L.U.V Madonna! Y.O.U... You wanna? Yep, bet it's in your head too.
With the announcement of her 2012 World Tour last week, she once again has her sights on world domination.
She courts controversy and is the undefeated queen of reinvention, but whatever your opinion of Madonna, here are a few reasons why to me she remains the most important and iconic person in music today.
Music, makes the people, come together...
Music, makes the people, come together...
Sadly the music often gets overlooked, but Madonna's impressive back catalogue has provided a soundtrack to our own lives, loves and losses ever since she made her first UK appearance in 1984 (at Manchester's Hacienda Club where she danced and mimed to Burning Up and Holiday). She has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and is recognised as the world's top-selling female rock artist of the 20th century. Her album covers are iconic works of art, that tell a story of an era gone by, and showcase trends that get up again over and over. So take a seat, sit back and relax and let's go on a visual adventure of the Material Girl's studio, soundtrack and compilation albums.
Madonna
1983
Peak UK Chart position: 6
Song you probably like very much:
Lucky Star
Heard this?
Physical Attraction
Who took the photo?
Gary Heery and George Holy
Like a Virgin
1984
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Like a Virgin
Heard this?
Physical Attraction
Who took the photo?
Stephen Meisel
True Blue
1986
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Open your Heart
Heard this?
White Heat
Who took the photo?
Herb Ritts
Who's That Girl
1987
Peak UK Chart position: 4
Song you probably like very much:
Who's That Girl
Heard this?
Causing a Commotion
You Can Dance
1987
Peak UK Chart position: 5
Song you probably like very much:
Get into the Groove
Heard this?
Where's the Party
Who took the photo?
Herb Ritts
Like a Prayer
1989
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Like a Prayer
Heard this?
Keep it Together
Who took the photo?
Herb Ritts
I'm Breathless
1990
Peak UK Chart position: 2
Song you probably like very much:
Vogue
Heard this?
Sooner or Later
The Immaculate Collection
1990
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Express Yourself
Heard this?
Rescue Me
Who took the photos?
Herb Ritts
Erotica
1992
Peak UK Chart position: 2
Song you probably like very much:
Rain
Heard this?
Bye Bye Baby
Who took the photo?
Stephen Meisel
Bedtime Stories
1994
Peak UK Chart position: 2
Song you probably like very much:
Secret
Heard this?
Forbidden Love
Who took the photo?
Patrick Demarchelier
Something to Remember
1995
Peak UK Chart position: 3
Song you probably like very much:
Crazy For You
Heard this?
One More Chance
Who took the photo?
Mario Testino
Evita
1996
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Heard this?
You Must Love Me
Ray of Light
1998
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Ray of Light
Heard this?
Drowned World/Substitute for Love
Who took the photo?
Mario Testino
Music
2000
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Don't Tell Me
Heard this?
What It Feels Like For a Girl
Who took the photo?
Jean-Baptiste Mondino
GHV2
2001
Peak UK Chart position: 2
Song you probably like very much:
Frozen
Heard this?
The Power of Goodbye
American Life
2003
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
American Life
Heard this?
Nothing Fails
Who took the photo?
Craig McDean
Confessions on a Dance Floor
2005
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Hung Up
Heard this?
Get Together
Who took the photo?
Steven Klein
Hard Candy
2008
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
4 Minutes
Heard this?
Beat Goes On
Who took the photo?
Steven Klein
Celebration
2009
Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Vogue
Heard this?
Revolver
Who created the cover?
Mr Brainwash
MDNA
2012
Peak UK Chart position: ?
Song you probably like very much:
Give Me All Your Luvin'
Who took the photo?
Mert and Marcus
She gives good face...
Madonna is a creative force to be reckoned with in her own right, but add to the energetic mix some very famous friends and you have an explosive collaboration. She has worked with some of the most prolific fashion photographers in the business to produce album covers, accompanying artwork, music videos and fashion campaigns, creating a visual treasure trove of images.
