Re: Madonna
Wow! That's quite a list you've got there! I'm impressed because I couldn't even begin to attempt this. Madonna has so many songs and I listen to them given what mood I'm in so it's nearly impossible.
1. Like A Prayer
2. Vogue
...Can't go on. Too stressful!
Sorry.
Fair enough!
My favorite Madonna song is "Take A Bow", and I love her bedtime stories album. :blush: I want to get more in to her, but IDK where to go. Back to the 80s, or post ROL stuff.
I'd start with her 80's stuff, even though I prefer her 90s & 00s work, her 80s stuff is instantly recognisible and more accessible. Like with Mike, although many fans prefer his 90s work, you wouldn't recommend someone goes straight to HIStory before Thriller or Bad.
In terms of genres, the first 3 studio albums (Madonna, Like A Virgin, True Blue) are more straightforward pop with True Blue showing maturity in terms of songwriting & vocal style. Like A Prayer was her breakthough that showed she'd be around for a long time and was more than bubblegum pop. Songs like Like A Prayer and Express Yourself became instant classics. It was also her first really personal album.
Her next studio album was Erotica and is a firm favourite of mine. Largely ignored by the public at the time due it being overshadowed by the unnecessary and garish Sex book, Erotica contains some real gems including the beautiful Rain with a stunning video directed by Mark Romanek (Scream director), Bad Girl, Deeper & Deeper, Erotica, Why's It So Hard. More hip-hop than pop in style it's a real hidden Madonna gem.
Bedtime Stories took Madonna further into ignored territory compared with previous success and it looked for a while as though her best times were behind her. But BS contains classics such as Secret & Take A Bow, a beautiful, beautiful record. A semi R&B album, most of it is unfortunately bland.
Ray Of Light is regarded as Madonna's comeback album, it gave her her first #1 single since Vogue after an 8 year gap in the UK and is seen by critics as her best of all time. Not for me, save for the title track the William Orbit production grates on me after a while but there are some great songs on there; Frozen, Power Of Goodbye.
Music took Madonna further into electro-territory and for me is her worst album of all time. As with all M albums there are 2 classics on there; Music & the wonderful Don't Tell Me, but the rest is too poncy for me.
American Life saw a backlash against Madonna, mainly due to her being rather ahead of her time standing up to Bush and the insanity of war. Simply put it is her best album and it's a travesty that songs like Nothing Fails, Mother and Father and Easy Ride won't be heard by the general public. Her most personal album since Like A Prayer it's emotional, intelligent, danceable and soulful.
After disappointing sales she flew back to #1 with Confessions On A Dancefloor which debuted with the stunning Hung Up, possibly the best pop single of the decade. However apart from that track & Jump, the album is too electro, Euro pop for me, it sounds like a Kylie album. If you like that genre then you'll love it and millions did.
Her latest album sold poorly for her and like her least selling albums I love it. Hard Candy sounds full of chart friendly hits and again it's a shame that songs such as Beat Goes On, Voices, Candy Shop & She's Not Me weren't singles.
Also worth mentioning is the 1990 I'm Breathless album, separated from the rest of the pack as it's a soundtrack to Dick Tracy, I love it, although it's not for everyone as it's 20 inspired, it's a lot of fun though.
In essence then in a career nudging 30 years and 12 studio albums crossing many genres, Madonna has something for everyone dive in and enjoy.
