial nature: apparently Madonna wanted to dress as a "Terror Bride", a combination of an Iraqi bridal veil and a US soldier's uniform. Finally Evita loses its first track as Goodnight and Thank You bows out - how many more tracks from the soundtrack will miss the top 200?

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 8/9
True Blue: 9/9
Like A Prayer: 10/11
Other (80s): 10/10
I'm Breathless: 10/12
Erotica: 13/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 12/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 12/12
Music: 13/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 13/13
Other (00s): 4/5
MDNA: 14/16
Rebel Heart: 22/25
Madame X: 18/18
Other (10s): 3/3

80s: 45/47
90s: 72/76
00s: 56/57
10s: 57/62

Posted by: HausofF 28th August 2019, 05:14 PM

S.E.X. - i can't say i've ever warmed to this. i get being explicit but this is a bit OTT, like we get it, you're sexually charged, but there are less abhorrent ways of making that point
Did You Do It? - one of her most forgettable songs so no fuss here
Superstar - this was being geared up as single material in some places wasn't it? pretty annoying song and not fussed it's out
Body Shop - the one i am most upset about here. I didn't expect it to do too well but i thought better than this !! a real earworm, catchy one even though lyrically it's pretty disastrous
Goodnight and Thank You - no real opinion on this

Posted by: Medellíam 28th August 2019, 05:23 PM

I don't mind 'S.E.X' but I can see why others would rate it so low. When you think back to 'Justify My Love' and the Erotica album where she displayed tact, humour, sensuality (depth beyond the shocks), this is kinda just explicit for the sake of it.

'Superstar' has always really annoyed me. The lyrics are horrendous and the chorus is flat as... I should have scored it lower tbh. Thank goodness it never became a single, although I've never heard that video rumour before. As if she was planning a controversial video for 'Superstar' when 'Gang Bang' was right there.

A shame to see 'Body Shop' drop out so early. Again, I can see why some may not like it, but it's got an interesting production and there's some really nice melodies in there, which is enough to disguise the somewhat strange lyrics.

The only redeeming feature of 'Did You Do It?' is the 'Waiting' instrumental and I couldn't tell you how 'Goodnight and Thank You' goes.

Posted by: dandy* 28th August 2019, 07:33 PM

No losses there for me, they are all things I've heard about twice and have no desire to return to.

Posted by: Medellíam 28th August 2019, 07:57 PM

230. Turn Up The Radio // MDNA // 4.192
229. Eva and Magaldi / Eva Beware of the City // Evita // 4.250
228. Waltz for Eva and Che // Evita // 4.250 (higher top score)
227. Some Girls // MDNA // 4.269
226. Champagne Rosé (Quavo feat. Madonna and Cardi B) // QUAVO HUNCHO // 4.269 (higher top score)

A second Madonna single leaves and it is yet another MDNA track - 'Turn Up the Radio' actually received fairly positive reviews from critics at the time, but it seems the fans have different thoughts. It's very 'heard it all before', from Solveig's unimaginative beats, the cliche lyrics and its generic title; it doesn't leave a distinct impression. Two tracks from the Evita soundtrack leave in the shape of 'Eva and Magaldi / Eva Beware of the City' and 'Waltz for Eva and Che', both of which are more narratives for the musical rather than songs in their own right. 'Some Girls' is the fourth MDNA track to drop, this time an Orbit production in which Madonna lists all the types of girls she's not. Completing this section is 2018's surprise track 'Champagne Rosé' from Quavo, featuring a guest verse from Cardi B alongside Madonna's hook. Madonna's vocal is processed beyond belief and her pronunciation leaves a lot to be desired but the whole thing is strangely hypnotic.

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 8/9
True Blue: 9/9
Like A Prayer: 10/11
Other (80s): 10/10
I'm Breathless: 10/12
Erotica: 13/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 10/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 12/12
Music: 13/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 13/13
Other (00s): 4/5
MDNA: 12/16
Rebel Heart: 22/25
Madame X: 18/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 45/47
90s: 70/76
00s: 56/57
10s: 54/62

Posted by: dandy* 28th August 2019, 08:08 PM

Is Turn Up The Radio the first single to depart then? Officially our least favourite, at least it has something notable about it now

Posted by: Medellíam 28th August 2019, 08:17 PM

Technically 'Hey You' was but this is the first proper one.

Posted by: dandy* 28th August 2019, 08:46 PM

Oh yes of course - I always completely forget that as it suits me to never remember it exists.

Posted by: HausofF 28th August 2019, 09:48 PM

Turn Up The Radio is so generic and faceless it deserves a low placing but 230th!? Wow, you guys were harsh!

Some Girls is my favourite from this selection - sure it's not ground-breaking but it's electric and fierce and such a POWER WALKING (the dog) tune *.*

The Evita tracks... imma pass on them and that Cardi associating herself with our queen, nah bye burn with fire.

Posted by: Medellíam 28th August 2019, 11:06 PM

I probably wouldn't have had 'Turn Up the Radio' this low. It's sooo faceless and the production is uninspired but I can at least admit I find it catchy. Tbf, it's absolutely fine for the intro and first verse, it's when you get the chorus where it starts to fails. "Turn up the radio / turn up the radio / don't ask me where I wanna go / just turn up the radio" Really Madonna? I know simple hooks usually work better but I've heard lyrics like that a million times before.

'Some Girls' being this low is a real surprise. I had no idea it was considered one of the worst on MDNA. I quite like it, reminds me of an EDM 'She's Not Me'.

Posted by: vibe 29th August 2019, 11:21 AM

Superstar had a video ? Hmmm I have never ever heard about this !

Body shop is under appreciated , the best song lost so far.

TUTR as worst single is a good choice.

Posted by: HausofF 29th August 2019, 12:59 PM

Two tracks from the same album and more importantly another SINGLE out in the next reveal...

Posted by: dandy* 29th August 2019, 01:01 PM

I guess it could be Hanky Panky

Or hopefully Bitch I’m Madonna!

Posted by: HausofF 29th August 2019, 02:56 PM

225. A New Argentina // Evita // 4.333
224. Hello and Goodbye // Evita // 4.375
223. Bitch I'm Madonna // Rebel Heart // 4.423
222. Ring My Bell // Hard Candy // 4.429
221. Ain't No Big Deal // Others (80s) // 4.467

Two more tracks from the Evita soundtrack drop out in quick succession here. The first A New Argentina, is a politically charged anthem with soaring, passionate vocals from Madonna as she sings of hope and revolution. Hello and Goodbye is a short interlude-like number with Eva addressing a mistress as she goes through changes. It barely qualifies as a full song so it's no wonder it is out already. A big single now, one of Madonna's most viewed music videos and the third single from Rebel Heart (which is having a really bad time in this rate so far). Bitch I'm Madonna has Madonna once again teaming up with Nicki, to sing about how being Madonna leads to a life of fun only - not much else to take from it, it's totally throwaway and self-indulgent and so far removed from her other material and yet it fits with the growth of the parent album it is taken from which frequently charts her rise to fame and what it stands for now. Ring My Bell is the first Hard Candy out, and on the album it is a bonus track on the deluxe version. It features a spoken word intro followed by the signature sounds of the album as Madonna questions changing relations with a lover. Finally we lose an initially unreleased track from the 80s, Ain't No Big Deal which eventually saw light as a B-Side during the True Blue era. It lacks the big catchy moments that many 80s Madonna songs have and is fairly forgettable particularly among the True Blue signature songs.

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 8/9
True Blue: 9/9
Like A Prayer: 10/11
Other (80s): 9/10
I'm Breathless: 10/12
Erotica: 13/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 8/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 12/12
Music: 13/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 12/13
Other (00s): 4/5
MDNA: 12/16
Rebel Heart: 21/25
Madame X: 18/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 44/47
90s: 68/76
00s: 56/57
10s: 52/62

Posted by: blacksquare 29th August 2019, 03:08 PM

I'm genuinely a little shocked at Bitch I'm Madonna!

Posted by: blacksquare 29th August 2019, 03:10 PM

Saying that, watching that video back for the first time in years and seeing all those random cameos... Mess.

Posted by: vibe 29th August 2019, 05:05 PM

Bitch is hated that much ?
I personally love it but it is not one of my favs.

Hello and goodbye is sung to a mistress in Evita played by Andrea Corr , you can hear her on the track !!

Posted by: HausofF 29th August 2019, 05:49 PM

I sort of enjoyed Bitch I'm Madonna at the time as an ironic sort of affair. It's fun, it's bold, but ultimately it has no value to me years on. It actually makes my skin crawl a fair bit listening to it now and I can't say I enjoy it much at all.

Posted by: dandy* 29th August 2019, 06:10 PM

At the time I found it to be a complete and utter embarrassment of a song... I've actually warmed to it ever so slightly in so much as if she'd have released it as a stand alone throwaway single it may have been okay. But it's placement of halfway through Rebel Heart is just too jarring and feels like you're suddenly listening to a parody song.

Posted by: Jay ☆ 29th August 2019, 06:40 PM

Turn Up the Radio is the epitome of 2012 music - a very generic example of it. That's probably the most offensive aspect to this song really, it's just very "there". It's not often that Madonna can be accused of that!

I suppose it could be argued that the choice of Bitch I'm Madonna was good in terms of the fact that its music video achieved high views. Although those views didn't translate into people wanting to buy the song, evidently.

None of the songs that have gone so far are anywhere close to being favourites of mine, so... so far, so good! Or so bad lol~

Posted by: Medellíam 30th August 2019, 12:30 AM

Again, not fussed to see the Evita tracks go as they're not my sort of thing. Madonna does have a powerful delivery on 'A New Argentina' though so maybe I'd like that in the context of the musical.

'Ring My Bell' is a weird one. When it begins I think to myself "this is going to be terrible" but it's never that bad as the song goes on. Not a missed opportunity for the main edition of the album though.

I like 'Ain't No Big Deal' but I agree that, by the time it was properly released as a B-side in the True Blue era, Madonna's sound had progressed a lot and this trails behind. This was one of the songs on the demo tape Madonna would give to DJs before she signed a record contract. I think this was possibly going to be her first single, or at least appear on the album, but was sold off to someone else so they couldn't use it.

This is where I stand on it too. Now the novelty has worn off, it doesn't leave the desired impression on me. I don't hate it, it's just kinda "meh". Same goes for the video - the cameos are so random and it's not like other mutli-cameo music videos where you get excited to see your fave appear. It's very "oh look it's Miley, now there's Katy... now Beyonce... wtf is this?". The cameos serve no purpose at all and it's even worse that the big names couldn't be bothered to actual appear on set.

Posted by: vibe 30th August 2019, 11:02 AM

Superstar having a video it not true .

Posted by: HausofF 30th August 2019, 11:33 AM

Ahh ok! Maybe it was conceptualised but never filmed?

Posted by: Medellíam 30th August 2019, 04:20 PM

220. Spanish Lesson // Hard Candy // 4.500
219. Holy Water // Rebel Heart // 4.500 (higher top score)
218. Cyber-Raga // Music // 4.536
217. Supernatural // Others (80s) // 4.600
216. More // I'm Breathless // 4.654

Two sexually-driven songs drop out, both exploring different types of oral... first is 'Spanish Lesson', where Madonna's teaching of Spanish phrases is full of innuendo; second is 'Holy Water', in which Madonna uses religious imagery to describe oral sex. Bonus track to Music, 'Cyber-Raga' is a hypnotic experimental track sung in Sanskrit and is a pray for peace in the world. 'Supernatural' talks of sleeping with someone who has died in a spiritual sense; the production has a funk sound to it with paranormal-esque whistling tones flourishing throughout. I'm Breathless loses another song in the shape of 'More', a lively track that bounces between fast and slow tempo and gives an ironic look on materialism.

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 8/9
True Blue: 9/9
Like A Prayer: 10/11
Other (80s): 8/10
I'm Breathless: 9/12
Erotica: 13/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 8/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 12/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 11/13
Other (00s): 4/5
MDNA: 12/16
Rebel Heart: 20/25
Madame X: 18/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 43/47
90s: 67/76
00s: 54/57
10s: 51/62

Posted by: HausofF 30th August 2019, 08:07 PM

Spanish Lesson - awful, almost comically bad
Holy Water - how is this out so early!? An absolute JAM. BITCH GET OFF MY POLE IS ICONIC GUYS
Cyber-Raga - didn't really know this much before the rate but I like it. Shanti.. does this vibe better tho
Supernatural - I appreciate this after the exposure it received with LAP's anniversary the other month?
More - nice enough but largely forgettable.

Posted by: Jade 30th August 2019, 09:04 PM

Thrilled to see 'Bitch I'm Madonna' out so early! It's such an embarrassment from the horrible production to the shoehorned unexciting cameos in the video.

'Cyber-Raga' is my favourite so far to have fallen, that deserved more love the production was so interesting in particular.

Posted by: Medellíam 31st August 2019, 03:55 AM

Dare I say it but I actually didn't mind 'Spanish Lesson' upon re-listening for the rate. I've always hated it but, for some reason, I could this time see something quite fun about it and found it quite catchy.

'Holy Water' is another track that should be awful but I've always quite liked, particularly its production but the hooks are pretty strong too. The 'Vogue' sample works really well even though it probably shouldn't - it makes sense in something like 'Deeper & Deeper' as they're both similar; I don't know why it was put into 'Holy Water' but, as I say, it pays off.

I think I had only heard 'Cyber-raga' once before the rate. It's an odd track, it's almost like it's being played backwards, like when people try to uncover hidden messages.

'Supernatural' is the biggest loss so far. The chorus gets better throughout and proves to be a real earworm. Perhaps if it had been available for longer, it would have rated better?

Oh I forgot to mention before but I'll never forget that moment someone compared Madonna's singing on 'Champagne Rose' to the Siamese cats from Lady & The Tramp! :')

Posted by: vibe 31st August 2019, 09:19 AM

More is one of the better I’m breathless tracks !

Posted by: Jay ☆ 31st August 2019, 02:23 PM

I find Holy Water to be so much better than Spanish Lesson, so to see them on the exact same score is a bit of a head-scratching moment for me. Holy Water is possibly my favourite song out of all the songs revealed so far!

Bitch get off my pole!

Kind of surprised that the majority of the Evita album is still to come.

Posted by: vibe 31st August 2019, 03:15 PM

Surely I’m So Stupid has to go next !!

Posted by: HausofF 31st August 2019, 06:42 PM

215. Let Down Your Guard // 90s (Other) // 4.731
214. Back Up To The Beat // Madame X // 4.808
212=Be Careful (Cuidado Con Mi Corazón) (with Ricky Martin) // 90s (Other) // 4.846
212=Bye Bye Baby // Erotica // 4.846
211. Rainbow High // Evita // 4.917

We lose a couple of 90s tracks here. The first came packaged with the 'Secret' single: Let Down Your Guard. It was labelled as a Rough Mix Edit suggesting it never really fully developed into a proper track for the era. The second is Be Careful (Cuidado Con Mi Corazón), a duet on Ricky Martin's album - it's an operatic-sung ballad with an electronic beat. The album is one of the biggest selling albums worldwide and of course featured the massive 'Livin' la Vida Loca', I wonder if this would have dented any decent sales if it was released? Madame X loses its first track, showing an impressive start for the album. Back Up To The Beat features on the deluxe 2CD edition of the album. Her vocals are distorted as she sings of freedom, fun and partying - things we can all relate to. The chorus is perhaps too "simple", monotonous and repetitive to allow this to fully shine as a song. Erotica loses Bye Bye Baby, the sixth and final single of that era. Again her vocals are distorted but this time to add a more retro, radio-sounding vocal. In the song, Madonna is about to leave her lover and even featured a live performance at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards. Finally Rainbow High falls out fairly low as another Evita-by-numbers inclusion.

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 8/9
True Blue: 9/9
Like A Prayer: 10/11
Other (80s): 8/10
I'm Breathless: 9/12
Erotica: 12/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 7/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 10/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 11/13
Other (00s): 4/5
MDNA: 12/16
Rebel Heart: 20/25
Madame X: 17/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 43/47
90s: 63/76
00s: 54/57
10s: 50/62

Posted by: vibe 31st August 2019, 07:03 PM

I hate Bye Bye Baby , her vocal really grates on me.

Back that up has grown on me recently .

Posted by: HausofF 1st September 2019, 02:24 PM

I'm not fussed at Back Up To The Beat being lowest placed Madame X track, although Future needs to soon follow.

Posted by: Medellíam 1st September 2019, 04:45 PM

210. Pretender // Like a Virgin // 4.938
209. I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You // Evita // 5.000
208. I Don't Give A (feat. Nicki Minaj) // MDNA // 5.000 (higher top score)
207. It's So Cool // Celebration // 5.000 (higher top score)
206. Revolver (feat. Lil Wayne) // Celebration // 5.071

Like a Virgin becomes the first 80s album to lose a second track - 'Pretender' describes a guy who knows all the right words to say but whose actions don't always back it up, yet Madonna is willing to try for the relationship and get him to change his ways. Losing a 7th track, Evita now says goodbye to 'I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You', a gentle song that details Eva's meeting of her husband Juan Perón. The second of the Nicki Minaj collaborations to drop is 'I Don't Give A', featuring fast-paced verses in which Madonna talks of her extensive work schedule and her recent divorce to Guy Ritchie. Two songs from Celebration now: first is 'It's So Cool' which appeared as a bonus track on digital editions of the album. It was originally an acoustic track from the American Life sessions but was given a dance makeover by Paul Oakenfold. The second song is 'Revolver', an electropop track that juxtaposes sex and weaponry. Despite featuring Lil Wayne and receiving a remix from David Guetta, two big names of the moment, its release as a single was a very muted affair.

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 7/9
True Blue: 9/9
Like A Prayer: 10/11
Other (80s): 8/10
I'm Breathless: 9/12
Erotica: 12/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 6/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 10/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 11/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 11/16
Rebel Heart: 20/25
Madame X: 17/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 42/47
90s: 62/76
00s: 52/57
10s: 49/62

Posted by: dandy* 1st September 2019, 04:52 PM

Still yet to feature that I'm particularly gutted about. 'More' is probably my favourite departed track to date, at least that is firmly stage show tune and sticks to the brief.

Posted by: HausofF 1st September 2019, 05:02 PM

OK that has a few losses for me (is this where it starts to get HARD?).

I Don't Give A (feat. Nicki Minaj) - Nicki's rap is fire! The song is a bit of a mess and all over the place (hence my harsh score for it) but it's fun.
It's So Cool - mixed on this, on some days it's fun on others it's annoying. One thing for sure, whenever I listen to it, it's stuck in my head for DAYS after
Revolver - Shocked this wasn't a success on the charts. If it had been given a push I think it could have been. I get it's fairly controversial (and looking at her stance on God Control etc - I am glad it didn't get too much exposure). Guns/violence + sex is a fairly dangerous combination.

Posted by: ...ready for it 1st September 2019, 09:39 PM

I'm sad about Holy Water and Revolver going out so early.

Posted by: Medellíam 2nd September 2019, 12:57 AM

Not the most memorable selection of songs here. I like 'Bye Bye Baby' the most although it's one of my least favourites from Erotica. 'Rainbow High' is one of Evita's better moments.

'I Don't Give A' is the best of the Nicki collabs so I'd have liked to have seen that do a bit better. The verses are reminiscent of the 'American Life' rap but, as is the case with both songs, I think it works; some of the lyrics on their own are questionable but the way they're fired out alongside the hard-edged production shows Madonna's fiery attitude.

'It's So Cool' is a bit basic but I'm the same as you Bal - I always have that "we need love, love, love, love..." refrain stuck in my head! I prefer the song in its original acoustic form.

I was very generous giving 'Revolver' a 6 - it is catchy but the way Madonna's vocal has been so thinly processed does irritate me a bit. It maybe could have been a hit given Lil Wayne's feature and the David Guetta remix but I think I'd rather not have it as one of the last Madonna chart success. It's place on Celebration definitely singles it out as a weak link.

Posted by: HausofF 2nd September 2019, 01:50 PM

205. Best Friend // MDNA // 5.115
204. Can't Stop // Other (80s) // 5.156
203. Hanky Panky // I'm Breathless // 5.192
202. Up Down Suite // 90s (Other) // 5.231
201. Illuminati // Rebel Heart // 5.231 (more 7s)

MDNA takes another hit as Best Friend leaves proceedings. It's the final song on the deluxe version of the album and has Madonna reminiscing about a lost friendship. Possibly about her relationship to Guy Ritchie, it features some poignant lyrics and offers quite a vulnerable side to her. Can't Stop was the only Madonna song to not become a single off 'Who's That Girl' and was inspired by 60s Motown. It's obvious Madonna has a thing for S&M as it returns throughout her lyrics, but here in Hanky Panky it's tongue-in-cheek and jokey. From 'I'm Breathless', it was the second single released from the album and had surprisingly decent chart success. Up Down Suite was the B-Side to 'Rain' and is also the longest song in the countdown! Previously unreleased, it is a 12-minute dub version of "Goodbye to Innocence", which was in itself an omitted track recorded during the Erotica sessions. Finally, just missing out on the top 200 is Illuminati. After being accused of being part of the group, Madonna wrote this as a response to show what it truly was. It features some high profile producers and writers including Kanye West and Travis Scott and is a riotous explosion of music. It featured as an interval during the Rebel Heart Tour whereby acrobats attached to towering poles wowed the audience.

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 7/9
True Blue: 9/9
Like A Prayer: 10/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 8/12
Erotica: 12/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 6/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 9/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 11/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 10/16
Rebel Heart: 19/25
Madame X: 17/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 41/47
90s: 60/76
00s: 52/57
10s: 47/62

Posted by: dandy* 2nd September 2019, 02:43 PM

Hanky Panky and Up Down Suite are my picks there. The former is utterly ridiculous but, as I've mentioned before, I'm Breathless was my first Madonna album so I have a childhood soft spot for it. I need to make an edit of the latter at some point, I never actually listen to it as it really doesn't justify its length but it could be so much better if it was given a sharper edit.

Posted by: Medellíam 2nd September 2019, 03:39 PM

Agreed on both points Dandy! Hanky Panky should be awful but it's obviously tongue n cheek and is genuinely fun. Up Down Suite definitely didn't need to be 12 minutes long, I agree that an edited version (and a bit more of the original song, although I appreciate that defies the point of a dub mix) would improve it.

The biggest loss in the countdown so far is Best Friend for me. Tracks like this and I f***ed Up are what the album should have been more about: after all the angry revenge songs and the party like no tomorrow songs, Madonna's reflective and realises that actually she does feel regret and sadness that her relationship broke down.

Posted by: vibe 2nd September 2019, 04:37 PM

I love best friend it’s one of my favourites on MDNA

Posted by: vibe 2nd September 2019, 04:39 PM

Regarding Revolver I fell In love with it after seeing the MDNA tour !

Posted by: HausofF 2nd September 2019, 04:45 PM

I really like the MDNA tour performance of it too!

Posted by: dandy* 2nd September 2019, 05:06 PM

I've only just noticed that Revolver has gone! I don't care for it but I'm surprised to see it bow out quite so soon.

Posted by: Medellíam 2nd September 2019, 10:59 PM

Most of the first section of the MDNA Tour, even though it's probably the most memorable and meant to be the biggest moment of the tour, I just don't have much opinion on. It's only until Papa Don't Preach that I get engaged with the tour and that's only about a minute long segment.

The full MDNA tour is very style over substance for me. A shame that it is likely the last proper full-on Madonna tour experience.

Posted by: Medellíam 3rd September 2019, 10:47 PM

200. What Can You Lose (with Mandy Patinkin) // I'm Breathless // 5.231 (higher top score)
199. Now I'm Following You (Part 1) (with Warren Beatty) // I'm Breathless // 5.231 (higher top score)
198. Love Song (with Prince) // Like a Prayer // 5.250
197. Lament // Evita // 5.250 (higher top score)
196. Jimmy Jimmy // True Blue // 5.281

Kicking off the Top 200, we see two songs from I'm Breathless depart. 'What Can You Lose' reveals the difficulty of unrequited love; the dilemma of taking a chance or leaving things as they are. It even received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 48th Golden Globes. Part 1 of 'Now I'm Following You' is a jazzy 1-and-a-half-minute number about dancing with a partner that preludes a more bonkers rendition of the song. Madonna joined forces with her pop powerhouse peer Prince for the left-field 'Love Song' - it's a funky, slow-grinding song with passionate vocals, although it's considered a bit too off the wall than a lot of fans would have hoped. 'Lament' marks Eva Perón's dying moments in Evita as she looks back on her life; Madonna delivers a cracked, whispering vocal as she fights through the tears. True Blue has its first loss in the shape of 'Jimmy Jimmy', an early 60s pop influenced tribute to the late film star James Dean.

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 7/9
True Blue: 8/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 6/12
Erotica: 12/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 5/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 9/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 11/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 10/16
Rebel Heart: 19/25
Madame X: 17/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 39/47
90s: 57/76
00s: 52/57
10s: 47/62

Posted by: Medellíam 3rd September 2019, 10:50 PM

I'm impressed that Madonna's debut is the last of the 80s albums to have all its songs remain. Similarly, Bedtime Stories and American Life having all their songs is surprising, given one is largely overlooked and one can often be quite polarising.

The performance of 'Lament' on the Re-invention Tour is one of my favourites. Madonna really smashed it vocally.

We spoke recently about 'Love Song' - I go through phases of liking it and not, but I definitely would have hoped for something more impressive given the names involved. They worked on a few songs apparently so it's telling that this was the best of the bunch.

Posted by: vibe 4th September 2019, 06:46 AM

Lament is stunning should be way higher but again if you don’t go to the tours you will be less familiar with the track . As the RIT really was a highlight !!

I can’t believe ‘I’m so stupid’ is still in . I thought this was a detested track.

Posted by: HausofF 4th September 2019, 05:17 PM

No songs there that I am devastated about losing. Some with real potential (Love Song) but don't quite match the highs of their parent albums. True Blue losing its first song </3

Posted by: vibe 4th September 2019, 05:46 PM

2000’s Madonna is clearly in the lead at this point .

Posted by: vibe 4th September 2019, 05:46 PM

2000’s Madonna is clearly in the lead at this point .

Posted by: HausofF 4th September 2019, 07:32 PM

195. Borrowed Time // Rebel Heart // 5.308
194. I'm A Sinner // MDNA // 5.308 (more 7s)
193. Sooner or Later // I'm Breathless // 5.308
192. Back In Business // I'm Breathless // 5.308 (more 8s)
191. Addicted // Rebel Heart // 5.346

4 songs with the same average here! Separated them based on first highest scores received and then by the number of said higher score it's Borrowed Time first, which for me at least, is one of the most forgettable songs on Rebel Heart, featuring on the super deluxe version. MDNA loses I'm A Sinner, which as the title suggests is Madonna owning her flaws and bad deeds as she goes back to her Catholic roots. She does declare that she wants to be saved, albeit not yet. It's produced by long-term collaborator William Orbit! Two tracks from I'm Breathless are out next, Sooner or Later and Back in Business. The former is a 1930s-style jazz ballad, highly theatrical, while the latter varies the pace throughout to keep us on our toes - neither are particularly essential for me oop. Finally, a song that is essential - Addicted is about falling for the wrong guy, perhaps someone bad for you, but constantly going back for more as you become addicted to the thrill. It's an electronic song with a huge pulsating beat that cacophonies constantly. With the help of Avicii, it's loud, in your face, an experience.

Madonna: 8/8
Like A Virgin: 7/9
True Blue: 8/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 4/12
Erotica: 12/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 5/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 9/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 11/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 9/16
Rebel Heart: 17/25
Madame X: 17/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 39/47
90s: 55/76
00s: 52/57
10s: 44/62

Posted by: Medellíam 4th September 2019, 10:24 PM

'Borrowed Time' is a sweet song; I never really took notice of it at the time but I've come to appreciate it for being so focused on melody and vocal. I like 'Addicted' too and am glad one of Avicii's original productions survived - I still remember when his demos of 'Rebel Heart' and 'Wash All Over Me' leaked and it were the first songs we had heard from era; they got me so hyped for the album and I still return to them now. I favour the final version of 'Wash All Over Me' but 'Rebel Heart' could do with Avicii's touch.

'I'm a Sinner' is really catchy, particularly like the Saints name-check verse.

I like 'Sooner or Later' but it has to be the Oscars performance for me. So theatrical and Madonna's charisma is huge - she really sells it! I've found myself returning to 'Back in Business' since the rate started and would score it higher now. The chorus really sticks in my head!

Posted by: dandy* 4th September 2019, 10:41 PM

Back in Business used to be one of my favourites! It's just too catchy!

Posted by: vibe 5th September 2019, 06:14 AM

I like all of those songs .

Addicted is rightly placed. The others deserve a little higher .

Borrowed Time has lovely lyrics and melody.

