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The Following Story is from Associated Content and sponsored by Singles
Madonna first hit the scene big in 1982 with a long forgotten single “Everybody,” which would preview her future pop success. In 2000, Guinness World Records toted Madonna as the most successful female recording artist of all time, cementing her place not only in music history, but as a popular culture icon. To pick only 10 songs from an extensive catalog is a difficult task. Here are Madge's best 10 singles:
10. La Isla Bonita- Released in 1987 from the True Blue album, “La Isla Bonita” hones Madonna's use of the Spanish language, which she sprinkles through her music occasionally. The remarkable song remains part of her concert repertoire as of her most recent tour. One must wonder where this “tropical island breeze” where nature is “wild and free,” exists. The use of San Pedro perhaps gives a clue to the mystical and sexy Tropicana paradise. Don't let the simplicity of a girl/boy love affair throw you off, this song showcases true talent.
9. This Used to be My Playground- Written by Madonna and Shep Pettibone, “This Used to be My Playground” was used as the theme for “A League of Their Own,” of which Madonna also starred. “Playground” represents an often ignored facet of Madonna's musical personality, the hurt and lonely side. Used seamlessly with the film, “Playground” is used at the end of the film, where the former players of the All American Girls Baseball League, now aged, reunite. A perfect song to accompany a travel down memory lane, “why did it have to end, why do they always say, no regrets.” The song hit number one for one week in the U.S. A strong ballad with strings and piano, we should never forget “This Used to be My Playground.”
8. Material Girl- Representing the Like a Virgin album, “Material Girl” is a faster paced, little thought required, all-American pop song. With 80's synthesizer and Madonna's then higher pitched vocals, “Material Girl” was truly a song of the times, released in 1985, during the wildly excessive 1980's. The song remains a pop classic, and will always be fun and properly excessive, we all need a little excess sometimes. “Material Girl” and its iconic video showcased Madonna as another blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe in her performance of “Diamond's Are a Girl's Best Friend.” Perhaps presumptuous of Madonna at the time as being as big as Marilyn, but long since, Madonna has surpassed Monroe's fame.
7. Bye Bye Baby- Often overlooked from the Erotica album due to overt sexual controversy, “Bye Bye Baby” stands strong among an album that decided to take a chance and stray from the patented pop she had already conquered. “Bye Bye Baby” is unapologetic, and stylized Madonna into a strong woman, which she remains today. She intelligently uses the song to topple the roles traditionally held by the sexes, taking power from men, and giving it to women, taking control over sex from men, and giving it to women. Although lacking chart success of other singles, “Bye Bye Baby” stands tall on this list due to its catchy yet powerful melodies and lyrics.
6. Frozen- A departure for the dark, “Frozen” marked a return and yet another change for Madonna with the Ray of Light album. The eastern strings and strangely dark electronica sounds give “Frozen” a gothic tinge of spirituality and haunting use of vocals among the strangely romantic lyrics. The humming also holds “Frozen” as an oddity, but one that must be heard to be appreciated. Often overlooked for the poppy fast paced “Ray of Light,” “Frozen” holds as a better example of Madonna's range, the critics only see what they want to see. “Frozen” is perfectly layered during the final two minutes and transports you to another world.
5. Into the Groove- Appearing in “Desperately Seeking Susan,” “Into the Groove” is a true 80's dance song. Calling for all dancers and hoping that one can prove their love on the dance floor of any given discotheque, Madonna lives out a fantasy in this fan favorite and concert staple. The middle is cleverly marked with passionate piano playing. An almost better-than-the-original live version was performed on her Italy concert tour. A Madonna classic, “Into the Groove” will remain on pop stations for decades to come.
4. Bedtime Story- Sexual moans kick off this truly original dance song. The product of a failed collaboration attempt between Madonna and Björk, “Bedtime Story” has obvious Björk musical aesthetics. A somewhat unconventional addition to the Madonna library, “Bedtime Story” offers something unique and new, always a favorite of Madonna's exploration for the unseen, or in this case, unheard. The music video directed by Mark Romanek is truly one of the best videos ever to grace the MTV screens. The video was inspired by Frida Kahlo paintings and shows Madonna as an ethereal creature, sometimes with an eye in the mouth and mouths in her eye sockets. Let this song get you unconscious honey.
3. Hung Up- Can you even call it a comeback when Madonna has been successful throughout her career? Tick tock, as Madonna's time has gone by anything but slowly. What everyone always wants is all chorus, this song has only one verse and is comprised only of different versions of the chorus throughout the rest. Chorus, chorus, chorus, give the people what they want. Sampling ABBA's “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” and inspired by disco and “Saturday Night Fever,” Madonna did what very few 1970's artists ever could, she made disco cool. “Hung Up” is credited by the United World Chart as being the fourth most successful single since 1999. The sond brilliantly winds up, winds down, and yet maintains fast paced dance worthy beats. Can a song be anything but good if it has the tick tock of a clock? Every little thing she says or does, we're hung up on her.
2. Oh Father- Cutely kicking off as if a music box opened, “Oh Father” immediately gives a childhood feel to itself. A sadly powerful ballad of child torment and heartache at the hands of a father, Madonna gives vocals that express deep hurt, as if she'd been crying. Dealing with abuse and the effects of a child, and that of the effects on the grown adult who suffered, “Oh Father” and beautifully plucked strings and harsh emotional piano. Somebody obviously hurt Madonna too, as she wrote this song with Patrick Leonard. Anyone who has experienced hurt by someone else can appreciate this song, coming out of the darkness, into the light, taking the power away from the abuser, and empowering one's self.
1. Like A Prayer- Reaching the top of the Billboard chart in 1989, “Like A Prayer” off the same titled album, is both fan favorite and critic favorite. Channeling religion and church choirs, Madonna combined beat to ballad, in this fast paced call to above. A mix of pop and rock, “Like A Prayer” hadn't been heard before or since. The song incorporates such a difference collection of music genres and heralds geniusly written lyrics. Although most recall the song as it related to the music video controversy that had Madonna in sexual scenarios with a Jesus who was black. Pepsi subsequently pulled the use of the song from it's commercials amid the backlash. “Like A Prayer” will long be a Madonna mainstay and allows her to express herself religiously, since so often she is seen sexually.
Although many of Madonna's earlier singles missed the top 10, they are mostly remarkable and pop classics. Also missing from the list are many songs that were never released as singles, but many of which could hold their own amont the 10 on this list. Madonna is nothing if not diverse, she is nothing if not smart and musically talented. She is an icon of music, and of pop culture.
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