Artist Discussion Series: Madonna

[AwallaceUNC]

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Madonna

<img src="http://www.madonna.com/up_images/NEWS/0 ... 43-med.jpg">
Primary Genres: Pop, Dance
Seconday Genres/Styling: Techno, Electronica, Dance, Showtunes, R&B
Born August 16, 1958
Estimated Total Worldwide Sales: 200,000,000 - 250,000,000
US #1 Singles (Any Chart): 41
US #1 Singles (Primary Chart): 12
US #1 Albums (Primary Chart): 6
US Top 10 Singles (Primary Chart): 36
US Top 40 Singles (Primary Chart): 47
RIAA-Certified Diamond Albums: 2
RIAA-Certified Platinum and/or Multi-Platinum Albums: 16
RIAA-Certified Certified Gold Albums: 16
Grammys: 9
Grammy Nominations: 22
Oscars: 2

Official Discography
<table width="75%" border="1"><tr><td width="34%">Madonna (1983)</td><td width="36%">The Immaculate Collection (1990)</td><td width="30%">American Life (2003) (#1)</td></tr><tr><td>Like a Virgin (1984) (#1)</td><td>Erotica (1992)</td><td>Remixed & Revisited (2003)</td></tr><tr><td>True Blue (1986) (#1)</td><td>Bedtime Stories (1994)</td><td>Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005) (#1)</td></tr><tr><td>-</td><td>Something to Remember (1995)</td><td>I'm Going To Tell You a Secret (2006)</td></tr><tr><td>You Can Dance (1987)</td><td>Ray of Light (1998) (Grammy)</td><td>The Confessions Tour (2007)</td></tr><tr><td>Like a Prayer (1989) (#1)</td><td>Music (2000) (#1) (Grammy)</td> <td>-</td></tr><tr><td>I'm Breathless (1990)</td><td>GHV2 (2001)</td><td>-</td></tr></table>

Unofficial Discography
Who's That Girl: Soundtrack (1987)
Evita: Soundtrack (1997)
The Next Big Thing: Soundtrack (2000)

Select Home Video Releases
The Confessions Tour (2007) (GRAMMY)
Music Box Biographical Collection (2005)
Madonna - Sex Bomb Unauthorized (2004)
Madonna - Drowned World Tour 2001 (2001)
Madonna - What It Feels Like For a Girl (DVD Single) (2001)
Madonna - Music (DVD Single) (2000)
Madonna - The Immaculate Collection (1999)
Madonna - Video Collection 1993-99 (1999)
Madonna - Ciao Italy (Live from Italy) (1999)
Madonna - The Girlie Show (Live Down Under) (1997)
Madonna - Truth or Dare (1997)
Blond Ambition World Tour: Live (1990) (VHS only) (Grammy)
Madonna - Justify My Love (1990) (VHS only)
Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour (1985) (VHS only)

Other Home Video Releases
Britney Spears - In the Zone (DVD + Bonus CD)
SNL 25 Years of Music Vol. 4

Select Filmography
"Will & Grace" (ep. "Dolls and Dolls", 2003)
Die Another Day (2002)
The Next Big Thing (2000)
Evita (1996)
Dangerous Game (1993)
Body of Evidence (1993)
A League of Their Own (1992)
Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989)
Who's That Girl? (1987)
A Certain Sacrifice (1985)</center>

Most Popular Songs
Material Girl (#1)
Like a Virgin (#1)
Vogue (#1)
Papa Don't Preach (#1)
Like a Prayer (#1)
Justify My Love (#1)
Open Your Heart (#1)
Don't Cry For Me, Argentina (#1)
Into the Groove (#1)
Ray of Light (#1) (Grammy)
Die Another Day (#1)
Cherish
Secret (#1)
Take a Bow
Beautiful Stranger (#1) (Grammy)
Santa, Baby
Music (#1)
American Life (#1)
Frozen (#1)
Don't Tell Me (#1)
Borderline
The Power of Goodbye
American Pie (#1)
Bedtime Story (#1)
This Used to Be My Playground (#1)
Nothing Really Matters (#1)
Express Yourself (#1)
Hung Up (#1)
Erotica (#1)
True Blue
Crazy For You (#1)
Who's That Girl (#1)
Deeper and Deeper (#1)
I'll Remember
Angel (#1)
Causing a Commotion (#1)
Me Against the Music (with Britney Spears) (#1)
Dress You Up
Hollywood (#1)
Keep It Together (#1)
Holiday (#1)
Fever (#1)
Lucky Star (#1)
Sorry (#1)
What It Feels Like For a Girl (#1)
Spotlight (#1)
Get Together (#1)
Impressive Instant (#1)
Love Profusion (#1)
Nothing Fails (#1)

Notable Facts
*According to the Guinness Book of World Records, she is the most successful female recording artist of all time. However, the World Music Awards credits Mariah Carey with this honor.
*She was the best-selling female artists of the 1980s and 2nd best-selling of the decade (behind only Michael Jackson)
*She is often called the "Queen of Pop" (a title also claimed by Whitney Houston)
*The Immaculate Collection is the best-selling greatest hits album by a female artist in history
*Her 36 Top 10 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart tie her with Elvis for the most Top 10 songs by any artist in the rock era
*She is tied with Diana Ross and the Supremes for the 2nd most #1 songs by a female artist. Mariah Carey has the female record, though if Diana Ross' solo singles were combined with the Supremes singles, she would surpass them both
*She is tied with Elvis for the most #2 songs by any artist (and has the most of any female artist)
*She has had 51 songs enter Billboard's Hot 100
*She was born Madonna Louise Ciccone
*She has had radio success in four different decades: '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s
*She placed 46th on the Discovery Channel's 100 Greatest Americans countdown
*She has the 2nd most #1 albums by a female artist, behind only Barbra Streisand
*Every album she has released and promoted with a single has had at least one song hit Billboard's Top 10. She is the only artist with that distinction
*She had the most #1 singles in the 1980s (7)
*Only two artists (Cher and Tina Turner) have managed to score a #1 song at an older age than Madonna did with "Music"
*She is perhaps as well known for the many controversies of her long career as she is for her music
*Her music videos are known for their elaborate nature and frequent controversy
*She has had numerous #1 Dance hits, more than double that of the 2nd most successful artist on the dance charts (Janet Jackson)
*In addition to her Grammy and Oscar awards, she has also won one Golden Globe
*She has recieved more MTV music video play than any other artist
*She has more MTV Music Awards nominations and wins than any other artist
*She is the wealthiest living female recording artist in the world
*Her Maverick recording label, owned by Warner Records, is the most successful artist-owned record label in history and is credited for the launch of several major artists, including Alanis Morrissette
*VH1 named her the sexiest music artist in history
*"Weird Al" Yankovic parodied her in the successful "Like a Surgeon," which holds the distinction of being Yankovic's only parody suggested by the original artist; it was Madonna's idea
*The BBC has named her the 2nd most powerful celebrity in the world, behind Oprah
*Her 1994 appearance on the Letterman show became both the most-censored talk show in American history and one of the show's highest-rated nights
*Her "Hung Up" single was retired on "TRL," making her the only 1980s artist (and the oldest artist) to have a song retired on the Gen-Y MTV program
*Only twice in history has one artist topped all 4 of Billboard's dance charts simultaneously. Both times, the artist was Madonna.
*Her hair style and color have changed dramatically over the years
*She is known for great diversity in her musical styles, having recorded songs from many different areas of the musical spectrum
*Her prolonged success is often credited to her ability to "reinvent" herself in the public eye
*She is one of a handful of artists particularly known for a large and rabidly loyal fanbase
*Her film career has been marked with one critical lashing after another, though she has had several box office successes. She was offered many film roles (including several that went on to receive an Oscar), but turned them down
*"What It Feels Like For a Girl" is the best-selling DVD single in history
*She has released two documentaries. The first, Truth or Dare, was a theatrical hit
*Evita was the highest-grossing musical of any film released in the 1980s or 1990s
*She has authored several successful children's books (based on her Kabbalah theology) and one adult book, S.E.X.
*She has the record for most costume changes in a motion picture (Evita)
*All of her tours have sold out. She is one of the most successful live acts in history
*Musician Magazine" named her the Artist of the Decade for the 1980's
*She has had tremendous success in numerous countries around the world. She is very popular in the US and Europe
*She has never released a Christmas album, though the song "Santa, Baby" remains a perennial holiday hit
*"Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" marked a rare occasion in which a song from a musical film becomes a major mainstream hit


Mini-Biography
Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone (born August 16, 1958), better known worldwide by only her first name Madonna, is an American pop singer, record and film producer, dancer, actor, and children's author. Sometimes referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she is noted for her innovative music videos, elaborately mounted stage performances, and use of political, sexual, and religious themes and imagery in her work.
In 2000, The Guinness Book of Records credited Madonna as the most successful female recording artist of all time, with estimated worldwide sales of 120 million albums.[1] Her record label, Warner Bros. Records, reported in 2005 that she had achieved international sales in excess of 200 million albums.[2]
(Biography from Wikipedia.com)

After a star reaches a certain point, it's easy to forget what they became famous for and concentrate solely on their persona. Madonna is such a star. Madonna rocketed to stardom so quickly in 1984 that it obscured most of her musical virtues. Appreciating her music became even more difficult as the decade wore on, as discussing her lifestyle became more common than discussing her music. However, one of Madonna's greatest achievements is how she manipulated the media and the public with her music, her videos, her publicity, and her sexuality. Arguably, Madonna was the first female pop star to have complete control of her music and image.
(Biography from Answers.com)

Click here for a lengthier Madonna biography.

Official Websites: www.madonna.com * http://home.madonna.com

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Past Artist Discussions:
1. Aerosmith
2. Elvis Presley
3. Michael Jackson
4. The Beatles
5. Mariah Carey
6. Pink Floyd
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-Aaron

[DaveWadding]

I know I'm going to piss a bunch of people off, but Madonna sucks. Just like Mariah Carey.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

Yeah, a lot of people are going to be really saddened by that "fact"...

[MadonnasManOne]

I know I'm going to piss a bunch of people off, but Madonna sucks. Just like Mariah Carey.

Just know this. When she goes to bed at night, she's Madonna. She could care less about what you think.

She has more talent in her pinky, than most people will ever have in their whole life.

[my chicken is infected]

I abso-frickin-lutely LOVE her! I was slightly disappointed with Confessions On A Dance Floor, but it still has its solid tracks, Sorry being the best of them. However, in my mind, nothing can top her song Frozen, which is just absolutely AMAZING with its strings and ethereal electronic sounds. Just one of my all time favorite songs.

[Enchantress]

I abso-frickin-lutely LOVE her! I was slightly disappointed with Confessions On A Dance Floor, but it still has its solid tracks, Sorry being the best of them. However, in my mind, nothing can top her song Frozen, which is just absolutely AMAZING with its strings and ethereal electronic sounds. Just one of my all time favorite songs.

Yeah I like 'Frozen' too, 'Like a Prayer' is my favourite of hers though. I don't own any of her albums, and I wouldn't call myself a fan, but she's done some ok songs

[MickeyMousePal]

Who cannot like Madonna because I do I have lots of her CD's more then any other female singer besides Amy Grant. LOL

The Immaculate Collection
American Life
Bedtime Stories
Confessions on a Dance Floor
GHV2

She was great 20 years ago and still is the Queen of Pop/Dance sorry Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

I still hear Madonna songs once in a while at home or on the radio. LOL

[AwallaceUNC]

Sorry this one took so long. I wanted to let everyone cool off after the feuding in the Mariah Carey thread and there was also a ton of Madonna info to wade through. I hope it's earned MM1's approval!

Madonna has a lot of good music and there's no denying her success. I must confess to really only being familiar with the radio hits. On CD, I own Ray of Light and the 2-disc soundtrack of Evita as well as the singles for "Music" and "Don't Tell Me." I like RoL... as for Evita, I haven't seen the movie and I've had a hard time getting into the soundtrack to no fault of Madonna's, but because I'm just not big on the ALW style. I do love "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina," though.

I think I've liked every song I've come across but aside from the three songs mentioned above, some of my favorites are Papa Don't Preach,
Like a Prayer, Ray of Light, Die Another Day, Secret, Take a Bow, Beautiful Stranger, Santa Baby, American Life, Frozen, The Power of Goodbye, American Pie, and Hung Up.

Looking beyond the music... I think the only two Madonna movies I've seen from beginning to end are A League of Their Own and Dick Tracy and I liked both (well, and Die Another Day too, of course). I do think that the steady stream of Madonna controversies wears thin (please don't hate me, MM1!), but I do like her music.

I've considered getting one of her greatest hits albums, even though I already have so many of the songs I know and like. Making this thread made me more interested in the idea so maybe I will sometime.

Who cannot like Madonna because I do I have lots of her CD's more then any other female singer besides Amy Grant. LOL

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

And let's not forget the drawing by Aladdin from Agrabah: http://www.freewebs.com/kashekim/myartM.jpg

-Aaron

[Wonderlicious]

I have to admit that I quite like Madonna. She's one of the "pop" artists that I will admit to really liking a lot (most artists in the pure pop arena have songs that I like, but a lot of their other stuff I won't like). I think that this may be down to her originality; she doesn't stick with just one image and sound, but varies it, especially with recent works. For her recent disco sound/look, I've liked it, but I have to admit that she looked a bit old for what she was wearing for the gym scenes in the "Hung Up" video (I don't mean to be ageist, but she looked a bit too bare around the thighs when considering her age). On the whole, though, I've liked a number of her videos, despite them being a bit "ooh, let's be intentionally controversial!". Sadly, I don't have a full album of hers, yet I probably will get some stuff of her's soon (maybe a Greatest hits like Aaron).

My favourite Madonna songs: Hung Up, Ray of Light, Like a Virgin, Like a Prayer (my, she likes to put "like a" in her song titles" ), Vogue, Music, Don't Tell Me, Material Girl, Get Together

[PatrickvD]

The thing about Madonna is that she's really an artist. She's not a musician, she can't sing, she can't write songs or compose anything.

She's an artist, she's an image, an icon, but mostly just a mystery.

Saying she sucks or hating her is too easy. She didn't last thins long for nothing.

Personally, I'm not a fan, but I won't deny her starpower and her impact in the industry.

[The Little Merman]

I know I'm going to piss a bunch of people off, but Madonna sucks. Just like Mariah Carey.

Just know this. When she goes to bed at night, she's Madonna. She could care less about what you think.

MMO, you make me giggle.

Anywhoo-- I have always and will never stop loving Madge. I wouldn't pay $95+ for tickets if it was any other woman.

*tlm

[Jungleprince_55]

Madonna's Awesome!

She's one of my favorite artists, I have a bunch of her CDs.

Here's my collection

Madonna (Original CD Release)
Like A Virgin (Remastered Edition)
True Blue (Original CD Release)
Like A Prayer
The Immaculate Collection
Erotica
Bedtime Stories
Ray Of Light
Music
GHV2
American Life
Remixed & Revisited
Confessions On A Dance Floor

I also have a Definitive Greatest Hits collection that i made for myself since TIC & GHV2 omit quite a few good songs, It is a 4-Disc set that contains every song ever released as a single and contains whichever mix of each song was released as the single.

[DaveWadding]

I know I'm going to piss a bunch of people off, but Madonna sucks. Just like Mariah Carey.

Just know this. When she goes to bed at night, she's Madonna. She could care less about what you think.

She has more talent in her pinky, than most people will ever have in their whole life.

Okay, so she's Madonna, she's suckered millions upon millions of people into buying her crap...and she's not killing herself over another few CD sales. Big deal.

I think she sucks, okay? Okay.

[James]

Aaron, I really love these threads. Reading about all of the interesting facts are wonderful and they're so long too, but I'm still saddened when I finish reading the info. Hopefully a Spice Girls one isn't too far off. I'd love that.
As for Madonna, I like her, but I like Britney far more and even Cher as well. I like her music but her voice isn't nice in ballads, I don't think. I think that she should stick to singing dance stuff like her old stuff and her lastest album Confessions. Get Together is great and I like Hung Up but I think that Sorry is highly over-rated, and I can't believe that it got to number 1. It doesn't help my opinion of her that she hasn't toured Australia since 1993. Come on, you keep going to Japan Madonna, Australia is like one hour extra. It would be the biggest gig of the year if she decided to tour here. I'd like to see her documentaries though, especially the one with her dead mum. Also- you forgot to mention Desperately Seeking Susan on the film list, Aaron. I saw it late at night about three months ago. It was pretty good.
Anyway, in short, I like some of Madonnas music, and she seems nice and all, but ultimately she doesn't cut my cheese, you know.
-James

[MadonnasManOne]

Okay, so she's Madonna, she's suckered millions upon millions of people into buying her crap...and she's not killing herself over another few CD sales. Big deal.