Again no ‘I’m so stupid’ 😉

Posted by: Medellíam 5th September 2019, 03:21 PM

190. I Know It // Madonna // 5.375
189. One More Chance // Other (90s) // 5.423
188. Incredible // Hard Candy // 5.429
187. Stay // Like a Virgin // 5.438
186. He's a Man // I'm Breathless // 5.462

Madonna's debut album loses its first track, 'I Know It', which sees her become wise to her partner's games and behaviour and concludes that she is better off without. 'One More Chance' portrays Madonna as the one in the wrong as she explains her faults and pleads for forgiveness. It was a new track for the Something to Remember ballads collection and Madonna utilises her Evita vocal training with only an acoustic guitar and soft strings to support the song. Hard Candy's longest running track 'Incredible' is a song of two halves, starting like a love song that depicts the rosiness of a relationship's beginnings, before changing pace at the interlude to reflect Madonna's confusion of how she feels about this person. 'Stay' is a simple love song where Madonna confesses how much better her life is with her lover in it. Opening track to I'm Breathless, 'He's a Man' sees Madonna's character in Dick Tracey describe Warren Beatty's title character and decide that she should be with him, as is shown on-screen in the film itself.

Madonna: 7/8
Like A Virgin: 6/9
True Blue: 8/9'
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 3/12
Erotica: 12/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 5/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 8/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 15/15
Hard Candy: 10/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 9/16
Rebel Heart: 17/25
Madame X: 17/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 37/47
90s: 53/76
00s: 51/57
10s: 44/62

Posted by: Medellíam 5th September 2019, 03:23 PM

I'm Breathless down to just 3 tracks now! How far can the remaining non-Vogue songs go?

Posted by: dandy* 5th September 2019, 05:11 PM

I’m guessing not much further than the next batch!

Yet again the I’m Breathless track is my favourite from that bunch. One More Chance is quite nice too.

Down with the Like a Virgin tracks!!!

Posted by: vibe 5th September 2019, 06:26 PM

Those songs are rightly placed .

Posted by: HausofF 5th September 2019, 08:08 PM

Addicted is my favourite song of those that have fallen so far. It's too low!

Incredible I have mixed feelings towards, but I'd say it's placed about right here!

Posted by: dandy* 5th September 2019, 08:38 PM

Yes I like Addicted too, it made the cut when I got rid of the dross from Rebel Heart. There’s still a good normal length album in there when you’ve removed the worst tracks.

Posted by: Rhoda Camel 5th September 2019, 08:48 PM

i thought addicted was I'm Addicted and i was thinking absolutely NOT

Posted by: Medellíam 6th September 2019, 01:17 AM

Same here, 'He's a Man' is my favourite from I'm Breathless actually (barring 'Vogue' of course).

'One More Chance' is probably the most forgettable single for me. Doesn't help that it didn't have a video or any performances, but I find it just 'there' within the context of the album and on its own.

Posted by: HausofF 6th September 2019, 07:51 PM

LEAD SINGLE coming out next i-

Posted by: blacksquare 6th September 2019, 08:12 PM

I think we all know what that is.

Posted by: HausofF 6th September 2019, 08:28 PM

185. Graffiti Heart // Rebel Heart // 5.462
184. Secret Garden // Erotica // 5.538
183. Fighting Spirit // Confessions On A Dancefloor // 5.571
182. Give Me All Your Luvin' // MDNA // 5.615
181. In This Life // Erotica // 5.615

Graffiti Heart is washed out of the competition here as another Rebel Heart deluxe track is out. The song is gloriously varied, it begins twee and sweet, before exploding into vibrant colours and explosions of synths. It's sing-a-long goodness, celebrating art, music and love, if a little cheesy. Erotica takes a bit of a beating here as two tracks fall out. The first, Secret Garden, is described as the most personal track on the album.. mainly because it's about her vagina being a garden that should be well kept and where can enjoy herself ~ In This Life is about the deaths of two of Madonna's friends, both of whom died of aids. The sounds within it represent a doomsday clock and it has a harrowing mournful tune throughout. A bonus track on Confessions is next out, Fighting Spirit, has Madonna questioning her lover about what they would do when M is gone. And now a big one, the lead single to her 13th album, Give Me All Your Luvin' flops quite drastically here, despite the big names of Nicki and M.I.A. included. It had a big superbowl performance, but never took off how the world expected a lead Madge single to do so. It's one of her most poppy, disco songs with incredibly care-free lyrics and cheerleader-esque chants throughout.

Madonna: 7/8
Like A Virgin: 6/9
True Blue: 8/9'
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 3/12
Erotica: 10/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 5/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 8/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 14/15
Hard Candy: 10/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 8/16
Rebel Heart: 16/25
Madame X: 17/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 37/47
90s: 51/76
00s: 50/57
10s: 42/62

Posted by: blacksquare 6th September 2019, 08:37 PM

Posted by: Rhoda Camel 6th September 2019, 10:17 PM

poor madge

Posted by: vibe 7th September 2019, 09:38 AM

In this life is the best of this batch !!

Posted by: HausofF 7th September 2019, 11:42 AM

American Life, Ray of Light and Bedtime Stories still have not lost a single track yet. Wonder which one will be left with all tracks still intact

Posted by: HausofF 7th September 2019, 05:04 PM

180. Super Pop // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 5.643
179. Falling Free // MDNA // 5.654
178. Buenos Aires // Evita // 5.667
177. Eva's Final Broadcast // Evita // 5.667 (higher top score)
176. Inside Out // Rebel Heart // 5.731

A second Confessions bonus track drops out - 'Super Pop' was one of the earliest tracks for the album, written as part of the Mirwais sessions before Stuart Price became the main collaborator. It's an empowering yet light-hearted statement of being the best you possibly can. 'Falling Free' closes the standard edition to MDNA and is the most recognisably William Orbit produced song with his signature electronic bleeps and whirrs that pop up between the string and piano melody. Madonna's vocal is clear and strong, singing inspired lyrics of love and freedom. Evita joins I'm Breathless for the album with the least amount of songs remaining as two more exit - 'Buenos Aires', a cheerful, Latin-inspired tune, depicts Eva Perón's arrival to the city whilst 'Eva's Final Broadcast' sees her say farewell to her people in news of her terminal illness and is a more sombre take on the melody of another song yet to appear. 'Inside Out' completes this section, a blend of Mike Dean's harsh hip-hop beats and Madonna's ear for melody. Lyrically it encourages one to let themselves be vulnerable and share their inner thoughts and feelings. Liam

Madonna: 7/8
Like A Virgin: 6/9
True Blue: 8/9'
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 3/12
Erotica: 10/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 3/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 8/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 13/15
Hard Candy: 10/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 7/16
Rebel Heart: 15/25
Madame X: 17/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 37/47
90s: 49/76
00s: 49/57
10s: 40/62

Posted by: HausofF 7th September 2019, 05:15 PM

Graffiti Heart is sensational and y'all are missing out. Falling Free stands out on MDNA being such a slower moment too, but really no MAJOR losses in the latest 2 batches ~

Posted by: dandy* 7th September 2019, 07:25 PM

Graffiti Heart is pretty decent, although a lesser version of others' work. Inside Out is my preferred track that we've lost from the past couple of results.

Posted by: vibe 8th September 2019, 11:56 AM

Falling Free gets a lot love usually. Def not from me tho.

Posted by: HausofF 8th September 2019, 07:22 PM

175. Best Night // Rebel Heart // 5.769
174. Physical Attraction // Madonna // 5.781
173. History // Confessions On A Dancefloor // 5.821
172. Messiah // Rebel Heart // 5.846
171. Unapologetic Bitch // Rebel Heart // 5.846 (more 9s)

Rebel Heart loses THREE tracks in one fell swoop The first is Best Night, which is a bonus track on the album. It's about a night of absolute pleasure, turning the city out in the bedroom. The second, Messiah is fairly non-descript as far as the album tracks go, but it's dramatic, dark and brooding. It's a majestic song, with velveteen vocals from Madonna and creates a mysterious sense of magic as she lures listeners in. Finally from Rebel Heart, we lose Unapologetic Bitch, a reggae-pop banger with a Diplo-inspired dancehall beat. It featured heavily on the tour for the album, as it was the moment when Madonna invited an audience member onto stage, after which they were rewarded with a banana as a gift (and/or a spanking lol). The song is one of the more well-known album tracks, but its controversial nature seems to have caused it to crash out early here. Away from Rebel Heart, we lose History which was recorded as part of the Confessions era, but not included on its final tracklist - however it was released as a b-side for 'Jump'. Finally, Madonna's debut album takes its second hit as Physical Attraction drops out. The debut has done very well but will it continue to do so? This song is about Madonna's attraction to a lover and its a simple but cute song between two lovers.

Madonna: 6/8
Like A Virgin: 6/9
True Blue: 8/9'
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 3/12
Erotica: 10/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 3/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 8/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 11/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 10/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 7/16
Rebel Heart: 12/25
Madame X: 17/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 36/47
90s: 49/76
00s: 48/57
10s: 37/62

Posted by: HausofF 8th September 2019, 08:21 PM

Unapologetic Bitch is out too early. I expected it, but it's really grown on me over the past year or so (after I initially didn't rate it much in the time of the album's release). Rebel Heart is taking such a battering - but maybe it's just because it has so many songs that naturally it's bound to have loads dropping out early too?

Posted by: vibe 9th September 2019, 01:00 PM

I have a lot of love for Unapologetic Bitch !! This is out way too soon.

Posted by: dandy* 9th September 2019, 06:55 PM

Messiah is a decent track, doesn't deserve to be out quite yet. It's one of the ones that survived my cull on the album.

Astonished that Bedtime Stories still has everything in!

Posted by: HausofF 9th September 2019, 08:34 PM

American Life, Bedtime Stories and Ray of Light still with 100% of songs left - what will be the last one to lose a track?

(Madame X only losing 1/18 tracks too! Very commendable ~)

Posted by: dandy* 9th September 2019, 08:49 PM

I’m tempted to guess American Life as being the last one standing but could easily see it being Ray of Light too, depends upon how well Shanti / Ashtangi did

Posted by: Rhoda Camel 9th September 2019, 08:50 PM

American Life is one of those album that years ago would probably have been pegged for a lot of early outs, but it's one I think that's grown with the fans over time. It reminds me so much of Christmas 2003 (I got it as a gift then) and I absolutely adored it from the off!

Posted by: HausofF 9th September 2019, 08:56 PM

I'm not actually shocked that Bedtime Stories is a contender too because while it may not have the dizzying HIGHS of other albums, it also doesn't have any real LOWS like many of her albums have! All tracks are ~pleasant~ and so would fare decently in a rate against her entire discography.

Posted by: dandy* 9th September 2019, 08:58 PM

Me too! Still think it’s one of her very best

Posted by: blacksquare 9th September 2019, 09:36 PM

I started secondary school that September and we were all asked to choose a topic to introduce ourselves with — I did a presentation on why American Life and Madonna were better than the Beatles.

That went well.

Posted by: Medellíam 9th September 2019, 09:49 PM

'In This Life' could do with a couple of minutes being trimmed off but I commend it for the topic it deals with. I like the jazzy-lounge style of 'Secret Garden' but the song itself doesn't hold up next to my highlights on the album.

'Give Me All Your Luvin'' is rightfully the last placed lead single. I can enjoy it for what it is now but at the time it felt like a real career killer. I could have accepted it being a one off for the Superbowl but it was the wrong choice for lead single (and I guess, even if it was released as a stand-alone ahead of a lead single, that would probably have killed momentum for the era anyway). It also doesn't help that Madonna decided to do no promotion for the MDNA era itself.

'Super Pop' is my guilty pleasure - it's possibly more lyrically cringe than 'I Love New York' but I can't help but bop to it.

'Falling Free' is probably the strongest MDNA track in terms of both the song itself and the quality of the post-production. Madonna actually sounds like herself and sings to her ability, the lyrics feel like they took more than 5 minutes to write and William Orbit's production is very familiar. There's songs I like more on the album but objectively I'd say it was the best.

'Inside Out' and 'Messiah' are my two favourite out of all the tracks that have left - gone far too soon, especially with 'Unapologetic Bitch' and a few others from Rebel Heart ahead of them. I like the latter but when I listen to the full album I always favour the tracks with more depth. 'Best Night' is probably the best sexual song Madonna has done in recent times; it's sensual, more love over lust and the production suits the mood so well.

Not surprised to see 'Physical Attraction' as one of the earliest songs to leave from Madonna's debut, but I genuinely rate it as one of the album's best. It's not very immediate, like I can understand why one may find it quite non-descript but there's something about the production and how laid-back the song is that I love.

Posted by: Medellíam 9th September 2019, 09:49 PM

I love this!

Posted by: HausofF 10th September 2019, 06:09 AM

You are you not in my class at school?

Love.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 10th September 2019, 03:06 PM

That’s very true!

I didn’t really think of this at the time and whilst as a whole it’s not one of my favourite albums it is pleasant enough and whilst a lot of her other albums have those high highs what this doesn’t have it doesn’t have a stinker on it.

Posted by: Medellíam 10th September 2019, 05:27 PM

170. Think of Me // Madonna // 5.875
169. Fever // Erotica // 5.885
168. Future (with Quavo) // Madame X // 5.885 (more 7.5s)
167. I'm So Stupid // American Life // 5.893
166. Something to Remember // I'm Breathless // 5.923

'Think of Me' sees Madonna warn her lover to give her more consideration otherwise she'll leave; the self-assurance of its message elevates the song and helps the album depict an image of Madonna's confident personality. Madonna's house rendition of Little Willie John's 'Fever' came to light by a matter of chance: upon recording 'Goodbye to Innocence', Madonna began singing the lyrics to 'Fever' over the instrumental and liked the way it sounded. It was released as the fourth single from Erotica, just one month following the third. One of the Madame X pre-release songs, 'Future' sees Madonna team up with Quavo and Diplo for a Jamaican dancehall, semi-political piece that states only love, hope and positivity has a place in the world. American Life takes its first hit as 'I'm So Stupid' drops out - Madonna reflects on her past disillusions of fame and fortune, misconceptions that are still prevalent in the world today, and blatantly calls out the stupidity of the situation. Mirwais' production is typically unconventional and features a frozen vocal effect by use of a Roland VP-9000. 'Something to Remember' is one of the few serious moments on the I'm Breathless soundtrack, dealing with Madonna's failed marriage to Sean Penn. It's a bittersweet song as Madonna dwells on everything that went wrong, but ultimately takes one, significant positive away from the experience: he taught her to love herself.

Madonna: 5/8
Like A Virgin: 6/9
True Blue: 8/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 2/12
Erotica: 9/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 3/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 8/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 10/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 7/16
Rebel Heart: 12/25
Madame X: 16/18
Other (10s): 2/3

80s: 35/47
90s: 47/76
00s: 47/57
10s: 36/62

Posted by: dandy* 10th September 2019, 06:08 PM

Oh I forgot about I'm So Stupid! Surprised that hadn't gone already actually... I always get it confused with I Deserve It.

Posted by: HausofF 10th September 2019, 06:33 PM

I hope that's because of the name only and not the actual music I Deserve It is MAJESTIC and one of her best album tracks!

Posted by: HausofF 10th September 2019, 06:37 PM

Think of Me - decent but quite repetitive and dated
Fever - not sure why this was ever a single, but the music video is warped and fantastical so i'm glad we got it looking back
Future (with Quavo) - the worst on Madame X! Finally out
I'm So Stupid - deservedly the first track to drop out of AL
Something to Remember - a strong ballad and my second favourite on I'm Breathless ~

Posted by: dandy* 10th September 2019, 06:53 PM

Yes it is absolutely because of the name! For some reason I always think it is on American Life when it is of course not!

As for the rest... I despise Fever so glad to see that out, the others are all middling efforts with, yet again, the one from I'm Breathless being my preferred choice!

Posted by: Medellíam 10th September 2019, 08:37 PM

Not surprised that 'I'm So Stupid' is the first out from American Life - for a while, I really disliked it, although I think I never really gave the song a chance due to the vocal effect at the beginning which always used to annoy me. I actually prefer it to the first two singles from the album now! I like that signature Mirwais style of easy flowing vocal melody over a jolty production and the overly simple lyrics suit the song.

I like 'Fever' in the context of the album but I don't think it should have been a single. My thinking is that the record company panicked following the flop of 'Bad Girl' and the backlash towards Madonna in the media so decided to go with something people would recognise. I guess it did the job as it performed better than 'Bad Girl'.

I seem to like 'Future' more than most but it's probably still one of my least favourites from Madame X, so not too fussed to see it leave.

'Something to Remember' is one of those Madonna ballad that I like but feel goes on a little longer than it should. I love the lyrics though, it's a bit of a sister song to 'I'll Remember'.

Posted by: vibe 11th September 2019, 06:21 AM

How did I’m so stupid get this high it is not as good as many of the songs below it.

I’m very fond of all the other songs they would place higher on my individual list. The one edit of Fever (single version) is far superior to the album version.

Future should not be out before killers are partying and batuka !!

Posted by: HausofF 11th September 2019, 04:31 PM

165. Iconic // Rebel Heart // 5.923
164. Love Makes The World go Round // True Blue // 5.938
163. Wash All Over Me // Rebel Heart // 5.962
162. Candy Shop // Hard Candy // 6.000
161. Broken // Other (10s) // 6.000 (higher score)

Iconic the Rebel Heart Tour opener is out first in this batch. It features the heavy weight knockouts of Chance the Rapper and Mike Tyson and is an empowering song with the lyrical genius of separating icon with I can. It's hard-hitting and in your face with trap-EDM spliced throughout. Love Makes The World Go Round as the title suggests is a healing, world-peace, love-filled number, that was also the first writing collaboration between Madonna and Patrick Leonard - so much followed! It closes the album and was performed at Live Aid 1985 - a very fitting song for the occasion. The Avicii soaked Wash All Over Me is one of the most celebrated songs on the album, but it has favoured less than positively here. The song leaked in demo form early, but the album version changed considerably as it became less dancey. The opener of Hard Candy Candy Shop is the first song to receive a 6+ average (so we're entering 'like this song' territory now ~ It has featured on 3 of Madonna's recent tours and seems to be one that she always wheels out. Lyrically it's a choice song.. as she goes through an array of sugary snacks on top of an R&B beat, accompanied by Spanish guitar - all over the place to say the least, but enjoyable for that reason? The debate rages on. Finally Broken which was intended to be included on 'Celebration' received a limited release on a promotional vinyl but for many, it's a totally unheard track. It's managed to do decently here despite that!

Madonna: 5/8
Like A Virgin: 6/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 2/12
Erotica: 9/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 3/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 8/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 9/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 7/16
Rebel Heart: 10/25
Madame X: 16/18
Other (10s): 1/3

80s: 34/47
90s: 47/76
00s: 46/57
10s: 33/62

Posted by: Medellíam 11th September 2019, 05:04 PM

'Iconic' used to be one of my Rebel Heart favourites; it's slipped in my affections since but still remains a song I like. The tour performance is fire though - can we talk about that interlude intro a second?!



Not Madonna making a better interlude video for the tour than she did the lead single video! 🙈

'Love Makes the World Go Round' is more catchy than I gave it credit for but they definitely made the right choice to ditch this as the lead single for True Blue. Things would have worked out a lot differently and I don't think for the better.

I really enjoyed the Avicii demo of 'Wash All Over Me' but I must say it's much improved in its final form. I love that gentle military-esque drum beat and it suits the resilience and power of the song. A shame to see this drop out much earlier than it should have done.

I'm not ashamed to say I actually really like 'Candy Shop' now. It's always been a bit of a guilty pleasure but I'm fully on board after watching the Sticky & Sweet Tour in full for the first time last year. Love the performance and it's made me realise it's a genuinely fun song. MY SUGAR IS RAW.

Quite impressed that 'Broken' has done this well for such a hidden, deep cut - even I didn't really know about it before the rate! I'd have rather had this appear on Celebration in place of 'Revolver'. The production, like the other songs recorded at the time, is quite dated by today's standards but it's such a bop and the lyrics are a suitable summary of Madonna's career.

Posted by: dandy* 11th September 2019, 05:12 PM

Wash All Over Me is definitely my favourite from that bunch. It's a lovely track and makes a fitting closer for the Rebel Heart album. Not actually sure if it actually is the closing track but it is on my version!

Posted by: vibe 11th September 2019, 06:10 PM

She should have kept the demo version of Wash All Over Me

Posted by: HausofF 11th September 2019, 08:25 PM

Iconic is incredible, I won't hear a word against it. It was an amazing tour opener and remains an anthem.

Wash All Over Me is always a great listen whenever I hear it in the context of the album, it's the style and soundscape I wish the entire album adopted to keep it consistent.

Candy Shop is a complete wtf moment. I still am not sure what I think about it

Posted by: Medellíam 12th September 2019, 03:46 PM

160. Over and Over // Like a Virgin // 6.000 (higher top score)
159. Dance 2night // Hard Candy // 6.036
158. Beautiful Scars // Rebel Heart // 6.077
157. Voices // Hard Candy // 6.107
156. I Fucked Up // MDNA // 6.115

Madonna declares her determination and ability to overcome life's obstacles in 'Over and Over', the fast paced tempo reflecting her drive and resilience. Hard Candy loses two more tracks, both of which were co-written and -produced by Justin Timberlake. Justin has an uncredited vocal feature on the funky disco jam 'Dance 2 Night' where his and Madonna's chemistry sizzles as they hook up on the dancefloor; he also introduces 'Voices', the atmospheric, trip-hop inspired album closer that deals with inner battles and questions who is in control. It's a much moodier moment; a comedown to the sugar rush of the earlier tracks. 'Beautiful Scars' is the last of the Rebel Heart super deluxe tracks and sees an heartfelt Madonna admit her flaws but accept they make who she is; her vulnerability is shown through her delicate vocal and lovely soft-disco sounds. Pushing her honesty to more blunt extremes is 'I Fucked Up' which appears on the MDNA deluxe - here, Madonna puts aside the partying and defiant attitude demonstrated previously in the album and deals with the reality of the situation: her relationship is over and it hurts. She acknowledges her part in its demise and imagines all the plans they could have fulfilled. These rare glimpses into Madonna's inner thoughts elevate the album and should have been explored further.

Madonna: 5/8
Like A Virgin: 5/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 2/12
Erotica: 9/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 3/13
Ray of Light: 14/14
Other (90s): 8/12
Music: 12/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 7/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 6/16
Rebel Heart: 9/25
Madame X: 16/18
Other (10s): 1/3

80s: 33/47
90s: 47/76
00s: 43/57
10s: 32/62

Posted by: vibe 12th September 2019, 04:35 PM

2 of my absolute favourites

I f***ed Up would be top 20 for me.
Over and Over top 50

Voices is one of her worst! How did it get this high? Who rated this highly?

Posted by: HausofF 12th September 2019, 04:36 PM

I'm not huge on any of those oop~

Posted by: Medellíam 12th September 2019, 05:37 PM

Me!

I feel the same about Over and Over. That's far too high for me, it's painfully average.

Posted by: dandy* 12th September 2019, 08:47 PM

Me neither, can't even pick one that I want to stand up for.

Posted by: TheJüpreme 12th September 2019, 08:49 PM

Candy Shop easily one of my top 3 from Hard Candy so shame it just missed that here. Woulda liked to see Unapologetic Bitch & Iconic higher than Future but oh well!

Posted by: vibe 13th September 2019, 06:14 AM

Madame X is doing very well but is it because the tracks are new to us !

Posted by: HausofF 13th September 2019, 05:06 PM

155. Love Don't Live Here Anymore // Like A Virgin // 6.188
154. Your Honesty // Other (90s) // 6.192
153. Now I'm Following You (Part II) // I'm Breathless // 6.192
152. Nobody's Perfect // Music // 6.214
151. Has to Be // Ray of Light // 6.231

Love Don't Live Here Anymore from Like A Virgin received new life as it became the fourth single from Something to Remember. The cover version was a favourite of Madonna's and she truly adds life, emotion and love to it. Your Honesty was originally written for the Bedtime Stories era but having not surfaced then, it appeared on her second remix album. It's not one of her most well-known songs and was apparently due to be reworked by Missy Elliot and Timbaland at some point! I'm Breathless is down to its final track now, with Now I'm Follow You (Part II) crashing out. Leaving nothing to the imagination, Madonna repeats Dick Tracey's name throughout the final part of the song and it's a total experience. How far can its final track go? Nobody's Perfect is a song about regretting hurting someone else and in it Madonna's vocals are dreamy and witchy and distorted - it's a disturbing song song in many ways but also alluring and fascinating. Finally, Ray of Light loses its very first track in the way of bonus track Has to Be, which means Bedtime Stories is the only album left with no songs out!! Ray of Light has done incredibly well so far, but could all of that change?

Madonna: 5/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 9/14
Bedtime Stories: 11/11
Evita: 3/13
Ray of Light: 13/14
Other (90s): 7/12
Music: 11/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 7/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 6/16
Rebel Heart: 9/25
Madame X: 16/18
Other (10s): 1/3

80s: 32/47
90s: 44/76
00s: 42/57
10s: 32/62

Posted by: HausofF 13th September 2019, 05:07 PM

Bedtime Stories is officially the final album to have all songs untouched!

Posted by: vibe 13th September 2019, 08:13 PM

Has to be isn’t really on ROL tho.

Your Honesty is way too high.

Nobody’s perfect is amazing.

I fell in olive with IDLHA more after the rebel Herat tour

Posted by: Medellíam 13th September 2019, 10:16 PM

'Love Don't Live Here Anymore' is actually my favourite from Like a Virgin! I understand the vocal isn't for everyone but that raw passion and emotion is really captivating and suits the drama of the song.

Since the rate I've really been enjoying 'Your Honesty'! The her voice lowers on "closer to you baby" Love the production like the funky little beat and the random trumpets/horns at the beginning. Would welcome this on the standard edition of Bedtime Stories.

Same goes for 'Now I'm Following You (Part II)' actually! It's totally bonkers but is such a hoot!

I believe 'Nobody's Perfect' is the lowest rated Music track from the standard edition - I'd have sooner seen 'Amazing' out but I can see why this would be placed lowest as, again, the vocal effect isn't everyone's cup of tea. I'm not completely sold on it myself but it's not too distracting for the rest of the song. My favourite part is the "cool I am when I am with you" verse followed by the jolty guitar rhythm.

I can't say I can actually remember how 'Has to Be' goes... I know I don't miss it from the standard edition.

The Bedtime Stories slayage tho! I know technically we've had a couple of songs from the era drop out but it's impressive that all its album tracks have lasted this long.

Posted by: Medellíam 14th September 2019, 07:36 PM

150. Inside of Me // Bedtime Stories // 6.231 (higher top score)
149. HeartBreakCity // Rebel Heart // 6.231 (more 8s)
148. Another Suitcase in Another Hall // Evita // 6.231 (higher top score)
147. Soltera (Maluma feat. Madonna) // Other (10s) // 6.269
146. Killers Who Are Partying // Madame X // 6.308

Bedtime Stories' achievement of last album with all its content withstanding isn't long-lasting as it bids goodnight to its first track. Madonna wrote 'Inside of Me' about her mother, promising to always treasure in her heart where she can be of comfort in times of trouble. Madonna's breathy vocal is gentle and soothing - a reflection of her mother's calming nature. 'HeartBreakCity' deals with life post-relationship and how one must rebuild their own life after sharing it with another; Madonna is hardened by the experience, which is reflected in the lyrics' snappiness and simplicity. Third and final single from Evita is the first out - 'Another Suitcase in Another Hall' is sang from Eva's perspective, opposed to that of Eva's then-husband's mistress in the original play, as she faces the future after ending her own relationship. Madonna's high-register is crystal clear and adds the right tone of vulnerability. The first of the Madonna and Maluma collaborations we received this year drops out; 'Soltera' sees Maluma's attraction dismissed by an uninterested Madonna, quite the contradiction to what is displayed in their other collabs. 'Killers Who Are Partying' was met with some criticism for its clunky lyrics but the intention of the song is well-meant as Madonna declares she will stand with the oppressed or abused. It's celebrates fado music with its Portuguese guitar melody, also featuring signature Mirwais production flourishes.

Madonna: 5/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 7/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 9/14
Bedtime Stories: 10/11
Evita: 2/13
Ray of Light: 13/14
Other (90s): 7/12
Music: 11/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 7/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 6/16
Rebel Heart: 8/25
Madame X: 15/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 32/47
90s: 42/76
00s: 42/57
10s: 29/62

Posted by: HausofF 15th September 2019, 11:51 AM

HeartBreakCity has done about how I expected it to. The live version from RH Tour with expletives is really good and I think I prefer it to album version.

Killers... is such a powerful unique track. Inside of Me is nice too. The other two, I can't say I return to much!

Posted by: HausofF 15th September 2019, 11:56 AM

All Other (10s) out! I'm not surprised~

Posted by: dandy* 15th September 2019, 12:11 PM

Catching up....

