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!

The best track is rightly left form her debut . I won’t spoil it for you tho .

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! :lol: 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.

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!

Are we supposed to be together?

 

 

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

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!

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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!

 

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.

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.

Two album tracks left? Hmmm

One of them's a bit more than just an album track but it wasn't a single either.

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.

One of them's a bit more than just an album track but it wasn't a single either.

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!

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 :wub: 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.

There's no rest for us in this world

 

 

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

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.

Liam, your description for Forbidden Love is perfect. What a great commentary, for such a great song

 

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!

Agreed! This is one of the best threads ever for me :wub:

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.

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!

Agreed! This is one of the best threads ever for me :wub:

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 :heart:

 

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.