16 Madonna ft Justin Timberlake 4 Minutes

#2s held off #1: Sam Sparro - Black & Gold, Wiley - Wearing My Rolex

Next up is the Queen of reinvention, Madonna. I can't believe this is actually the last of her 13 number one singles in the UK!

Two years before, Madonna had released her critically acclaimed dance record 'Confessions on a Dancefloor', which featured number one singles 'Hung Up' and 'Sorry'. But sticking to her usual tactic of a reinvention for every era, she returned in 2008 with a electronic/hip-hop/funk/RnB fusion in 'Hard Candy'. This was the lead single from the album, produced by man of the moment Timbaland and featuring a singer of the moment in Justin Timberlake. It was a combination that pretty much guaranteed the song a number one position, a position it held for 4 weeks.

At the time I remember thinking this song was good, but not on the same level as peak Madonna. I also preferred the first song it stopped from getting to number one - 'Black & Gold' by Sam Sparro. Still, it got Madonna back into the limelight and continued to show her as a force to be reckoned with - especially in a music industry that isn't always kind to older female artists.

I do enjoy it, but it's basically 'Give It To Me' replacing Nelly Furtado with Madonna. Also it's the point she went from being ahead of trends, to following ones that happened two years previously.

Its parent album is easily the worst of her entire career, I still can't believe she followed Confessions with that.

1 hour ago, Jessie Where said:

I do enjoy it, but it's basically 'Give It To Me' replacing Nelly Furtado with Madonna. Also it's the point she went from being ahead of trends, to following ones that happened two years previously.

Its parent album is easily the worst of her entire career, I still can't believe she followed Confessions with that.

Basically my thoughts too. She was very behind the curve with that album and I think its no coincidence her hit-making days were over after that release (casually ignoring Celebration ).

I think the Timbaland choice would’ve been forgivable if the song was something amazing and fresh but it falls flat on all accounts for me. Zero appeal whatsoever. Black & Gold would have made a far better #1.

I wonder was '4 minutes' influenced by Kelly Rowland - Work (Freemasons remix) with the trumpets/brass in the chorus.

Good song anyway! Although I preferred Give 2 To Me at the time.

Sam Sparro would have made a better #1 such an insanely good dance-pop song.

Edited Tuesday at 16:511 day by TheSnake

That Dizzee Rascal song is great and probably higher for me. "4 Minutes" is OK, but I agree with this ranking.

I just checked Spotify, and found all #1's except one. It is strange that "Hero" is not available there.

'Dance Wiv Me' is tune.

'4 Minutes' I liked then but not as mad on nowadays and don't seek out either.

4 Minutes is fun enough but it did feel like the turning point where Madonna began following the trends rather than setting them.