Bedtime Stories ruling for longest eh! Albeit on a technicality but still

Nobody's Perfect is probably the correct first real track from Music to drop out, it's definitely the track I go back to least even if I can appreciate her trying out something a bit different.

Sad to see all the I'm Breathless tracks gone even if it was inevitable - amused that NIFYII is the highest of them all though! (I won't count Vogue really as it's tacked on more than anything else)

Like Liam, I can't remember how Has To Be even goes, I know it's not awful but it's definitely a very forgettable track that was deservedly cut from Ray of Light.

Posted by: vibe 15th September 2019, 01:12 PM

Killer is up there with her worst tracks for me !

I am surprised that Inside of me is first out from BS , I actually think it’s a highlight. Did you know it samples Aaliyah , back and forth !!

Heartbreak is another fav of mine !

Posted by: Medellíam 15th September 2019, 05:17 PM

I agree vibe, I wouldn't have thought 'Inside of Me' would be out first. I figured it be something like 'Don't Stop'.

Still not over the tour DVD cutting out 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore' part!

Posted by: vibe 15th September 2019, 05:24 PM

Me neither Liam !! That was such a highlight

Posted by: HausofF 15th September 2019, 05:24 PM

Just one of many weird and bad decisions made by her/her team recently :')

Posted by: HausofF 15th September 2019, 06:14 PM

145. Everybody // Madonna // 6.344
144. Dark Ballet // Madame X // 6.346
143. Don't Stop // Bedtime Stories // 5.962
142. I'd Rather Be Your Lover // Bedtime Stories // 6.385
141. The Look of Love // Other (80s) // 6.406

The debut single from Madonna's debut album, Everybody drops out! In the early stages of her career, this is the song that gave her a middling break, although it failed to chart or dent the world. It remains iconic for being her first moment as an artist, but it hasn't aged too well for you guys! Secondly, we lose the final promo single released off Madonna's latest album. Dark Ballet received a music video and was produced by Mirwais - it was influenced by one of her favourite films (and my own favourite film) 'A Clockwork Orange'. It's very experimental and zany and reflects the more deranged side of the album, exploring the distorted world in which we find ourselves in. 'Bedtime Stories' which has been doing incredibly well so far, takes a double-loss here as it loses Don't Stop and I'd Rather Be Your Lover. The former is led by strings while the latter shows Madonna seeking the unattainable as she becomes sister, mother, friend and even brother to get what she wants. Finally The Look of Love from 'Who's That Girl' was the third and final single released from the soundtrack. It's inspired by (another favourite film) 'Rear Window' and is a haunting, yet understated ballad.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 6/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 9/14
Bedtime Stories: 8/11
Evita: 2/13
Ray of Light: 13/14
Other (90s): 7/12
Music: 11/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 7/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 6/16
Rebel Heart: 8/25
Madame X: 14/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 30/47
90s: 40/76
00s: 42/57
10s: 28/62

Posted by: dandy* 15th September 2019, 07:21 PM

Dark Ballet is definitely the most distinctive song in that bunch. I still really like half of it but I still really wish the classical part either didn't exist or was a different classical track so that it sounded less gimmicky. The opening sections are great though and I love that it explodes into something after the piano breakdown, just not that! The video was great too.

Posted by: HausofF 15th September 2019, 08:03 PM

Dark Ballet is such a unique track and every time I listen to it I come away with different feels. It's probably a bit too absurd for my liking, especially the BLOWING but I love the Kubrick influence and how bold a statement it is. The video is amazing ofc.

Posted by: dandy* 15th September 2019, 08:32 PM

Yes there are times when I think I enjoy it too - but then I could listen the next day and completely cringe. I'm glad it exists though, I'd far rather have something that distinctive than another less interesting track. I think it was probably the song that I most struggled to rate in the whole thing.

Posted by: vibe 15th September 2019, 09:18 PM

Dark Ballet is a highlight of Madame x for me

Everybody should be higher

Posted by: Jay ☆ 16th September 2019, 04:54 AM

'Has to Be' is actually one of my favourite songs to have left so far! Of the 102 songs that have departed, I only gave four of them a score of 8 or more, and that was one of them (with an 8). Maybe it helps that it didn't have a "just a bonus track" connotation for me, seeing as I heard it on the same day I heard a lot of the other Ray of Light tracks for the first time ever.

Kind of surprised to see 'Everybody' as low as this! I mean it's not a major favourite of mine so I'm not gutted it's out, but I'd probably have it just outside of the Top 100 rather than in the 140s.

I found 'Dark Ballet' difficult to rate too. It was one of the strongest examples of "I really like elements of this song and dislike other parts"... I settled for 6.5 in the end.

(When it comes to standard track lists) I'm interested to see if Ray of Light or Confessions on a Dancefloor retain all their tracks the longest!

Posted by: Medellíam 17th September 2019, 09:51 PM

I love 'Dark Ballet'! It is an unusual track and I can see why it would be polarising to the more causal fans but I'm surprised it's not had a better reception here. Not that it's a particularly bad one though and I know it seems we're in agreement in terms of appreciating what she's doing with the track. The video is definitely conceptually and visually beautiful. I hope to see the Madame X videos regarded as classics in future years - I think they already are now but having time on their side will just reaffirm that.

I wouldn't have been surprised to see it rate even lower tbh! It seems to be considered dated by most fans but I personally love the production on the track. It's also a blueprint to the themes often expressed in Madonna's music and, whilst she's done better since, I still think the song can hold its own.

Sorry about the lack of results, I'll try get the next lot up in the morning!

Posted by: Medellíam 18th September 2019, 04:06 PM

140. Veni Vedi Vici (feat. Nas) // Rebel Heart // 6.423
139. Shanti/Ashtangi // Ray of Light // 6.423 (higher top score)
138. Mer Girl // Ray of Light // 6.462
137. Love Tried to Welcome Me // Bedtime Stories // 6.462 (higher top score)
136. Where Life Begins // Erotica // 6.462 (more 9s)

Madonna delivers a rap origin story on 'Veni Vedi Vici', recalling her early days in New York through the titles of some of her biggest successes. The murmured verses are contrasted by the sweet, acoustic tone of the chorus and rapper Nas bears his own biography in a guest verse that shares similar strength and determination that's evident in Madonna's life. Here on in, this section sees 90s Madonna take a big hit, including a double loss for Ray of Light with what can be considered the two most unconventional offerings: 'Shanti/Ashtangi' is a hypnotising reciting of a Sanskrit hymn for which Madonna took elocution lessons to ensure her pronunciation was correct, whilst 'Mer Girl' is an eerie song-poem where Madonna confronts her mother's death. Madonna puts herself in the mind of a stripper she had met in the mournful 'Love Tried to Welcome Me' and creates a devastating backstory of someone so accustomed to heartache and pain that they don't know how to deal with love when they're faced with it. Finally, 'Where Life Begins' is a sensual slow-jam that boasts Madonna's exceptional wit and humour as she celebrates cunnilingus through dining room innuendo.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 6/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 8/14
Bedtime Stories: 7/11
Evita: 2/13
Ray of Light: 11/14
Other (90s): 7/12
Music: 11/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 7/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 6/16
Rebel Heart: 7/25
Madame X: 14/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 30/47
90s: 36/76
00s: 42/57
10s: 27/62

Posted by: vibe 18th September 2019, 05:16 PM

The only loss for me is Mer Girl that wold def be in my top 30.

Shanti is prob a little to high for my liking.

Posted by: HausofF 19th September 2019, 08:02 AM

That's a lovely set. No huge standouts but all tracks that really compliment the albums they are in and work as solid album tracks.

Posted by: blacksquare 19th September 2019, 09:31 AM

Sad to see Mer Girl so underrated in comparison to some of the other Ray of Light tracks.

It's one of those songs that you have to give your full attention to — every lyric is important. Perhaps her most impressive song in terms of being a storyteller? It really draws you in. I feel every word.

Posted by: Medellíam 19th September 2019, 09:55 AM

'Mer Girl' has always been my least favourite from Ray of Light but, trying to speak from an objective perspective, I'd say there's a good case for calling it the most underrated Madonna song. I re-listened to it last night and I did start to have a moment with it. You do have to give it your undivided attention as you say, blacksquare, and listen to the story Madonna is telling. Even though you know the basis of what the song is about, it is a hard one to properly understand; you come across lyrics and think "What does this mean? Does this symbolise something? Is it happy, is it sad?". Still, you do find yourself drawn in because of the way Madonna delivers the song. Perhaps this a lazy comparison but I got strong Bjork vibes from this, particularly 'Hyperballad' which is another song that I find both fascinating and confusing.

10 years of owning Ray of Light and I'm still discovering new production choices - I didn't realise there were those eerie noises behind the dialling tone at the beginning of 'Mer Girl'. Not sure how I didn't notice them before as they do get quite loud; perhaps I just didn't pay enough attention to this song and hadn't heard through headphones which pick up the sound better.

Posted by: Medellíam 19th September 2019, 10:02 AM

'Veni Vedi Vici' is one of my Rebel Heart faves - it could so easily be a song that's judged as youth-chasing or faceless but Madonna really puts her own stamp on it. I like the juxaposition of the low, dull tones of the verses to represent the grittiness of living in New York and Madonna's struggle compared with the sweetness and lightness of the chorus where Madonna happily declares "I came, I saw, I conquered". The self-references work surprisingly well too.

I believe 'Love Tried to Welcome Me' is my first 10/10 to leave, although I'm not too surprised by its placing as it doesn't seem to be recognised as a fave by many others. It's a really devastating song and it really resonated with me a few years ago.

'Where Life Begins' definitely deserves higher. I adore how witty and funny it is - who said Madonna didn't have a sense of humour? I think this has been missing from Madonna's more recent sexually-charged songs.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 19th September 2019, 11:54 AM

Oops I’ve missed like three pages of this!!

So many tracks I really like now have dropped out.

It’s getting to a stage now where I’m disagreeing with some whilst trying to find some others what are still in thinking how is that I’m still!

Posted by: HausofF 19th September 2019, 09:18 PM

135. Beautiful Killer // MDNA // 6.462
134. Amazing // Music // 6.464
133. Why's It So Hard // Erotica // 6.500
132. Forbidden Love // Bedtime Stories // 6.538
131. This Used to Be My Playground // Other (90s) // 6.538

First up, from the deluxe version of MDNA, we lose Beautiful Killer. Inspired by French cinema, Madonna and Martin Solveig, the song features a killer on the loose, and Madonna being tempted to play with the dark side and be snarled in by him. Next up Amazing, a track compared to 'Beautiful Stranger' offers a shift of pace in the Music album. Throughout the song she haunted by lost love - no matter how she is treated, sometimes love is blinding and just simply amazing. A simple song lyrically and at heart, but deep down it deals with a tainted love continually bringing itself back. Why's It So Hard almost fits in nicely after Amazing, as it questions love and its difficulties but moreso she turns to her fans and the listeners and questions her own place in the world of music. Bedtime Stories takes another hit as Forbidden Love is out. It's our least favourite song of same name - how will its namesake from Confessions fair? Finally, from the film 'A League of Their Own' This Used to Be My Playground falls out. The song was later included on her ballads compilation album and received critical and commercial success including a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Original Song and reaching #1 in the US!

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 6/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 7/14
Bedtime Stories: 6/11
Evita: 2/13
Ray of Light: 11/14
Other (90s): 6/12
Music: 10/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 7/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 5/16
Rebel Heart: 7/25
Madame X: 14/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 30/47
90s: 33/76
00s: 41/57
10s: 26/62

Posted by: Medellíam 20th September 2019, 12:59 AM

Probably the most wtf moment out of Madonna's Billboard number ones! I wonder how well it's remembered over there now? When I see the title now, I always think about the Billboard interview Madonna did earlier this year where she seemed surprised it had even gone Top 10 (the same interview that reminded her of 'Rescue Me'). I like the song but I think it could do with a minute or so trimming off as it's a very slow song so sounds longer than it is. I like how the lyrics seem to bridge the gap between Like a Prayer and Erotica (childhood vs. adulthood, innocence vs. experience, reflection vs. progression).

'Beautiful Killer' is probably my favourite out of the Solveig tracks on MDNA. I'm wondering how it may have fared as a single - could have had a decent video and it would sound good on radio.

Not surprised Bedtime Stories 'Forbidden Love' falls out before the Confessions version, although they're actually pretty neck and neck for me! I love the production in intro and the way Madonna sounds on the song. It's obviously a very sexual song but I've always found it very relaxing and calming - I guess Madonna is persuading her lover to submit themselves to a risky love affair.

'Amazing' is very filler for me; I'm glad Madonna fought against it being a single. Same goes for 'Why's It So Hard' really.

Posted by: vibe 20th September 2019, 06:02 AM

Amazing I absolutely love it is Amazing !!!

Beautiful Killer I find overrated .

TUTBMP is okay

Whys It So Hard is underrated !

Posted by: blacksquare 20th September 2019, 09:06 AM

I had a mini-meltdown thinking it was the other (superior) Forbidden Love then...

Posted by: HausofF 20th September 2019, 07:19 PM

Beautiful Killer is fun, definitely a standout on the album. Amazing, I really like - it's probably to saccharine for a single but regardless it makes for a fab album track. BS version of Forbidden Love is nice... but not a PATCH on Confessions which needs to be at least 130 places higher in this rate ~

Posted by: Medellíam 21st September 2019, 06:38 PM

130. Love Spent // MDNA // 6.538 (higher top score)
129. Funana // Madame X // 6.577
128. Ciao Bella // Madame X // 6.615
127. Hold Tight // Rebel Heart // 6.654
126. I Want You (with Massive Attack) // Other (90s) // 6.692

Four songs from the current decade depart this section, starting with 'Love Spent' from MDNA. Combining banjos and electronic music, the song addresses Madonna's divorce settlement and she expresses her longing for a different outcome where the enthusiasm for money could have been directed into rebuilding their relationship. Two Madame X super deluxe tracks drop back-to-back: 'Funana' is a call for peace, freedom and union that sees Madonna name check various artists sadly no longer with us who once fought for these ideals (also a sad reminder that Madonna is becoming more and more the only one of her kind); 'Ciao Bella' is a tribal-house track featuring vocals from Kimi Djabaté that deals with spirituality. 'Hold Tight' is an encouraging song of standing united in the face of adversity that appeared set to become the fourth single from Rebel Heart when it was sent to Italian radio. Going back two decades, Madonna collaborated with Massive Attack to create a trip hop cover of Marvin Gaye's disco-infused 'I Want You'. Madonna's version is darker, consumed by such sadness that gives a slightly mad, desperate tone. It was planned to be the lead for Madonna's ballads collection Something to Remember but legal battles between Warner Bros. and Motown prevented a proper release.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 6/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 7/14
Bedtime Stories: 6/11
Evita: 2/13
Ray of Light: 11/14
Other (90s): 5/12
Music: 10/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 7/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 4/16
Rebel Heart: 6/25
Madame X: 12/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 30/47
90s: 32/76
00s: 41/57
10s: 22/62

Posted by: blacksquare 21st September 2019, 06:54 PM

Love Spent is the song with the most wasted potential on MDNA for me. Vocals aside, the first verse is promising but it all falls apart from the disappointing chorus. They really overdo it with the production throughout the song and I absolutely hate the melody for the final 45 seconds.

I wish they had spent a little more time with it but that is the issue with most of MDNA.

Posted by: HausofF 21st September 2019, 08:15 PM

Agree with blacksquare on Love Spent. It has the ingredients to be incredible but just falls short.

Inside Out is my favourite on that list - a real high point on Rebel Heart and criminally underrated I find.

Posted by: vibe 22nd September 2019, 01:35 PM

All of those songs are amazing !! They are all way to low .

Love Spent is too 10 for me !

Posted by: HausofF 22nd September 2019, 02:22 PM

125. She's Not Me // Hard Candy // 6.714
124. Time Stood Still // Music // 6.714 (higher score)
123. Bitch I'm Loca // Madame X // 6.769
122. Spotlight // Other (80s) // 6.781
121. Beat Goes On // Hard Candy // 6.786

First up, a song I know all too well~ from Hard Candy, we lose She's Not Me. In the song Madonna realises that someone is trying to be her, to dress like her and to love like she does. Madonna stamps her authority however and reclaims her identity. A song with multiple meanings and interpretations, the most blatant one being a dig at Lady Gaga - especially as she merged the song with Born This Way on tour! The scandal x Time Stood Still is another soundtrack song, this time taken from The Next Best Thing. With the help of William Orbit, the song is about holding onto love even when it burns out. Bitch I'm Loca is one of two collaborations with Maluma on Madame X (the second of which is still to come). Here, she sings about how crazy she is and how she owns her oddity to ensnare men. Initially written for True Blue, but rejected and later included on You Can Dance, Spotlight shows how fame can be achieved by simply singing about it. It received release as a single in Japan but didn't really make a dent elsewhere. Finally, Hard Candy loses another sweet, this time with the Kanye West penned Beat Goes On. The song leaked in different form a year prior to the album release. It's a song about freedom of expression, saying and doing whatever you like.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 9/11
Other (80s): 5/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 7/14
Bedtime Stories: 6/11
Evita: 2/13
Ray of Light: 11/14
Other (90s): 5/12
Music: 9/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 5/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 4/16
Rebel Heart: 6/25
Madame X: 11/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 29/47
90s: 32/76
00s: 38/57
10s: 21/62

Posted by: vibe 22nd September 2019, 03:02 PM

Beat goes on and She’s not me underrated here !!

Posted by: blacksquare 22nd September 2019, 03:13 PM

I'll always have a soft spot for Beat Goes On — a certified bop with a great Kanye verse

Posted by: Jordan Lee 22nd September 2019, 04:52 PM

Funana, Ciao Bella and Hold Tight are better than all the tracks from 121-125 in my opinion

Love Spent is one of the few listenable things on MDNA but the vocals and production lower it down my ranks

Posted by: Medellíam 22nd September 2019, 05:50 PM

'Love Spent' is one of my favourites from MDNA but what stops it being more than an 8/10 is the lack of care when putting the song together, as mentioned. It's a major downfall for a lot of the album. Not sure why it went so wrong in that department.

'Shes's Not Me' and 'Beat Goes On' are two Hard Candy highlights, pleased to see them acknowledges as among the best album tracks, even if they should rate higher than this.

'Time Stood Still' was a great discovery when putting my rate together - I had to immediately give it a 10 and still regularly listen to it. Beautiful song, lovely vocals.

Posted by: HausofF 22nd September 2019, 09:42 PM

The Hard Candy tracks there are the ones I return to most.

Loca is a low point on Madame X and the other two, I don't really care for at all / listen to ~

Posted by: Jay ☆ 24th September 2019, 03:16 PM

Definitely two of the better Hard Candy tracks (both 8/10 for me *.* )

Bitch I'm Loca is a bit of a guilty pleasure

We're at the half way point of the results! Loving the informative commentaries

Posted by: Medellíam 24th September 2019, 05:11 PM

120. Gambler // Other (80s) // 6.844
119. Survival // Bedtime Stories // 6.846
118. Rescue Me // Other (90s) // 6.846 (higher top score)
117. Spanish Eyes // Like a Prayer // 6.875
116. Batuka // Madame X // 6.885

Second single from the Vision Quest soundtrack, 'Gambler' had the distinction of being the only single solely written by Madonna (until 2007's 'Hey You', that is). It's a rapid-paced, synth and disco infused song where Madonna celebrates her daredevil lifestyle. Bedtime Stories is one of two Madonna albums not to open with a single; instead, the funky groove of 'Survival' introduces us to a new sound Madonna would explore on the album, as well as addressing the media and public rejection of her sexual exploration earlier in the 90s. 'Rescue Me' is the lesser remembered of the two new singles included on The Immaculate Collection - no music video or live performance supported it, its single release was purely in response to the radio support it had been receiving. It's a gospel-house hybrid, a sort of amalgamation of Madonna's then-recent successes, that demonstrates one of her most rousing vocals. In 'Spanish Eyes', Madonna confronts the still-taboo AIDS epidemic, her strained vocal embodying the tragedy and confusion of its impact as she yearns for those she has lost. The birth of the Madame X record can be traced in 'Batuka'. Batuque music was one of Madonna's first introductions to Portuguese culture and she celebrates it here with the Batukadeiras, a collection of female musicians, as they call for a revolution to defeat oppression.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 7/9
Like A Prayer: 8/11
Other (80s): 4/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 7/14
Bedtime Stories: 5/11
Evita: 2/13
Ray of Light: 11/14
Other (90s): 4/12
Music: 9/13
American Life: 10/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 5/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 4/16
Rebel Heart: 6/25
Madame X: 10/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 27/47
90s: 30/76
00s: 38/57
10s: 20/62

Posted by: vibe 24th September 2019, 05:39 PM

Batuka and Survival way too high for my tastes .

Posted by: HausofF 24th September 2019, 06:07 PM

I randomly had a moment with Survival the other day, it really clicked with me. It's a brilliant way to start the album and as you say, it sets the tone for it perfectly.

Spanish Eyes is a real beauty, although perhaps overshadowed by Oh Father and Promise to Try in terms of LAP ballads.

Batuka is a bit too high for my liking - recentness perhaps helping it out!

Posted by: dandy* 24th September 2019, 06:24 PM

Rescue Me out already?!!!!!!

Honestly in my top 20, if not top 10, songs from her. I am appalled.

Posted by: Medellíam 24th September 2019, 10:32 PM

Always had a soft spot for 'Gambler' - it's great if you want simple, cheery pop and it benefits from the lack of exposure.

'Survival' strikes just the right tone to open Bedtime Stories, introducing you to the sounds and themes of the album but in a very easy, modest manner. It's doesn't begin with a bang as it's not that sort of album, but it's enough of a statement to work as an album opener.

'Rescue Me' should have been a lot higher - I'm shocked that I only gave it an 8/10! I like how it takes elements of other songs - the gospel of 'Like a Prayer', the powerful vocal of 'Express Yourself', the house of 'Vogue' and the whisper of 'Justify My Love' - yet stands as a unique piece of work.

'Spanish Eyes' is gorgeous with that classic Leonard piano and Madonna's storytelling vocal. Actually my favourite ballad from Like a Prayer.

'Batuka' took a little getting used to as it's not a song in the conventional sense but Mirwais' production balances out the repetition to keep it interesting. It's certainly essential to the album and the journey Madonna went on.

Posted by: HausofF 25th September 2019, 05:02 PM

115. X-Static Process // American Life // 6.893
114. Words // Erotica // 6.923
113. Thief of Hearts // Erotica // 6.923 (more 9s)
112. White Heat // True Blue // 6.938
111. Extreme Occident // Madame X // 6.962

American Life has been doing brilliantly so far, but here it loses one of the slowest most tender moments from it. X-Static Process is about identity: losing it, discovering it and battling with it. It shows an extremely vulnerable side to Madonna as she laments her loneliness and how it affects her state of mind. Erotica takes a double hit here as Words and Thief of Hearts drop out (with the same scores). Both songs are quite similar - they are punchy and fierce. The latter opens with glass smashing and Madonna exclaiming to another who tires to steal her lover. It's a whirlwind of a song and super slick. White Heat is a song dedicated to James Cagney and features quotes from the film of the same name. Finally from M's latest album, Extreme Occident, in a similar way to X-Static Process earlier is also about a search for identity, but this time, how Madonna's travels have influenced and impacted her identity. As a result of this it features Portuguese and Indian influences throughout.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 8/11
Other (80s): 4/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 5/14
Bedtime Stories: 5/11
Evita: 2/13
Ray of Light: 11/14
Other (90s): 4/12
Music: 9/13
American Life: 9/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 12/15
Hard Candy: 5/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 4/16
Rebel Heart: 6/25
Madame X: 9/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 26/47
90s: 28/76
00s: 37/57
10s: 19/62

Posted by: vibe 25th September 2019, 07:17 PM

I like all of these they seem rightly placed.

I do wish Thief Of Hearts was included on a tour !!

Posted by: HausofF 25th September 2019, 09:02 PM

X-Static is a beauty.

Thief of Hearts is one of my absolute faves on Erotica. It's wild and wonderful. Should've done a bit better imo.

Extreme Occident is wayyyyy too high. It's really not better than a lot of the past few reveals.

Posted by: Medellíam 26th September 2019, 10:27 PM

110. Crazy // Madame X // 7.038
109. Waiting // Erotica // 7.038 (more 9s)
108. You Must Love Me // Evita // 7.038 (higher top score)
107. I Love New York // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 7.071
106. Heartbeat // Hard Candy // 7.107

The results hotten up further as we reach the 7+ averages. Commencing this section is the soulful sweetness of 'Crazy', evoking classic Madonna balladry but rooted in the Madame X sound with its accordion accompaniment and Portuguese verses. The song deals a predicament of being deeply in love but refusing to be consumed by these feelings when the partner isn't sharing this devotion. Highest placed album track from Erotica, 'Waiting' addresses rejection and unrequited love within a relationship, something that was understood would happen beforehand but was persued anyway. There's a toughness to the song, however, reflected in the spoken-word verses where Madonna asks her lover why he's so reluctant to open up. It acts as sequel to 'Justify My Love', even sampling the song itself. Just one song from Evita remains as its lead single departs. 'You Must Love Me' was specifically written for the film adaptation and reflects Eva Peron's state of mind following new of her illness; the word play of the title reveals both a desperation to be loved and the realisation that she must be loved if her husband is still with her despite the circumstances. The first of the Confessions on a Dancefloor standard edition songs leaves in the form of 'I Love New York'. It was one of the earliest tracks for the album, having been rehearsed on the 2004 Reinvention Tour in a rock incarnation. The guitars remain on the final version, but its given electronic undertones to suit the overall sound of Confessions. It's Madonna celebration of the city that saw her career take off and affirm her fierce, no-nonsense attitude. 'Heartbeat' sees Madonna show appreciation for the dancefloor and its ability to take her away from life's troubles, sumarising it as something very instinctive, not measureable by words.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 8/11
Other (80s): 4/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 4/14
Bedtime Stories: 5/11
Evita: 1/13
Ray of Light: 11/14
Other (90s): 4/12
Music: 9/13
American Life: 9/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 11/15
Hard Candy: 4/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 4/16
Rebel Heart: 6/25
Madame X: 8/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 26/47
90s: 26/76
00s: 35/57
10s: 18/62

Posted by: HausofF 26th September 2019, 10:32 PM

New York is definitely the correct first track to leave the main Confessions album. Hoping the album slays through the top 100!

Crazy is one of my MASSIVE favourites on Madame X now. The combo of Crave into Crazy is my favourite moment on the album actually. Loads of love for it, but in terms of her complete discography it's probably done about as well as it should here.

Posted by: Medellíam 26th September 2019, 11:10 PM

'Crazy' is one of my favourites too Bal! That flow of 'Crave/'Crazy'/'Come Alive' is really strong. This would have been perfect for radio; I genuinely think either 'Crazy' or 'Crave' could have been to Madame X what 'Ghosttown' was to Rebel Heart.

It's a toss up between 'Waiting' and 'Where Life Begins' for my favourite Erotica track, so I'm happy 'Waiting' has done this well. I think, had the Erotica era gone to plan, this could have made a good single as it hits the middle area of being a good reflection of the album's tone and sound whilst also sounding accessible enough for radio with its catchy hook.

I probably couldn't place 'I Love New York' higher than the bottom 3 of Confessions but it gets a hard time. I think it's a lot of fun and I love its rocky edge. I'm actually not distracted by the simplistic lyrics.

'Heartbeat' is a Hard Candy highlight and 'You Must Love Me' always reminds me of her impressive vocal on the S&S Tour performance.

Posted by: Rhoda Camel 27th September 2019, 12:10 AM

i know 'i love new york' is not everyone's favourite, but i just adore the album so much that i can't bear to see any tracks so low i'm expecting that 'let it will be' will be the next out from COADF?

Posted by: vibe 27th September 2019, 06:22 AM

How was push not out first on confessions ? New York however is my second least fav.

Crazy is one of my faves on Madame X .

I’m quite surprised waiting is the highest album track on erotica.

Heartbeat is a fav of mine , the live version is orgasmic !!

Posted by: vibe 27th September 2019, 06:23 AM

American Life is performing the best percentage wise !!

Posted by: blacksquare 27th September 2019, 10:07 AM

I Love New York above X-Static Process hurts my heart.

