The album Bedtime Stories is starting to mean to me what American Life does to Regina and Erotica does to John! The singles bar title track, 'Inside of Me', 'Forbidden Love' and 'Love Tried to Welcome Me' are divine. To think it was once my least favourite album from her!!

It's my second least favourite album I think but mainly because I don't return to it much. The debut is down there too but that has 'Borderline' which is one of my favourite songs so I have more reason to listen back and then 'Hard Candy' is probably bottom but it has 'Devil Wouldn't Recognise You'. Those are my bottom 3 in some order but i do switch BS and HC around depending on my mood. I will try and give BS more time, I feel I could really like it if I did so we'll see.

I believe that you can rescue me

 

 

51. Rescue Me 6.95

52. True Blue 6.948

53. Lucky Star 6.89

54. Don't Cry For Me Argentina 6.87

55. Masterpiece 6.83

 

Firstly, we have Buzzjack's most popular single from the MDNA album, 'Masterpiece', a song which I think very few will go as far as to say they actively dislike, but while it's a nice song, it's far from Madonna's most memorable ballad. But it's clear this wasn't Madonna's best era, as nothing manages the top 50 single-wise, oops. This was received reasonably well critically in comparison to the others off of MDNA, it didn't do very much worldwide, but it did get to #68 in the UK (probably down to Radio 2 support) in a pre-streaming time.

 

Next we have the most known song from Evita, 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina,', where Eva Perón famously sings down to the people of Argentina from the balcony of Casa Rosada. :heart: This is an emotional power ballad, that many 90s critics felt Madonna couldn't quite pull off, when it had been taken on by so many musical greats over the years, but I always felt she held her own with the studio version. I don't know how much of a radio hit this was in the day, but I remember it getting huge circulation the music channels (back in an age where people actually watched music videos on TV) - and it was a hit, it went to #3 in the UK, spending 5 weeks in the top 10.

 

Next we have Madonna's second ever single, after bursting onto the scene with 'Holiday,' she pulled out 'Lucky Star', which of course is a very infectious slice of the 80s that, I, personally would have had this within the top 50. I much prefer it to 'Holiday', and the video showcases one of Madonna's many iconic looks. This may not be within Madonna's biggest hits of the 80s, but it had a respectable chart run, top 5 in the US, and top 15 in the UK.

 

How some of you dished out -1s and 0s for 'True Blue', I will never understand. The title track of her 3rd album, which Madonna doesn't think to fondly on anymore (mostly because it was written about her ex husband, Sean Penn), is the first of Madonna's 13 UK #1s to fall out of the rate. It may not quite match up to the other amazing singles off the True Blue album, but it is still a joyous love song which received big love from myself, SamJudd, Jay, Mango, Lotti, Toby, UV among others.

 

Next we have the second single off the 30+ million selling compilation Immaculate Collection (3rd if you include re-releases), 'Rescue Me', which just misses out on a place within the top 50! Madonna was on top form at the time of this release, with the album flying off shelves, so this managed #3, probably partly on hype. However, compared to others from this time, the single hasn't sold much since it's first few weeks on the chart, possibly because it wasn't quite up to single standard for her. It's still a pretty solid track in which I particularly enjoy Madonna's vocal tone on, one of the earlier tracks where she showcases her lower range. I'd have been nice to have seen Madonna perform this at least once. Oh well.

 

How are Don't Cry For Me Argentina and True Blue so low? :( :(

Masterpiece is beautiful but would have it around there, maybe a few places higher! True Blue is a great pop song. And don't cry for me Argentina is definitely the highlight of Evita, absolutely stunning and Madonna does it so much justice :heart:

The fact most of MDNA is way off the mark of being up to standard definitely works in the favour of 'Masterpiece', but I still think it is a lovely song regardless. Was quite surprised to learn it had some vocal haters! Should certainly have been a single, but preferably in late 2011 before the MDNA era had properly kick-started (with 'I'm Addicted' as lead single).

 

I've not heard the other versions of 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' (I'm aware one version is a million seller) but I think Madonna definitely delivers the song the way I feel it was designed to do. The production makes it feel really serious yet poignant at the same time and the way Madonna sings makes me imagine she's addressing an audience, even without the video for guidance. Still hugely popular with the music channels to this date.

