The 12 Most Underrated Madonna Songs Of All

[groovyguy 63,855]

Something To Remember: The 12 Most Underrated Madonna Songs Of All

http://www.queerty.com/something-to-remember-the-10-most-underrated-madonna-songs-of-all-time-20141011

 

This week marked the 20th anniversary of the release of Madonna’s sixth studio album, the smooth, sleek, R&B-inspired Bedtime Stories. Despite selling more than 3 million copies in the U.S. (7 million worldwide), receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Album, and featuring Madonna’s longest-running number-one single (“Take a Bow†spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart), Bedtime Stories remains one of Madge’s most underrated, under-appreciated albums of all. She did not tour with the album, and rarely, with the exception of “Human Nature,†does she include any songs from it in her world tours. Ask any Madonna fan where Bedtime Storiesfalls on their list of favorites, and they’ll probably tell you it doesn’t rank particularly high. How come? We have no idea. It’s a great album, and one that deserves far more attention than it ever received.

 

Thief of Hearts

Why this banger was never released as a single from her 1992 album Erotica and yet the sappy, mid-tempo â€œBad Girl†was still baffles us to this day. “Thief of Hearts†opens with the sound of a glass shattering and Madonna shouting “Bitch!†What follows are five frenetic minutes of Lady M slut shaming the woman who tried to steal her boyfriend, calling her a criminal and a whore, and threatening to break her legs. “You’ll be sorry!†she warns. “No one ever takes what’s mine!â€

 

Time Stood Still

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KcBNYD97b8

Despite her efforts to convince people otherwise (as exampled by 1995’s compilation album Something to Remember), ballads have never been Madonna’s strong suit. But every now and then she manages to record a convincing one. Time Stood Still was written for the soundtrack to the 2000 film The Next Best Thing. The movie may have been a complete and utter disaster, but the song was pure gold. It’s an orchestra-driven ballad that has Madonna reflecting on a relationship that simply wasn’t meant to be. Had this song actually been promoted by her record label (and had the accompanying film not flopped), we’re convinced it could have been a hit.

 

Spotlight

Initially rejected during her True Blue album recording sessions, “Spotlight†was included on Madonna’s 1987 remix album You Can Dance. It’s a bouncy, synth-heavy dance number about how “everyone is special in their own way.†Cheesy? No doubt. But that’s part of its charm. The song didn’t impress critics and was never released as a single in the U.S., but it still managed to find a spot on Billboard‘s Airplay chart in early 1988, and it was a minor hit in Japan. Today, â€œSpotlight†epitomizes ’80s dance music, and serves as an unexpected reminder of why we fell in love with Madonna in the first place.

[groovyguy 63,855]

Animal

When this Timbaland-produced outtake from 2008’s Hard Candy leaked online in 2010 it had many fans wondering: With so many throwaway tracks on that album, why the hell didn’t this one make the final cut? It’s catchy, it’s danceable, and it’s far superior to assaults like “Dance 2Nite†or, worse, “Spanish Lesson.†“If you want, I’ll treat you like an animal,†the Queen talk-sings in the three-minute, whip-cracking,  S&M-themed anthem. To which the only appropriate response is: “Yes, master!â€

 

 

Supernatural

While we’re on the subject of Madonna outtakes, “Supernatural†was a previously unreleased track included as a B-side to 1989’s “Cherish†single. It was originally recorded during the True Bluesessions, but it didn’t make the final cut because, well, we’re not entirely sure. It’s a great song. It has a spooky/Halloween/haunted house sort of vibe to it. In it, Madonna details a late night bedroom rendezvous with… a ghost? Yes, a ghost. “Made your acquaintance late one night,†she sings. “You were floating around/You know you gave me quite a fright.†So what exactly is sex with a ghost like? According to Miss Ciccone, it’s some of the best lovin’ she’s ever had. “I’d say that your skills as a lover are very refined,†she coos. “You know just what I want and I don’t have to ask/Are you reading my mind?â€

 

‘Til Death Do Us Part

Perhaps one of Madonna’s most honest and vulnerable songs ever, “‘Til Death Do Us Partâ€, from 1989’s Like A Prayer, was rumored to be inspired by her abusive relationship and subsequent divorce from actor Sean Penn. “The bruises they will fade away/You hit so hard with the things you say/I will not stay to watch your hate/As it grows,†Madonna sings, her voice laced with heartbreak and shame. Unfortunately, the track gets overshadowed by some of the other powerhouse songs on the mammoth of an album.