Posted by: HausofF 27th September 2019, 08:03 PM

105. Joan of Arc // Rebel Heart // 7.115
104. Mother and Father // American Life // 7.143
103. Sanctuary // Bedtime Stories // 7.154
102. Little Star // Ray of Light // 7.154
101. Keep it Together // Like A Prayer // 7.156

First up, Joan of Arc is a guitar led folky ballad about how even the strongest people in the world have fragile moments and weak spots. It features a strong metaphor of masking insecurities. It was performed on the Ellen Show and represents a hugely vulnerable and soft side to Madonna. Another very personal song next with Mother and Father which tells of how Madonna dealt with the loss of her mother who passed when she was only 6 years old. Following her mother's death, Madonna searched for a reason behind her existence and this song reflects that personal battle. Sanctuary takes lyrics from a poem by Walt Whitman to explore an undying love with a heartfelt, tear-jerking aura about it. The song about life and death gives birth to 'Bedtime Story' and the two tracks work perfectly together. Little Star was released as a promotional track for its album and is a song about Madonna's love for her daughter Lourdes. It's a twinkling beauty that works well alongside some of the other personal songs in this selection and represents a recurring theme of life and birth that the Ray of Light album explores. Finally, missing out on the all-important top 100 is Keep it Together, which was the sixth and final single from 'Like A Prayer' in certain countries. It (once again!) explores the notion of family, and it summarises a lot of the key messages of the song in this post: that family is essential.

And with that we are left with the top 100 Madonna songs as rated by you. Here is how each era is doing at this point:

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 7/11
Other (80s): 4/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 4/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 1/13
Ray of Light: 10/14
Other (90s): 4/12
Music: 9/13
American Life: 8/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 11/15
Hard Candy: 4/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 4/16
Rebel Heart: 5/25
Madame X: 8/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 25/47
90s: 24/76
00s: 34/57
10s: 17/62

Posted by: dandy* 27th September 2019, 08:10 PM

I really like Joan of Arc, really sad to see that just miss the top 100.

Posted by: vibe 28th September 2019, 12:47 PM

Joan Of arc and Little Star deserve top 100 !!

Posted by: HausofF 29th September 2019, 10:26 AM

A brilliant section there. JoA is a stunner, a proper stop you in your tracks moment on the album. Lyrically it's so beautiful and powerful.

Mother and Father is pretty crazy I love how frenzied it is despite tackling a harsh subject matter. I guess it reflects how crazed you can be without a stable family.

Sanctuary is A MOMENT. The transition at the end of it is surely the best moment on the album? What a shift *.*

Little Star is beautiful, a perfect album track that compliments the bigger moments that appear throughout the album. It's a good example of how less can be more!

Keep it Together is a worthy track of just missing the top 100. Not totally essential but very solid. I always forget how strong it is until I hear it - I guess it is eclipsed by the more obvious smashes on the album.

Posted by: Medellíam 29th September 2019, 09:48 PM

100. Candy Perfume Girl // Ray of Light // 7.192
99. Girl Gone Wild // MDNA // 7.192 (higher top score)
98. Push // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 7.214
97. Rebel Heart // Rebel Heart // 7.231
96. Queen // Rebel Heart // 7.231 (higher top score)

We begin the Top 100 with Ray of Light's 'Candy Perfume Girl', a grungy, slightly unconventional song of addiction and obsession. The downbeat tone of the song is interrupted by a sudden intensity in the arrangement half way through as electric guitars, heavy programming and echoing vocals errupt. On 'Girl Gone Wild', Madonna recites the Act of Contrition, an in advance plea for forgiveness before letting loose on the dancefloor. She's reclaiming her identity following her divorce and what better way of doing that than revisiting her career foundations. Penultimate track on Confessions, 'Push' is an expression of gratitude to those who encouraged Madonna to expand her limits (incorporated into the lyrics is the hook to 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police). Two Rebel Heart tracks fall back-to-back, the first being the album's titular track. Here, Madonna documents her story and how she became the person she is today. It captures the underlying theme of the album and, with its light and upbeat production, makes it a positive note to complete the deluxe album journey. 'Queen' is a bit of a wildcard entry, having been scrapped from the Rebel Heart super deluxe, however it's proven to be an essential to the era for many. It shows Madonna questioning her relevancy in the pop industry today; this self-doubt and potentially accepting of her fate hits quite raw as it seems the negative criticisms have finally taken its toll.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 7/11
Other (80s): 4/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 4/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 1/13
Ray of Light: 9/14
Other (90s): 4/12
Music: 9/13
American Life: 8/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 10/15
Hard Candy: 4/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 3/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 8/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 25/47
90s: 23/76
00s: 33/57
10s: 14/62

Posted by: vibe 30th September 2019, 06:38 AM

Candy Perfume Girl and Push are way to high . Push would be in my top 5 least fav tracks !

GGW to low !

Posted by: HausofF 30th September 2019, 08:12 PM

I don't care what people say, Girl Gone Wild is an absolute BANGER. I heard it once while out and it was a total moment of life. Candy Perfume Girl is fairly forgettable as far as RoL tracks go. Push is decent but far from a Confessions highlight so i'm glad it's one of the earlier tracks from the album to drop out. Title track from RH is gorgeous and of course QUEEN after all the drama of adding it in, has done superbly here and rightfully so - it's one of the best tracks she's done in the past decade

Posted by: HausofF 30th September 2019, 08:13 PM

95. Gone // Music // 7.286
94. Nobody Knows Me // American Life // 7.286 (higher top score)
93. Masterpiece // MDNA // 7.308
92. Like It Or Not // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 7.357
91. American Pie // Music // 7.357 (more 9s)

First out here we have Gone which combines acoustic elements with more electronic sounds to give a song about not changing despite what life and love throws at you. It's melancholic and mournful but gives a sense of hope as the album nears its end. Nobody Knows Me is a defiant song rejecting the social world of the media and it was released as a promotional single perhaps because of how explicitly it relates to the album's theme. It has generally well received by critics and Madonna herself who included it as a controversial video interlude on the MDNA tour - for which she was sued for! From MDNA and as a song for soundtrack to W.E., Masterpiece is one of the slower moments on its parent album. The song won the Best Original Song category at the 69th Golden Globe Awards and is often cited as a highlight on MDNA. The final track on the standard edition of Confessions... drops out now as Like It Or Not proves to not be totally liked in comparison to the rest of the album. It is a song about the past, the present and the future which works well as the closing track here as it is an album about time, its passing and what it could mean for the future. It's fairly understated as far as the rest of the album goes but it does create an interesting change of pace in the album's closing. Finally here, American Pie, a cover of Don McLean's original classic, falls out. It was a #1 in the UK and was a much more dancier and punchier version that the original. It became a big hit and even managed to chart in the US despite not being released as a full single there.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 7/11
Other (80s): 4/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 4/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 1/13
Ray of Light: 9/14
Other (90s): 4/12
Music: 7/13
American Life: 7/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 9/15
Hard Candy: 4/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 2/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 8/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 25/47
90s: 23/76
00s: 29/57
10s: 13/62

Posted by: ...ready for it 1st October 2019, 03:31 AM

Candy Perfume Girl and American Pie are too high.

Posted by: vibe 1st October 2019, 06:19 AM

I think I may live every song left

All from 95-90 are incredible

Posted by: Medellíam 1st October 2019, 04:17 PM

That transition between 'Sanctuary' and 'Bedtime Story' is probably now my favourite. Sorry 'Forbidden Love' into 'Jump'. </3 A surprise choice for top Bedtime Stories album track but it's one of my faves so very welcome. The album did well to be the last to lose one of its tracks but it's lost a lot as we hit the Top 100.

Ray of Light is such a high standard of an album that 'Little Star' always got lost in the mix, but it's a really sweet song and a gorgeous, delicate vocal. It was double A-side in the UK but I don't think it actually got any special attention.

'Candy Perfume Girl' sounds very Alanis-esque to me, which may not just be a coincidence given Alanis was signed to Madonna's label. Love the intensity of the production towards the end.

I've said before about my like/hate relationship about 'Girl Gone Wild'. I wouldn't mind if the worst you could say was that it was generic, but the chorus is piss weak, the lyrics are empty and the voice that sings them is even more so. It has a decent start though and the video is so good that it does elevate the song slightly.

I reckon 'Nobody Knows Me' could have made a great single. Love the choppy production, the bubbling bass, the concept, even the vocoder is used effectively. Lots of potential material for a video.

I'd have liked 'Masterpiece' to have been pushed properly too, perhaps about November time. Definitely wasn't right that it was only available to download from album release week, meaning it missed out on any interest that may have emerged from her Golden Globe win.

'Gone' is one of my Music faves, would have loved to have seen that higher.

Posted by: Medellíam 1st October 2019, 04:17 PM

Fun fact: apart from one song, every song from this point earned a top score of at least 10!

Posted by: blacksquare 1st October 2019, 04:44 PM

'Gone' leaving already hurts my feelings — such a precursor to some of the best moments on 'American Life'.

Posted by: vibe 1st October 2019, 05:48 PM

That is an interesting fact

Posted by: dandy* 1st October 2019, 10:53 PM

Intrigued to find out what that one song was

Posted by: TheJüpreme 2nd October 2019, 06:19 AM

I bet it was Music

Posted by: vibe 2nd October 2019, 12:36 PM

My bet is DCFMA

Posted by: Jay ☆ 2nd October 2019, 04:52 PM

Honestly one of my favourite discoveries from the whole rate... shook that it was left off Rebel Heart when even Auto-Tune Baby made its way onto some versions. i-

Masterpiece is definitely a highlight from MDNA. Sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the standard track list though.

Posted by: Medellíam 2nd October 2019, 07:56 PM

I do like the lyrical content of Queen but the sound of the song itself doesn't do much for me. I am surprised it never made any of the editions of Rebel Heart though.

Masterpiece is really lovely, I'm glad it did make the MDNA album and I think it would fit nicely with a better organised album.

Posted by: dandy* 2nd October 2019, 11:26 PM

Queen is fantastic, a great track with a lyrical theme that I don’t think I’ve heard before from anyone else. Deserves higher.

I’ve gone off Masterpiece. It featured in my top 50 a couple of years ago but would be nowhere near now.

Posted by: Medellíam 3rd October 2019, 12:06 AM

90. Looking For Mercy // Madame X // 7.385
89. American Life // American Life // 7.464
88. Dear Jessie // Like a Prayer // 7.469
87. To Have and Not To Hold // Ray of Light // 7.500
86. Causing a Commotion // Other (80s) // 7.500 (more 9s)

Madame X deluxe track 'Looking For Mercy' drops out and seems to give insight to the isolation and loneliness Madonna has since admitted she felt during her residence in Portugal. Inside, Madonna still has the same vulnerabilities and insecurities as everyone else and needs someone to confide in. On 'American Life', Madonna criticises the shallowness of celebrity culture and the American Dream whilst figuring out her own place in the world. The glitchy, lazer-like synths reflect the confusion and absurdity, contrasting with the sweet acoustic folk of the chorus that reflects the illusion of a perfect lifestyle. It's a gusty lead single, more so by the rap she unleashes at the middle-8, listing basic daily activities and naming people that work for her. It's silly, obnoxious and narcissistic, but fits the song well. 'Dear Jessie' is inspired by Patrick Leonard's daughter whom Madonna had spent time with in the studio. This psychedelic pop tune is stylised like a children's lullaby, evoking a fantasy landscape of rainbows, mermaids and pink elephants. An early entry to Ray of Light, 'To Have and Not To Hold' is about a distant lover, not necessarily in terms of space but regarding how prepared they are to open up; the inclination is there but something stops them from fully committing. Ending on a high, 'Causing a Commotion' is a jubilant production that describes the lively relationship between Madonna and Sean Penn. The energy holds up throughout, boosted by its catchy hooks that no crowd could defy chanting.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 6/11
Other (80s): 3/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 4/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 1/13
Ray of Light: 8/14
Other (90s): 4/12
Music: 7/13
American Life: 6/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 9/15
Hard Candy: 4/13
Other (00s): 2/5
MDNA: 2/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 7/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 23/47
90s: 22/76
00s: 28/57
10s: 12/62

Posted by: Medellíam 3rd October 2019, 01:21 AM

'Looking For Mercy' is one of my Madame X highlights. It's done well here but I still don't think it gets enough praise. The slight desperation in the vocal delivery is just right, as is the drama of the chorus. I guess it can be considered a bit repetitive but I think it works in this instance.

'Causing a Commotion' is an often overlooked song from Madonna's 80s hits but it's one of my favourites. That "I got the moves baby, you got the motion" hook is really infectious and I love the way the third verse sounds. I remember falling for this song after hearing Bright Light Bright Light's cover of it:

Posted by: vibe 3rd October 2019, 06:31 AM

LFM is a highlight on Madame X !

CAC I’m quite surprised it’s this high.

THANTH is sublime !! Could be higher

Posted by: HausofF 4th October 2019, 06:55 PM

I'm a little bit ~hmm~ at how well some of these Madame X tracks are doing over older tracks and can't help but feel it's due to the recentness. Looking For Mercy is ok, but this high up is a bit strange to me.

American Life the single is about where I thought it would be, because naturally it would attract haters that would lower its average.

Dear Jessie has done well! I can't say it's a major highlight but it's twee and nice enough.

To Have and Not To Hold is fabulous - as are many more of the RoL tracks to come. I'd say its position here is pretty spot on if not a bit too low.

Causing a Commotion I don't listen to much, but a fun track and decent showing for it here ~

Posted by: HausofF 4th October 2019, 07:43 PM

85. I Rise // Madame X // 7.538
84. Me Against the Music // Other (00s) // 7.571
83. Easy Ride // American Life // 7.571
82. Love Profusion // American Life // 7.607
81. Come Alive // Madame X // 7.615

The final track on Madonna's most recent album falls before it can rise any more. I Rise has been forced down the throats of Madonna fans this era, with a surge of remixes being released on what seems like every week, but it is an anthemic song about change and conquering demons. It was the first promotional song to be released for the era and clearly represents strong aspects of why she made the album in the first place. Teaming up with Britney Spears in what should have been the pop collab of the century, Me Against The Music doesn't far incredibly well here. The song is about beating the music and letting go on the dancefloor - it represents a rebellious, yet joyous response to dancing and moving to music and the vocals between the two work well together. Understated and funky, the track is unlike a lot of M's usual music. Easy Ride is a marked shift in pace and tone on American Life. It's a very deep song about wanting to conquer the world, earn your stripes while still having an easy life and set up a future for her children. The final single released from American Life, Love Profusion is out next. Dedicated to Guy Ritchie, it showcases a deep love alongside confusion about the culture around her. It didn't chart in the US and became yet another failed release from the era! Finally, Come Alive is out. A song from Madame X that features vocals from the Tiffin Children's Chorus, it's about living your dreams, seeing the world and realising your potential.

Madonna: 4/8
Like A Virgin: 4/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 6/11
Other (80s): 3/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 4/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 1/13
Ray of Light: 8/14
Other (90s): 4/12
Music: 7/13
American Life: 4/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 9/15
Hard Candy: 4/13
Other (00s): 1/5
MDNA: 2/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 5/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 23/47
90s: 22/76
00s: 25/57
10s: 10/62

Posted by: vibe 5th October 2019, 01:59 PM

I Rise and LP too high !!

Posted by: dandy* 5th October 2019, 03:46 PM

Agreed. As is Me Against the Music which has no business being top 200.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 5th October 2019, 05:05 PM

American Life (the song) is way way too high!

Easy Ride should be higher than Love Profusion as well.

Batuka should’ve been higher than all of Looking For Mercy, I Rise and Crazy.

Ray of Light wise I think Little Star went a bit too soon too.

Expecting some major shocks soon though I can see a huge single dropping before we get to 50.

Posted by: HausofF 5th October 2019, 05:33 PM

HOW is Come Alive this high?! I swear the Madame X tracks are flying high above some bonafide CLASSICS. I Rise is one of my favourites on the album now so I can excuse that.

Me Against the Music about where it should be, if a bit too high ~

Love Profusion is beautiful and i'm glad it's done decently here. Easy Ride the underrated gem sneaking high up too *.*

Posted by: Jay ☆ 5th October 2019, 06:31 PM

Some Madame X tracks do seem a tad high...!

To Have and Not to Hold has become such a gem in her discography for me. Glad to see it in the Top 90. Haven't checked back to see what I gave it, but I reckon I'd give it a 10 now! Ba ba da ba ba ba x

Posted by: dandy* 5th October 2019, 09:52 PM

I really like Come Alive so happy to see it receive a good showing here

Posted by: blacksquare 6th October 2019, 12:39 PM

I need to look away from some of these results — they're triggering.

Posted by: Medellíam 6th October 2019, 04:23 PM

Same here! Seems to be regarded as one of the album's best elsewhere too so I think its placing is deserved.

Easy Ride is one of my favourite album closers. Love Profusion is great too, often gets overlooked due to the video but the song itself is one of the album's best.

Posted by: blacksquare 6th October 2019, 09:53 PM

Mine too.

The chopped strings at the end with that Mirwais synth. Incredible.

Posted by: dandy* 7th October 2019, 11:59 AM

This rate is making me want to re-do my favourite Madge tracks thread for 2019... I'm not sure what the list would look like now but I think there would definitely be some notable changes.

Posted by: HausofF 7th October 2019, 08:44 PM

Do it! Would be great to see that, possibly once these results are finished?

Posted by: Medellíam 8th October 2019, 09:12 PM

80. I'm Addicted // MDNA // 7.615 (more 10s)
79. Burning Up // Madonna // 7.625
78. Hollywood // American Life // 7.679
77. Angel // Like a Virgin // 7.688
76. Like a Virgin // Like a Virgin // 7.688 (more 10s)

Down to just one song standing, MDNA loses 'I'm Addicted', a bubbling electro throbber that compares infatuation to narcotic addiction. Benny Benassi's production injects layers of euphoric swirls, bleeps and crashes as the song reaches a frenzied and intense climax where Madonna chants "M-D-M-A". 'Burning Up' gives Madonna's early post-disco sound a rockier edge with electric guitar riffs crashing over the beat. Madonna's fiery attitude and passion matches the punk vibe and was an early indication she would be a formidable force in the music world. In her quest to hold a mirror up to the reality of American culture, Madonna turns her attention to the film industry's capital on 'Hollywood', pinpointing it as a place of greed and illusion. The sweet guitar picking and girly vocals reflect this supposed perfection, before manipulated vocals and a shift in key indicate that all is not as it seems. A double drop out for Like a Virgin now - in fact, both songs scored the same average. 'Angel' is giggly and cute, an ode to a heavenly love and a light introduction to Madonna using religious imagery in her work. It's usually overshadowed by more memorable moments from the album, so it's perhaps a surprise to see one of Madonna's most iconic songs leave next. Title track and lead single 'Like a Virgin' is an expression of being introduced to something for the first time, but it's obvious sexual connotations are what define the song. It contains one of the most notable hooks in pop music which, along with its 'Billie Jean'-esque bassline and sped-up vocals, has reinforced it as one of Madonna's most recognised hits.

Madonna: 3/8
Like A Virgin: 2/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 6/11
Other (80s): 3/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 4/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 1/13
Ray of Light: 8/14
Other (90s): 4/12
Music: 7/13
American Life: 3/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 9/15
Hard Candy: 4/13
Other (00s): 1/5
MDNA: 1/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 5/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 20/47
90s: 22/76
00s: 24/57
10s: 9/62

Posted by: HausofF 8th October 2019, 09:16 PM

I'm Addicted has done brilliantly... but I'm going to put my neck out there and say for me, it's still too low what a crazed triumphant song and would have been the perfect way to open the MDNA era! The album only has one track left now

Like A Virgin I expected much higher up, oops!

Posted by: Medellíam 8th October 2019, 09:16 PM

I too would be interested in seeing your list revisited! Loved your commentary last time and how you incorporated your personal experiences and memories.

Posted by: Nick F1 8th October 2019, 09:18 PM

shocking to see Like A Virgin that low

Posted by: Medellíam 8th October 2019, 09:26 PM

It's definitely my favourite from the album! I think I dropped it from an 9/10 to an 8/10 but that was due to the poor mixing/mastering (the vocal needs to be louder and I'd have liked to hear a more Madonna and less vocal effect) although to be fair it doesn't effect my enjoyment too much, not like how it impacts some other songs from the album. Certainly the best pick for lead single as it represents one half of the album the best and would sound absolutely killer on the dancefloor.

'Like a Virgin' is a difficult one for me as I do think it's super catchy and a lot of fun, but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it. I've heard it on a few nights out and it does go down a storm. In a way I think it being one of her most signature songs is a bit detrimental as non-fans think this is all Madonna is about and all this fantastic music that she has created just goes unnoticed.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 8th October 2019, 11:01 PM

Like A Virgin is a shock to see that low.

But for me it’s not one of my favourites from her mega hits.

It’s kinda like her Just Dance to me.

One of her first real mega smashes but something she’s went on to top many many times since.

I’m always shocked at it not being a UK #1 though it feels so much bigger than some of her tracks that went there.

Posted by: Medellíam 8th October 2019, 11:38 PM

'Like a Virgin' was unfortunate to be released in a particularly competitive Christmas period. The week it entered the Top 5, Band Aid and 'Last Christmas' both debuted Top 2 and held the Top 2 until its last week in the Top 5, when they both dropped a place to make room for 'I Want to Know What Love Is' to climb to #1. Paul McCartney's 'We All Stand Together' peaked at #3 for a number of weeks which prevented 'Like a Virgin' from receiving its #3 peak earlier.

According to estimates, it did sell over 100k for two weeks over Christmas.

Posted by: HausofF 9th October 2019, 05:55 AM

One of the most unlucky songs she's done then. Both in terms of chart success and Buzzjack (may we never mention AF idol again )!

Posted by: vibe 9th October 2019, 12:27 PM

Burning Up and Angel to low.

LAV seems to be a fav from public, not from die hard fans.

Posted by: Medellíam 9th October 2019, 01:19 PM

Losing out just before we sent the big guns will forever pain me!

Posted by: HausofF 9th October 2019, 06:33 PM

75. You'll See // Other (90s) // 7.692
74. Paradise (Not for Me) // Music // 7.714
73. Dress You Up // Like A Virgin // 7.750
71. I'll Remember // Other (90s) // 7.769
71. Bad Girl // Erotica // 7.769

First up, it's the lead single from Madonna's ballad compilation album. An album that was meant to tone down the extreme image of the artist, this song perfectly shows the sensual and subdued side to her. You'll See was a commercial success and was helped by a music video that acted as a sequel to the Take A Bow video. Next, quite surprisingly for me, it's one of the strangest songs on an already strange album. Paradise (Not for Me) was the first collaboration of Madonna and Mirwais and initially was recorded for his album, but later was added to Music too. It is a very self-reflective song about how one's past lasts forever despite being a different person now. It merges all sorts of sounds and styles and languages and vocal arrangements to provide an all-round warped listening experience. Dress You Up in contrast is early Madonna by numbers; a joyous song about the fun of dressing up and the passion that comes with doing so. It was the album's final single and was also the final song to be included on the album's tracklisting! I'll Remember is another song that was made to lessen the controversial media surrounding Madonna, and is another soaring ballad. It was nominated for a Grammy Award and Golden Globe and became another huge hit for her. And finally a song that helped to create some of the controversy, from Erotica it's Bad Girl. The third single from the album it's a song about being sorrowful and having a life spirally out of control due to a lost love. The David Fincher directed video is a cinematic feast of lust, betrayal and death.

Madonna: 3/8
Like A Virgin: 1/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 6/11
Other (80s): 3/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 3/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 1/13
Ray of Light: 8/14
Other (90s): 2/12
Music: 6/13
American Life: 3/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 9/15
Hard Candy: 4/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 1/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 5/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 19/47
90s: 19/76
00s: 23/57
10s: 9/62

Posted by: Nick F1 9th October 2019, 07:05 PM

Oh no You'll See to low too

Posted by: dandy* 9th October 2019, 07:26 PM

I'm fond of all of those 5 to differing degrees. Not a bad result for any of them really, they're very strong but rarely cited among fans as complete faves - although Paradise has a cult following I think (including me!)

Pleased to see Hollywood out as I often think that's overrated, the least interesting thing about American Life for me. Like a Virgin has gone earlier than I expected but I'm not disappointed, for me it isn't a million miles away from some of the stuff on I'm Breathless that people don't care for!

Posted by: vibe 10th October 2019, 06:20 AM

You’ll See has won polls / games on this forum. I am surprised to see it that low.

Dress You Up deserves more love and Paradise .

Posted by: Medellíam 10th October 2019, 11:55 PM

70. Gang Bang // MDNA // 7.769 (more 10s)
69. How High // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 7.786
68. Promise To Try // Like A Prayer // 7.813
67. Lucky Star // Madonna // 7.844
66. Erotica // Erotica // 7.846

MDNA is the first album to lose all its tracks as the most experimental and shocking moment departs. 'Gang Bang' is a twisted, fierce tale of a woman seeking revenge on her lover. An aggressive, pounding bassline thumps through the track whilst William Orbit plants industrial beats, piercing electronic sounds and an array of sound effects to build a cinematic soundscape. Madonna's vocal is deceptively calm until a crashing dub-step breakdown triggers an increasingly frustrated tone until she's dementedly screaming for death. Madonna cites Tarantino as the song's inspiration, even approaching him to shoot a video, although he unfortunately declined. On 'How High', Madonna questions fame and fortune, reflecting on how it was such a driving force in her early career but wonders about its importance and longevity. 'Promise To Try' sees Madonna engage with her five-year-old self in attempt to deal with the grief she still feels from her mother's death. It's such a raw, personal insight into Madonna's mind and her fragile vocal cuts straight to the heart. Patrick Leonard's piano and string arrangement really captures the weight and emotion of the song sensitively and respectfully. Returning to happy moments, 'Lucky Star' is the first song heard on Madonna's debut and the introductory exuberant rush of synth immediately gets the senses tingling. With it's catchy hooks and fun, funky production, the song set a blueprint for future Madonna hits to follow. Closing this section is 'Erotica', the lead to one of Madonna's most provocative but innovative of eras. Madonna adopts the alter-ego of Mistress Dita and delivers an alluring, bold ode to S&M, backed by hypnotic, grubby club beats. It calls attention to and celebrates female sexuality and sexual fantasies, something that Madonna would continue to advocate in the years that followed.

Madonna: 2/8
Like A Virgin: 1/9
True Blue: 6/9
Like A Prayer: 5/11
Other (80s): 3/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 2/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 1/13
Ray of Light: 8/14
Other (90s): 2/12
Music: 6/13
American Life: 3/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 8/15
Hard Candy: 4/13
Other (00s): 1/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 5/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 17/47
90s: 18/76
00s: 22/57
10s: 8/62

Posted by: Medellíam 11th October 2019, 12:35 AM

'You'll See' does a great job at softening Madonna's image but still offering something exciting in terms of style and tone (it's not just dull, radio-fodder). I like the dramatic Spanish-tinged production and how you can notice the effects of her vocal coaching lessons whilst still keeping that distinct, yearning tone in tact. Always forget how good this is.

'Bad Girl' has been a favourite of mine even before I learned to love its parent album. The music video is a hidden gem in her videography.

I prefer 'I'm Addicted' but 'Gang Bang' is a great choice for top MDNA track. I remember at the time being surprised by how much bolder and different it was to the rest of the album and wondered why nothing else was quite as out there. Definitely should have had a video, a shame Tarantino declined but they could easily have found someone else.

'Promise to Try' is stop-in-your-tracks stunning. I should have given this a 10 actually. It's Madonna at her most frank and Leonard's production is faultless, really capturing the mood perfectly.

FYI, 'How High' was the one song in the Top 90 not to receive a 10, although it received two 9s, including one from myself. I'd have given it a 10 but I was trying not to go too overboard with my love for the Confessions album!

I'm really like everything that's departing the countdown now! Those averages are really strong.

Posted by: vibe 11th October 2019, 06:13 AM

No surprise that MDNA is the first song to lose every track .

I still love Gang Bang ! If only it was a single !!!!

All songs are killer now !!

Posted by: dandy* 11th October 2019, 09:17 AM

Promise To Try is my favourite from that bunch, I love how personal, vulnerable and delicate it is. Quite unique among her back catalogue for me.

Posted by: blacksquare 11th October 2019, 10:58 AM

74. Paradise (Not for Me)



74!

Time to remind everyone just how special this song is

Posted by: HausofF 11th October 2019, 04:34 PM

Gang Bang is a very worthy choice for top MDNA track. It's EXPLOSIVE and I thought very divisive, so i'm shocked it's done it tbh. All of MDNA out though, what a disaster ~

Lucky Star has really grown on me literally in the past FEW DAYS! I have always adored its inclusion and use in the Confessions tour but its coming into its own as the album version for me now too.

Erotica is a fantastic title track and introduction to what that era stands for. I can't believe how progressive it was for such a relatively early track in her career.

