Yes, Madonna celebrates a big birthday today. Dunno what the general opinion of her music is on here, but I’ve always liked her (she was the first pop star I had on my wall at the age of 7 or so; I think I thought she was “pretty” which I guess when you’re 7 is as far as it goes) and you can’t deny she’s had some excellent records.
Over on the Twitts there is a top 5 thing going on; I’m not suggesting we do that here (it’s an interesting read, mind), but it’s certainly worth some celebration.
Here’s probably my favourite (from around the time I put the poster up). A fantastic record, with some fantastically unsubtle innuendo.
ganglesprocket says
Because my little sister loved Madonna so much, and played her so much, I ended up not bothering about her because her music was always just “there.”
So when, a few months ago I actually bought and listened to the vinyl of Like A Prayer, I was quite taken aback. It’s genuinely fabulous.
Here’s a Madonna one I like a lot. I have no idea why her actual Bond theme ended up so crap when her Austen Powers theme is just BRILLIANT. Maybe she felt the pressure a bit?
johnw says
She’s 60 apparently! What exactly makes that a ‘Big’ birthday? It’s not retiring age, it’s not bus pass age. So far, the only thing I’ve learned is you can get a B&Q discount card. If I had a pound for every time someone asked me what I was doing for my birthday this year I would be able to retire! I just don’t get what the big deal is. For a multimillionaire that can do pretty much what she wants, when she wants, presumably it makes even less difference.
Milkybarnick says
Ah, only because it has a 0 on the end of it. Those birthdays are so ingrained in our way of thinking they just get celebrated.
Gatz says
Well, it’s the starting point of old age I suppose. Anyway, how about a favourite Madge number to cheer yourself up? I like @ganglesprocket‘s shout, but I admit to a soft spot for True Blue and Material Girl too.
johnw says
In what way is it the starting point? I don’t feel any older, than I did 10 years ago and I’m certainly not treated any differently by anyone. Surely everyone is different and will start feeling old at different times. Why pick a specific number? I guess I’ve never been one to mark my birthday so actually picking a specific one seems even odder.
retropath2 says
No one said Happy 60th to you, did they, John?
johnw says
Yep, even got a few cards. Always seems weird though that other people seem to care when I don’t!
fortuneight says
You don’t feel any older? Then that’s a reason to celebrate. I’m not 60 yet but compared to how I felt at 50, night and fecking day.
In terms of the OP – I don’t dance. I just don’t. But when I hear “Into The Groove” I do.
minibreakfast says
Confessions On A Dancefloor is best listened to as the continuous mix it is, but Forbidden Love is a particular highlight.
Mavis Diles says
It’s an ace album!
Chris says
If there’s a better 15 minutes of pop than the last two tracks on the remix album ‘You Can Dance’, I’m yet to hear it.
H.P. Saucecraft says
You clearly haven’t heard any five Monkees singles, then.
Chris says
I have. They’re great, of course, but it’s all opinions, innit?
Sewer Robot says
I suppose the reality is that 60 is a bigger deal for a female artist. At 60 Willie is just growing into his Mount Rushmore face, Leonard’s voice is getting just deep and croaky enough.
Lady performer: U still here?
The DW/SFLH* is one of the great singles artists in pop history, and that is the dream job.
(*Number 1 in Spain. These are actual “H”s. )
retropath2 says
See also Emmylou, Lucinda and Bonnie (Raitt) amongst many.
And Norma has just brought another one out, with her daughter for company.
Peggy Seeger, Shirley Collins, all it at.
Neela says
Emmylou, Lucinda and Bonnie have never been as keen on flashing their nipples though. Nor being “provocative”. So their age has never been a thing, the same way Mick Jagger´s age is a thing and Willie Nelson´s isn´t..
Shirley Collin´s Lodestar is a beautiful album, btw.
My opinion on Madonna´s music is that it´s better than her acting.
Still, happy birthday!
moseleymoles says
If anything under-rated. With a few bumps, important and relevant for 23 years. The greatest female popstar ever. Discuss. Hung Up was Number One in 41 countries! 41. Her stats are just ridiculous. And at her best, with a single, she’s unbeatable.
ip33 says
Ray of Light is one of mankinds greatest achievements. If this was her only hit, she’d still be a legend.
fentonsteve says
Madge, like Bjork, could be accused of seeing an underground trend and jumping on the bandwagon’s hot producer. But when the results are this good, who cares? My fave as well.
dai says
60! I don’t believe it! Loved her up to the mid 90s then gave up. Did see her live in 2005 for the only time and it was a great night.
This is a great song:
Gatz says
If you like to argue with a list (and who doesn’t?) Jude Rogers, mainstay of Word in its earlier days, has ranked every Madonna single for the Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/16/every-one-of-madonnas-78-singles-ranked
bobness says
My three personal faves at 1, 2 and 4. Like a prayer is just about as perfect as pop gets.
Bless her, whatever “it” is, she hasn’t just got it, she’s made of it.
What I did wonder about was how many of those singles I couldn’t hum if you put a gun to my head…
retropath2 says
Well, if I can put it up for Sir Mick……….
http://www.covermesongs.com/2018/08/the-best-madonna-covers-ever.html
Blue Boy says
In 2000/2001 we played the Music album relentlessly – it was one of those records that I, Mrs BB and both our daughters were all more than happy to listen to. Haven’t played it for a while, but will give it a spin – it was brilliant then and I hope it holds up now
Black Type says
I don’t think she’s someone you can warm to, so I respect and admire her rather than ‘love’ her like I ‘love’ other artists, but the vast majority of her singles and a handful of her albums are simply peerless pop music. Her 60th is definitely a good reason to celebrate, considering that her two compadres in the 80s Triumvirate didn’t make it.
Captain Haddock says
You can widen that out to Pentumvirate, if there is such a word (there isn’t). Whitney, George, Prince, Jacko. They’ve all gone.
PS top five:
Ray of Light
Like a Prayer
Crazy for You
Cherish
Borderline
Black Celebration says
I think she’s great. She’s produced some glorious pop music. A top 5 is hard to do and probably a smidge predictable but here we are:
1. Ray of Light – Played it repeatedly. An absolute belter.
2. Beautiful Stranger – So good, I initially assumed it was a cover of a classic 60s number that had passed me by.
3. Express Yourself – So good it was covered by Lady Gaga and called “Born this Way”.
4. Deeper and Deeper – always had a soft spot for this one.
5. Open Your Heart – I had this single c/w Lucky Star. VFM!
dai says
I bet she’s annoyed that Aretha died on her big day. Inconsiderate especially as they came from the same city.
Gatz says
The same day as Robert Johnson and Elvis Presley died.
Moose the Mooche says
The one bit of bad luck she’s had in her life.
Sniffity says
That, and the premiere of Shanghai Surprise
dai says
Apart from her mother dying when she was 10 I guess.
Black Type says
Ouch!
Also not forgetting the rape in her early days in New York, of course.
Regarding her ‘luck’, I guess the harder she worked, the luckier she gor
Moose the Mooche says
Sorry. Just don’t like her.
Sewer Robot says
I feel you bro’
That moment in In Bed With Madonna/Truth Or Dare when they asked her who the true love of her life was and she said “Sean” I was gutted too..