[groovyguy 63,855]

Gambler

Originally recorded for the soundtrack to the film Vision Quest (along with one of our all-time favs â€œCrazy For Youâ€) “Gambler†is an fast-paced, synth-disco track that’s 100 percent classic Madonna. In it, our lady asserts her independence, a theme she would often revisit (and eventually exhaust) throughout her career. “You can’t stop me now,†she proclaims. “‘Cause I’m a gambler, I only play the game my way!†The song reached the top-ten in seven different countries and Madonna shot a music video for it, but she only ever performed it once, during her 1985 Virgin Tour. But these days, we’d be surprised if she even remembers “Gambler†anymore. It’s been forgotten about by pretty much everyone, eclipsed by her bigger hits from the mid-80s. Still, we love it.

 

Gone

Anyone who’s ever doubted Madge’s songwriting abilities needs to sit down and listen to “Gone,†track 10 on 2000’s Grammy-nominated Music. At the time of its release, Slate praised the song for being “possibly one of Madonna’s best performances,†calling it â€œthe most human she has ever been.†The song is stripped down and introspective, offering a thoughtful close to an otherwise upbeat and ebullient mid-career album.

 

 

Pretender

At first listen, “Pretender†may sound like just another banal ’80s filler track included on Madonna’s second studio effort Like A Virgin to satisfy record execs who wanted the album to include nine songs rather than eight. And it was certainly treated as such. “Pretender†was never released as a single, never had a music video, and has never been included in any of Madonna’s live shows. But 30 years later, after songs like “Like A Virgin†and “Material Girl†have been played to death, “Pretender†sounds surprisingly fresh and fun. Today we find ourselves skipping over those more famous hits just to get to this diamond, er, rhinestone in the rough.

[groovyguy 63,855]

Don’t Stop

We’ll be the first to admit that this is a silly song. It really isn’t about anything (other than “moving†and “groovingâ€), and the music kinda sounds like the soundtrack to a bad porno, but there’s still something totally infectious about Don’t Stop. Maybe it’s the unabashedly awful lyrics? â€œFeel it in your body,†Madonna croons, “Sing la-de-da-de.†One can’t help but wonder what the hit maker was thinking when she wrote that. Or if she was thinking at all. Then again, we can’t remember a time when we didn’t sing “la-de-da-de†at that part.

 

Erotica/You Thrill Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRvgtVaJMAc

25 years into her career, Madonna proved she still had a few tricks up her sleeve, er, leotard, when she performed this remixed version of her 1992 hit “Erotica†during her wildly successful Confessions Tour in 2006. The performance featured additional lyrics from the song’s original demo, which were not included in the final version, and the results were simply divine. By toning down the explicit sexual nature of the song, Madonna made it even sexier. Of course, the tasteful white bodysuit and flawless choreography also helped.

 

I’ll Remember

Recorded for the film With Honors and released in 1994, “I’ll Remember†was a radical departure for Madonna, who had spent the previous two years being lambasted by critics for her book Sex, her album Erotica, and her erotic thriller Body of Evidence. The single was Madge’s attempt at repairing the damage that her over-sexed image had caused to her career. And it worked! “I’ll Remember†reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for both a Grammy and Golden Globe. And then it was forgotten. Ask any casual Madonna fan what they think of “I’ll Remember†and they’ll probably look back at you with a blank expression on their face. But for us die hards, the song remains one of the many hidden gems in our queen’s illustrious and ever-growing catalog.

[Halex 1,609]

Spotlight <3

[Fighter 28,797]

Spotlight

 

yas omg. This song is life.

 

Also Words. One of my favourites on Erotica! 

[Yung Rapunxel 2,174]

So many amazing songs wasted from Music

 

Like a Prayer and Erotica era should be visual, all songs with music videos

[Fighter 28,797]

She needs to do more visual stuff with albums, like take music videos seriously again would be a nice start.. lol 

 

A short film would be ideal. She can do one for Art For Freedom so maybe there's hope for something like that one day. But of course, it should include MUSIC...

[Breathless 5,286]

Spotlight, Supernatural, I'll Remember, anything from Erotica :hearteyes:

[groovyguy 63,855]

The 13 Most Underrated Madonna Songs

Posted: 12/30/2014

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pandora-boxx/13-underrated-madonna-son_b_6393140.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment&ir=Entertainment

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Madonna fan. I have been since I was a wee lad dancing around my bedroom lip-syncing to "Borderline". Amid some Madonna leakage, she released six tracks (which I'm loving) early from her 13th album Rebel Heart (due out on March 10, 2015). That premature release went number one in 42 countries on iTunes sales charts across the globe. Not bad for someone who is 30 years into her career! In my opinion, it's some of her best work in years. I'm totally "Living for Love".

 

She has so many amazing songs that it's hard to remember every last one. So in the era of lists, I made one! I wanted to put together a little collection of some great Madonna tracks that aren't in the forefront of everyone's mind. For this list, I stuck with songs that were actually released in some form. In honor of her 13th album release, here are 13 underrated Madonna songs.

 

13. Turn Up The Radio

The message and lyrics are simple. Madonna just wants to turn up the radio and dance. While this single wasn't a huge success, I think it floundered because of lack of promotion. It also suffered from a not-so-great first single ("Give Me All Your Luvin'"). To me this song is just such a great nod and throwback to the Music album or Confessions on a Dancefloor. It's definitely one of my favorite tracks from MDNA. Excuse me while I turn up my radio and just drive... and lip sync for my life.

 

12. Bye Bye Baby

Madonna may be an "Unapologetic Bitch" but "Bye Bye Baby" may be one of the sweetest sounding piss-off songs. Sung in an almost cutesy-baby voice, she sings, "I know I love you because I hate you and now I'd rather haunt you." Ouch! But you are dancing to it so who cares! Just don't get on Madonna's bad side.

 

11. Hollywood

This is the third song released from American Life. It wasn't as popular as her other albums but it's one of my favorites. To me this was an album for the true Madonna fans. You know, aside from the title track. Ok, maybe not the track but that rap. Girl. Your gays weren't in the office that day. In this track, Madonna skewers all things in La La Land. All true. What's funny is everyone in Hollywood would just dance to the great beat and not even realize they were being made fun off. Oh, Hollywood.

 

10. Bad Girl

Is it autobiographical? Or is it a "character" she's playing in the song? Who can say? But aside from being a touch melodramatic, this song really has a powerful message. Madonna has always thrived at her ballads, which is funny since she's most noted for her dance tracks. This one is no exception. Who hasn't been a bad girl from time to time? I've lived this song Over and Over, well, except for the cigarettes. Oh and the video is pretty damn epic. It gives us more short film than a music video.

 

9. Love Don't Live Here Anymore

Madonna clearly is a woman scorned, again and again (squish, squish, Madge). It's good news for her fans because it makes her ballads even more powerful. Pondering the Madonna catalogue, she has some real standout ballads. This is one of best. Originally found on the Like A Virgin album, it was released years later on Madonna's album Something to Remember, a collection of her greatest ballads. It has a certain timeless appeal to it with a very raw and gritty edge. It's simple and not overproduced. The music video also follows that simplicity, shooting the whole video in one shot.

 

8. Keep It Together

Her Like a Prayer album is probably her most personable to date and one of her all time best. There's not one throwaway track on the album. I wish there had been a video for "Keep It Together". At this point in time a video was crucial to a song's success. It's got a great '70s throwback vibe and is all about family love (M does have a heart!). I dare you not to dance to this song. Oh and the Blonde Ambition rendition of this is on point with nods to Clockwork Orange and Cabaret.

 

7. Nothing Really Matters

"Ray of Light" is a brilliant album and marked a different, spiritual infused turn for Madonna. I was living for the album when it came out! "Nothing Really Matters" is a haunting dance track about the mistakes Madonna made in her life but she's moving on, girl! The video is amazingly artistic and utterly bizarre. I love it! I mean, Madonna is wearing a kimono and cradling a bag of water. What more could you want? Except maybe that the bag is actually full of vodka.

 

6. You'll See

This song takes a sad break-up and empowers it. Jilted by a lover, Madonna vows she'll be fine "all by myself." Do you have any idea how many times I played this song after bad breakups or feeling hopelessly single? What better way to tell off your ex than with a beautiful ballad? I mean besides sleeping with all of his exes. The video is a sequel to her hit single and gorgeous video "Take a Bow". This is truly a hidden gem in the vast Madonna library.

 

5. Hanky Panky

Who doesn't like a good spanky? Direct from her concept album I'm Breathless, this song is a great fusion of '90s pop and vintage '30s. I can only imagine what the music video would be? Perhaps it's "scandalous" subject matter ruffled too many feathers to make it a big hit. Even though those ruffled feathers are usually the worst offenders. Madonna threw herself fully into the role of Breathless Mahoney in Dick Tracy (one of her best roles) and to me the I'm Breathless is one of her standout albums.

 

2. Jump

Confessions on a Dance Floor is one of Madonna's best albums filled with infectious vibes. This one not only makes you want to dance, it makes you want to "Jump", literally. It would have been a much better follow-up to "Hung Up" than Sorry. Not sorry about it.

 

3. Love Profusion

In my opinion, this is one of the best tracks from her American Life album. I think this should have been the lead single, instead of the title track. Like I previously mentioned who wants to hear Madonna "rap" about having three nannies, a driver and a chef? No one. This song is has a classic Madonna sound yet melded with a more mature Madge vibe.

 

2. Oh Father

This is one of Madonna's most personal and powerful songs ever released. "Oh Father" deals with abuse, be it mental or physical. In the video, it is the repeated pattern of abuse, first in her father and then a lover (most likely a nod to the tumultuous relationship she had with Sean Penn). There's a certain rawness to her vocals and a vulnerability. This is something you don't see in Madonna a lot. As a victim of mental abuse from my father, this one hits close to home.

 

1. Nothing Fails

This song is like an acoustic follow up to her mega-hot "Like a Prayer". This should have been the second release off her American Life album (following "Love Profusion") with a music video to compliment it. I get chills when the choir comes on. Chills, I say! I'm not religious but I feel so moved, by this song.

 

Honorable mention:

Supernatural

Ok so technically this track was never released as a single but I had to include it in this list. Why? Well, 1) it's my list, dammit and 2) the song is about having sex with a ghost. Madonna is often thought to take herself too seriously as an artist when some of her songs lack depth. With this song is there any doubt that Madonna can have fun with it all? This song definitely ranks high on my list of favorites and should have been included on her Like A Prayer album, instead of just a B-side to "Cherish". This definitely could have been a great release and can you just imagine the music video for this?

[love_profusion 138]

The American Life love! :D

[Fighter 28,797]

I think there are more worthy tracks than Turn Up The Radio for that list, but a few days ago I listened to it and I was tearing up 

[Alfalfa_HampusFL 1,138]

Gambler is my all time Madonna fave, so I for sure have not forgotten it

[devilpray 2,386]

Bad Girl will always be my favorite Madonna song, I still don'tt understand how it's not listed as one of the best music videos of pop music in the last 20 years or something, it's amazing. 

[Cyber-Raga 241]

Supernatural was recorded during the True Blue era? It sounds so LAP-esque...

[Nick 2,360]

Spotlight was actually the first Madonna song I ever heard. It definitely has a special place in my heart.

[RebelMe 3,129]

I'll Remember is life for me! Seriously! 

[Halex 1,609]

Supernatural was recorded during the True Blue era? It sounds so LAP-esque...

What ?

[Frank 42,384]

Gone has been, is, and will always be one of my most beloved M songs EVER. That DWT performance gives me life.

[Halex 1,609]

Gone IS life.

[Fighter 28,797]

I prefer "I Deserve It"

[BLOOD ROSES 33]

But what about Secret Garden? :( I feel like that one gets pushed to the background a lot.

[Fernando 423]

so many songs..so little time

[madonnaro82 43]

there are so many underrated songs of madonna. i agree with the idea that she has to be more visual with her lyrics. so here is my top 10 of should-have-be-singles-with-videos, respectively underrated songs

 

1. Nothing Fails - one of the best songs ever. beautiful and timeless. i never understood why it doesn't became the promotion it deserved. director for the video? dago gonzales!

2. Love Spent - this should have been the first single for MDNA. can you imagine a romantic video by jean-baptiste mondino for this?

3. Impressive Instant - M wanted this as single! video: mark romanek!

4. Easy Ride - after nothing fails my fav on AL. i think this is really perfection.

5. Keep It Together - for me the best song on LAP

6. Shanti/Ashtangi - innovative and timeless. i love when madonna experiments with oriental sounds and vocals. director: jonas akerlund for sure!

7. Goodbye To Innocence (Rain Tapes Version) - do i have to say something to this??? amazing song. catchy and funky as madonna never was since keep it together! it's a shame it was replaced by fever. the released version reminds is too boring.

8. Devil Wouldn't Recognize You - this song needed more attention in the hard candy era.

9. Run - great rock song. if not as a single then at least should have been released on the music album.

10. Gang Bang - second single for MDNA, what a shame tarantine never answered madonnas request...

[OceanBlue 591]

Spotlight ! Why does she always forget about this great track ? :1f614: