groovyguy

Madonna Haters Are Desperate, Old, Tired, and Oh So Irrelevant. Can’t They Just Retire Already?
David Toussaint May 7   https://medium.com/@davidtoussaint_49945/madonna-haters-are-desperate-old-tired-and-oh-so-irrelevant-cant-they-just-retire-already-befb1d32ec05?fbclid=IwAR3KpSMWB-sj3g4hSl1MsMMDUNK9lRMe9nRTQajS5LtayEFEGSjo4RGr6sQ As a diehard Madonna fan since she caked-jumped in her skivvies on the 1984 MTV awards, I’ve known for quite some time that I’m supposed to — expected to — denounce the woman. From the Far Right and their protests in the 80’s and the “musical purist” queers who damned me to hell for loving a non-tragic, puff-piped vocalist, to the general 90’s population who waged jihad on her and anyone who still paid attention to her “Sex” book and “Erotica” sins, and the relentless articles sent to me like Bible versus every time she got bad press (I got a lot of “Old Testament” articles), to the new millennium age of responding to my adoration with tweets and posts so vile it reminded me of the fire and brimstone lectures Grandma used to give me for skipping out on Church.
To all of that and more, more, more, there’s a religious fervor among those who are always mad about Madonna, and their refusal to give up is like a snore. It isn’t enough that they try to nail her to her own proverbial cross; they’re determined to convert us believers to their non-Madonna way of life.
It’s ironic, more than anything, because, with all their dissecting, analyzing, and endless articles and rants and comments on her irrelevancy — the most surefire way to make an artist stay relevant — they’re clueless about what Madonna fans truly care about; her music. While they’re spending all their energy and words trying to justify their logic, the faithful among us are just having 1, 2, cha cha fun.
If Madonna’s albums don’t sell like they used to or her songs don’t get played on the radio or she hasn’t turned a Pepsi ban into a professional victory, her detractors seem to think that will make us loathe her. Yeah, right, we’ll burn her old patchouli-scented CDs because she’s not as Grande as Arianna. If one photo shoot or video or song resembles a previous one, they’ll tell us she’s desperate and think we’ll follow their lead, because, apparently, always evolving Taylor Swift and Beyonce have never looked or sounded even remotely similar twice. What, Madonna’s posing in the same position as she did for the “Confessions” cover? At least Cher got smart and did something new…cover Abba!
Yes, Mad-haters, we know much of Madonna’s success has been built around re-invention (a strategy that pretty much every gal who’s proceeded her has followed), and that, after a gazillion albums and videos and photos she sometimes evokes her prior incarnations. We also know that if reinvention were the only key to success, everyone who’s ever switched hair colors would have more top ten hits than Elvis.
They’ll vilify Madonna for working with hot, young musicians to stay noticed — because God forbid the biggest selling female singer of all time use her clout to work with the best in the business; she should stick to subway performers or Jermaine Jackson — then remind us she’s calculating. Because I’m fairly certain all those other artists just work their albums and videos and concert tours off the seat of their pants.
Finally, they’ll tell us the kicker: Madonna’s old. Why didn’t she just roll over and die like every other respectable artist from the 80's? The nerve! Women say this more often than men, which speaks volumes about the collective consciousness of the “woke” millennial, #metoo-inspired feminist who believes women should have the same rights as men unless they’re pop stars. When cornered, they’ll say it’s not her really age, it’s that she doesn’t act her age. Apparently, Madge forgot to read the handbook. If you’re reading, M., know you’re in good company. Most happy, intelligent, creative types I know also forgot to read their “How to grow old, sad, fat, and de-sexed” guidebooks too. Ah, the good old 1950’s mentality! Let’s bring it back, put women in the kitchen, and Make America Madonna-Free Again (MAMA)!
Thing is, we’ve heard it all before and we’re bored…with you. We respect those who don’t care for Madonna’s music or looks or politics or country of residence or current eye patch phase, but who also know how to state their position and move on. You know, like with their lives. I have friends who fit this bill and we actually get along with our differing opinions and have not gone to war. Madonna’s true haters want “GoT”-worthy battle and post just as many updates. They also won’t be happy until they spoil it for the rest of us. They’re the Mormons who invade our homes and don’t give up preaching the true faith until we slam the door shut. And then come back as soon as the devil has once again reared its musical head.
Every time I write so much as a nice tweet about Madonna a Lady Gaga fan threatens me, sometimes with death — any huge Madonna follower knows I’m not kidding about this. This is crazy for a couple of reasons, the most obvious being that it’s bat-s*** crazy. Putting that aside, there’s no reason two superstars can’t exist on the same planet at the same time, and there’s no real reason to compare Madge and Gaga except when, because of sound or vision similarities, the latter has encouraged us to. “Reductive” didn’t hit viral mode until a year after every reporter, fan of both stars, and mashup begged for a comment.
Thing is, they’ve both moved on. You can too. There’s an entire planet in trouble with your name on it!
Of course, no article about Madonna haters would be complete without mentioning the self-described “fans” who berate her on a daily basis then profess she’ll always be their queen. (In regards to Madonna, “but I love her to death” is the new “bless her heart.”) They never like anything she does, even if it’s the lighting in the far right corner of the sixth frame of her new video, and they’ll wax sentimental over her “Ray of Light Days.” When “RoL” came out, they were waxing sentimental over her “fun, 80’s, dance days.” Ask 1,000 of these fans what they’d like her to do and you’ll get 1,000 different answers. Yesterday, they wanted smaller venues; today they’re mad that smaller venues mean harder-to-get tickets. Can’t she do anything right…for me?
The kicker is that a good 90 percent of these people will tell you they’re “music industry insiders” and have secret information on the behind-the-scenes plagued-music-wars Madonna’s fighting on a daily basis and how it can be fixed. Apparently, however, they’re not quite “inside” enough to guide Madonna themselves. How is it that, with all their clout, she doesn’t converse with them on Snapchat? Call this group whatever you wish but I simply go with “irritating AF.”
As Madonna gets set to release “Madame X” on June 14, there’s something everyone who’s already plotting the criticisms and hit pieces and general steam-spewing-out-their-ears tweet storms needs to know: Like the Queen herself, we’re not going anywhere. Her music makes us laugh and cry and dance and sing get up and do our thing. If that sounded a little clichéd, it’s because it’s still a little true. Yes, we criticize, we compare and contrast, we’re still baffled over the “Hard Candy” cover art. But we do it with lovable glee. Because we’re invested in this miraculous, three-decade pop star who, more than anything, hooks like a glove.
The other day, after getting up and walking my newly-blind dog, then sitting in a dentist chair for six hours because, after four months, they still can’t get my teeth fixed correctly, talking to my mother with dementia, talking to my friend with cancer, walking four miles on three hours sleep to get rid of this brand-new stomach bulge, putting ice on my thrown-out back, then getting an email that said a job I desperately needed had been postponed, I tuned out everything else and blared Madonna’s new single on the headphones. In fewer than four minutes time I’d lost myself in a wonderful world of music that sounded like multi-colored tulips in a garden of Willy Wonka pure-imagination pop.
To put it simply, I rose.
 

PRO SHOT FOOTAGE of the speech/moment of silence/ and Like a Prayer
Posted by Guy Oseary

 
 
Like A Prayer - For PARIS...Stockholm Show 1080p.mp4  577.6 MB

Hidden Content
Give reaction to this post to see the hidden content.  
The link is added to the full list of special performances @ http://www.madonna-infinity.net/forums/index.php?/topic/5039-dl-rht-special-performances-stockholm-pro-shot-speech-lap-berlin-lapsecret-ub-rita-ora-idris-elbaprague-specials/?p=214006

I’m so sad to learn on this news. He was phenomenal. And Evita was exceptional.  I’m so glad Madonna worked with him. I think he pushed her to another level. Rip!!!

Just gorgeous and so sexy too! 

This! I love that song!

From Madonna....
 

Here’s what I relate to the most today and for a long time. There is so much heartache in the world. A reminder (no matter who you are and what you believe, etc) of how much we’re in this world together and how we all need love and understanding as we all live through violence, uncertainty, sicknesses, the unknown, death of loved ones, loss, and hard times. Thanks to @dubtronicfor this mix...
 
 

I love this idea! Go for it! ?✨?Adding: I love fan remixes more so than Madonna’s chosen remixers. 

I’ll Remember and Nothing Really Matters!
 

Just beautiful. I love it! 

So awesome. Thank you ???

Here's my video pick for today because Madonna is so stunning in it.  Also, here's to remembering those who are/were so special to us and changed and/or made an impact on us in some way. "I'll remember....the love that you gave me...."
 

That would be so cool. I can't wait!

I hope so! I want this feat. in physical format!!!.

Madonna and photographer Herb Ritts photographed by Lorraine Day in Los Angeles (1990)

Madonna New Music Seminar contact sheet ‘84

...it's time to celebrate the output Madonna has released during this unique decade. 
Our Diva has given us three albums and more than 70 songs between 2012 and 2019. 
Which ones have made the top 10? Which album has had the highest amount of entries? 
Let's get into this ranking!
 DISCLAIMER
This is my list, not yours.
Don't be rude if your favorite song didn't make it on MY list because hey,
it still made it on YOUR list.
OKKAAAYY.
 
10. Love Spent (MDNA, 2012)
A fan favorite from Madonna's 12th studio album, MDNA, this song is a complex and captivating listen. 
The lyrics deal with love and money, particularly referring to Madonna's ex-husband Guy Ritchie. She tells the listener how money has ruined her marriage, as she felt that she mattered less than it to her partner. 
Musically, it features banjo, strings, electronic dance music and takes sharp and unexpected turns. Love Spent can be described as two or even three songs into one, beautifully mixed together. The second half of the song perfectly encapsulates that "euphoric melancholia" that I absolutely love about many songs by Madonna. 
 
9. Crazy (Madame X, 2019)
My favorite song on Madonna's 14th studio album, Crazy is a latin-pop ballad about a difficult relationship. It has everything that makes a great Madonna track: A linear melody, a big chorus, a beautiful bridge, great lyrics and natural vocals.
Like I wrote in my review for Madame X the reason I love this song so much is how it is lyrically reminiscent of Madonna's debut album, not only thematically but also when it comes to the songwriting. There is that youthful anger mixed with innocence that worked so well on The First Album. 

8. Best Night (Rebel Heart, 2015)

Dita came back four years ago, and she sounded as sexy as ever.
This beautiful r&b mid-tempo ballad with African elements is the hottest track on Rebel Heart and at the time (like its parent album) marked the return of raw soul and passion from Madonna.
This song represents the sexy, the romantic, the forbidden, the secret and the exciting. The bridge, which briefly quotes Justify My Love, is a melodic and vocal highlight. Madonna's lower tone has always been something else.

7. Devil Pray (Rebel Heart, 2015)
One of the best songs on Madonna's 13th studio album, Devil Pray is about drugs and how they are not the solution to people's problems. Madonna is telling the listener to fight against addiction (represented by the devil) and that asking others for help is not a bad thing, as by coming together we have a higher chance to win.
Madonna's voice is beautifully clear and resonant and the interesting mix of acoustic guitar and electronic dance music only seals the deal. Towards the end we can even hear the devil sing. Even IT surrendered to the brilliance of this track.

6. Rebel Heart (Rebel Heart, 2015)
This song could both be an introduction to and a summary of Madonna's career and persona in general.
I love her absolute honesty on this track. She covers her teenage struggles with her father, her controversial nature, her strength, the darker moments of her career, her romantic but at the same time tough personality.
I remember one interview she did in 2015 while promoting this record and she said that her personality was that of a warrior, a romantic warrior or  something along the lines of that.
 
5. Beautiful Killer (MDNA, 2012)
The 1980's are back on this synthwave gem.
A tribute to iconic french actor Alain Delon, this song was inspired by his character Jef Costello in the movie Le Samourai. Madonna dreams about being kidnapped by him and falling in love with him, without even knowing much about his personality, his origins and the reason he's wanted.
This song is that kind of pop perfection only Madonna is able to make so well and it sounds even better thanks to the growing popularity of the synthwave scene (read my article here).

4. Inside Out (Rebel Heart, 2015)
Inside Out is a track that instantly spoke to me when I heard it for the first time. Lyrically, I find it so full of love and passion. Madonna's vocals have also never sounded better, her voice was made for electronic songs like this one.
The chorus is straight-up old school Madonna and the bridge is absolutely magical: "Let's cross the line / so far we won't come back / can't read your mind / I should't have to ask / cynical smile / time to take off your mask / I'm on your side / so let me love you". 
I so wanted Madonna to sing this song live during the Rebel Heart Tour. 

3. Wash All Over Me (Rebel Heart, 2015)
Easily one of the greatest ballads (and songs in general) of our Diva's career, Wash All Over Me is incredibly deep and cryptic.
Her vocals, her songwriting abilities, her innate ear for pop melodies all shine on this song. She meditates on her mission as a human being, society's moral and spiritual downfall, her mortality and destiny. Wash All Over Me is a wonderfully written piece of poetry.
I really couldn't place this song outside of the top three.

2. Ghosttown (Rebel Heart, 2015)
Melodies, melodies, melodies. This is why the Rebel Heart album is the star of this top 10.
Ghosttown reminds us why Madonna is the queen of pop. In 2015 Madonna was 33 years into her career and she came up with this absolute pop gem.
With Ghosttown she proved once again her capabilities as a songwriter, giving us this situational song about two lovers who have to face an impending disaster, may it be a cataclysm or a nuclear war (like it's depicted in the music video).
Ghosttown is a masterpiece that will get appreciated more and more as time passes by.

1. Messiah (Rebel Heart, 2015)
What can I say? I've been a fan since 2005 (whew! over 14 years) and I adore this woman's discography almost in its entirety.
Still, Messiah not only is number one on this list but it is also my favorite song by Madonna, ever.
It is more than a declaration of love, this song is about trust, devotion and desire intertwined with spirituality and purity. This song perfectly expresses what it feels like to find our soulmate.
Production-wise this is immense: Dark, haunting, cinematic. Madonna's vocals sound so wonderfully clear and we can feel every word she's singing.
Simply a breathtaking song.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Because why not?
I've had a hard time making this list and there are many songs that I would have loved to include.
Here is a short (ehm) list:
I'm Addicted - from MDNA.
Joan of Arc - from Rebel Heart
Killers Who Are Partying - from Madame X 
Gang Bang - from MDNA
Dark Ballet - from Madame X 
HeartbreakCity - from Rebel Heart
Masterpiece - from MDNA
Falling Free - from MDNA
Veni Vidi Vici - from Rebel Heart
Heaven and Queen - two unreleased gems from the Rebel Heart sessions. 

Madonna New Music Seminar contact sheet ‘84