My thoughts on the gorgeous Promise to Try are summed up here:

Posted by: HausofF 11th October 2019, 06:42 PM

65. Swim // Ray of Light // 7.846
64. Don't Cry For Me Argentina // Evita // 7.885
63. Justify My Love // (Other 90s) // 7.885 (More 10s)
61. Where's The Party // True Blue // 7.906
61. 4 Minutes // Hard Candy // 7.929

Swim drifts away first here. The song was written on the day her friend and fashion designer Gianni Versace was killed in Miami, and it understandably packs a hugely emotional punch. It's a song about making mistakes, sinning, but ultimately moving on with life and washing away the negativity that life brings with it. Rebirth and starting anew, it's a beautifully constructed sound. Don't Cry For Me Argentina was released as the second single of the soundtrack as Madonna took control of the musical number and made it her own. Madonna's desire to play the role of Eva was fully realised with vocal training that allowed her to reach registers she had never previously explored. It terrified her to sing the song live and led her to tears and anxious breakdowns as she tried to aim for perfection. Receiving the same score is the wildly different Justify My Love from her greatest hits compilation. The lead single from The Immaculate Collection, and almost acts as a predecessor for the Erotica era that was to follow; her vocals are more spoken and and whispered as opposed to "sung". It seemed to work for her as it became M's 9th #1 in the US! Where's the Party is one of the more uplifting tracks in Madonna's back catalogue and it represents her desire and strive to enjoy her work and continue partying on when times get hard. It's a lovely message sandwiched inside an already joyous and feel-good album! Finally, the lead single from Hard Candy and Madonna's last #1 in the UK, 4 Minutes took support from Timberlake and Timberland to create an urban sound mixed with bhangra, cowbells, foghorns and a whole array of instruments: it's a riotous cacophony of sounds to bring about the message of changing the world inspired by visits to Africa and wanting to change the injustice she saw. It received Grammy Award nominations and could be considered as the last time she truly hit the mark with the public. Who knows whether that will remain the case in the future?...

Madonna: 2/8
Like A Virgin: 1/9
True Blue: 5/9
Like A Prayer: 5/11
Other (80s): 3/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 2/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 7/14
Other (90s): 1/12
Music: 6/13
American Life: 3/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 8/15
Hard Candy: 3/13
Other (00s): 1/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 5/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 16/47
90s: 15/76
00s: 21/57
10s: 8/62

Posted by: Rhoda Camel 12th October 2019, 11:53 AM

Hollywood SO LOW!

Posted by: HausofF 12th October 2019, 03:52 PM

Swim is one of many 'stop you in your tracks' beauties on Ray of Light. The lyrical significance is only recently making sense to me and the images it creates of the ocean floor being a place where your sins are washed away / what happens to you once you die.. chilling!

Justify My Love - been getting into this a lot more recently, as i've been playing The Immaculate Collection a fair bit.

Where's The Party - not a unique or totally standout song but a joyous one and always makes me groove when listening to the album.

4 Minutes - I remember being FREAKED OUT by the music video to this. It has stood the test of time though and it's still pretty striking when I hear it.

Posted by: dandy* 12th October 2019, 06:56 PM

Interesting set of results!

I flip a bit on Swim, sometimes I enjoy it but other times I find it washes over me a bit - possibly because it's situated between two of my absolute favourite Madonna songs on the album and I think they would make a better 1-2 opening.

Don't Cry For Me Argentina is okay. At the time I used to quite like the dance mix with the flamenco vibe, it sounds quite tacky in retrospect though.

Justify My Love is absolutely amazing. It used to be the one track I'd skip on The Immaculate Collection (or fast forward through as I had it on cassette!) but that was more to me not appreciating it at a young age. Now I think it is far and away her best example of that type of track and I can see it for the brave move it was at the time. Definitely the highlight of this section for me.

Where's the Party is okay - it's fun enough in a typically throwaway 80s Madonna kinda way.

4 Minutes - another I flip on. I often think I don't care for it much but then it never sounds as bad as I remember it being when I listen to it.

Posted by: vibe 13th October 2019, 12:47 PM

Swim was initially my fav song on ROL , a video would have been amazing .

Love all the songs on the list .

Posted by: Medellíam 13th October 2019, 06:29 PM

Every track on Ray of Light is stunning in its own right, but I've really been enjoying Swim recently even though it wasn't one of my top favourites. The sounds of the ocean and her humming particularly in the song's closing moments are so soothing; one of those songs that can take you to total peace of mind.

Madonna does a great job on Argentina. Not one I revisit often but she sings it with the right conviction, you believe every word.

I'm the same as you Dandy regarding Justify My Love, I didn't used to be keen on it either due to being too young to truly appreciate it. A really bold song but very sensual, honest and romantic.

Where's the Party is a great slice of fun 80s pop. Really feel good and a great hook.

4 Minutes remains one of Madonna's most relevant singles with the general public today. Always goes down a storm with my age group when it's played in town. It is bandwagon jumping but that doesn't stop it from being a well produced, catchy song.

Posted by: Medellíam 15th October 2019, 11:03 PM

60. I Deserve It // Music // 7.964
59. Let It Will Be // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 8.036
58. Who's That Girl // Other (80s) // 8.063
57. Runaway Lover // Music // 8.071
56. Faz Gostoso (feat. Anitta) // Madame X // 8.077

From Music, 'I Deserve It' is a reflective love song, considering how an often lonely and painful journey was necessary to find someone who is completely compatible. The simplicity of the song's production mirrors the honesty and vulnerability of the lyrics, with Madonna's completely unprocessed vocals supported by gentle acoustic strumming, a soft beat and the occasional strange, siren-like synth. Moving into the 8 averages, 'Let It Will Be' hints at a more serious direction on Confessions with its dramatic strings and analysis of fame and success. Madonna has experienced highs and lows, realising fame's instability and the quick turn of media opinion. The love of music should be the main drive of creativity, which is enforced by the increasingly energetic disco tones until the song explodes into a dance extravaganza, a place that Madonna feels most at home. 'Who's That Girl' capitalises on the Hispanic theme explored on preceding single 'La Isla Bonita and, although lesser remembered, it's a delightfully uplifting song with a contagious Spanglish hook. Returning to Music, 'Runaway Lover' is the highest placed of the album's William Orbit tracks. From the moment Madonna sings, the song fires out a relentless, high-octane production, heavily influenced by the trance scene and full of Orbit's notable electronic wizardry. A huge number one in Portugal for Blaya just a year prior, 'Faz Gostoso' sees Madonna team up with Anitta for a very faithful cover. Its infectious, frenetic melody pumps through the track as the two ladies flip between English and Brazilian-Portuguese. It has quickly become one of Madonna's best streaming hits, a commendable feat considering it received no form of promotion.

Madonna: 2/8
Like A Virgin: 1/9
True Blue: 5/9
Like A Prayer: 5/11
Other (80s): 2/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 2/14
Bedtime Stories: 4/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 7/14
Other (90s): 1/12
Music: 4/13
American Life: 3/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 7/15
Hard Candy: 3/13
Other (00s): 1/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 4/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 15/47
90s: 15/76
00s: 18/57
10s: 7/62

Posted by: ...ready for it 16th October 2019, 02:28 AM

Lots of my favorites went out on that one (Let It Will Be, Who's That Girl, Faz Gostoso)

Posted by: vibe 16th October 2019, 07:49 AM

Let It Will Be (paperface) remix is so much better than the album version.

Faz Gostoso is a highlight off Madame X.

I deserve it is gorgeous. She does the stripped back stuff incredibly well.

Who's That Girl is her underrated number 1 hit.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 16th October 2019, 07:22 PM

I Deserve It is simply incredible. A total moment - I have so much love for it. It's done well here and rightfully so!

Let It Will Be is one of many Confessions highlights

Who's That Girl is great - don't return to it too much but always a delight when I do.

Runaway Lover - LOVE. Was wondering what would do better out of this and Impressive Instant (two album track stand outs) and glad both have done well. Wonder where Impressive Instant will end up

Faz Gostoso - screaming to be a single, and one of the biggest ""hits"" off Madame X. A riot *.*

Posted by: HauntedHaus 16th October 2019, 08:29 PM

55. Future Lovers // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 8.107
54. Human Nature // Bedtime Story // 8.154
53. Medellín // Madame X // 8.192
52. What It Feels Like For A Girl // Music // 8.214
51. Intervention // American Life // 8.214

Opening the Confessions Tour, and for me, the ultimate opening to an era, Future Lovers as the name suggests, is a futuristic, forward thinking song setting the scene for what is to be an era of love, change and the future. On the album it appears after the three big singles from the era and it completely shifts the pace and tone. Inspired by Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' the song expresses a strong mission and vision of love and ecstasy. Secondly, Human Nature, which was the final single from Bedtime Stories drops out. The song attacked and provoked critics that came for Madonna's image and sexuality at the time. The lead single from M's latest album, Medellín featuring Maluma is out. The song takes Latin-pop vibes with huge chemistry from the pair to open the era with a bang. It was performed at the 2019 Billboard Awards but sadly didn't set the world alight. The video features toe licking ;o ~ What It Feels Like For A Girl was the final single from Music and came with a complete remixed version for the video release. It addresses issues of femininity and female inferiority while in turn empowering females and showcasing Madonna's triumphant desire to stand strong as a female in a male dominated world. Finally, one of the quietest and slowest moments on an otherwise brash album, Intervention slows everything down to explore her love for Ritchie. Incredibly reflective and almost mournful, the song is a tender yet hopeful beauty.

Madonna: 2/8
Like A Virgin: 1/9
True Blue: 5/9
Like A Prayer: 5/11
Other (80s): 2/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 2/14
Bedtime Stories: 3/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 7/14
Other (90s): 1/12
Music: 3/13
American Life: 2/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 6/15
Hard Candy: 3/13
Other (00s): 1/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 3/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 15/47
90s: 14/76
00s: 15/57
10s: 6/62

Posted by: Medellíam 16th October 2019, 09:00 PM

I love the original but the Paper Faces remix from the tour is fire and I love how bat-shit crazy she goes with her dancing!

'I Deserve It' is a real beauty. The ballads/down-tempos from the Mirwais era represent some of the very best of Madonna's back catalogue, in fact. I love how the song doesn't seem to say much yet we feel like we know her journey; we feel her pain, we feel her loneliness, and then we understand the relief and fulfillment of finding someone. That closing line of "and I thank you" followed by the outro of swirling siren synths is gorgeous. I should have given it a 10.

Posted by: dandy* 16th October 2019, 09:17 PM

Two great sections there - although I'd expect to be getting towards sections like that now.

Intervention is definitely my pick of the bunch, my favourite thing on American Life

Faz Gostoso is definitely a highlight from Madame X, should probably be pushed as a single really given it's more modern appeal. Agree with the love for I Deserve It also

Posted by: Jordan Lee 17th October 2019, 01:03 AM

Faz Gostoso and Medellín way too high

Hard Candy I think will be the next studio album to lose every track.

So many tracks I love leaving now though. Pretty much every era bar MDNA and Rebel Heart I had so many album tracks what I adored many of which have recently left.

Intervention beats any American Life single and I’ve always loved I Deserve It and Runaway Lover.

Posted by: vibe 17th October 2019, 06:36 AM

Can’t argue with those pleadings

Medellin is a slow burner but then becomes so hypnotic . It takes so long to build which turned people off the song initially.

Human Nature is a classic for me , I’m surprised it’s not higher.

Intervention is very pleasant , I have always preferred easy Ride and x static process tho.

Posted by: Medellíam 17th October 2019, 12:37 PM

'Future Lovers' as a tour opener was such a spectacle. I love the Donna Summer influence and I like how the spoken verses introduces us to the heart of the album following the 1-2-3 punch of its opening songs.

Surprised that 'Human Nature' and 'What It Feels Like for a Girl' appear this high but it's a pleasure to see. I love how 'Human Nature' pokes fun at the critics in true Madonna fashion, a lot of humour and so many hooks! 'What It Feels Like for a Girl' embraces femininity with its soft and sweet composition and calls for understanding in such an honest, human way.

'Intervention' really secured its place as one of my favourites after Madonna performed it on the Tears of a Clown mini-tour and dedicated it to her son, Rocco. That's the meaning that I take away from the song now and it gives it greater impact - I may not be a parent but I believe everything that Madonna sings.

A nice start for 'Medellín'. It was so refreshing to hear something that took its time to settle instead of instantly accessible. Not to say accessible is bad, of course, but it was starting to be synonymous with predictable when it came to Madonna's music. It's hypnotic, it's sultry, it's escapist in the way 'La Isla Bonita' is and was the perfect introduction to the themes of the album and era.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 18th October 2019, 06:08 AM

Intervention is my favourite there

Quite shocked at how well Human Nature (and to a lesser extent WIFLFAG) have done). Neither are essential for me.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 18th October 2019, 03:53 PM

Human Nature I like but I don’t rate it amongst her best or anything like that.

With What It Feels Like For A Girl I’ve always liked the album version rather than the video one. But for me there was so many more potential tracks to push for the final music era track before that.

Posted by: Medellíam 18th October 2019, 04:00 PM

I never used to be keen on the Above & Beyond remix used in the video, but this past year I've been getting into dance music a lot and it's grown on me lots. I think a lot of non-Madonna fans would be surprised by it and enjoy it.

Posted by: Medellíam 18th October 2019, 06:33 PM

50. Beautiful Stranger // Other (90s) // 8.231
49. Miles Away // Hard Candy // 8.357
48. Till Death Do Us Part // Like a Prayer // 8.375
47. Take a Bow // Bedtime Stories // 8.385
46. True Blue // True Blue // 8.406

Lead single to the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack, 'Beautiful Stranger' embraces the 60s vibes of the film with its playful psychedelic pop sound. Madonna flirts and teases as she sings of a romantic infatuation, something that transpires in its music video, a mini Austin Powers adventure where Madonna's a femme fatale that defeats men by seducing them. It's fun and silly, light-relief following several years of a more serious image. On 'Miles Away', Madonna deals with the issues of long-distance relationships, specifically how it's easy to hold a memory of the love that once existed, then find that it has deteriorated when reunited. It hints at the cracks forming in Madonna and Guy's marriage and, as the music falls back and the "so far away" refrain gradually fades, it's a foreshadowing of the end. From one troubled relationship to another, 'Til Death Do Us Part' documents the breakdown of Madonna's marriage to Sean Penn. The manic melody captures her anxiety as she battles with conflicting thoughts, alternating between voicing her own concerns and assuming the role of an onlooker observing the situation. It's a brilliantly constructed song; a great example of how Madonna can present hard-hitting topics in the guise of upbeat, catchy pop. Fittingly the closing number on Bedtime Stories, 'Take a Bow' saw Madonna team up with R&B's coolest producer Babyface for a sombre, soulful ballad of unrequited love. Madonna remains calm in the face of betrayal, more interested in understanding the reasons why than lashing out. The stunning, cinematic orchestral arrangement is the perfect stage for Madonna's dreamy vocal to deliver exquisite lyrical poetry. A return to happier moments in Madonna's personal life, 'True Blue' sees Madonna glowing with joy as she declares her love for Sean Penn. To assist the cheerful nature of the song, 'True Blue' gives a throwback to 60s girl group doo-wop. It's one of the most sweet and sentimental songs in her back catalogue, but Madonna's feelings are so authentic and charming that it also makes it one of her most heartwarming.

Madonna: 2/8
Like A Virgin: 1/9
True Blue: 4/9
Like A Prayer: 4/11
Other (80s): 2/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 2/14
Bedtime Stories: 2/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 7/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 3/13
American Life: 2/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 6/15
Hard Candy: 2/13
Other (00s): 1/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 3/25
Madame X: 3/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 13/47
90s: 12/76
00s: 14/57
10s: 6/62

Posted by: Jay ☆ 18th October 2019, 08:26 PM

You must've been crazy

What were you thinking?



~

Take a Bow is so beautiful. I'm a bit disappointed it's this low down actually, even though it has a commendable average score! When it comes to her 90s songs, it would be in my Top 5. Overall, certainly Top 20 at least.

Posted by: dandy* 18th October 2019, 08:36 PM

'Till Death Do Us Part! Really pleased it made the top 50, such a great album track and deserving of its place among the singles.

The others I quite like but don't absolutely adore so I'm not too sad to see them go, feels about right for them.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 19th October 2019, 08:27 AM

Miles Away is a beauty and definite Hard Candy highlight!

Till Death Do Us Part slaying! Great to see

Posted by: vibe 19th October 2019, 11:12 AM

All those songs are class

TDDUP should have had a tour performance by now

Posted by: HauntedHaus 19th October 2019, 01:56 PM

45. Crave // Madame X // 8.423
44. Material Girl // Like A Virgin // 8.438
43. Rain // Erotica // 8.462
42. Living For Love // Rebel Heart // 8.462 (higher score)
41. Nothing Fails // American Life // 8.536

Let's see what has missed out on the all-important top 40! First out here it's Crave, the second single from M's latest album. Featuring Swae Lee, the song is about desire and longing and was one of the first songs written for the album. The song has become her biggest hit on the AC chart in the US since Frozen and acts as a centrepiece to the album whereby she desperately chases after something that is gradually moving away. It is full of pain and longing and is an all-round search for more. Material Girl on the other hand is a song about all of the material expenses of the world. It perfectly depicts a large part of what 80s Madonna was all about. One of the songs that helped define Madonna as the global icon she went on to become, it seems a world apart from the woman we know today. However at the time, it was provocative, cheeky and desirable. It went on to become a big smash and is still remembered as one of her most well-known songs today. While she may not look back as fondly on the song now, at the time it was as iconic as could be. With this dropout, the entire Like A Virgin is OUT. Rain stands out on the Erotica album; yes it perhaps does explore sexuality in a more subtle and metaphorical way, but through its various meanings, the song is a much more friendly and safe song as far as the rest of the album's singles go. A power-ballad that aims to cleanse and start afresh, the music video in particular offers a stark vision of the artist of the time. The lead single from Rebel Heart, Living For Love is perhaps now most known for *that* BRITs performance. The song was rush-released as leaks began to surface. It has messages of positivity even when faced with hardships, loss and breakups. Finally, Nothing Fails the massive American Life ballad and the album's 3rd single. It features a rousing choir and was hoped it would reignite interest for the era in the US. Alas it didn't, but it is still hailed now as one of the album's standouts. Here it just misses out on the top 40.

Madonna: 2/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 4/9
Like A Prayer: 4/11
Other (80s): 2/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 1/14
Bedtime Stories: 2/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 7/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 3/13
American Life: 1/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 6/15
Hard Candy: 2/13
Other (00s): 1/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 2/25
Madame X: 2/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 12/47
90s: 11/76
00s: 13/57
10s: 4/62

Posted by: Jordan Lee 19th October 2019, 02:33 PM

Crave is far too high!!

But Miles Away and Nothing fails are lush and Take A Bow is great too.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 19th October 2019, 02:53 PM

Crave is TOO LOW in my opinion. It's the best song on Madame X!

Rain is absolutely stunning and i'm gutted it hasn't made the top 40. Nothing Fails is v powerful too ~

I'd say Living For Love is too high, Material Girl about right.

Posted by: Medellíam 19th October 2019, 03:00 PM

'Till Death Do Us Part' really is one of Madonna's greatest, not just in terms of album tracks but overall too. To reiterate what I put in the commentary, it's an incredible well-crafted song and the ability to explore real issues within catchy pop songs, as evident in the likes of this and 'Papa Don't Preach', is one of the things I love most about Madonna's music. I'd have liked it to have placed even higher, but at least it holds the achievement of being highest placed 80s album track.

'Take a Bow' is also constructed really well - the title, the poetic lyrics, the liking of her lover to an actor on the stage and the monologue-like delivery of the song; the running theme ties the song together so well and the lush production that runs throughout really gives a touch of grace and sophistication.

Disappointed 'Crave' didn't get a proper push but I shouldn't be surprised really. One of those songs that would have been a smash if released by Ariana Grande.

'Material Girl' is fun at parties and the like but not one of my top faves. Similarly to 'Like a Virgin', it is a tad annoying that it is so closely associated with Madonna when fans know there are so many more interesting songs to represent her.

'Rain' is a such a dream, should have been released as single #3 as it would have helped mellow the backlash against Madonna at the time without sacrificing artistic integrity, which is what so often happens when it comes to damage limitation. A really tender moment among the rougher edged tracks on the album.

I think 'Living for Love' is too high. I liked it more at the time than I do now. I think the vocals have been way over processed and I think she could have made a stronger statement with the song.

How 'Nothing Fails' didn't receive a full release, ugh. I get the impression that the American Life era was just given up on by this point. It represents the reflective, personal side to the album and has the right amount of old and new elements of Madonna.

Posted by: Medellíam 19th October 2019, 03:01 PM

The Top 40 is split between 31 singles and 9 album tracks - how far can the album tracks go?

Posted by: HauntedHaus 19th October 2019, 03:02 PM

As we go into the top 40 let's have a look at how each era and decade is doing in terms of percentage songs left Any shocks?

Ray of Light: 7/14 / 50.00%
True Blue: 4/9 / 44.44%
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 6/15 / 40.00%
Like A Prayer: 4/11 / 36.36%
Madonna: 2/8 / 25%
Music: 4/13 / 23.07%
Other (80s): 2/10 / 20%
Other (00s): 1/5 20%
Bedtime Stories: 2/11 / 18.18%
Hard Candy: 2/13 / 15.38%
Madame X: 2/18 / 11.11%
American Life: 1/11 / 9.09%
I'm Breathless: 1/12 / 8.33%
Rebel Heart: 2/25 / 8.00%
Erotica: 1/14 / 7.14%

Other (10s): 0/3
Like A Virgin: 0/9
Other (90s): 0/12
Evita: 0/13
MDNA: 0/16

80s: 12/47 / 25.53%
00s: 13/57 / 22.81%
90s: 11/76 / 14.47%
10s: 4/62 / 6.45%

Posted by: vibe 19th October 2019, 03:33 PM

Nothing Fails should have had a video and full release. It definitely would have been a hit.

Excited for the top 40 !!!

Posted by: Jay ☆ 19th October 2019, 04:10 PM

Rain A longstanding favourite of mine, ever since I listened to my mum's copy of Something to Remember. A true beauty! Definitely one of her most stunning videos too.

I'm fairly satisfied that it's made the top 50. It would be top 10 for me, but I feel like I'm one of few who holds it in such high regard. I'm not convinced Madonna herself thinks much of it? At least she didn't consider it worthy of a place on GHV2.


I still have love for Living for Love! I think it was a good choice to launch the album, but it's a shame that the song is so strongly associated with her fall at the Brits. What a triumphant moment that could have been otherwise.

Posted by: Medellíam 19th October 2019, 04:20 PM

Didn't even make it on Celebration! Madonna's never been the best judge on her own music.

Posted by: vibe 20th October 2019, 08:39 AM

9 album tracks left that is quite something !!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 20th October 2019, 08:50 PM

Forbidden Love for highest album track please

Posted by: Medellíam 22nd October 2019, 07:27 PM

40. Devil Pray // Rebel Heart // 8.577
39. Crazy For You // Other (80s) // 8.625
38. Isaac // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 8.643
37. Bedtime Story // Bedtime Stories // 8.654
36. Holiday // Madonna // 8.656

We kick off the Top 40 with 'Devil Pray', an exploration of how temptation can cloud and divert the road of salvation. Madonna lists various drugs and substances that are used in effort to connect to God or a higher consciousness, but warns that these offer brief relief and will take you on the devil's path. This is the highest placed of the Avicii collaborations, his country-tinged influence running through with the steady hand claps and acoustic guitar, and very cleverly takes inspiration from the melody of 'House of the Rising Sun'. Notable for being Madonna's first original ballad, 'Crazy for You' didn't have the easiest of beginnings: first, the idea that Madonna could pull off a song like this was laughed at by its writers, then the record company were hesitant to release as a single in fear it would distract from the Like a Virgin album. Thankfully, its supporters were successful in their persuasion. This dreamy slow-dance love song demonstrated Madonna's soulful yearning, even attaining her first Grammy nomination. From Confessions, the epic 'Isaac' speaks of strength and perseverance, epitomised by the incorporation of 'Im Nin'alu' sang by Yitzhak Sinwani, a Hebrew poem that promises the gates of heaven are always open. 'Isaac' perfectly fuses Middle Eastern music with Stuart Price's captivating dance structures, creating a thrilling musical experience. Bridging Madonna's early 90's house and late-90s electronica, 'Bedtime Story' take a trip into the unconsciousness, rejecting the limitations of conversation and seeking understanding through the form of meditation. It's a trippy dreamscape, driven by a deep, bubbling beat, flickers of synth and eerie moans. The lyrics are unmistakably by the hands of Bjork and Madonna adopts her distinct pronunciation. Finally, we come to Madonna's breakthrough hit. Feel-good, infectious and uniting, 'Holiday' celebrates the power of dance to escape every day problems. It's a prototype for some of her biggest smashes and still remains one of the best of its kind.

Madonna: 1/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 4/9
Like A Prayer: 4/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 1/14
Bedtime Stories: 1/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 7/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 3/13
American Life: 1/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 5/15
Hard Candy: 2/13
Other (00s): 1/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 1/25
Madame X: 2/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 10/47
90s: 10/76
00s: 12/57
10s: 3/62

Posted by: HauntedHaus 22nd October 2019, 08:25 PM

What a set of songs!

Devil Pray - easily one of the best on RH. When it first leaked it was instant love and I still appreciate it now.
Crazy For You - can't say i've always been a fan of this, found it very forgettable but over time it has matured into an essential for me
Isaac - one of many, many highlights on the album. The song that I instantly began to adore with the album and even now it's one of her very best. It's an incredible, powerful, epic piece of music!
Bedtime Story - the shift into this as the album nears its end *.* What a twisted song and made even more twisted appearing on an otherwise "safe" and tender album
Holiday - a classic! grown to like it a lot more after seeing it live at the RH tour!

The top 40 is going to be all killer, no filler isn't it

Posted by: blacksquare 22nd October 2019, 09:18 PM

I don't even know where to begin with all of these results — I feel like I have missed a lot.

I keep wanting to call everything underrated, but then more and more songs appear and I realise just how strong her catalogue really is. I would be really interested to see how everyone would rank their favourites at the end.

Posted by: Medellíam 22nd October 2019, 09:52 PM

'Devil Pray' has long been a Rebel Heart fave for me - like you Bal, it was one I instantly took to when the first handful of songs were released in December 2014. I think I actually preferred it to 'Living for Love', which at that point we knew would be the lead single. I love how it takes a current trend but feels authentic to Madonna, perhaps helped by Madonna already exploring this sort of sound on Music. Definitely should have been a single, just imagine the video!

'Crazy for You' might be quite simple compared to Madonna ballads since and be very 80s-based in its sound, but it remains one of my favourites. You just can't teach that passionate, yearning tone. It's a heart-warming song and I believe every word.

'Isaac' is my favourite Confessions album track. What a journey! That moment where the production intensifies, abruptly cuts and then drops - love it!

'Bedtime Story' is such a curveball on its parent album yet somehow it works. I think 'Sanctuary' eases us into the sounds present on the song and the lyrics fit under the album's overall theme of "late night thoughts and feelings" where sometimes we'll get overly deep and meaningful. It's a song that has taken a long time to grow but I'm definitely a fan now.

'Holiday' is such a feel-good classic. I feel like Madonna has exhausted it as a tour closer but, in studio form, it remains pure joy.

Same! Everything now is receiving huge averages though and 90% of the Top 100 received 10s by at least one member.

Posted by: vibe 22nd October 2019, 11:07 PM

Devil Pray really should have got the single treatment . I don’t know anyone who dislikes it.

Crazy For You is a classic . At a minimum it deserves top 20. This is my fav song ever.

Isaac and BS are way to high !!! I do like both tho.

Holiday is iconic and classic but as a crazy fan I've overplayed it for years so not one of my faves now. Holiday has always rocked live (apart from the RH performance)

Could we maybe make the batches of songs smaller on the reveals ? It would make the comments more interesting (maybe).

Posted by: Jay ☆ 23rd October 2019, 12:57 AM

Interesting that Devil Pray is the second highest from Rebel Heart - a missed single opportunity, perhaps? It's probably in my top 5 of the album. I can't say for sure, I'm still not a point where I've got to grips with this album as a whole (bear in mind that I didn't hear it in full until this year)... 25 tracks is just a lot to process!

Aww, Crazy for You is far too low for my liking. It's one of my ultimate favourites, it really hits me in the feels each and every time I listen to it. I just love how emotive she sounds on it! Such a classic.

Isaac is certainly a highlight on an album that has many highs! I love her "mmmm" vocals on this track.

Bedtime Story never grows old for me, it's such an interesting and mesmerising listen.

