Top Ten Songs by Madonna
10 – Into The Groove
Featured in “Desperately Seeking Susan”, which also starred Madonna, ‘Into The Groove’ was a popular dance song in the 80’s. With the upbeat pop tempo and synthesized sound, the song is more of a get up and dance song than any song with a deep meaning like some of Madonna’s other songs. The point of the song merely revolves around dancing. Getting into a ‘groove’ to prove love to someone. A point Madonna does make in the song is summed up in one short lyric, “..music can be such a revelation..” which is true, one can learn a lot from a person and the way they dance. A classic from Madonna, this song is quite memorable when it comes to classic Madonna.
9 – Hung Up
From Madonna’s newest album, “Hung Up” has a definite european-techno feel that most of her songs tend to not lack. With a steady beat and an almost retro sound mixed within, the song is upbeat and terrific for dancing. The song, to sum it up, is about a person who is tired of waiting for her love interest to call. Using the different meanings of Hung Up, she states she’s hung up on him and that with him not calling her, she was hanging up on him. The message in the song is somewhat positive, that someday he would be the one regretting his hesitations. Madonna does have a good point in the song, however. Time does go by so slowly when you’re waiting for something wonderful to happen.
8 – Crazy For You
A love ballad, “Crazy For You” has a slow beat to it and a gentler feel. The song tells the story of a girl at a dance observing couples dancing, quickly becoming distracted by a stranger that’s across the way – a world away. Enamored with him, she approaches him and the two begin to dance. She confesses in lyrics that the feeling is new, one felt in her kiss to express how she feels about this man. Like most 80’s pop love songs at the time, it has a similiar feel to several other female artists at the time. The song even features an oboe in the background, adding to the emotions portrayed in the song.
7 – Cherish
Perhaps more memorable for the video than the actual song, “Cherish” is a cheerful and upbeat song. Written about the positive side of love, she sings her praise of cherishing the one she loves. Cherishing the happiness and joy that the other person brings into their life. She also sings about perishing any thoughts of her love leaving her life. A song of praising what one has and remembering everything positive about them instead of the negative, the song reminds the listeners to never take what they have for granted. Almost hinting as if at any moment they could be gone.
6 – Die Another Day
From the James Bond movie, “Die Another Day”, this song has a dramatic feel and a slight techno-dance sound to it as well. About James Bond’s suffering in a prison at the beginning of the movie, the song portrays his will to live while under the harshest of conditions. The song states clearly, “I’m gonna wake up yes and no,” perhaps portraying that in the state of mind the person is in, they are blocking out part of their experiences and merely waking up in a physical sense. The song emphasizes fighting and just seeing beyond the emprisonment until some time when and if they are freed. Perhaps not truly memorable on the charts, the song definitely deserves a listen if you’ve never heard it before.
5 – Papa Don’t Preach
“Papa Don’t Preach” was written about a daughter who falls in love with a boy and the trouble she has confronting her single father about her pregnancy. Another more upbeat song, she confesses her desire to keep the baby and how the boy promises to marry her. More importantly, she expresses her worry over her father changing how he feels for her – showing that she is still a dedicated daughter in spite of this little bit of unexpected news. Like most fathers are, they don’t trust or know how their daughters are treated, which Madonna expresses clearly with, “Daddy, daddy if you could only see Just how good hes been treating me You’d give us your blessing right now..” A very touching and personal song, “Papa Don’t Preach” reminds us all that we need to be there for our children in tough situations. Or even if you are in a situation yourself, it’s all right to turn to your parents for help and advise.
4 – Like A Prayer
A very popular song even to this day, “Like A Prayer” carries a gospel feel throught the song. Full of actual gospel singing in the background, Madonna showcases her ability to perform something more different than her usual work at the time. The song begins with Madonna uttering, “God…” before fading out into a dramatic pause which cues the organ and gospel sounds. She refers to her interest’s voice as though it were a little prayer and how she longs to take him to where she is when he speaks. The song was used in a commercial for Pepsi. However, after the music video caused controvery and threatened boycotts by religious groups, Pepsi decided the risk was too great and pulled the ad campaign after one airing. The song also features a real gospel choir which had been arranged by Andrae Crouch. The song, to this day, remains a very popular tune.
3 – La Isla Bonita
Tropical and very latin sounding, “La Isla Bonita” has a mixture of english as well as spanish words in the lyrics. A love song throughout, it tells the story of a woman dreaming of San Pedro and the beauty of this island she desires to belong to. Her descriptions in the song are brilliant, describing a tropical, island breeze and the beauty of nature in its untamed state. She continues on, expressing how she fell in love with San Pedro – each day going by fast even though she wanted to hold onto those moments. She refers to the samba playing a spanish lullaby as it is assumed she is dancing with him. With more of a dance beat than a slow song generally tends to be, the song shouldn’t leave anybody displeased with it’s sound.
2 – Frozen
“Frozen” has a cold sound, just like the title states. Chilling in tone, the song is about being frozen in a physical sense, but in an emotional one. “You only see what your eyes want to see How can life be what you want it to be You’re frozen when your heart’s not open.” The song is short in a lyrical sense, but quite addicting songwise. She urges the person to open their heart, release hatred, at the same time expressing if he doesn’t open up she will become heartbroken by losing him. Not alike any of her songs previously, it’s unique sound makes it leave quite an impression once heard.
1 – Like a Virgin
Madonna’s most memorable song, Like a Virgin was popular in 1984 – creating quite a controversy with it’s lyrics as well as Madonna’s performance of the song. “Like a Virgin” was written about a love interest who makes the singer feel like a virgin – shiny and new. With descriptions of being lost in the wilderness until she found this person, it progresses to express how her fear is fading and how she is falling in love. Colorful in wording, she expresses how wonderful she feels inside knowing that he loves her. More memorable for the 1984 Video Music Awards and Madonna’s performance of it on stage, she rolled around wildly in a wedding gown. A definite classic of Madonna’s, I’m certain this song is on most top ten lists for any Madonna fan.
In the span of her music career to the present, Madonna has put out over 15 albums, excluding b sides and singles. With numerous songs to choose from and ever changing styles, listening to all of Madonna’s songs may generate a different top ten list per person. Ultimately, anything Madonna writes and performs tend to be worth listening to and judging for oneself.
