Which leaves us with a 'Crazy for You' vs. 'You'll See' battle - a worthy finale?

Bronze place goes to Haus' well-established favourite 'Rain'. It's perhaps the most surprising moment on the album as it moves away from the blatant themes of passionate love and fantasies (if you ignore that proposed extended metaphor) that are key to the majority of the songs on the album and presents a purified, softer Madonna. The rain imagery is a metaphor of starting a clean slate, washing away the sorrows of the past and learning to love again; similar to 'Justify My Love', it teaches to open up to your lover, share one another's feelings and looking to each other for support and guidance. The song allows us to focus on the beauty and belief in Madonna's words, enhanced by the graceful harmonies and soothing melody, only once interrupted by the explosion of production representing a thunder clap just before the middle 8 where Madonna goes on to announce the sun is here; a sign that everything is now fixed.

:wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:

 

I hope it wasn't too close because Jay didn't rate and I know this is a firm favourite for him too :(

 

It's not my ideal top 2 (that would have been 1. Rain 2. Oh Father) but it's still a solid one. 'Crazy For You' to win out of what is left...

Can't argue with the two songs left .

 

You'll see will win but CFY is better .

Wonderful top 3. :wub:

 

Backing 'You'll See' to win but won't mind if 'Crazy For You' gets it.

02 // Crazy for You // 94.5 pts.
~ Can't you feel the weight of my stare? ~



Highest Points: 11 (vibe, SamJudd, Joe.), 10 (Qween, Aaliyah4Eva)
Lowest Points: 7.5 (Nick F1), 8 (Regina, HausofKubrick)

Regardless of personal opinion, I think this is quite an apt Top 2. In runners-up place is the first, original Madonna ballad, 'Crazy for You'. It was originally released in amongst the Like a Virgin era as part of the soundtrack to Vision Quest, where it came with 1k of being her first #1 single in the UK, and met a similar fate upon its re-release in 1992 where it placed second to...'Do the Bartman'. :manson: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Still, it set the mould for her future ballads: an atmospheric intro; deep, passionate vocals; and a big, bold chorus. It's the epitome of a love song that literally initiates a "swaying room as the music starts".

01 // You'll See // 97 pts.
~ I know I'll survive, I know I'll stay alive ~



Highest Points: 11 (Qween, Aaliyah4Eva, Nick F1), 10 (Regina, vibe, liamk97, SamJudd, mr_pmt)
Lowest Points: 7 (Joe., HausofKubrick)

From her first ballad to the ballad that commenced and represents the purpose of this album - 'You'll See' is the very worthy winner, with the majority of voters scoring this a 10 or 11. The production is again one of the best, with the combination of piano, Spanish guitar, drums and strings create a haunting, mysterious, even eerie atmosphere that leaves you unsure of where the song will take you, but you just know it'll be good. The power in her voice, acquired by her training for Evita, alongside her previously attained ability to inject emotion vocally allows the lyrics to have such overwhelming effect that probably wouldn't be able to be recreated by more widely-regarded great singers. It also helps that there is a true belief and passion in her words, for this is a song about her critics who shunned her Erotica and Sex work without any attempt to understand it, but she insists that she's learnt how to survive and knows it's important to carry on doing what you're doing. It's the most beautiful "fuck you" I've ever heard.

Definitely a worthy top 2

 

Crazy For You is the best song ever !!!

Can't argue with that winner, fantastic song! :wub:

Don't even remember voting in this but Crazy For You would have been the preferred winner for me.

 

Take a Bow WAY too low!

 

Quite Certain The Power of Goodbye would have slayed if it existed in time for Something to Remember.

Oops at being the lowest scorer for both of those! I actually really really like them both but in COMPARISON to some of the other ballads I had to downgrade my scores a bit. I would've wanted CFY to win of the final two but oh well ~