'Frozen' to me is like what 'Confide in Me' is to Kylie - a song that is totally different to anything you'd expect from them and is fondly looked back on for being one of a kind and so out of one another's comfort zones. Along with the fact both are a lengthy (as far as pop songs go) 6 minutes, were both anticipated comebacks, are both dark and moody and rely on orchestral instruments etc.

 

Also, in regards to 'Hung Up', I get what people mean about the sample making the song, but I think the song could have the potential to be just as good without it and some original production put in, given the sublime effort put into the rest of its parent album. Even though I had loved and adored the likes of 'Ray of Light' and 'Music', I think 'Hung Up' is responsible for making me a fan of Madonna rather than just a popstar I liked for making good music. There really is something so timeless about it despite the sample and disco influence and it just makes me so happy every time I hear it. I mean, it's fair to say that nostalgia does work to the song's advantage and is why I love it quite so much, but it's just so right up my street that it would probably still be one of my very favourites. There's a very good chance it is my favourite song of all time, as far as party bangers are concerned (can't really compare songs that are of a different ilk and make me feel different things).

What a song <3

 

Huge shoutout to the ~10+ minute Lucky Star / Hung Up mash-up at the 'Confessions Tour' too :wub:

YES! That's one of my favourite ever tour moments; love how she engages with the crowd as well as the song itself sounding above and beyond. :heart:

The moment in Lucky Star where the vocals drops out and the THROBBING Hung Up beat starts to creep in is just orgasmic, as is the extended build up as she struts down the catwalk in the middle of Hung Up. If any single image/performance summed up quite WHY she is the queen of pop it's that. It's just artful staging, performance, everything.

Yes that strutting is everything! Totally agree about the Queen of Pop comment - every time I watch this performance, I always feel it proves why she is considered one of the touring greats. Even though touring is understandably exhausting, I think Madonna feels most comfortable as an artist when she's on stage because it is the ultimate platform to broadcast your art the way you want and you can physically see the response from those who treasure the music dearest. This 'Hung Up' performance just captures that perfectly.

Surprised but pleased to see Frozen bow out in third. I do like it but I prefer both of the others left to come, Frozen has lost some of its charm over the years for me and sometimes I think it's actually kind of boring now, where as Ray Of Light has just continued to grow in my affections.

The top 2 will be revealed SOON. 'Ray of Light' was released 18 years ago today.. can it climb to #1 on its 18th birthday or will 'Like A Prayer' reclaim its victory from the rate a few years back? ;o

I'm absolutely thrilled 'Ray of Light' is so well received. Even though it reached the Top 10 last time, to see it end up in the Top 2, above the giants of 'Vogue' and 'Hung Up', is such a surprise but so well deserved too. The layers of production is astonishing and it's such a belter. There's no way this could ever be recreated and to be honest I wouldn't want that - there's a reason it's the only one of its kind on the album.

Faster than the speeding light she's flying

 

 

02. Ray of Light // Ray of Light // 9.48

 

(6: Mango // 11: 🌚🌚🌚, Chapman, Liamk97, 10: Vibe, Liam, SamJudd, River Lea, dandy*, ♦ ketalina ♦, Kylie Jackson, harryflynn, mr_pmt, Alejandjob, Ultraviolence, 360Jupiter, Jark)

 

The second single released from the album of same name Ray of Light takes a very respectable silver medal here. The song is very different to the lead single of the album and was a huge commercial success. A song about freedom and letting free, it features a host of euphoric sounds and sound effect all merged together fluidly with the high pitched, shrieking beauty of Madonna's soaring vocals. It climaxes in several places, most notably in the final minute or so and is a totally feel-good, joyous song on an album that is for the most part sombre and mundane. The song won two Grammys and the awards poured in too for the music video. Directed by Jonas Åkerlund, it swept up at the MTV VMAs and the Grammys and cemented the song as an important visual as well as musical project for M. Originally recorded as a 10 minute behemoth, it was ultimately cut down but remains a humongous experience whenever you listen to it. It's done very well here - not amassing a huge number of 11s but only getting one score as low as 6! A worthy top 2 placing?

 

Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone

 

 

01. Like A Prayer // Like A Prayer // 9.74

 

(6: ♦ ketalina ♦ // 11: Alejandjob, Ultraviolence, Jay, princess_lotti, harryflynn, Chapman, 10: Liamk97, Jark, Griff, Qween, bjork, Kylie Jackson, notfurlong, Mango, 🌚🌚🌚, dandy*, SamJudd, Liam

 

Vibe, Liam, SamJudd, River Lea, dandy*,, Kylie Jackson, harryflynn, mr_pmt, Alejandjob, Ultraviolence, 360Jupiter, Jark)

 

Was there ever any other contender? The winner by some distance is Like A Prayer, the otherwordly, universally adored power ballad from the album of the same name. As Madonna took more creative control over her music and wanted to cater for her older audience, I don't think anyone could've imagined the sort of impact that this song would have. To talk about it as a commercial success is an understatement: it topped the charts globally. To label it a critical success is again an understatement: it amassed widespread appreciation and appeal from all circles. In its most basic terms, the song is a pop-rock-gospel one with lofty vocals and an undeniably catchy chorus. But much moreso than that, the song is a statement of religion, sexuality, expression and identity. It's dark and brooding, but also uplifting and full of hope. It's sexually charged but also reserved and intellectual. It's a bonafide pop classic and perhaps the most instantly recognisable moment of Madonna's illustrious career.

 

But not relying on the music alone, Madonna also embarked on her most ambitious video project. Condemned by religious groups and going down as one of the most controversial music videos released, it's a cilling indictment into religion and race whilst also offering a morbid tale of injustice and intolerance. A very important music video, much like the song, it's brilliantly executed and almost perfectly packaged. With the huge video and the intensely powerful song, it's pretty obvious why this has once again been named as Buzzjack's #1 Madonna song. Breathtaking and ethereal, she takes you there <3

 

Great winner :D

The winner was, once again, never in doubt. I wouldn't rank it anything like that high but it's impossible to argue that it's anything other than fully deserved.

The best possible winner. I will never tire of that song, quite possibly the best pop song ever?

A win for 'Like a Prayer' proves that obvious by no means equates of the unworthy. It has that ability to hold such a strong message and concept within accessible, straightforward lyrics, with a melody that unites the audience, regardless of demographic, and fills them with such ecstasy and belonging. The whole package has everything and more, probably the key moment that Madonna recognised that there was to single than the song itself and is responsible for creating the foundations for 'Vogue', Erotica, American Life, 'Hung Up' and many other beloved Madonna moments.

 

As for 'Ray of Light', that is similarly a song that could be loved by literally anyone. For me, this is a song MADE for the stage: so anthemic, so many layers of production (probably the peak of Orbit's career to me), incredible vocals, so fast paced - all ingredients to send you buzzing and I think I'd explode if I got the chance to see her perform this live or heard those initial chords in a club. I cannot praise this enough and I'm so pleased it has got this high level of recognition.

 

Thanks very much to everyone who commented - it's down to you that the Madonna AF was finally placed at #1 on the AF chart and has put us at ~100+ posts for weeks despite the level of activity in other AFs that have the benefit of new music to talk about. Thanks also Bal and Joe for your consistently high efforts throughout; your commentaries particularly have been wonderful to read!

Great thread

 

Like A prayer usually wins these competitions. It has universal love especially from casual fans.

Ray of light finishing second is a wonderful thing.

 

I really would like to see the turnout of this thread without Griffs input.

I really would like to see the turnout of this thread without Griffs input.

I'm going to actually compile the results without his included when I'm free during next week. I'll share here :P

Nice one

Thanks

GRIFF-LESS results are incoming :o

GRIFF-LESS results are incoming :o

 

 

Ohhhh!

In a full post by post alternate countdown I hope? :D

In a full post by post alternate countdown I hope? :D

! :lol:

 

Well I do like to MILK things for all they're worth, so maybe :king: