Top 10 Madonna Songs

By Manny Otiko
When the history of 20th century pop culture is written a large chunk of it will dedicated to the multimedia phenomenon known as Madonna. Madonna burst onto the music scene in the early 1980s as a purveyor of disposable, pop music. Critics predicted Madonna would be a flash in the pan, but her career has showed remarkable staying power. Madonna started off as a pop tart (she was the Britney Spears of the '80s), but has developed into a talented singer, songwriter and all-round musician. Madonna used a combination of sex and shock tactics to sell herself early in her career. "Sex," a collection of erotic photographs released in conjunction with the 1992 album "Erotica," was a great example of how Madonna's scandalous promotional tactics almost overshadowed her talent. "Erotica" was a critically acclaimed album drowned in the negative backlash to the "Sex" book.
Madonna was eventually recognized by the music world with three Grammies for the album "Ray of Light." Here are my selection of Madonna's top 10 best songs:
1."Holiday." Madonna's breakout hit from her debut album is a frothy, dance tune which still sounds good more than 20 years after it was released. Gen-Xers will be dancing to this tune in the old people's homes of the future.
2."Secret," from the R and B-heavy album "Bedtime Story." In this song, and on the album, Madonna's music featured a lush, R and B groove. Many of the songs were collaborations with R and B producers such as Babyface, Dallas Austin, (who worked with TLC) and Nellee Hooper, (who worked with Soul II Soul). The song, accompanied by a creative video, is a silky ode to forbidden romance.
3."Dress You Up," came from Madonna's pop tart days. This peppy dance song was never a major hit, but has always been one of my favorites. Madonna performed this song during Live Aid in 1985.
4."Die Another Day," from the 2004 album "American Life." Madonna's eletronica heavy song was the title track of a James Bond movie. The song also netted Madonna a Golden Globe nomination.
5."Music," this bass-heavy club favorite was the title track of the follow up album to "Ray of Light." This was Madonna first no. 1 album since "Like A Prayer." "Music" received a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year."
6."What it Feels like for a Girl," another track from the 2-million selling "Music" CD. This is a plaintive, latin-influenced love ballad. The version I saw on a HBO showing of the Drowned World Tour is far superior to the album version.
7."La Isla Bonita." This is a hit from the 1987 soundtrack album"Who's That Girl." Again Madonna dips into the latin groove in this sultry, mid tempo song.
8."Papa Don't Preach." Madonna ran into a firestorm of controversy with this song from the "True Blue" album but from an unusual source. Pro life activists embraced this song, which tells of a young girl's decision to keep an unwanted pregnancy. Catholic groups also bashed Madonna because they felt she had no business talking about morality. Either way its still a classic dance song.
9."Lucky Star" a song from the hit album, "Like A Virgin." "Lucky Star" is another catchy, dance tune which typifies Madonna's 1980 style.
10. "Justify My Love," from the compilation album "The Immaculate Collection." Madonna again mined controversy to turn this seductive, mid-tempo dance number into a No. 1 hit. The video was so racy MTV only showed it late at night. Controversy or not "Justify My Love," a collaboration between Madonna and Lenny Kravitz, is still a great song with a catchy beat.