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 .

 

 

 

Will comment more later but right now I’m soooo happy to see Drowned World this high up! ^_^ :heart:

 

Me too.

 

Perhaps my favourite Madonna song ever, or at least one that means the most to me.

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.

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 *.*

Everything I give you, all comes back to me

 

 

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

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!!

 

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!

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!

 

 

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.

Don't go for second best, baby

 

 

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

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!

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.

'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.

I am stunned that LILB didnt make the top 10 !!!

 

Madonna did latin first 😉

Second single from Like a Prayer, 'Express Yourself' has been cited as a major influence by numerous female artists over the years.

I can't possibly think of what it has influenced in recent years :o :thinking:

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!

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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!

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.

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.

You were my lesson I had to learn

 

 

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

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...

 

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 !!