I think she sucks, okay? Okay.

She hasn't suckered million upon millions of people into doing anything. In case you don't realize this, we, as human beings, have free will. So, those who have purchased her music, videos, movies, etc., have done so of their own free will, and Madonna did not hold a gun to their head. The reason Madonna is so successful, and people buy into her? Because she doesn't suck. She does not create "crap". She's extremely talented. She writes her music, she CAN sing, and yes, she can act (although she hasn't always chosen the right film roles). So, if you think she "sucks", whatever. You're wrong, but, whatever.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

I'm not really a fan of Madonna - in fact I even guess I am a fan of very few popular-culture phenomena of today... But it's almost time to say that Madonna has been successful "for decades" now. I think that deserves some sort of respect.

[AwallaceUNC]

Aaron, I really love these threads. Reading about all of the interesting facts are wonderful and they're so long too, but I'm still saddened when I finish reading the info.

Thanks, James! I'm happy to know that someone is reading the first posts, as they take a lot of time.

-Aaron

[Lazario]

Madonna sucks

You can't piss smart people off with a lie

I even guess I am a fan of very few popular-culture phenomena of today...

Join the club, I'm in the very same line. I can't stand more than 90% of the garbage that comes out today. All of it - technology, movies, music, TV, whatever. It's almost all complete crap.

She was great 20 years ago and still is the Queen of Pop/Dance sorry Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

I agree. The reason these girls still can't hold a candle to Madonna is because her albums are crafted better than the Britneys and Christinas. And she still works more than they do. And she's still accomplished more than they have. Britney has done a lot in a short amount of time, but she's become a laughing stock of music and American culture, and she's earned that. Christina Aguilera does not make as much music as Britney, though she seems to work harder making those albums, she's not quite as talented as Britney, though she is definitely more serious about the actual music, seems to have more potential for career longevity, is "hipper," and is a truer artist. But her albums... ouch. Her first album really stunk, and "Dirty" as a song wasn't very good, and "Lady Marmolade" was a four/five person song, so I'd say she still has a lot of work left to do to even come close to taking Madonna's title.

I still think Gwen Stefani has done more (and better work) in a shorter period of time to become a greater pop icon, but I believe she will most likely go back to No Doubt eventually. And so far, Paris Hilton has yet to really rock the world with an undoubtable single. So only time will tell for her. There is no hope for Jessica Simpson, I think. And that's all I have to say about that right now.

she's suckered millions upon millions of people into buying her crap

She didn't sucker me into doing a thing. And if you think otherwise, first of all - you don't know me, second of all, you are a fool. And her music is not crap. And again, if you disagree - I think you're a big fool. Okay?

The reason Madonna is so successful, and people buy into her? Because she doesn't suck.

Tell it like it is.

And on the subject of Madonna's acting ability - it's true that she can act. It's also true that she has no concept of how to choose a proper role. So in her best work after Evita, she's been only passable. I think she did a good job in The Next Best Thing and Swept Away, both movies I generally liked (Swept Away was the product of a bad overall idea- remake, and an archaic script in a time when the idea of a man slapping a woman around like he did in this movie was totally inconceivable - but the movie is still incredibly stylish and beautiful, visually), but both were a wee bit too ambitious for her.

she can't sing, she can't write songs

You don't think she's written any of her own songs? And of course she can sing. Not everyone's vocal style is the same


I heard/saw someone mention Cher. I just want to take this opportunity to say I cannot stand Cher's new stuff. I hate "Believe," and compared to Madonna's Confessions album, Cher is actually disco (cute in the '70s, not so much today), though she's technically retired (I think if anyone disagrees, I'd bet money). I like some of her older songs from the late '60s and the '70s, and some of her '80s/early '90s power ballads. But really, the woman in my opinion, once she started acting, she was always a better actress than a music star. I've seen her glamour act and I'm not impressed (not that I'm stupid enough to think she cares). And I've never been a Cher-head / Cher-aholic / Cher-devotee (whatever those people might call themselves).

[DaveWadding]

The REASON Madonna is successful is because of MTV, if it werent for MTV, no one would care about her...and if it werent for Madonna, no one would care about MTV.