Take Patrick Demarchelier for example, the acclaimed French photographer who worked with Madonna on the artwork for her 1994 album Bedtime Stories and the cover art for the Justify My Love single. In 1989 he gave us a rare glimpse into Madonna's world by photographing her in her LA home for US Vogue.
Take Patrick Demarchelier for example, the acclaimed French photographer who worked with Madonna on the artwork for her 1994 album Bedtime Stories and the cover art for the Justify My Love single. In 1989 he gave us a rare glimpse into Madonna's world by photographing her in her LA home for US Vogue.
She has worked with the legendary fashion photographer Herb Ritts on a number of occasions. From the iconic True Blue album cover, the instantly recognisable cover for the single Dear Jessie in 1987 (with the infamous Minnie Mouse ears) and the beautifully aquatic music video for Cherish. Not to mention those classic monochrome shots that showcased the music on the Immaculate Collection album in 1990, arguably Madonna's most successful year.
On the cover of a magazine - Madonna always shines. She has featured on a multitude of covers from 1984 on the cover of i-D magazine, her first UK Vogue cover in 1989 and her shots with Helmut Newton for Vanity Fair in 1990, all telling the artistic story of a living legend.
She possesses the ingenuity of knowing when, where and how and the result is always iconic - a collector's item image right there on screen.
Beauty's where you find it.
Dress you Up...
She may not win style plaudits, but Madonna is a game changer and her metamorphic style has empowered and inspired women through the decades. She has always set a trend and created enough looks to cram a stylist's lookbook and saturate a digital moodboard.
When she burst onto the scene back in the mid 80s, she represented youth and strength as shown here on the The Virgin Tour in 1985. All of a sudden, it was perfectly acceptable to wear blue tights, lashings of romantic lace, religious adornments and strong makeup, all in one go. It was fun, it was accessible and it was totally unobjectionable to celebrate your sexuality.
Then in 1986 a different Madonna emerged; a complete image makeover. She gave us the gamine look with jeans and a tough-girl leather jacket, alternated with a toned and muscular Madonna with platinum blond hair and 1960s capri pants with bustier. Almost two competing sides of Madonna. We fell for them both. Italians really did do it better.
In 1990, we saw the tough, strong and fierce Madonna showing her Blond Ambition to the world in Jean Paul Gaultier. Then at the 63rd Academy Awards in 1991 we were presented with her homage to the great Marilyn Monroe. She displayed a softer, curvier side in platinum blond curls as she purred her way through the award-winning Sooner or Later. Just exquisite.
Madonna is the ultimate style chameleon and remains fresh, fearless and daring when she dresses up, even to this day.
When she burst onto the scene back in the mid 80s, she represented youth and strength as shown here on the The Virgin Tour in 1985. All of a sudden, it was perfectly acceptable to wear blue tights, lashings of romantic lace, religious adornments and strong makeup, all in one go. It was fun, it was accessible and it was totally unobjectionable to celebrate your sexuality.
Then in 1986 a different Madonna emerged; a complete image makeover. She gave us the gamine look with jeans and a tough-girl leather jacket, alternated with a toned and muscular Madonna with platinum blond hair and 1960s capri pants with bustier. Almost two competing sides of Madonna. We fell for them both. Italians really did do it better.
You can dance for inspiration....
Madonna sure can put on a show. Her music is powerful and remains a timeless listen but if you add to that slick choreography and striking visual art, the result is meteoric.
In 1990 she embarked on the Blond Ambition World Tour in North America, Europe and Asia and changed the world of tour concerts forever. Unfortunately it will always be associated with controversy and hair extensions, but the world was treated to what Rolling Stone magazine called 'the greatest concert of the 1990s'. Cleverly choreographed by Vincent Paterson, Madonna's performance was energetic and empowering. It was brilliantly theatrical and was both inspiring and inspired.
