Top 10 Songs by Madonna

One of the first videos I remember seeing on MTV, back in the olden days when they actually played music videos, was Borderline by Madonna. No matter what you think of Madonna or her shenanigans on and off stage, you cannot deny that she has been a major pop influence for more than 20 years.

Paradoxically, Madonna remains timeless because her public persona is like a shark, maintaining a constant forward motion. Even my one-year-old son will dance when he hears '80s music by Madonna.

In my opinion, here are the top 10 songs by Madonna.

1. Into the Groove, released on the B-side of the "Angel" maxi-single, 1985. Before Madonna was political, before Madonna took herself too seriously, and before Madonna turned British, there was a fun hit single that celebrated dancing. A remixed version was released in 2003, but the original still holds its place as one of the best '80s pop songs. This top song by Madonna was released to promote the film, Desperately Seeking Susan even though it did not appear on the soundtrack. It was later released on the You Can Dance compilation album in 1987.

2. Secret off of Bedtime Stories, 1994. This top song by Madonna is a provocative and erotic song, and is perfect for dancing a little too close to someone you like.

"...You gave me back the paradise
That I thought I lost for good
You helped me find the reasons why
It took me by surprise that you understood
You knew all along..."

3. Hung Up off of Confesions on a Dance Floor, 2005. I was surprised at how much I liked this retro Madonna song. Most of my favorite Madonna songs are from the early years, and I was not expecting this song to exude such a carefree sound reminiscent of her first songs.

4. Live to Tell was in the 1986 movie At Close Range with Christopher Walken and Sean Penn. Madonna broke away from her pop sound with this ballad, introducing us to a new Madonna who we'd be hearing a lot more from in the future.

"... know where beauty lives
I've seen it once, I know the warm she gives
The light that you could never see
It shines inside, you can't take that from me..."

5. Human Nature off of Bedtime Stories, 1994. Strong Madonna emerges.

..."You punished me for telling you my fantasies
I'm breakin' all the rules I didn't make
You took my words and made a trap for silly fools
You held me down and tried to make me break..."

6. Sky Fits Heaven off of off of Ray of Light , 1998. Madonna is never more ephemeral or soft as she is on her Ray of Light CD. Madonna is embracing motherhood and Yogic aspects with all her being and it permeates the songs on this CD.

" Sky fits heaven so fly it
That's what the prophet said to me
Child fits mother so hold your baby tight
That's what my future could see..."

7. Lucky Star off of Madonna, 1983. Another top Madonna song, Lucky Star is one where you can hear how much fun she's having.

"...Come on shine your heavenly body tonight
'Cause I know you're gonna make everything all right
You may be my lucky star
But I'm the luckiest by far..."

8. Vogue off of I'm Breathless, 1990. This top Madonna songs makes up for the rest of this album, and for her role in Dick Tracy. It's hard not to start moving your arms and dancing while singing along to this song when you hear it on the radio. Vogue has been covered by Waltari.

9. Material Girl off of Like a Virgin, 1984. Did Madonna set the materialism trend or did she predict how far and deep our obsession with material goods would dig into our pockets?

"... Some boys romance
Some boys slow dance
That's all right with me
If they can't raise my interest then I
Have to let them be..."

Material Girl has been covered by KMFDM and the Yeti Girls.

10. Ray of Light off of Ray of Light, 1998. This top Madonna song spent a long time on my cardio play list. It has an infectious energy

Madonna's music has staying power, even if her movie roles do not (the exception being Desperately Seeking Susan). Enjoy these top songs by Madonna. Note:All lyric clips are included for promotional use and are copyrighted by Madonna/Warner Brothers.