I have to admit that Holiday wasn't a huge fave of mine over the years, but funnily enough something clicked for me when I listened to it while doing the 80s rate! It's undeniably a classic, a very fun listen, and I certainly respect it for kick-starting her career!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 23rd October 2019, 06:03 PM

They will be coming in pairs after the next series. Hopefully you find the comments more interesting as a result

Posted by: HauntedHaus 23rd October 2019, 08:49 PM

35. Celebration // Other (00s) // 8.679
34. Cherish // Like A Prayer // 8.688
33. Skin // Ray of Light // 8.692
32. Give It 2 Me // Hard Candy // 8.714
31. Die Another Day // American Life // 8.750

First out, it's the lead single from Madonna's latest greatest hits compilation. Celebration draws influences from early dance Madonna and also manages to sound very current - it's the perfect single to be released from a greatest hits set! Remixed by Benni Benassi, the song also received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording and remains her last top 5 hit in the UK. We then lose Cherish, the third single from Like A Prayer. A song about pure love and gratification, Madonna is completely enamoured by her partner. It's one of her most optimistic and joyous songs and because of this it became a huge hit across the globe. The music video plays homage to the LGBT community and the oppression that it faces. Skin is the only album track here but it stands up against the others and puts up an almighty fight. From Ray of Light, the song is about the power of a simple touch. Its simplicity is brought out in the confusion of the lyrics, the countless questions that she asks, the distorted effects in the music - the song is powerful and grand, yet all of this comes back to a simple touch of the skin. Feelings of unadulterated ecstasy, be they from an innocent love to sexual desire, they all come crashing forth in this masterful track. Give It 2 Me features Pharrell and is a pumping dance tune about partying but also Madonna's career up until that point. She sings about how she has no boundaries and can't be stopped and the fighter that the album represents is brought out in all of its glory. Finally, Madonna's Bond theme tune: Die Another Day which claims the title of American Life's highest rated track here. Madonna continually evolved the song, including after viewing the film, and its central theme is that of destroying one's ego. It became a commercial success and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and two Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording and Best Short Form Music Video. Very different to many Bond tracks out there - it's distinctively M.

Madonna: 2/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 4/9
Like A Prayer: 3/11
Other (80s): 2/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 1/14
Bedtime Stories: 2/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 6/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 4/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 6/15
Hard Candy: 1/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 2/25
Madame X: 2/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 11/47
90s: 10/76
00s: 10/57
10s: 4/62

Posted by: Medellíam 23rd October 2019, 10:12 PM

I love how well 'Celebration' does in these countdowns. It may not be the most innovative but I think it does a great job at celebrating the sounds and themes explored throughout Madonna's career and it's always an absolute joy to hear (in its original form that is, the remix is okay but loses a lot of the euphoria).

'Cherish' is so cheerful and light, always puts me in a good mood and helps restore balance to the Like a Prayer album.

'Skin' is such an experience, I'll never forget how drawn to it I was even at 11 years old when my pop tastes hadn't developed beyond what I saw on the music channels. The thumping trance beat, the mournful synth sounds, the intensity of the final couple of minutes... I'm always totally transfixed and put in my own little bubble. Rightfully placed as one of Madonna's best rated album tracks.

'Give It 2 Me' is so addictive and I love how it's like a reaction to her turning 50, reflecting on her career so far and reassuring that she's not going anywhere.

'Die Another Day' gets such a hard time from most Bond fans but I think it's a fantastic theme. It takes the 'Bondian' elements but interprets them in a way that's unexpected, as well as in keeping with the sound Madonna was going to explore on American Life.

Posted by: vibe 24th October 2019, 10:58 AM

Celebration was produced by Bennasi who has just remixed Crave. Loved this song at the time , the akon remix is good too.

Cherish is such a feel good song with that beautiful Herb Ritts video.

Give it 2 Me seems to be that song that non m fans like .

Skin is an amazing track . Could have been a single .

Die another day is cool , has that amazing video probably a bit to high in this rate .

Posted by: Medellíam 24th October 2019, 06:21 PM

30. Devil Wouldn't Recognise You // Hard Candy // 8.786

'Devil Wouldn't Recognise You' was Madonna and Justin Timberlake's first recording for Hard Candy, a song that spent a long time in the making. The original version was written with Mirwais in 2004, intended for a 1920's style musical titled Hello Suckers and rehearsed for the Re-invention Tour. Neither materialised, but the song continued to be developed, first reworked by Madonna's brother-in-law Joe Henry and finally completed with her Hard Candy collaborators. The finished product is a dark and atmospheric ballad that deals with a complex relationship, one that can be twisted and turbulent, but ultimately they are the only ones who understand each other. Whilst the production unmistakably evokes the sounds of previous Timberlake/Timbaland team-ups like 'Cry Me a River' and 'What Goes Around...', Madonna makes it her own, expressing the song's vulnerability and determination and finding her own truth within the lyrics.



29. Oh Father // Like a Prayer // 8.844

At the heart of Like a Prayer is 'Oh Father', cleverly linking the themes of the album by exploring her childhood, the role of religion and the male figures in her life. Most prominently, Madonna examines her fractured relationship with her father, ruptured by the loss of her mother. She exposes her conflicting conscience, revealing resentment and anger; empathy and understanding. Madonna confronts her emotions with blunt honesty, allowing her to realise they both share a loss and she must let go in order to fix her relationship with her father, which in turn will restore her faith and trust in other men she lets near. 'Oh Father' highlights Madonna's talent for emotional storytelling, sang with a raw, passionate vocal that leaves her imperfections untouched and lifted by a beautiful orchestral arrangement at the hands of Patrick Leonard.

Madonna: 1/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 4/9
Like A Prayer: 2/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 1/14
Bedtime Stories: 1/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 6/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 3/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 5/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 1/25
Madame X: 2/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 8/47
90s: 9/76
00s: 8/57
10s: 3/62

Posted by: vibe 24th October 2019, 08:42 PM

2 of my absolute favourites.

Oh Father is top 5 for me ! Gorgeous song , video and vocal . Madonna when vulnerable is majestic .

Devil would be top 20 , Devil is the hugest places HC track , and it is so deserving.
I always thought Miles Away was the first track worked in for HC ....

Posted by: Medellíam 24th October 2019, 09:16 PM

Seems like 'Miles Away' was the first composed for Hard Candy but 'Devil' was the first to be recorded between Madonna and Justin. The song was already written ahead of the Hard Candy sessions, it just had adjustments made to it by Justin and co.

Posted by: dandy* 26th October 2019, 10:47 PM

I’m in catch up mode now but what a great start to the top 30! Really enjoy both tracks. Devil is definitely my high point on Hard Candy whilst Oh Father is simply sublime. The strings, the lyrics, the delivery, it’s just perfect and is probably in my top 10 these days.

Posted by: Jay ☆ 27th October 2019, 01:14 AM

Oh Father Heart-wrenching but beautiful.

Devil is a great choice for top track from Hard Candy. Even though some of the production flourishes are of its time, I feel like overall it holds up really well today, more so than the majority of the album.

Posted by: dandy* 27th October 2019, 03:27 PM

More catching up to do...

Like most of the ones in this section, although I can do without Living For Love - it's serviceable as a generic lead single but it doesn't draw me back at all. Crave has grown on me loads since its release, it's very hypnotic and really suits the album. Material Girl is tacky but so much fun! It's possibly her most 80s sounding hit for me, I could imagine it being a Cyndi Lauper track also as it is quite Girls Just Want To Have Fun in style and attitude. Was a big favourite of mine as a kid but it works less effectively as an adult. Rain is lovely, not a huge favourite of mine but it's a nice track that I listen to occasionally. Nothing Fails is one I haven't listened to in ages! It was my absolute favourite when American Life was first released but I grew to love the second half of the album more as I got to know the album. It's still a good track though and makes for an epic centrepiece on the album.


Varied section again! Devil Pray is definitely a high point from Rebel Heart, that and Ghosttown were the two most commercial tracks on it I think Crazy For You it's just such a pure song, it stands out in her catalogue for being kinda basic but owning that in such an effective way. One of THE classic 80s ballads for me. Isaac is deservedly high, love the sheer scale of the track and it adds a different twist to the Confessions album in the latter part of the album, definitely a fave. Bedtime Story is another good one, I've commented before that it's existence as a Bjork track that isn't Bjork does make me like it a little less but I do think Madge pulls the track off and I think it is great that she looked to work with someone like Bjork back in 1994. And last and actually possibly least in this section, Holiday! It served its purpose as a fun introduction to Madonna back then but it definitely isn't aa fave these days for me.


Surprised Celebration did this well. I do like it but not top 35 status! It's pretty generic sounding but I can understand the commentary that it works as a celebration track on a best of. Cherish has a special place in my heart, I was the right age for it when it was released and it still makes me smile today. Skin is absolutely glorious, a real progression for Madonna and a highlight on the Ray of Light album. I can remember listening to it on my first play of the album and was blown away that she had gone for something that, er, almost trance like in progression. Give it 2 Me is decent enough, I didn't care for it upon release but it has held up better than most of the rest of that era. And finally Die Another Day which I think has just gotten better over time. It was a brave take on a Bond theme, I like that they didn't change Madonna to be Bond, they took Bond and made it Madonna *.*

Posted by: HauntedHaus 27th October 2019, 04:12 PM

What a start to the top 30! Devil is easily the best track on Hard Candy so i'm glad Buzzjack has agreed! A real moment on the album and I wish the entire thing explored similar sentiments and lyrical power.

Oh Father has been one of my favourite Madonna tracks for a while. It's so heartfelt and raw. One of her best ballads and has aged beautifully too - what a way to tell a painful story!

Posted by: SamJudd 27th October 2019, 05:57 PM

Posted by: HauntedHaus 27th October 2019, 07:51 PM

28. Sky Fits Heaven // Ray Of Light // 8.846

The highest album track from Ray Of Light, of course, it's the heavenly Sky Fits Heaven. A song that is all-encompassing, grand, mature, ethereal and special. Lyrically, Madonna sings of a connection she feels between herself, nature, some religious force, her daughter and the world around her. At the time, Madonna was studying about different religions and placing herself within this. She was open to the religions she studied and became absorbed in yoga - the song explores that spirituality in a way that ebs and flows as the journey takes flight. The song was criminally never released as a single, however it has gained a huge following from fans and critics and is often hailed as one of her greatest album tracks. The song takes lyrical inspiration from British poet Max Blagg's 1992 poem, What Fits?. Although the poet is not credited on the album, the song pays homage to his poem but Madonna with the help of Orbit and Leonard transcend it to dizzying heights. It's a phenomenal piece of music that has rightfully performed incredibly well in this list of Madonna's all-time songs. I do wonder how much higher up it would have been with a full release and single treatment. Can you imagine a video for the song?



27. Impressive Instant // Music // 8.857

Another album track out, and this time Impressive Instant does enough to make an impression well into the top 30! The song was intended to be the fourth single but due to disagreements between Madonna and the label, it was only released as a promotional single - in the US it managed to peak at #1 on the Hot Dance chart! The song features the crazed production work of Mirwais, and is actually the first song the pair worked on together! It is a song about instantly falling in love with someone but it's told through warped, robotic vocals from Madonna and inter-spliced with zany, random moments throughout. It's a futuristic frenzy of a song, constantly exploding with sounds and vocally warping every 10 seconds. A true journey of a song and one of Madonna's most random pieces ever.

Madonna: 1/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 4/9
Like A Prayer: 2/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 1/14
Bedtime Stories: 1/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 5/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 2/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 5/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 1/25
Madame X: 2/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 8/47
90s: 8/76
00s: 7/57
10s: 3/62

Posted by: dandy* 27th October 2019, 09:05 PM

Another couple of 10/10 tracks for me.

Sky Fits Heaven is the single that never was from Ray of Light where as Impressive Instant is the single that never was from Music! The latter excels by pushing the Mirwais production further than any other track on the album, coupling it with suitably bonkers lyrics! Sky Fits Heaven is absolutely essential though, it takes some of the harder edges of the William Orbit production and wraps them around a really compelling chorus. At least it got the remix treatment on her singles even if it didn't receive its place as a stand alone.

The top 30 is absolutely exceptional so far.

Posted by: vibe 27th October 2019, 10:40 PM

2 absolute corkers !!! 2 of my absolute faves I would rate them similarly in my own individual chart .

If only Madonna got her way and released Impressive Instant

How many album tracks are left ? I can def think of one .....

I’m surprised 2 Madame X tracks are still in the running !

Posted by: SamJudd 29th October 2019, 01:31 PM

Posted by: TheJü-Pumpkin 29th October 2019, 02:03 PM

I can't imagine what's left from her first album now Holiday is out! These writeups on each track are so good and informative!

Posted by: vibe 29th October 2019, 08:58 PM

The best track is rightly left form her debut . I won’t spoil it for you tho .

Posted by: Medellíam 2nd November 2019, 09:24 PM

Agreed! The Ray of Light single run was flawless as it was but 'Sky Fits Heaven' would have been the best choice for single #6. You're right about it balancing the harder edge of Orbit's productions and commercial viability, plus a video would have been thrilling!

They could easily have pushed another song from Music and 'Impressive Instant' would have been perfect. It's brilliantly bonkers and would have tapped into the club market a bit more, following the trance mix of 'What It Feels Like for a Girl'. Again, imagine the video!

Posted by: Medellíam 6th November 2019, 01:24 AM

26. Forbidden Love // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 8.857 (higher top score)

Placing as the highest Confessions album track, it's the second of Madonna's two 'Forbidden Love' titles. The song progresses the club experience that the album resembles by taking us further into the night, exploring deeper, intimate feelings accompanied by much more melancholy melodies. As the final moments of 'Let It Will Be' gradually decline, the tempo suddenly drops and rebuilds itself from some mournful synth chords, indicating a switch in mood and encouraging the audience to take a closer listen. The lyrics of 'Forbidden Love' update the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet but keeps it ambiguous enough for any circumstance to be applied, whether it be the intertwining of different race or religion or of the same sex. It's a very layered and enthralling listening experience, a journey through sadness and doubt into hope and freedom, a test of endurance and bravery. The music reflects the enlightenment, increasing in intensity and adding more euphoric elements until the song transforms into its successor so seamlessly you'd be forgiven for not realising a new song had begun.



25. Secret // Bedtime Stories // 8.885

Lead single 'Secret' triumphs as the best rated track from Bedtime Stories. Switching the club grittiness of Erotica for a softer, romantic R&B sound, 'Secret' is the most subdued introduction to a new Madonna album but still packs a lot of weight with its themes of intimacy, growth and mystery. The song deals with the realisation that we are in control of our destiny and happiness, a conclusion drawn from an undisclosed secret that's shared between Madonna and another person. The production is as withholding as the lyrics, built upon a soft guitar strumming and a gentle groove, allowing Madonna's soulful vocal to take the lead and to lift the song occasionally with her heavenly harmonies. 'Secret' reminded audiences that solid pop music was at the heart of her craft and allowed her to rebound from the negative press of the Erotica era without having to play it safe.

Madonna: 1/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 4/9
Like A Prayer: 2/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 1/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 5/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 2/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 4/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 1/25
Madame X: 2/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 8/47
90s: 7/76
00s: 6/57
10s: 3/62

Posted by: Medellíam 6th November 2019, 01:59 AM

One of Madonna's strengths is her ability to give an emotional and personal performance but keep the lyrics ambiguous enough for listeners to apply their own meanings. I noticed how coming to terms with sexuality can be interpreted from both those songs which is what I like to take away from them. The "once upon a time, there was a boy and there was a girl" line in 'Forbidden Love' makes me think of how this was how things could only used to be and we're slowly entering a world where same-sex relationships are being increasingly accepted. I also like how the question of "are we supposed to be together?" could almost become "always supposed to be together" by the end as the production becomes so euphoric and hopeful.

Then there's 'Secret' where I think the person Madonna is talking to is someone who is conflicted with their sexuality and Madonna can see just how unhappy they are by keeping it secret. They both learn from each other that not allowing yourself to be who you are is no way to live and that being true to yourself is the first step towards happiness.

Also, apologies for the wait on results. I've not had much time to work on them the past week but we're getting the ball rolling again!

Posted by: vibe 6th November 2019, 11:03 AM

I feel in love with FL after confessions tour performance.

Powerful , emotional , thought provoking . What Madonna does best.

Is this the last album track left?

Secret is a lovely melodic song, a song that Madonna can still sing live.

Posted by: blacksquare 6th November 2019, 11:22 AM

This is a wonderful writeup.

I remember feeling so drawn to Forbidden Love at the time — not because of the euphoric production or one of the best beat-drops on the album, but because I hadn't accepted my sexuality and the lyrics almost echoed the questions I was asking myself.

Posted by: Medellíam 6th November 2019, 01:30 PM

Agreed! A highlight among the many great moments of the Confessions Tour. The arm choreography is fascinating and such a striking image that really sells the message of the song.

Still two more album tracks to go!


Thank you! Yeah, I remember being drawn to the lyrics, particularly the one I highlighted. I don't think I quite had a personal connection to the lyrics at the point I first started listening to the song, but the sounds and the way Madonna sang really fascinated me. It was the same with 'Skin' - I didn't really know what it was about but it was such a sonic experience.

Posted by: vibe 6th November 2019, 01:39 PM

Two album tracks left? Hmmm

Posted by: Medellíam 6th November 2019, 01:41 PM

One of them's a bit more than just an album track but it wasn't a single either.

Posted by: dandy* 6th November 2019, 08:22 PM

Two more ten out of ten tracks, everything in the top 30 so far is wonderful

I talked about Secret in the other thread recently so I won't regurgitate all of that again. Suffice to say I now see it as a standout in her catalogue which has held up remarkably well as the years have passed.

Forbidden Love is simply sublime. This has always been my favourite track on Confessions, I love the 'Once upon a time there was a boy and there was a girl... they lived in a different kind of world' section of the lyrics as it represented a time in my life where Mr D* and I were living together and we had this album on a LOT and it was really great to here a song talking about how things have changed these days in attitudes and social norms. But even above the lyrics, the production is absolutely sublime and that small section where it all builds back up before the final chorus - goosebumps when it's on loud.

Posted by: dandy* 6th November 2019, 08:24 PM

I can definitely think what one of them is but I'm struggling to think of the other!

edit - actually I think I've clicked on the other one too. I just think of it as a single!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 6th November 2019, 08:40 PM

Also won't dwell on Bedtime Stories - in short it's an album highlight and has matured into such a fine song over the years.

Liam, your description for Forbidden Love is perfect. What a great commentary, for such a great song This song, I will focus on. The song for me is the greatest album track Madonna has done. In an album that is so majestic and enticing, this track is the most so. Lyrically it's simple yet tells a twisted story of love and acceptance. Musically the sounds of the album reach a peak. The song is haunting - for years I haven't ever really understood what it truly means and instead whatever state of mind I am in, or whatever stage of life I am in, the song speaks to me in a certain different way. It should have been ranked as the highest album track but other factors that I won't spoil have meant a couple of others have pipped it to the post. Still, it reaching such dizzying heights in this countdown is incredible to see. What a song, what a hidden gem. I am glad it was never released as a single - sometimes remaining hidden on an album waiting to be discovered like a piece of forbidden fruit is what makes a song so special; it creates a 'stop you in your tracks' moment that you forget exists amidst the album's louder more well-known moments. I love the song so much.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 7th November 2019, 07:10 AM

24. I Don't Search I Find // Madame X // 8.962

Finally enough love. From the opening lyrics, to the retro-dance infused instrumental, to the fist-pumping chorus, I Don't Search I Find proved for many fans, that in this latest era, Madonna is still able to make life-changing anthems. Mirwais brings the song to new levels, harking back to earlier Madonna eras but still sounding incredibly fresh and current. Lyrically the song is about the new light that a love can give. It talks of how the entire self can change when finding someone and it does so with a fluid sound that is ready for late night listens and twilight dancing. It's done incredibly well here, beating some songs that have been in fans' hearts for decades, and while the recency of it may have helped it out quite significantly, I wonder if it will continue to have this level of adoration in the future?



23. Jump // Confessions On A Dancefloor // 9.000

Next up the fourth and final single from Confessions, Jump is another fist-pumping anthem ready for the club floors. It follows on nicely from the previous track in this countdown as it's also about the ecstasy of finding someone and embarking on something new and exciting. It empowers the listener to believe in themselves and their strength and to bounce back from situations and move on. It is also seen as a tribute to a new generation of gay fans that would be discovering Madonna and finding their place in the world. Inspired by the 80s it harks back to many earlier Madonna songs and fits in perfectly as a staple hit for her. Becoming one of the most popular dance songs of the decade in the US, it was a middling hit in many nations and continued to cement the era as one of Madonna's finest. The music video, shot in Japan, isn't her most signature look or visual feast but it compliments the song well enough.

Madonna: 1/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 4/9
Like A Prayer: 2/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 1/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 5/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 2/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 3/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 1/25
Madame X: 1/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 8/47
90s: 7/76
00s: 5/57
10s: 2/62

Posted by: vibe 7th November 2019, 11:12 AM

These songs are bops , probably a little to high for my personal taste.

We have to mention again how good the Jump performance was on the confessions tour. Also how she mentions after paradise that actually 'she cant make it alone'.
The actual video to Jump is one of the worst of her career. This was directed by Jonas A and i hate it. Compare to his and Madonna's other collaborations this is weak.

I cant wait for the remixes of I Dont Search , i do not understand how this was not a single !! It is typical Madonna, has great 90's vibes , a def highlight from the album.

Posted by: blacksquare 7th November 2019, 11:25 AM

I want to comment on this further — these commentaries are some of the best I have ever seen on a forum. The amount of effort, care, and in-depth analysis throughout this thread has been nothing short of fantastic. Thank you!

Posted by: dandy* 7th November 2019, 12:20 PM

Agreed! This is one of the best threads ever for me

Posted by: HauntedHaus 7th November 2019, 10:04 PM

For me 'I Don't Search...' is a bit too high, especially considering some of the tracks it has beaten in the top 30. Recent-ness plays a big part in it I suppose. I assume it'll do well in the future when we repeat things like this, but this high? Probably not.

Jump is about where it should be - for a while it was my favourite Confessions single. I think Get Together pips it to the post now (and maybe Hung Up too) but it's still a beauty and one that often gets overlooked by the louder more popular songs on the album.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 7th November 2019, 10:05 PM

This means so much to us! Thank you for the kind words. The thread has been a huge undertaking but we're glad it's being received well. One to archive for the future and look back on and reminisce for sure. Thanks guys

Posted by: Jade 7th November 2019, 10:07 PM

An entire top 23 with 9+ averages - incredible *.* 'I Don't Search I Find' is the best song Madonna has put out in years - I'm still in awe.

Posted by: Medellíam 8th November 2019, 01:10 PM

'I Don't Search, I Find' appearing so high is totally justified in my eyes! "Finally enough love" - what an opening, I like how it follows from the sex-mad 'Bitch I'm Loca' and the "you can put it inside" lyric, I thought that was really clever. The production is heaven, like, I can't believe we got something as magical as this from Madonna in 2019. Proof that there's no need for tinny, trend-hopping production! I love how effortlessly it flows from any of Madonna's early 90s tracks. Just pure joy!

'Jump' is relatively simple compared to other tracks on Confessions but it works in its favour. I love the empowering nature of the song and is such a rush of joy and hope. I agree with vibe about the Confessions Tour performance, I love the parkour theme and how Madonna does her own routine towards the end.

Posted by: Medellíam 8th November 2019, 01:12 PM

Thank you Bal and likewise! It's the perfect centerpiece, isn't it? Agreed about your last point; I still think 'Forbidden Love' would have made a great fifth single and showed another part of the album but there is something quite special about such songs being hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered during a full album listen.




Seconding what Bal said - thank you so much! Really means a lot, particularly from you two as I've always been in awe of how you put things into words. This has been such a rewarding thread, I love talking about Madonna's music as there's so much to take from it and it's been lovely to pass thoughts and memories with you all. Big love!

Posted by: Jordan Lee 8th November 2019, 03:49 PM

Sky Fits Heaven, Impressive Instant and confessions era Forbidden Love are all gems. Some of her best ever album tracks which I prefer to some singles!

I Don’t Search I Find being so high is a shock but I did rate it really well When it come to 10’s decade Madonna mainly because Madame X was her only strong album released this decade.

Posted by: dandy* 10th November 2019, 02:55 PM

I'm pleased to see I Don't Search I Find get off to such a great start as it's a clear highlight from Madame X. I'd love her to release a compilation of these early 90s sounding tracks although I'm not sure she has quite enough to do so... IDSIF, Vogue, Deeper and Deeper, Rescue Me, Justify My Love, Words - I'd have to think where to go after that! Still, I think it will hold up well although maybe not quite as high as it has started.

Jump used to be one of my favourites when Confessions was first released, I could definitely hear the West End Girls influence in it. I do still like it but it hasn't aged as well as some of the other tracks on the album, it would be mid range on the album for me now.

Posted by: Medellíam 12th November 2019, 04:50 PM

22. Open Your Heart // True Blue // 9.000 (more 10s)

Originally a rock and roll song written for Cyndi Lauper, 'Open Your Heart' eventually received the dance-pop treatment from Patrick Leonard and became the first recording for True Blue. In its final form, 'Open Your Heart' is pure pop bliss. Madonna appreciates the importance of hooking her audience from the very first moments of a song and this intro is one of her most striking. From the sudden drum beat and twinkly keyboard melody, the listener is thrown immediately into the song and Madonna's whispered "watch out!" assures them they're about to hear something truly remarkable. Madonna reveals her burning, intense love for a guy, determined for him to confess the same. She uses an analogy of keys and locks fitting to represent two people being compatible for each other and encourages him to let the love flourish. It's a straightforward love song that thrives on its simplicity, lifted by the passionate nature of its message, the vibrant, infectious music and Madonna's yearning vocal.



21. Borderline // Madonna // 9.000 (higher top score)

Head boss of Sire Records, Seymour Stein, declared that 'Borderline' would be "huge beyond belief" upon hearing the track and here it is recognised as the best from Madonna's debut. The moment the dainty piano intro slinks in, 'Borderline' evokes a sentimental and nostalgic feel - a sense of familiarity, which is extended in the lyrics by dealing with the all-too-known tale of unfulfilled love. Madonna's expressive vocal boasts truth and soul, recalling the classic Motown style. 'Borderline' captures the spirit of Madonna's pop appeal, offering something fresh and human, and acts as one of the first building blocks to her becoming the biggest female artist in the industry.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 3/9
Like A Prayer: 2/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 1/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 5/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 2/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 3/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 1/25
Madame X: 1/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 6/47
90s: 7/76
00s: 5/57
10s: 2/62

Posted by: Jade 12th November 2019, 04:51 PM

Interesting to see those two songs finishing next to each other when Glee did a 'Borderline'/'Open Your Heart' mash-up in 'The Power of Madonna' episode *.*

Posted by: dandy* 12th November 2019, 06:44 PM

Two more 10/10 tracks for me. Open Your Heart is my favourite of the two these days, although I didn't really like it much at all when I first heard it on The Immaculate Collection and often used to skip it. It's now my favourite thing from the True Blue era so it's had a complete turn around in my affections, I think it has stood the test of time really well.

Borderline is just lovely, definitely the correct track to finish highest from her first album and it's a good distance out in front of the rest for me. One thing about it though, in the video at about 18 seconds I always wonder if they were supposed to kick at the same time but just got it wrong on the day.

Posted by: vibe 12th November 2019, 06:54 PM

Borderline deserved top 20 at the very least !!!! Def is the best rack from her debut.

The intro is orgasmic and the song gives me feels still today.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 13th November 2019, 08:20 PM

Two incredible 80s songs.

Borderline is my favourite song from that decade. It's an incredible song that gives me every sort of feel whenever I hear it. It's dreamy and just sends me places. A clear highlight from the debut, so i'm glad we seem to be in agreement as far as the rate goes!

Open Your Heart has always been a favourite - it has ranked above the other True Blue singles at a time but I think now it's probably 2nd! I am intrigued to see how the rest of the True Blue singles do in comparison ~ there's not much between the ones remaining and this for me personally!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 13th November 2019, 08:46 PM

20. Music // Music // 9.071

The title track and lead single from Music starts our top 20. Produced by Mirwais, she sings of the power of music to unite people in an uncertain world. The song, due to its commercial nature, went on to become a huge hit for her and really kickstarted a new era of Madonna music. It was a worldwide #1 hit and has gone on to become a staple classic for her. The music video, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, features Ali G and shows Madonna in a fun, carefree light, which especially contrasted the Ray of Light era that came before. She performed it live on several award shows including at the Grammys where the song received a couple of nominations. It's a totally fun and carefree song and showed yet another musical evolution for the artist. Contemporary and yet timeless, it's a worthy start to what is to be an incredible 20 songs that make up the best of the best.



19. Ghosttown // Rebel Heart // 9.115

The second single from Rebel Heart, a haunting ballad of loss and mourning, Ghosttown has proved naysayers of modern Madonna wrong and has cemented itself as a huge contender amongst the more well known songs we have had over the decades. It's a soaring ballad. The song tells of an apocalyptic world, where love is the only thing that carries people on. Uplifting at heart, but incredibly sorrowful, it fits along nicely as a signature M ballad. Another Jonas Åkerlund directed video, this time, all the fun of the previous video has been removed and Madonna is only one of two survivors in a world devoid of life. The song gives hope of continuing after horrifying events and so works as a centrepiece to an album about continuing journeys and finding hope in the darkness. In today's political climate too, it stands out as a very powerful and relevant message of hope in an ever-changing, dangerous world.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 3/9
Like A Prayer: 2/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 1/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 5/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 1/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 3/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 1/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 6/47
90s: 7/76
00s: 4/57
10s: 1/62

Posted by: vibe 13th November 2019, 09:57 PM

Music , great fun song that is reinvented brilliantly on each tour. She has to open her GH tour with this track in 2223. Ali G was also hilarious in the video .

Ghosttown is one of my faves , it’s so gorgeous and my fav off RH !!! Shame this was ignored on both the rebel heart tour and now Madame X .

Posted by: HauntedHaus 14th November 2019, 05:50 PM

Ghosttown would've worked better as a lead single I think. Especially as we had promo lined up at the BRITs. It could've been a really big political or just emotional moment on the stage.

Music is standard fun Madonna. Great way to start a great era of fun, yet at times complicated music.

Both very worthy of top 20!

Posted by: dandy* 15th November 2019, 04:17 PM

Two more great tracks! I see I gave Music a 9 but it could easily have been a 10 on another day. For a while I thought it had aged pretty badly but I loved it at the time and I'm getting back on board with it again recently, it's a good pure fun track as you rightly point out and it's a great contrast to the more serious Ray of Light tracks.

I'm really pleased that Ghosttown has done this well. It was probably helped by being a stand out among her weakest decade in terms of the voting process but I still like the track as much now as I did when it was released. It definitely does hold its own against some of her earlier 'classic' hits and it's one of the few tracks from the 10s that I could have seen becoming commercially popular.

Posted by: Cucumberella 15th November 2019, 08:07 PM

music is one of my ultimate favourite madonna songs. i know a lot of people don't love it so i'm THRILLED to see it so high!

Posted by: Jordan Lee 15th November 2019, 09:58 PM

Musics one of her worst singles for me definitely one of her weakest leads.

I’d have put Open Your Heart and Borderline higher than that and Ghosttown

Posted by: JüpaHulaHula 16th November 2019, 03:13 PM

Oh I forgot Borderline was from her debut. One of my top faves from her and yes prob the strongest track there musically.

Jump a bit too high for me esp over some of the Ray of Light gems like Swim, Secret too & some of the acousticcier AL cuts.

Want to echo as well how brilliant these writeups are. Definitely Billboard quality commentary guys, well researched & phrased. Clearly work going in behind the scenes or maybe you just connect so well with the songs to know them inside out!

Posted by: Medellíam 17th November 2019, 06:59 PM

'Music' is one of my earliest introductions to Madonna's music and it's message of how music has the power to unite and allow you to escape life's problems is so defining to Madonna's career. It still sounds so fresh and cool almost 20 years on. Another radical change following the spiritual, soul-searching Mother Earth vibe of the Ray of Light era.

'Ghosttown' proving that the early declarations that it was one of Madonna's best still stands up today. This really should have been big. I love the storytelling; Madonna really sells it with her vocal and it's one of the most moving and passionate of her current output. The video remains one of my favourite this decade too. I was so pleased to see her bring plot back as focal point to a video, something she hadn't done for some time, and it's tells a uplifting tale of how love will save us all when we have nothing; Madonna uses an apocalyptic world to symbolise this but it could be referred to any situation where you feel lost and defeated.

Posted by: Medellíam 17th November 2019, 06:59 PM

The more I think about it the more I agree! Performing this on a platform like the BRITs and Grammys would have worked wonders for the song and show people Madonna's talent as a storyteller within her lyrics and her voice. It's a powerful message and would have made a great statement as a lead single. I can see why 'Living for Love' was chosen but it's statement is a little generic within Madonna's discography, whilst 'Ghosttown' would have pushed this "love wins" message in a unique way.

Posted by: Medellíam 19th November 2019, 05:18 PM

18. Deeper & Deeper // Erotica // 9.154

Erotica is known for its gritty, beat-driven club sound, however it's the euphoric disco house of 'Deeper & Deeper' that's considered the album's best here. It's a return to the driving dance sound of Madonna and Shep Pettibone's early collaborations, even ending with a call-back to their worldwide smash 'Vogue'. Whilst 'Vogue' celebrates self-expression and being empowered by music, 'Deeper & Deeper' is for those who are still finding themselves. Through the stabs of house piano, glittering beat and swirling synthesised synths, a repressed desire begins to be released, the start of a sexual awakening that builds in urgency on its way towards an irresistible climax. The flamenco breakdown is brilliantly bonkers, reflecting both the anxiety and thrill before taking a leap into freedom. The GHV2 liner notes suggest this is a song of a man coming to terms with his sexuality, another powerful example of Madonna's support for the LGBT community. By concluding this journey with the aforementioned 'Vogue' sample, it signifies the eventual self-acceptance and new-found independence.



17. Drowned World/Substitute for Love // Ray of Light // 9.154 (higher top score)

Opening Ray of Light's journey into self-discovery and rebirth is 'Drowned World/Substitute for Love'. The song sees Madonna re-evaluate her perception of fame, dissatisfied by superficial media adoration and people only being interested in their idea of her and what she represents. The shining light to her problems was the birth of daughter Lourdes, someone with no comprehension of celebrity status and who looked at Madonna with all the love in the world. William Orbit sensitively details a soothing, delicate production to compliment the track; it gradually emerges from ambient sonic waves, cleverly emulating the gentle sounds of the womb or a sonar searching through the weight of the deep, dark ocean. His carefully allocated electronic elements glide around Madonna's soft, soulful vocal, rejuvenated by her recent training for Evita. The introduction of acoustic guitar invites a change of pace and the momentum builds through an intense bridge where Madonna releases every last bit of negative energy, allowing her to start again. It's a unique opening moment from Madonna's album history and prepares you for a powerful listening experience.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 3/9
Like A Prayer: 2/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 4/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 1/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 3/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 1/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 6/47
90s: 5/76
00s: 4/57
10s: 1/62

Posted by: dandy* 19th November 2019, 05:51 PM

Will comment more later but right now I’m soooo happy to see Drowned World this high up!

Posted by: vibe 19th November 2019, 06:31 PM

These two songs would probably feature in my top 10.

I wouldn’t have thought DW was so loved , this forum does have taste at times. I find this song totally relatable , it is stunning .

Deeper and Deeper has always been a fav , to think this only chatted at number 6 is surprising even though she was being really persecuted by media at the time. Madonna shook my hand during this song at the Rebel Heart tour , a moment I will never forget .

Posted by: blacksquare 19th November 2019, 07:04 PM

Me too.

Perhaps my favourite Madonna song ever, or at least one that means the most to me.

Posted by: JüpaHulaHula 19th November 2019, 10:44 PM

Shocked (but no disappointed) that one from Madame X has made it this far!

Deeper and Deeper I can see why it's done well but its not a fave of mine really. Likewise Drowned World, I'd switch it with Swim easily.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 20th November 2019, 09:17 PM

Drowned World is stunning.. but it doesn't rank *that* highly in terms of the album which for me has so many other obvious highlights. I get that Drowned...'s beauty comes from its subdued simplicity but yeah, it's around a third of the way down for me! I know it has its fans so I am happy it has done so well for those.

Deeper and Deeper however is a major highlight and it's great to see the success reflected here. It POPPED on the Rebel Heart tour *.*

Posted by: HauntedHaus 22nd November 2019, 05:27 PM

16. Live to Tell // True Blue // 9.188

The lead single from 'True Blue', Live to Tell is a powerhouse ballad. It is a song about recovery from childhood scars but also lies and deceit that surround you on a daily basis. Madonna revealed that her relationship with her parents was a central motif by which she wrote the lyrics from. An important song for the saga of Madonna and her 80s career - it represented her first proper transformation into the Marilyn-inspired icon that was to define the artist. Her hair changed, her image changed, her demeanour changed and so too did her music. There was a maturity to this that contrasted the carefree nature of the 'Like A Virgin' album; Madonna was ready to tell her story. The song undoubtedly became a hit for her, reaching the summit of the charts in the US and cementing itself as one of her most beloved ballads (as proved here too!). While the rest of the era that was to follow had moments of joy and freedom, it was this song that allowed it to happen as she bore out her secrets and fears for everyone to see. A damning tale of confusion and angst, secrets and lies, thoughts and conversations.. all told beautifully and cinematically.



15. Nothing Really Matters // Ray of Light // 9.231

The final single from an era that transformed Madonna in ways she had never done so before. And how to end such a perfect era? By looking back to the past. A song about looking to childhood innocence and how it matures into adult love that is unadulterated and uncompromising. The production is of course a highlight, William Orbit has masterfully created a sense of urgency in the music and Madonna's desperate vocals layered on top of this make for one of the most exciting singles in her career. The concept is simple: love is all we need, and yet listeners are left wondering why this simple state is so confusing and difficult. The video similarly shows Madonna chopping and changing and glitching as she dances. The kimono piece is a signature look for her now, inspired by Memoirs of a Geisha, Madonna becomes the performing artist in superb fashion. All-in-all it's a song that is so often overlooked by the singles that came immediately before it, but it certainly stands the test of time and puts up a fight against them as its position in this countdown reflects. While it didn't have much commercial success, it has matured into a beautiful anthem of love and hope in a dark and confusing world. And the music video? Quite simple: one of her best.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 2/9
Like A Prayer: 2/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 3/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 1/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 3/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 1/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 5/47
90s: 4/76
00s: 4/57
10s: 1/62

Posted by: vibe 22nd November 2019, 07:59 PM

Live To Tell is one of my faves , to think she did the song in one take !!

Nothing really matters is also amazing !!! I guess all the songs left are amazing!!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 24th November 2019, 03:42 PM

I feel like I don't give Live to Tell the attention it deserves. Rediscovering it for this thread has really shown its power to me. One of her finest ballads easily!

Nothing Really Matters is a massive favourite of mine. The video is without a doubt one of my favourite Madonna music videos - the kimono look, the inspirations it has and everything just works perfectly for me. The song too is a real beauty and one of many perfect moments from the era. LOVE!

Posted by: dandy* 24th November 2019, 07:04 PM

Catch up comments...

Deeper and Deeper - I did like this when it was out, I wasn't really old enough to get the vibe of the Erotica album at the time so Deeper and Deeper was my favourite by a mile but even then I didn't care for it on the same levels of the Like a Prayer/Vogue/Immaculate era singles. However it has never dulled for me over time and I think it was top 10 the last time I counted down my Madonna tracks list. I have such a soft spot for that early 90s Madonna production style and this is a great example of it, even the Spanish breakdown is rather wonderful and unique among her catalogue. I love the hints at her relationship with her parents but not in the transparent way she'd previously articulated. And of course the nod to Vogue at the end is wonderful, even if it was so soon after the original!

Drowned World - At times this is my favourite Madonna track. It's the absolutely perfect way to introduce the Ray of Light album and the production is just to die for, all subtle bleeps and whirls before the guitar comes in later to really good effect. Lyrically I think this is Madonna at her strongest. It's obvious what the message is but it's done so beautifully and in such a heartfelt manner that it just melts me every time I hear it. And then there's that moment when the guitars all layer up and the track goes to new levels before gradually breaking back down again to the 'this is my religion' ending which is just absolute perfection. It's a track that I had no idea or sense that she was capable of making but my god she did it so perfectly.

Live to Tell - in a way this is comparable to my comments on Drowned World... it's a track that changed how people perceived Madonna, she'd already proved herself in the realms of pop/dance but this was something else... a beautiful and structurally different track that must have seemed quite unexpected back when it was released. The 'you can't hurt me now...' section is just gorgeous and the strings that go with it are just *swoon*.

Nothing Really Matters - The visual side of this was definitely great but it's the song that I feel least represents the Ray of Light era. I really do like it but it doesn't quite have the same layers as most of the rest of the album for me. As a stand alone track it's absolutely fine though!

Posted by: Jordan Lee 24th November 2019, 08:58 PM

It’s getting to the stage now where I love everything!

Live To Tell is one of her best for me. The confessions tour version especially.

Drowned World is lush too and the perfect opener to Ray of Light. Nothing Really Matters is a BOP and the video is one of her most underrated and one of her best.

Deeper and Deeper is a highlight of a meh album for me. Erotica as a whole album is my second least favourite era after MDNA but that track is the best single by far from that era.

Posted by: Medellíam 28th November 2019, 03:40 PM

14. Express Yourself // Like a Prayer // 9.250

Second single from Like a Prayer, 'Express Yourself' has been cited as a major influence by numerous female artists over the years. It's an uplifting, joyous anthem that pushes for gender equality and motivates women to empower themselves and one another. Madonna focuses on relationships, encouraging a balance of power and respect and reminding that honesty and support are greater demonstrations of love than material gifts. Brassy production and hearty vocals heighten the spirit of the song; Madonna is like a preacher, emphasising every word of the chorus. It's a celebration of self-expression and freedom, a message that can inspire and resonate with us all which is a key factor in the song's endurance. Accompanying the single was the Metropolis-inspired music video, combining the talents of David Fincher's unique expressionistic style and Madonna's boundary-pushing instinct. Together, they create a visual that deconstructs gender stereotypes and celebrates sexuality through its striking costumes, powerful choreography and grand set designs. With a record-breaking $5m budget, Madonna really did lift it to the higher ground.



13. La Isla Bonita // True Blue // 9.406

Rounding off a sublime set of singles, True Blue's fifth offering of 'La Isla Bonita' pays tribute to the "beauty and mystery of Latin American people". Laced with Cuban drums, Spanish guitar, maracas and harmonicas, Madonna details picturesque imagery of the exotic San Pedro - a tropical paradise that relieves the body and mind of its troubles. She expresses her desire to be as free as the island, beckoned forward by the angelic sighing and gentle chanting of the title. It's the ultimate escapism, completely engrossing the listener and transporting them to absolute peace of mind. Madonna has returned to Latin music throughout her career to varying results, but none so successfully as achieved here. It's a lush, care-free summery pop song, all the more better for having no complex undertones.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 1/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 1/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 3/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 1/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 3/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 1/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 3/47
90s: 4/76
00s: 4/57
10s: 1/62

Posted by: HauntedHaus 28th November 2019, 05:02 PM

Express Yourself is rightfully very high up for the signature/iconic status it holds, but as a song it's not a HUGE favourite of mine.

La Isla Bonita is great, a summer anthem. I may be in the minority, but I find it quite upsetting a listen - that longing to be elsewhere, with someone else in another faraway place, it's emotion packed but presented in such a joyous and carefree way as you say. I take a bit from it because of places I was in when I listened to it more often so it has memories attached to it!

Posted by: dandy* 28th November 2019, 06:13 PM

Another two great tracks, I assume I gave both 10. They're both similar for me in that they aren't things I'd listen to anywhere near as often as some of her other classics but, when I do, they're undeniably catchy and bring out the 'I simply have to dance and mime along' side of me to amusing effect.

Posted by: Medellíam 28th November 2019, 07:16 PM

'Deeper and Deeper' was one of the first songs from Erotica that I got on board with and it's definitely my favourite now. The disco/house production is so euphoric but there's something still quite unpolished and hard sounding about it which ties it to the album. The flamenco breakdown fits surprisingly well and the way the instrumental intensifies from this point is so addictive.

I gave 'Drowned World' a 9/10 but it's actually another 10/10 moment on the album - I think I was cautious of being over-generous with the scores but this album really does have that many highs. Like 'Skin', I remember being so drawn to the production on this as a child; it's like being submerged underwater and you're trying to make sense of sound. There's something incredibly peaceful about it and it sets you in the perfect listening mood. I've only watched the video a few times as it wasn't on YouTube until a couple of years back, but it's one I need to pay more attention to.

I've applauded Madonna's ability to make a song sound so personal yet so open to interpretation before - she secured this skill on Like a Prayer but she had already nailed it with 'Live to Tell'. There's something very dark, almost sinister, about the song yet also something very hopeful and strong. The middle 8 is my favourite part and it's here where she realises her inner strength and the mood of the song changes.

I'm thrilled to see 'Nothing Really Matters' so high - I didn't recall it being Top 20 in the 2016 singles rate and indeed it only reached #34 then. It definitely feels like it's become more appreciated since then and deservedly so. I love the heavy bassline that underlines the glitchy production, then you have this sweet, melodic middle 8 which is just gorgeous.

It's all about Shep Pettibone's video remix of 'Express Yourself' for me - the album version is good but doesn't have the same confidence and attitude as I feel the remix does. It's a bold statement, one that can be applied to us all, and a lot of fun at the same time. The music video and the performances capture the grandeur of the song perfectly.

I listen to 'La Isla Bonita' at the start of every summer, a bit like how you may start listening to Christmas songs at the start of December, although it's one that can be listened to all year round and still have the ability to take you away to a tropical paradise. I particularly like the extended version with the harmonic sighing at the start and end.

Posted by: vibe 28th November 2019, 08:46 PM

I am stunned that LILB didnt make the top 10 !!!

Madonna did latin first 😉

Posted by: HauntedHaus 28th November 2019, 09:39 PM

I can't possibly think of what it has influenced in recent years

Posted by: Medellíam 28th November 2019, 10:39 PM

The video is one of my faves too! It's slightly surreal and dark but there's also humour in the goofy, jittery dancing and her facial expressions.


Completely agree - the structure of this song allows you to go on such a journey and the lyrics are definitely among her strongest. I usually associate this song as part of the album experience rather than consider the song in its own right but, when you listen to it in isolation, it's easily one of the most unique songs in Madonna's discography.


That's an interesting take on it, I hadn't recognised the sadness buried within the song. It just proves once again Madonna's ability to create multi-layered songs and also to deal with emotional issues within happy pop music.

Posted by: JingleBellJüpes 29th November 2019, 11:47 AM

Once again I can see why it did well but I've never enjoyed La Isla Bonita that much. Its a true fan fave mind.

Express Yourself I would've liked more if I hadn't already heard so much of what was influenced by it by the time it came around.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 2nd December 2019, 08:26 PM

12. Into the Groove // Like a Virgin // 9.563

Written initially for the film soundtrack to 'Desperately Seeking Susan', and later reissued as a single for 'Like A Virgin' before being remastered for The Immaculate Collection, Into The Groove as the title suggests is a groovy jam about the power of music to instil happiness and love in a person's life. An invitation to dance with the singer, spliced with innuendo and sexual teasing, it's a fun song that can't fail to make you dance along. Becoming Madonna's first UK number single, it has since gone on to be one of her biggest sellers worldwide (and her #1 in the UK). In the US it was ineligible to chart at the time, but Billboard did go on to name it the dance song of the decade. Madonna has been reported as saying "Into the Groove' is another song I feel retarded singing, but everybody seems to like it." and you have proved her correct here, as it smashes her all-time list.



11. The Power of Goodbye // Ray of Light // 9.692

And just missing out on the top 10, just like it did in the US, it's the 4th single from the Ray of Light era. The Power of Goodbye is a brooding ballad of loss and pain. Created by the dream team of William Orbit and Patrick Leonard, it encapsulates the sound of the era perfectly while offering one of the most telling and truthful revelations of her career: saying goodbye is empowering and freeing. The song has often been cited as a highlight off the album and her career as a whole and it's clear to see why. The lyrics are complex and painful, she sings of the strength she has gained from her relationships, the way in which it has built her as a person, but that once this is all said and done, it is best to move on and be free with all of these lessons learned. There is a bruising pain felt throughout the song, but deep down the song is one of moving on and being free and fluid away from the pain. It is ultimately an empowering anthem and one whose message is of hope and prosperity out of the darkness. Despite this, it is one of the saddest songs she has recorded and it's undeniably a heart-breaking listen every time. Madonna was part of the creative process behind the music video and she ensured that the personal reflections of the song were included throughout. The video is a story of a love breaking down and through the symbolism of it and even the green tint applied, it is haunting and mesmerising just like the song itself. With a song as incredible as this missing out on the top 10, it just goes to show how strong her back catalogue is!


Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 1/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 2/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 1/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 3/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 1/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 2/47
90s: 3/76
00s: 4/57
10s: 1/62

Posted by: dandy* 2nd December 2019, 08:59 PM

Two more great tracks there. Into The Groove is one of the only tracks on the Immaculate Collection that I prefer in that Q version, I think the edit works really well. It's a great single although I'd never think it was her biggest UK hit if I didn't know it!

The Power of Goodbye is another great track from Ray of Light and it's a shame to see it just miss out on the top 10, I think I'd rather Ray of Light had 3 tracks there than Confessions. It's a real beauty of a track and one that is so simple and really lets the production shine.


WOW at one of the top 10 tracks though! I know we all raved about it but still...

Posted by: vibe 3rd December 2019, 07:34 AM

Shocked ITG isn’t too 10!! This used to be my second ever fav song . When this is performed live it is amazing!!! Thank god Madonna didn’t give this song away like originally planned. ITG number 1 for 4 weeks , preventing the rerelease of Holiday from hitting number 1 !!

Posted by: JingleBellJüpes 4th December 2019, 01:42 AM

Not to be a negative Nancy but I have *never* understood the appeal of Get Into the Groove beyond being a period piece, even the title sounds uncomfortably retro. If I had voted in this it would not be as high as #12.

The Power of Goodbye on the flipside though, what a gorgeous track.

I can only echo tbe surprise that one from Madame X made it into the top ten of all! Recency bias though and it is Madonna back at her most controversial and topical as she hasn't been for several cycles.

Posted by: Medellíam 4th December 2019, 06:26 PM

Agreed, the little piano breakdown is a great addition. The song thrives in its simplicity for me, it's just non-stop fun and joy all the way through and represents the best of a recurring theme in Madonna's music. Not one I'd have assumed would be her biggest seller either - it was fortunate enough to have all the right ingredients working in its favour at the same time - but, as I say, I think it's a good representation of Madonna all the same.

'The Power of Goodbye' is sublime, one of the best productions and vocals in Madonna's catalogue. The story that's told over the course of 'Frozen', 'The Power of Goodbye' and 'To Have and Not to Hold' is one of my key moments on Ray of Light. A shame to see it miss out on the Top 10 but everything that left is just as amazing.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 4th December 2019, 07:10 PM

Oh, do people prefer TIC version of 'Into the Groove'? I'm much more of a fan of the original

Posted by: dandy* 4th December 2019, 08:30 PM

I knew the TIC version before I knew the original so that could be why I prefer it, the original feels a little under produced by comparison for me.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 4th December 2019, 09:24 PM

I would say the TIC version is overproduced, which is my gripe with it

Posted by: Medellíam 5th December 2019, 11:21 AM

Top 10 commences tonight! In chronological order, here are the remaining 10 records:

Don't Tell Me
Frozen
Get Together
God Control
Hung Up
Like a Prayer
Papa Don't Preach
Ray of Light
Sorry
Vogue

Any predictions / hopes?

Posted by: HauntedHaus 5th December 2019, 05:08 PM

This would be my dream order:


Frozen
Get Together
Hung Up
Like a Prayer
Don't Tell Me
Papa Don't Preach
Sorry
Ray of Light
Vogue
God Control

All incredible though. Get Together to outdo all expectations please ~

Posted by: dandy* 5th December 2019, 07:06 PM

I'll jump on the dream order bandwagon...

01 Like a Prayer
02 Vogue
03 Ray of Light
04 Don't Tell Me
05 Papa Don't Preach
06 Get Together
07 Frozen
08 Hung Up
09 God Control
10 Sorry

Surely it already has! I'd never have predicted it to be top 10 before the results began.

Posted by: vibe 5th December 2019, 07:28 PM

Some surprises there

1. Like A Prayer
2. Frozen
3. Vogue
4. Ray Of Light
5. Papa Dont Preach
6. Hung Up
7. Sorry
8. Get Together
9. Don’t Tell Me
10. God Control

Posted by: HauntedHaus 5th December 2019, 09:29 PM

Very true! It's very deserved though. Over the years, it has matured into a real highlight of not just Confessions, or that decade, but of her career as a whole!

Posted by: JingleBellJüpes 6th December 2019, 07:34 AM

Get Together is my 2nd favourite Madonna song of all tbh

Posted by: HauntedHaus 6th December 2019, 05:05 PM

TASTE.

Posted by: Sugarplumberella 7th December 2019, 06:48 AM

can i just say that this whole topic is flawless?

Posted by: blacksquare 7th December 2019, 11:22 AM

What a final ten. I'm shocked God Control is so popular — already. No complaints though, it's fantastic.

My choices:

01 Don't Tell Me
02 Ray of Light
03 Like a Prayer
04 Vogue
05 Frozen
06 Papa Don't Preach
07 Get Together
08 Hung Up
09 God Control
10 Sorry

100% perfection~

Posted by: Medellíam 7th December 2019, 12:08 PM

10. Papa Don't Preach // True Blue // 9.750

The top 10 commences with the perfectly conceived 'Papa Don't Preach'. Based on gossip heard outside the recording studio, the song deals with teenage pregnancy and abortion. Madonna assumes the role of an expecting teen at battle with her conscience; she's adamant that she is keeping the baby but is keen not to unsettle the relationship with her father. She pleads to him that she is ready and in love with her partner but still values his support and advice. It's complex and deep, more challenging than her first two albums, and Madonna alters her sound accordingly in effort to evoke sympathy for the character. The song begins with a sharp string chord progression, impressively resembling a Vivaldian style, which succeeds in hooking the listener in anticipation for the subject matter, whilst Madonna explores her lower register to convey the serious nature. She channels the anxiety through a raw, powerful vocal, urgent and desperate, as she attempts to break the news to her father. There's many conflicting thoughts and feelings to be explored and Madonna recognises them all thoughtfully and truthfully. Yet, Madonna still manages to present the perfect pop package, a song easily accessible in a club environment with its dance beat and irresistible pop hooks. At its core, 'Papa Don't Preach' encourages female empowerment and self-expression: this was a girl who wanted to be free to make her own decisions instead of living under her father's principles whilst still maintaining a close bond, a theme that draws parallels with Madonna's own life and compelled her to bring the song to life.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 0/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 2/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 1/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 3/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 1/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 1/47
90s: 3/76
00s: 4/57
10s: 1/62

Posted by: Medellíam 7th December 2019, 12:09 PM

Thank you! Me and Bal are overwhelmed by the response this thread has had, it's been a joy for us to present it and we're thrilled you're enjoying it just as much!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 7th December 2019, 12:39 PM

Papa Don't Preach is a very important song for me. About 5 years ago now, I listened to it on the way to work and it is the exact moment I decided to come out to my mum. I did it later that evening and I have this song as the motivator for that happening. It's a very worthy way of starting what promises to be an almighty top 10!

Posted by: FKA Twiglets 7th December 2019, 07:20 PM

Oooooo was expecting a touch higher for that one but none the less top 10 is still very much deserved

It feels silly to state the obvious but what a classic single it is, those strings have to be one of the best use of strings in any song ever right? I didn't really understood what the lyrics were about when I was a child but they helped me have something to sing at my dad if he was trying to do something dastardly like ask me to tidy my toys away. For me it works on two levels, firstly the sheer catchiness of the production and hooks that made me love it as a child but secondly the deeper meaning behind the lyrical content that made me appreciate it even more later in life.

Posted by: JingleBellJüpes 8th December 2019, 12:40 AM

I am shook at God Control making it into the top 9.

Hoping for a Frozen win but wouldn't be surprised to see Hung Up take it.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 8th December 2019, 01:16 PM

Recency bias is in full force but even with that I think God Control is outdoing ALL expectations!

Posted by: FKA Twiglets 8th December 2019, 01:18 PM

Yes it definitely does have some recency bias... plus the competition for 11s etc in the 10s period wasn't as strong but it's good to see something from her later eras do so well

Posted by: HauntedHaus 9th December 2019, 06:29 PM

09. Sorry // Confessions on a Dancefloor // 9.786

The first of the three big Confessions out is Sorry! The song was the follow-up to the huge, monster smash 'Hung Up' and it continued the vibes of that song, the musical tones, the instrumentals and the dancefloor hitting beats in gorgeous style. The song was one of the first developed for the album and certainly it encapsulates the album's theme perfectly. A song about empowerment and strength in the face of disdain, and it does so with sassy style. The song was a big success across the globe (US excluded - due to radio plays), and went on to help cement the Confessions era as a force to be reckoned with. The music video continued the video of 'Hung Up' and showcased the empowerment message of the song through Madonna cage fighting a bunch of men and roller-skating herself to victory. It's a fun video for a fun song, a stomper and anthem. Here, the song has performed very well racking up a healthy set of high scores and racing into the top 10. The album has two more singles to come, but which of the remaining two will come out on top?


Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 0/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 2/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 1/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 2/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 1/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 1/47
90s: 3/76
00s: 3/57
10s: 1/62

Posted by: FKA Twiglets 9th December 2019, 08:01 PM

That one is a bit too high for my personal tastes but it's a still a great fun track, the perfect follow up to Hung Up. It was definitely a highlight back when it was released but it's been overtaken by Get Together and, especially, Forbidden Love in my affections for the COADF tracks.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 10th December 2019, 05:02 PM

I love 'Sorry' but it does get overshadowed in my affections by the other singles off the album and 'Forbidden Love'. The middle-8 is my favourite part with the different languages. *.*

Posted by: vibe 10th December 2019, 05:51 PM

Don’t explain yourself cos talk is cheap , there’s more important things than hearing you speak ‘ !!

My fave part in Sorry!!

Posted by: Medellíam 11th December 2019, 04:54 PM

What a special memory to have attached to this song!

Strong start to the Top 10 with one of my very favourites of the 80s. As I said in the commentary, 'Papa Don't Preach' is the perfect example of how Madonna can present a complex issue and make it accessible to the widest possible audience. That's the beauty of pop music and it's one of the strongest qualities in Madonna's music.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 11th December 2019, 07:20 PM

All of this!

Posted by: Medellíam 13th December 2019, 01:01 AM

08. God Control // Madame X // 9.808

Representing the best of the 2010s is 'God Control'. Madonna impressed us with her ambitious, global adventure of Madame X back in June this year and it was 'God Control' that gripped fans the most. The song starts with gloomy piano chords, almost mimicking the sound of a death knell, as a disaffected Madonna mumbles through gritted teeth her frustration with the lack of urgency and effort in ending gun violence. Her despair is heightened with the introduction of the Tiffin Children's Choir who give a voice to the innocent lives that are affected by this neglect. It's not clear where the song intends to go, until a sudden burst of synthesised strings takes us by surprise - this literally is our wake-up call! From here on, we're taken on an exhilarating ride through a swirling disco utopia; the dancefloor represents freedom, a concept Madonna has frequently promoted in her music, and this is what is at jeopardy. Even the places we go to escape are no longer safe and this juxtaposition of bright, uplifting music with dark, sombre lyrics highlights this sad and scary reality. The powerful music video that accompanies the song is a disturbing, reversed account of a club shooting. Showing such a graphic incident at the start keeps this image in mind as the video progresses and we see all the signs that have been ignored: the television report, the gunpoint mugging, the big, shining "we need to wake up" sign above the club. It's a challenging watch but is essential in reconnecting us with our shock and anger instead of being desensitised whenever these events are reported.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 0/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 2/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 1/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 2/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 0/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 1/47
90s: 3/76
00s: 3/57
10s: 0/62

Posted by: HauntedHaus 13th December 2019, 07:29 AM

What an INCREDIBLE performance from God Control. It's certainly up there as one of the best she's done this decade but I'm still giving it more time before I can effectively compare it to the "classics" of the top 10. Still, what a result! And what a song, video, moment of her career!

Posted by: FKA Twiglets 13th December 2019, 09:05 AM

Shock of the rate for me! I didn't think anything from the 10s could possibly stand a chance against her older classics but I'm pleased that God Control has managed to do so well. We've talked about it a lot this year already but I may as well reiterate again that it's an absolute joy to see her pushing boundaries again and challenging on relevant issues - it's like she regained her voice!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 13th December 2019, 06:16 PM

Definitely the big shock of the rate!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 14th December 2019, 05:38 PM

07. Don't Tell Me // Music // 9.893

The final song from 'Music' and one that has done exceptionally well against some absolute behemoths of singles, Don't Tell Me shimmies its way well into the top 10. The second single from the era, it combines the force of Mirwais with the song-writing of her brother-in-law, with her own magic to create this country-pop power anthem for the ages. Rejecting control from others, Madonna owns it herself as she sings of being unstoppable and uncontrollable. The song became a huge commercial success around the globe and was totally eaten up by radios. It was Madonna at her most commercial and audience-friendly, while dealing with important issues of femininity and power struggles. The music video played with the country theme and subverted it by having Madonna walking in front of a projector screen turning the Western theme on its head in a playful way. It received 2 nominations at the MTV VMAs and the song was nominated for a Grammy. It has been a regular song on tour for Madonna since its release and it remains one of her more played and well-recognised songs. With vibrant metaphors and images created throughout, it's a simple-yet-effective way of exploring the issues at hand; Madonna wants to live her life, through its struggles, triumphs and loves and wants to do so on her terms. Madonna herself sees it as a romantic song - a romance between two people accepting each other, but also a romance of the self and loving and accepting who you are unashamedly. A song with a punchy attitude and defiant message, don't tell her to stop anytime soon - she is unstoppable.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 0/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 2/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 0/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 2/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 0/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 1/47
90s: 3/76
00s: 2/57
10s: 0/62

Posted by: vibe 15th December 2019, 09:55 AM

I love this track I didn’t expect it to do this well !!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 15th December 2019, 12:05 PM

I also didn't expect such a huge placing for this but I'm not complaining! A brilliant song and one I often return to <3

Posted by: blacksquare 15th December 2019, 12:12 PM

My number one! What a perfect song. The strings, with that beat, will forever wow me. Mirwais at his best.

Posted by: FKA Twiglets 15th December 2019, 01:18 PM

This was the immediate highlight of the Music album for me and nothing has come vaguely close to knocking it from its perch since. In my top 3 of all time from Madonna, I adore the production that Mirwais brings and I loved the departure structurally with that extended outro where the strings become more prominent before it all just collapses inwards on itself, so clever. The video is one of my favourites too, it's not particularly inventive I guess but I love the sections where they are dancing, it really highlights the unusual quirks of the rhythm.

Posted by: Medellíam 17th December 2019, 07:59 PM

06. Get Together // Confession on a Dancefloor // 9.929

Clocking out at #6 is Confessions' third single, 'Get Together'. From the ringing of an alarm clock - if you're listening to the superior non-stop mix - the song rises like the sun on an Ibiza summer morning before diving into a fluid dance rhythm and thumping house beats. Madonna longs for a connection, returning to the theme of hooking up on the dance floor. She questions the concept of "love at first sight" but ultimately doesn't care if it's real: it's what they're feeling in that moment that counts. The music sweats along with you, evoking the euphoric rush and unstoppable feeling that the dance floor produces, only resting for a moment when the music pulls back in the middle 8 before sky-rocketing into a tremendous finale. 'Get Together' manages to simultaneously recall dance gems of the past, like Stardust's 'Music Sounds Better With You' and Madonna's early disco sounds, and set the mold for the future. It continues to sound relevant today, even climbing the ranks in the Madonna fanbase; once considered to interrupt the potentially great flow from 'Hung Up' into 'Sorry' and now even able to surpass them.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 0/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 2/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 0/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 1/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 0/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 1/47
90s: 3/76
00s: 1/57
10s: 0/62

Posted by: vibe 17th December 2019, 08:37 PM

What a tune !! Lyrically it’s typical Madonna !! The video isn’t one of her best but the live version is everything .

Going to work listening to this tomorrow !!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 17th December 2019, 10:20 PM

I genuinely think this has overtaken Hung Up, Sorry and Jump to become my favourite single from Confessions! It's aged stupendously well. A haunting, powerful, evocative track that gets better with every listen. A great performance here to reflect the song's quality!

Posted by: FKA Twiglets 17th December 2019, 10:38 PM

It's definitely my favourite single from Confessions now also, although still only my second favourite track. At the time I felt this sounded more dated than the other tracks as it seemed to jump on a very early 00s trend musically but I'd agree it has aged better than most of the other songs. Surprised but delighted to see it finish so high up

Posted by: HauntedHaus 17th December 2019, 10:57 PM

Forbidden Love our #1 song overall from the album? Shared taste!

Posted by: Sugarplumberella 18th December 2019, 12:18 AM

get together and don't tell me are two ALL-TIME bests from madonna. the former gets a lot of hate (or at least did) but it's so wonderful and sweeping. don't tell me with that twinkling and quite unassuming production gives me goosebumps everytime - it's the little touches and idiosyncrasies from mirwais that really make it.

Posted by: JingleBellJüpes 18th December 2019, 12:54 PM

Get Together lapping Sorry is justice done. It always reminds me of the kind of song you'd hear at a roller rink - which is a place I spent a load of my childhood, randomly enough. Would like to see it jump past Hung Up next!

What's next, I wonder. I'm going to guess...Ray of Light??

Posted by: HauntedHaus 18th December 2019, 09:33 PM

05. Hung Up // Confession on a Dancefloor // 10.00

Is this a bit of a shock? A perfect 10 - deserved. The final song from Confessions, is also the final song from the 00s decade leaving a final 4 of 80s and 90s music only. Hung Up is easily one of M's most recognisable, signature, best-selling, critically celebrated songs and so a top 5 place was inevitable. Following on from the hugely divisive 'American Life' era, Madonna transformed once more to introduce an era that would captivate the world by looking back to decades long gone. Mastered and produced with support from Stuart Price, and sampling ABBA's 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)', the song features a ticking clock to signify the pressure of time being wasted. It has simple lyrical message about being caught up in a relationship and wanting more but it's done in a magical and magestic way all while using 80s dancefloor pop to explode throughout. The song was a global smash; it went on to become the most successful dance song of the decade in the United States and remains one of the biggest songs ever released. The music video, features the now iconic pink leotard and conveys a global message for the power of dance. The entire package of music, video, message and vibe work perfectly like the cogs and mechanic of a clock that ticks by at perfect speed. It sounds both retro, current and futuristic as it escapes the constraints of times and continues to wow audiences across the globe.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 0/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 2/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 0/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 0/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 0/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 1/47
90s: 3/76
00s: 0/57
10s: 0/62

Posted by: FKA Twiglets 18th December 2019, 09:42 PM

It's difficult to argue with this top 5 as being a very good representation of her best work. Hung Up would be my least favourite of the ones left so I'm pleased (if a little surprised!) to see it fall next.

I think of this as her biggest hit ever to be honest, certainly in terms of the UK anyway. It obviously suffered from being released during a low sales era when consumers bought albums instead but it definitely had a bigger impact than any of her previous single I can recall and it's chart run reflected that, especially during a time when songs came and went very quickly.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 18th December 2019, 10:20 PM

It's the song I hear most frequently while out! A stomper and the fact it came after the AL era proved once again that she will always be the ultimate queen of reinvention.

Posted by: vibe 19th December 2019, 01:43 PM

I thought Hung Up would be top 3 !!!

Posted by: JingleBellJüpes 19th December 2019, 02:41 PM

Surprised but pleased this hasnt pipped others to the post to win! A full top 5 of 10s plus feels like it might be a site rate outlier?! Iirc the Little Mix one was peaking out at 9s...

Posted by: HauntedHaus 19th December 2019, 06:15 PM

I think a song in 5th place getting 10.00+ is especially amazing in THIS rate given just how much material we are rating. It's even more impressive!

Posted by: Bristolmans 31st December 2019, 07:58 AM

When is this going to be updated? It's very interesting.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 31st December 2019, 09:41 PM

This tension!

Posted by: dandy* 31st December 2019, 11:47 PM

Good to see other people are following this though - welcome!

Posted by: Medellíam 5th January 2020, 10:26 AM

04. Ray of Light // Ray of Light // 10.38

The most extensive of Madonna's exploration into electronica, 'Ray of Light' hosts a vivid collection of sounds and styles to create a brilliantly bizarre listening experience that's both electrifying and life-affirming. It's an adaption of a 1971 folk song 'Sepheryn' and Madonna builds upon the lyrics to express a state of wonderment at the world and the realisation of one's place within it. The soft electric guitar riff begins like the dawn of day and the new possibilities that come with it, before bursting into a frantic techno melody that reflects Madonna's spiritual awakening. William Orbit's peculiar bleeps, whirs and alarms are scattered across the rippling production, constantly keeping the listener's ears twitching in attempt to absorb all the sounds, whilst Madonna confidently soars to the top of her register, boasting the strength and flexibility of her recently trained vocal. The two artists compliment and elevate each other, giddy on the adrenaline they evoke; a rush that in turn takes over the listener. 'Ray of Light' celebrates life and the hope and opportunity it brings, which is conveyed in the accompanying music video; a fast-forward motion view of everyday life and the technological advances being made, with clips of Madonna dancing intertwining throughout the chaos. With this single, Madonna revitalised her reputation as pop's number one trendsetter and cemented her relevance to a whole new generation.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 0/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 1/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 0/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 0/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 0/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 1/47
90s: 2/76
00s: 0/57
10s: 0/62

Posted by: dandy* 5th January 2020, 01:33 PM

A shame it couldn't quite sneak top 3 but 4th is still a great result for this. Definitely one of my absolute favourites from her and my stand out on the album too. One of those moments that makes you stand back in awe when you first hear it, it sounded like no other pop song to me back in 1998 and was such a bold choice to embrace techno so fully. Boy did it work out though

Posted by: HauntedHaus 5th January 2020, 09:18 PM

What a fantastic song! I've still yet to hear song quite like it. It's one of the most uplifting songs ever and yet it works perfectly in the era it is from which is largely about loss and grief. I absolutely love it and the video - sends me back to the time it was released and my sheer adoration of her despite not really knowing much about her then!

Posted by: Jüpiter👑 6th January 2020, 03:20 AM

It was my absolute favourite Madonna track from that era before I realised Frozen was on the same album. Of these, it'd be my #2 of what's left - although obv I recognise the impakt of the other two big hitters.

Posted by: vibe 6th January 2020, 12:12 PM

Anyone see Jane McDonald crucifying ROL?

Posted by: HauntedHaus 6th January 2020, 01:28 PM

No but that sounds horrifying

Posted by: blacksquare 6th January 2020, 07:18 PM

It's hard to imagine something like 'Ray of Light' being the massive success it was — what a song. I wish I was an age that could have enjoyed it at the time.

I'm not sure how the general public would react to a song like that from a mainstream (still charting) popstar now.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 6th January 2020, 07:40 PM

TOP 3 INCOMING.

Like A Prayer
Frozen
Vogue

Who wins... YOU (have) DECIDE(d) !!

Posted by: dandy* 6th January 2020, 07:45 PM

Exciting!

I can see a case for any of them winning, I like that all 3 represent very different styles from one another.

Posted by: HauntedHaus 6th January 2020, 10:05 PM

03. Frozen // Ray of Light // 10.154

As the orchestral strings open the song, the beating drum awaits its crescendo and Madonna's earthly vocals set in, Frozen draws the listener in. It builds gradually, like a snowflake making its way down to earth, occassionally being drawn out of flow by the wind. When it hits, the chorus explodes in a haunting, mesmerising cacophony of sounds - they are at times other-worldly, sometimes natural and at others ghostly. The song is about unlocking the cold, frozen heart of a lover and the song itself gives this gravitas as it continually unlocks new sounds and images as it slowly and magically progresses. The lead single to what is now commonly known as Madonna's central masterpiece, 'Frozen' is a standout moment of her career. It features the dream team of Madonna, Leonard and Orbit and together they create a song for the ages. A cinematic masterpiece of a song it became a global phenomenon. Her first single to debut atop the UK chart, and topping charts across the globe, it introduced what was to become a game-changing era of music for Madonna. The music video similarly changed the game; in it Madonna is a witch-like queen transforming into animals and commanding control of the barren world around her. A stunning piece of music that makes waves even today. Lyrically it conveys the power of love in unlocking even the darkest and gloomiest of moods and it is through this power that Madonna is able to transform so readily and majestically. The rest of the album that followed continued to explore the themes of loss, love, loneliness, heartbreak, identity and new-life, but this song does all of that on its own effortlessly and beautifully. It is multi-layered in meanings and offers something different for every listener at every moment in their life. A shape-shifting song, much like the video it conveys and one that truly has stood the test of time and then some. A true moment of her career and very worthy top 3 placing in this countdown.

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 0/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 0/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 0/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 0/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 0/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 1/47
90s: 1/76
00s: 0/57
10s: 0/62

Posted by: HauntedHaus 6th January 2020, 10:06 PM

I wanted this at #1 in the end. But I can't deny that score. A true m o m e n t .

Posted by: Jüpiter👑 7th January 2020, 03:10 AM

Nooo Frozen deserved to win!

Posted by: vibe 7th January 2020, 01:48 PM

I cant wait to see this on the tour , i have heard it is a highlight!!

Posted by: Medellíam 8th January 2020, 09:31 PM

Personal comments catch up:

'Sorry' is right up there as one of my favourite Madonna singles - for a while, it was even rivaling 'Hung Up' to be my absolute favourite! The sequence of the opening synths, the multi-language whispers and the ascending "heard it all before" hook just gives me thrills and gets me pumped up for the full song ahead. It's just as infectious as 'Hung Up' and should be just as big; I feel like most people would remember this song if it was played but I wish it was given much more attention.

Really impressed that 'God Control' made the Top 10! True, the fact the 2010s doesn't offer as many highlights as the other decades gives it an advantage, but there's no denying it is indeed right up there with one of her best. Much like 'Ghosttown' has proven, I think it'll remain as fondly regarded a couple of years down the line. I've spoken a lot about Madonna's ability to talk about important issues in the guise of upbeat pop music but it's taken to a whole new level here. I knew from the pre-release reviews that this would be a highlight, but nothing could quite prepare me for the moment those synthesised strings came in! Then you've got this relentless disco music and one hook after another - it's so trippy and euphoric but also thought-provoking at the time, like you get both in equal doses without one overpowering the other. I didn't think Madonna still had it in her to create a song as unique and bonkers as this but shame on me for doubting her!

'Don't Tell Me' is a song I've always liked but it's continued to get better with age. The jolty guitar is so memorable and became a signature quality of Mirwais. Contrast that with those lush strings, particularly towards the end of the track, and you have a really interesting, quirky production that comes together so well. I think it may have been you, Dandy, that pointed out the similarities between how 'Don't Tell Me' draws to a close and Miley Cyrus' 'Slide Away', which gave me a new lease of love for both tracks.

There seems to have been a collective rise in interest for 'Get Together' among the fanbase and I too have been part of that. I've come to realise it's quite a unique song in Madonna's discography and even on Confessions itself - it has the same sort of composition format that the other songs on the album follow, but it's more dance-leaning than it is dance-pop. I can definitely note the similarities with Startdust's 'Music Sounds Better With You' and other French house tracks like Daft Punk's 'One More Time'. One of my friends is a DJ and he considers this his favourite Madonna track so it does seem to slot into the dance world very well.

'Hung Up' remains my favourite Madonna track but I can't say I'm disheartened at it placing at #5 considering the average and I love the other four tracks, all of which are probably in my personal Top 10. This is the song that I grew up with and has been a constant source of instant and relentless euphoria. One of the most effective uses of a sample - one that was already a memorable piece in 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' but it sounds so much more polished and vibrant here. Some say the sample makes the song which I guess is true to a large extent, however there's plenty of other interesting components and I'm sure Stuart Price would have been able to create an original production equally as joyous and infectious if required. A song I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing.

Much like 'Sorry', 'Ray of Light' has at times provided tough competition for 'Hung Up' as my favourite Madonna song. I have to say, it has the most interesting and thrilling productions I have ever heard, period. So much to take in, such an extraordinary listening experience and makes me want to go completely bonkers. It somehow works so well within the context of the album, despite being surrounded by much more mellow tracks.

'Frozen' is probably Madonna's most radical and daring reinvention. Those strings pack a huge emotional punch, dripping in melancholy but also evoking something slightly sinister. Her vocal is one of her strongest performances, so delicate and warm against the spine-tingling production. It's adored by the fans but I'd love to see this more recognised by the general public (it may be one of her biggest hits but doesn't have the same cultural impact as 'Like a Virgin', 'Like a Prayer' or 'Vogue'.

Posted by: Medellíam 8th January 2020, 09:43 PM

Same here! Having this blaring in the clubs with the flashing lights and bodies pumping must have been incredible, I so wish I could hear it on a night out.

It really is a unique song. I'd love to hear anything like this in the charts, I can't remember anything that had this much energy and so much going on in its production.

My dad suggested one time that Madonna sings "Anna Friel" in the chorus and now that's all I think about when I hear it lol.


There's only one acceptable cover of 'Ray of Light':

Posted by: HauntedHaus 9th January 2020, 07:30 AM

The Frozen video is just perfection on a rewatch. In fact the entire top 3 has some of the best music videos ever released? We have to stan!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 9th January 2020, 07:31 AM

Also incredibly, this thread is nominated in the Buzzjack Awards this year: http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=229553

Posted by: dandy* 11th January 2020, 09:00 PM

Vote for it people, vote for it!

And reveal the top 2, I'm ready!

Posted by: Medellíam 11th January 2020, 09:03 PM

Top 2 incoming!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 11th January 2020, 09:07 PM

02. Vogue // I'm Breathless // 10.231

Strike a pose and let's get to it! Taking the silver medal is 'Vogue', one of the most influential, widely recognised songs to be ingrained into pop culture. A fusion of music, fashion, performance and attitude. A song that perfectly defines Madonna, what she represents and the message she channels through her music. The song employs a minute-long introduction, so self-assured in its status, as a series of clicks progress along a synthline and drum beats. Madonna commands us to pose and her audience unanimously strike a bold hand gesture. What follows is an uplifting message of striving for happiness, to be free to express yourself and be enthralled by the intimacy and euphoria of the music. To articulate this theme of escapism, Madonna takes influence from the underground. 'Voguing' is a highly stylised dance that evolved from the Harlem ballroom scene and was popular in gay clubs. Its dramatic, angular movement reflects the glamorous, bold manner of style icons, bringing confidence and flare to the dance floor, and Madonna was sure to showcase this in the immaculately choreographed music video. 'Vogue' can also be credited for bringing house music to the US mainstream, setting the trend for commercial dance music throughout the decade. Of course, the pinnacle of this song is the middle-8 rap in which Madonna rolls off a list of Hollywood icons - so inspired and fitting with the tone of the song. As a complete package, this slick, stylish piece is perhaps Madonna's finest moment. It celebrates the past and future, music and fashion, love and life and cemented Madonna's place in pop history.

written by Medellíam

Posted by: HauntedHaus 11th January 2020, 09:07 PM

01. Like A Prayer // Like A Prayer // 10.313

Was there any doubt? Her signature song and (as often cited) one of the greatest songs of all time for a multitude of reasons. The story behind the song is instantly complex: it tells of a young girl in love with God, and it is He who offers her the only affection in her life. But away from that, it represents Madonna at one of the most complex times in her life. She turned 30, had so much to say, wanted to revolutionise the musical landscape and transform the audience she appealed to. She did that with the help of Patrick Leonard and 3 hours worth of songwriting, giving birth to what is now, her best ever song for many people. Deeper in the song there are sexual innuendo aplenty and the juxtaposition of religion and sex sparked controversy for many, but at its heart, the song is one of love - a desperate, all-empowering love that comes from something beyond the human experience.

The recording process for the song was complicated and full of disagreements and drama. But in the end, Madonna got her way and enlisted the help of a choir to help elevate the song to new heights. The opening of the song introduces it as some sort of heavy rock song, but this is almost immediately stripped back in place of an organ, a choir and Madonna's soaring vocals. The song is passionate and rousing and an altogether illuminating listen. The voices merge perfectly, the instrumentation crashes and bangs and the lyrics speak out louder than most pop songs can even attempt. The song received huge critical and commercial acclaim. It is often cited as a highlight of pop music and this was reflected in the charts as it took its place on top of the US, UK and countless other charts. It has gone on to become one of the biggest singles of all time, and rightfully so.

Then came the music video, which in itself is a masterpiece. Directed by Mary Lambert, the hugely controversial video brought race issues to the forefront of the MTV audience. It shows a black man being wrongly accused of a crime by the police and a woman who sees the events unfold but says nothing. Later, images of the man reappear in holy ways and Madonna lusts after him all while setting ablaze the religion and conformity that has plagued her. It is a deeply powerful story of guilt, remorse and lust and beautifully and provocatively tells a haunting story that coincides with the grandeur of the song itself. The song went on to cause heaps of controversy around the world and for countless groups of people, while the video has been hailed as the "Most Groundbreaking Music Video of All Time" amongst other accolades. It continues to be analysed and dissected, offering new generations light on controversial issues of the time (and present day). A masterpiece of a video because it breaks all boundaries and refuses to conform, just like the song itself.

It has received a momentous score of 10.313, racking up countless top scores and has been hailed as the #1 Madonna song - out of all songs ever recorded by the artist. Is it a worthy winner? Like A Prayer also means that the 80s have taken the crown and so too has the album of the same name. What are your thoughts on the top 2, the winner, the countdown as a whole? Let us know!

Madonna: 0/8
Like A Virgin: 0/9
True Blue: 0/9
Like A Prayer: 1/11
Other (80s): 0/10
I'm Breathless: 1/12
Erotica: 0/14
Bedtime Stories: 0/11
Evita: 0/13
Ray of Light: 0/14
Other (90s): 0/12
Music: 0/13
American Life: 0/11
Confessions On A Dancefloor: 0/15
Hard Candy: 0/13
Other (00s): 0/5
MDNA: 0/16
Rebel Heart: 0/25
Madame X: 0/18
Other (10s): 0/3

80s: 1/47
90s: 0/76
00s: 0/57
10s: 0/62

Posted by: dandy* 11th January 2020, 11:51 PM

Wonderful top 2 and indeed the same as my top 2 from my countdown a couple of years ago. I can only repeat what I said back then, Vogue is the most Madonna Madonna track and captures everything about her so perfectly into one wonderfully stylish track... but Like a Prayer is just a moment of euphoric joy that it simply cannot be denied and I challenge anyone not to find themselves grin as they listen to the choir, it's one of the most uplifting songs ever recorded and for that I simply love it.

Posted by: vibe 12th January 2020, 08:00 AM

Can’t argue with the top 3

Like A Prayer and Vogue truly iconic !! These songs will still be played in thousands of years !!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 12th January 2020, 02:54 PM

I also cannot argue with the top 2. While it wouldn't be my personal top 2, it most certainly is her top 2 with the general public I think. Two undeniably gigantic, game-changing moments of pop. Those score are phenomenal too - I don't think there were ANY naysayers for either?!

Posted by: HauntedHaus 12th January 2020, 02:54 PM

Also, as a thank you for taking part, following and appreciating the thread, here's a gift for you all: http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=229743

Posted by: Jordan Lee 12th January 2020, 03:48 PM

Yessss!!!

The perfect winner. My personal favourite of hers. And a track that many of my friends who aren’t exactly stans adore as well.

It really is one of those iconic tracks in every way. I wish I was born when it was initially released so I could’ve seen the reaction to it and all the controversy first hand. I just think this is her at her absolute best genius ahead of its time and wow.

With Vogue I’ve never loved it yet I can see why it’s loved. It’s not anywhere near the top of my favourite Madonna tracks. But it’s done so much for the lgbt community and the video and dance routine are definitely iconic. It’s probably the song of hers I hear the most when I’m on nights out too so it’s definitely very popular.


Frozen however I’m so happy come third. It’s really different sounding for Madonna but vocally it’s one of her very best performances and the video is like a work of art so stunning. I remember reading that the video was one of the most difficult ones she’s filmed but it was well worth it for how well it looks on screen. I think Frozen is quite underrated in many ways with the GP too but with stans I think they love it.


I’d put Hung Up where Vogue is personally but that’s a great top 3 and the winner is definitely the right one!

Posted by: vibe 12th January 2020, 09:03 PM

Could you list the full results ?

Posted by: HauntedHaus 12th January 2020, 09:45 PM

Yep will do so when I next get onto my laptop

Posted by: dandy* 17th January 2020, 07:49 PM

I know you guys already know this but I really would just like to say again that this has been my favourite thread on Buzzjack of the whole year, it's been so enjoyable and I've loved simply reading your enthusiasm towards Madonna and her artistry - especially as it comes from a different angle and experience from my own. Thank you both for all your work on this, it truly has been appreciated xx

Posted by: Medellíam 17th January 2020, 08:46 PM

Aww Dandy thank you once again! We've enjoyed compiling it just as much as you've enjoyed reading. I totally agree that it's great to see things from other people's perspective and read their experiences - it helps re-inform your own opinion and other people's passion is always so infectious!

Posted by: HausofKubrick 17th January 2020, 09:31 PM

Posted by: Jüpiter👑 19th January 2020, 10:12 AM

Fabulous thread guys, you should all be working as professional reviewers for $

Posted by: blacksquare 21st January 2020, 01:19 PM

This is exactly how I feel.

Unfortunately, I haven't been as engaged with this thread as I would have liked, but reading it back has been such an enjoyable experience. So much attention to detail and thought behind everything you've written — really impressive.



Exactly. I would happily read you review anything.

Posted by: HausofKubrick 30th January 2020, 06:57 AM

This rate has been named the 3rd best thread on Buzzjack of 2019!

http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=230146&view=findpost&p=6429403