The costumes achieved cult status thanks to the cone brassiere and high blonde ponytail, a creation of the genius minds of Jean Paul Gaultier and Marlene Stewart. It combined fashion, art, theatre and music and influenced the world over.
The opening of the tour began with a segment named Metropolis, inspired by Fritz Lang's silent film. My favourite song was Express Yourself - an incredible way to start a concert. Inspired by the music video of the same name and set in a large industrial machine room, along with shirtless male dancers . When Madonna pops out of the stage resplendent in black suit, monocle and asking if we believe in love, it's impossible not to. The dance routine is amazing.
In 1990 she embarked on the Blond Ambition World Tour in North America, Europe and Asia and changed the world of tour concerts forever. Unfortunately it will always be associated with controversy and hair extensions, but the world was treated to what Rolling Stone magazine called 'the greatest concert of the 1990s'. Cleverly choreographed by Vincent Paterson, Madonna's performance was energetic and empowering. It was brilliantly theatrical and was both inspiring and inspired.
The costumes achieved cult status thanks to the cone brassiere and high blonde ponytail, a creation of the genius minds of Jean Paul Gaultier and Marlene Stewart. It combined fashion, art, theatre and music and influenced the world over.
Express Yourself, Blond Ambition Tour, 1990
Keep It Together, Blond Ambition Tour, 1990
During the performance of Keep it Together, Madonna tells the audience to 'never doubt yourself'. When I'm unsure, having a wobble, maybe unconvinced of how to handle something or even what's ahead, I think of those words and what Madonna stands for. As my good friend Gin said to me, 'even at a young age, I just found her very inspiring, very brave and very courageous and it was these qualities that made me want to independent and want to lose the fear of what others may think and have the confidence to be just me'.
Last week I purchased my ticket to see Madonna in July and I am just as excited as that 7 year old girl who first saw Madonna on Top of the Pops back in 1984, singing and dancing to Holiday.
I last saw Madonna in 1993 at Wembley Stadium and it blew me away. Me and my close friend Louisa waited all day to get as near to the stage as we could, only to realise as we were firmly wedged between fellow fanatics that we desperately needed a wee. However, excruciating pressure on my bladder was not going to ruin the moment for me and she did not disappoint. It was an incredible show.
Take a Bow....
So, I have presented my case to you. The haters will always hate, the disparagers will always disparage, no matter what she does. Her gender will automatically result in her being judged on her age (post-Superbowl critique featured tweets such as "I'm sixty and I know it)" and appearance (incessant scrutiny and speculation about possible surgical enhancements), but not many quinquagenarians can do what she does and in my eyes she is, and will always be, an inspiration.
Last week I purchased my ticket to see Madonna in July and I am just as excited as that 7 year old girl who first saw Madonna on Top of the Pops back in 1984, singing and dancing to Holiday.
I last saw Madonna in 1993 at Wembley Stadium and it blew me away. Me and my close friend Louisa waited all day to get as near to the stage as we could, only to realise as we were firmly wedged between fellow fanatics that we desperately needed a wee. However, excruciating pressure on my bladder was not going to ruin the moment for me and she did not disappoint. It was an incredible show.
Take a Bow....
So, I have presented my case to you. The haters will always hate, the disparagers will always disparage, no matter what she does. Her gender will automatically result in her being judged on her age (post-Superbowl critique featured tweets such as "I'm sixty and I know it)" and appearance (incessant scrutiny and speculation about possible surgical enhancements), but not many quinquagenarians can do what she does and in my eyes she is, and will always be, an inspiration.
Madonna is the original superstar, a creative phenomenon, and I for one cannot wait to see what she has next in store for us.
So dust off your old records and forget about the bad times. It's time to celebrate.
So dust off your old records and forget about the bad times. It's time to celebrate.
Wow! This is one of your best blogs yet.
ReplyDeleteHey Alanna, thank you so much! I really appreciate you looking at it. Let me know what you think of the other Madonna songs you said you might listen to. x
ReplyDelete