It was 26 years ago, 1982 for those who can't do math, when a young woman from Bay City, Mich., made it big. The song was "Everybody" and it found instant success on the American dance charts. One year later, it was "Burning Up," and then, finally, in 1984 came "Like A Virgin." The rest is what some may say is history, but this history continues to write itself as the queen of pop readies her 11th studio album, "Hard Candy."
Now, at 49 years old, Madonna's career has been one of hits, misses and controversy, leading up to her entry last week into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. In honor of her career and this momentous occasion, I've compiled the top five Madonna songs counted down in chronological order.
"Like A Virgin"
Album: "Like A Virgin" (1984)
Why: Arguably Madonna's most well known song in her 26-year-long career, "Like A Virgin" showed the world what she was to be remembered as - controversial. A song about reality-altering romance, "Like A Virgin" was Madonna's first No. 1 single on the U.S. Hot 100 charts thanks to its bubbly demeanor and innocent feel blended in with its less than appropriate deeper meaning. The song was first performed at the 1984 MTV Music Video Awards, a performance I'm sure almost everyone is familiar with as Madonna wore a wedding dress and rolled around on stage behaving a tad inappropriately.
"Papa Don't Preach"
Album: "True Blue" (1986)
Why: Continuing in her vein of controversy, Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" was the story of a young girl who is confessing to her father that she is pregnant, that she's keeping it and that she doesn't want to hear any of his talk. You go girl. The situation was a bit more taboo then than it is now and almost everyone from parents to religious organizations had problems with it because they felt it glorified teen pregnancy. Regardless, it was catchy and it was different.
"Like A Prayer"
Album: "Like A Prayer" (1989)
Why: In my opinion, this is the crème de la crème of Madonna songs. Catchy and controversial yet again (Surprised? Didn't think so.) and just completely unlike any other song in its time. The combination of gospel and pop music blends so well that it's nearly impossible not to love. Fun facts: Prince played the guitar for the track, while Randy Jackson of American Idol offered his help on the bass.
"Secret"
Album: "Bedtime Stories" (1994)
Why: When "Vogue" was released in 1990, it was still branded by that 80s Madonna vibe and her singles off of the highly controversial "Erotica" were immensely successful, but it was "Secret" that really defined the first half of the decade for Madonna. The song was a return to an R&B style that was long forgotten since she became the definition of female pop music. Featuring guitar work, a drum loop that matched the sound for the time and a smooth hook, "Secret" was certainly the bridge that kept her alive in the 90s.
"Ray Of Light"
Album: "Ray Of Light" (1998)
Why: Madonna's career and fame has come from her ever-changing image - she had to constantly be ready to evolve into the next era of sound and to reinvent her style. One can say that her career is one of reinvention and it holds true throughout. "Ray Of Light" was her first big song in four years and in that time music had shifted from the dance- infused pop (a.k.a. looping drum machines) into what modern pop is today. The song, which took airwaves by storm, proved that Madonna was able to keep up with direction music was going in. Armed with higher production values than her earlier work and smoother edges, "Ray Of Light" marked the re-birth of Madonna's music career.
Contact Stephen Ortiz at
Stephen.Ortiz@UConn.edu.
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