It's definitely my favourite single from Confessions now also, although still only my second favourite track. At the time I felt this sounded more dated than the other tracks as it seemed to jump on a very early 00s trend musically but I'd agree it has aged better than most of the other songs. Surprised but delighted to see it finish so high up :wub:

Forbidden Love our #1 song overall from the album? Shared taste!

 

get together and don't tell me are two ALL-TIME bests from madonna. the former gets a lot of hate (or at least did) but it's so wonderful and sweeping. don't tell me with that twinkling and quite unassuming production gives me goosebumps everytime - it's the little touches and idiosyncrasies from mirwais that really make it.

Get Together lapping Sorry is justice done. It always reminds me of the kind of song you'd hear at a roller rink - which is a place I spent a load of my childhood, randomly enough. Would like to see it jump past Hung Up next!

 

What's next, I wonder. I'm going to guess...Ray of Light??

Time goes by so slowly for those who wait

 

 

05. Hung Up // Confession on a Dancefloor // 10.00

 

Is this a bit of a shock? A perfect 10 - deserved. The final song from Confessions, is also the final song from the 00s decade leaving a final 4 of 80s and 90s music only. Hung Up is easily one of M's most recognisable, signature, best-selling, critically celebrated songs and so a top 5 place was inevitable. Following on from the hugely divisive 'American Life' era, Madonna transformed once more to introduce an era that would captivate the world by looking back to decades long gone. Mastered and produced with support from Stuart Price, and sampling ABBA's 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)', the song features a ticking clock to signify the pressure of time being wasted. It has simple lyrical message about being caught up in a relationship and wanting more but it's done in a magical and magestic way all while using 80s dancefloor pop to explode throughout. The song was a global smash; it went on to become the most successful dance song of the decade in the United States and remains one of the biggest songs ever released. The music video, features the now iconic pink leotard and conveys a global message for the power of dance. The entire package of music, video, message and vibe work perfectly like the cogs and mechanic of a clock that ticks by at perfect speed. It sounds both retro, current and futuristic as it escapes the constraints of times and continues to wow audiences across the globe.

 

Madonna: 0/8

Like A Virgin: 0/9

True Blue: 0/9

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: 0/13

American Life: 0/11

Confessions On A Dancefloor: 0/15

Hard Candy: 0/13

Other (00s): 0/5

MDNA: 0/16

Rebel Heart: 0/25

Madame X: 0/18

Other (10s): 0/3

 

80s: 1/47

90s: 3/76

00s: 0/57

10s: 0/62

It's difficult to argue with this top 5 as being a very good representation of her best work. Hung Up would be my least favourite of the ones left so I'm pleased (if a little surprised!) to see it fall next.

 

I think of this as her biggest hit ever to be honest, certainly in terms of the UK anyway. It obviously suffered from being released during a low sales era when consumers bought albums instead but it definitely had a bigger impact than any of her previous single I can recall and it's chart run reflected that, especially during a time when songs came and went very quickly.

 

It's the song I hear most frequently while out! A stomper and the fact it came after the AL era proved once again that she will always be the ultimate queen of reinvention.

I thought Hung Up would be top 3 !!!

Surprised but pleased this hasnt pipped others to the post to win! A full top 5 of 10s plus feels like it might be a site rate outlier?! Iirc the Little Mix one was peaking out at 9s...

I think a song in 5th place getting 10.00+ is especially amazing in THIS rate given just how much material we are rating. It's even more impressive!

When is this going to be updated? It's very interesting.

This tension!

Good to see other people are following this though - welcome! :wub:

She's got herself a universe

 

 

04. Ray of Light // Ray of Light // 10.38

 

The most extensive of Madonna's exploration into electronica, 'Ray of Light' hosts a vivid collection of sounds and styles to create a brilliantly bizarre listening experience that's both electrifying and life-affirming. It's an adaption of a 1971 folk song 'Sepheryn' and Madonna builds upon the lyrics to express a state of wonderment at the world and the realisation of one's place within it. The soft electric guitar riff begins like the dawn of day and the new possibilities that come with it, before bursting into a frantic techno melody that reflects Madonna's spiritual awakening. William Orbit's peculiar bleeps, whirs and alarms are scattered across the rippling production, constantly keeping the listener's ears twitching in attempt to absorb all the sounds, whilst Madonna confidently soars to the top of her register, boasting the strength and flexibility of her recently trained vocal. The two artists compliment and elevate each other, giddy on the adrenaline they evoke; a rush that in turn takes over the listener. 'Ray of Light' celebrates life and the hope and opportunity it brings, which is conveyed in the accompanying music video; a fast-forward motion view of everyday life and the technological advances being made, with clips of Madonna dancing intertwining throughout the chaos. With this single, Madonna revitalised her reputation as pop's number one trendsetter and cemented her relevance to a whole new generation.

 

Madonna: 0/8

Like A Virgin: 0/9

True Blue: 0/9

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: 1/14

Other (90s): 0/12

Music: 0/13

American Life: 0/11

Confessions On A Dancefloor: 0/15

Hard Candy: 0/13

Other (00s): 0/5

MDNA: 0/16

Rebel Heart: 0/25

Madame X: 0/18

Other (10s): 0/3

 

80s: 1/47

90s: 2/76

00s: 0/57

10s: 0/62

A shame it couldn't quite sneak top 3 but 4th is still a great result for this. Definitely one of my absolute favourites from her and my stand out on the album too. One of those moments that makes you stand back in awe when you first hear it, it sounded like no other pop song to me back in 1998 and was such a bold choice to embrace techno so fully. Boy did it work out though :wub:

What a fantastic song! I've still yet to hear song quite like it. It's one of the most uplifting songs ever and yet it works perfectly in the era it is from which is largely about loss and grief. I absolutely love it and the video - sends me back to the time it was released and my sheer adoration of her despite not really knowing much about her then!

It was my absolute favourite Madonna track from that era before I realised Frozen was on the same album. Of these, it'd be my #2 of what's left - although obv I recognise the impakt of the other two big hitters.

Anyone see Jane McDonald crucifying ROL?

Anyone see Jane McDonald crucifying ROL?

No but that sounds horrifying :mellow:

It's hard to imagine something like 'Ray of Light' being the massive success it was — what a song. I wish I was an age that could have enjoyed it at the time.

 

I'm not sure how the general public would react to a song like that from a mainstream (still charting) popstar now.

Edited January 6, 20205 yr by blacksquare

TOP 3 INCOMING.

 

Like A Prayer

Frozen

Vogue

 

Who wins... YOU (have) DECIDE(d) !!