 

'Lucky Star' is just good as far as I'm concerned, not quite as solid as the other singles from her debut. I was sure a lot of people regarded it as one of her career highlights so I'm pleased it's not been placed much higher than it deservers. 'True Blue' is similarly not quite as strong as the rest of the singles from the parent album but still an easy 9/10 for me. It's corny as hell but so so sweet and that melody is gorgeous. Plus Madonna looks like Pat Butcher in the video. :heehee:

 

'Rescue Me' wasn't ever one I took notice of until it just suddenly hit me! Adore the soaring vocals in the chorus and the aggressive "hey hey" towards the end. It's like 'Justify My Love' meets 'Vogue' or 'Deeper and Deeper' with a little bit of 'Like a Prayer' chucked in for good measure.

 

It's my second least favourite album I think but mainly because I don't return to it much. The debut is down there too but that has 'Borderline' which is one of my favourite songs so I have more reason to listen back and then 'Hard Candy' is probably bottom but it has 'Devil Wouldn't Recognise You'. Those are my bottom 3 in some order but i do switch BS and HC around depending on my mood. I will try and give BS more time, I feel I could really like it if I did so we'll see.

I can just remember the album suddenly clicking with me in January 2015 after never really regarding it and close to never listening to it. The R&B suits her lower-range vocals so well and I feel it is a good example of Madonna edging towards trend-chasing territory but totally making the sound her own, which the likes of Hard Candy and MDNA largely failed to do. I feel it suits your tastes so hopefully it will grow on you if you revisit it!

 

In terms of her studio albums, all I know is Confessions and Ray of Light make up the Top 2 and MDNA is last, the rest is forever changing! :lol:

Oh God Rescue Me is one of my absolute favourite forgotten Madge singles (I say that knowing it's on TIC, but it's still pretty much forgotten thanks to it's position on the album). Her vocals are quite awful obviously but also FABULOUS, especially the super throaty GROWLING at the end.

her tired as f*** post Blond Ambition voice was so good.

'bedtime stories' so low :( and 'love profusion' is AMAZING as well.

Why is she spanking a chihuahua in the Human Nature video? Beastiality may be going a bit too far Madge.

'Rescue Me' is one I've come to appreciate more recently.

Masterpiece = The only decent single from the MDNA era, shame it got lost in the shuffle and ended up flopping like all the others did. I do agree with 'I'm Addicted' being the lead single, but don't think that this should have been before that though. However though it is a beautiful song, that could have been a hit if the run of singles from MDNA went = I'm Addicted, Gang Bang, Masterpiece, I Don't Give A...

 

Don't Cry For Me Argentina = I have heard other versions of this, and while some do have better vocals, Madonna still pulls it off brilliantly, and was a standout moment on her 'Evita' movie. It may not be one of my faves from her, it's still a good song.

 

Lucky Star = Always liked this one, and thought it would have found more love on here, but oh well and considering how iconic it was, it's still not a big seller. Anyway great early 80's Madonna at her best.

 

True Blue = This is way too low WTF... should be in the top 40 at least, I still love this song to this day, and even prefer it to 'Live To Tell' if I'm honest, and taken from such a fine and wonderful album that will always be my fave from her.

 

Rescue Me = Far too high, decent song and everything, but why has this beaten the likes of "TB", "LS" & "DCFMA". I wouldn't consider this to be one of her best at all, and pretty forgettable altogether. It's just a fun pop song, nothing more.

Oops at MDNA out of the running already. What a shocking performance :/ the album is a lot of fun too but the singles were not chosen correctly so it's right that it's out I suppose.

 

'I'm Addicted' would certainly still be in the running here if it was a single. :rolleyes:

True Blue way too low!!! :cry:

Crying blood at these results

Rescue Me out already? :(

 

I know it's not very well remembered but I really love it, by far my favourite to have fallen so far.

Masterpiece and Don't Cry For Me Argentina are two of the best Balladonna songs though -_-

True Blue = This is way too low WTF... should be in the top 40 at least, I still love this song to this day, and even prefer it to 'Live To Tell' if I'm honest, and taken from such a fine and wonderful album that will always be my fave from her.

 

 

I think I still prefer Live to Tell, but I agree about the wonderful album, the singles were chosen perfectly for this era and True Blue IS too low! It was #1 for a reason!

'True Blue' honestly aggravates me. :(

American Life is still in above those songs 😡

Obviously. American Life is a Madonna classic.