ehuffnsd said:

Songs like "I Deserve It", "Nobody's Perfect", "Nothing Fails", "Xstatic Process" and others seem so conflicted. She seems thankful to have the relationship that she does, but also disillusioned by it. Almost like, "Fuck, this is really hard! I have no idea what I'm doing and I'm not even sure that I want this. But I'm gonna make it work anyway."

TRON said:

yeah... i see that too. and i think that's the way it has been in my relationships. espically my last one. it was a 3 year struggle. and at times i hated the work and just wanted to be happy. some of those songs i can see fitting in how felt through it.

Interesting debate on Music here!

I'm personally right in the middle. I think it's decent but it wore out its welcome pretty quickly with me.
[Edited 11/16/05 23:24pm]

TRON said:

so this begs the question of why she's still married. is she married because it provides inspiration or is she married because she is truly happy and in love and out of that comes inspiration? its a fine line, i think. its probably a combination of both.

i just get the feeling that madonna is trying to be herself on her records but still give people fantasy. i've no doubt that its very hard balancing act. if her life isn't a fantasy yet she is tired of putting up that front, it makes for a precarious situation i think. its why i love this new cd so much. she seems to have found a way to be herself yet still create drama and flare for her audience.

ehuffnsd said:

It's never easy. Maintaining your own identity and interests and figuring out how to incorporate them into another person's life AND your life together. That's gotta be especially hard for someone as driven and self-centered as Madonna.

ok, i've got to study and go to bed, though i've enjoyed this dissection! i have a final at 11:45 on the works of mill, marx, kant, and ghandi...i'm gonna need to go over my notes for a bit now and then get to bed.

i wish my final was on madonna. fuck, it would be so much more fun!!!
[Edited 11/16/05 23:28pm]

i think she is honestly trying to create as stable a life as she can for her children. i think they come first for her, since she wants to be the mother she never had. also she lives every day knowing she outlived her mother. her Madonna Fortin Ciccone was 33 when she died and Madonna Lousie is now 47.

i think she wants to be good wife, but i also think that her ego is there too. she may say it's under control, but it's there. it's what made this album. it's what did ReInvention. She has to prove that there is no compeitition.

TRON said:

yup. so true. ok i'm going to join sassy my sustiva is kickin in so it's time for bed.

nvrmnd edit.
[Edited 11/16/05 23:32pm]

Moonbeam said:

and the video is Number One on MTV's TRL

but you know what? I'm already tired of this song.Bring on the next single and video!

VinnyM27 said:

The album version of "Hung Up" is superior to the single edit,which is too short.

I'm convinced that Madonna conceived "I Love New York" as some sort of joke,lol.Those lyrics are terrible and she knows it.It's hard to take this song seriously,but I love the music.

"Push" wouldn't have sounded out of place on 'Bedtime Stories'.It's the only track on the album that has an R&B flavor.If it is released as a single,she should hire some R&B/hip-hop producers to remix it.


I agree with you about "SuperPop".She really should have placed it on the album! Remove the bland,boring "How High" and replace it with "SuperPop" and you would have a perfect Madonna album.

SassyBritches said:

I agree with the last point you made.COADF is the most "fun" album she has made in awhile.I like it when she's being serious and introspective,but there's nothing wrong with having a little fun too.With this album,she found that middle ground.

Good pop music is music that sticks in your head and this album has a whole bunch of songs that do just that. The more I hear Sorry, Jump, Push and Forbidden Love, the more I love them. Get Together has officially become my favorite song on the album. It's like a 2005 version of a Madonna song from 83-85. It's about time that someone made an album that's just plain fun to listen to. Much props to Madonna for getting the job done with this CD.

purplecam said:

Agreed! This is why I love the album so much.It's a back-to-basics album where Madonna is celebrating her past.Many of the songs sound like old Madonna songs that have been "modernized" to sound like 2005.It's still the classic Madonna sound,just updated to fit the 2000s.Many critics are saying that "Jump" is reminiscent of "Into The Groove".

newskin69 said:

I totally agree with that, and its a shame because i dont think Music has that many bad songs on it. Its definitely not a fan favourite, but it has a couple of classics in Music & Dont Tell Me. I do think she missed working with qualified songwriters such as Pat Leonard & Rick Nowels, as she did on American Life also. Madonna can write great songs, but she needs these kind of people to bounce of, at least for a couple of tracks, otherwise her melodies become to samey. Id love to hear a whole album of Madonna / Joe Henry collaborations. So far Jump & Dont Tell Me are 2 of her most memorable tracks ever.

So what do you guys think, will it be Madonna or Carrie at the #1 spot on the album chart next week.
It's such a close call, but i can't bare the thought of and American Idol winner beating out Madonna.
It would be a sad day indeed.

DavidEye said:

Everyone expected her to do that with Music, and I think thats why its such a disappoinent to many fans. After Beautiful Stranger & Music the singles we were all expecting a really solid fun pop record, and really she was taking us towards american life. i think also, the fact that she was learning to play the guitar influenced the sound of those records, the elctro-acoustic vibe didnt sit well with many people.

I think the main influence of this record was seeing the reaction of the fans to the reinvention tour. She saw that whilst we like her new introspective stuff, we love love love her old care free pop music. I just cant wait to see what she does with this record live.

Madonna song of the day: "Push"

(Madonna/Stuart Price)

you push me to go the extra mile
you push me when it's difficult to smile
you push me,a better version of myself
you push me,only you and no one else
you push me,to see the other point of view
you push me,when there's nothing else to do
you push me,when I think I know it all
you push me,when I stumble and I fall

Keep on pushin....like nobody

Every place I live,every mood I'm in
everything I do,I owe it all to you
Every move I make,every step I take
everything I know,it's all because you push me

You push me,when I don't appreciate
you push me,not to lie and not to hate
you push me,when I want it all to end
you push me,when I really need a friend
you push me,all I wanna do is cry
you push me,when it's time for me to try
you push me,when I do it for myself
you push me,only you and no one else

Keep on pushin...like nobody

Every place I live,every mood I'm in
everything I do,I owe it all to you
every move I make,every step I take
everything I do,it's all because you push me

You push me

Keep on pushin....like nobody
keep on,keep on

Every place I live (to go the extra mile)
every mood I'm in (when it's difficult to smile)
everything I do (a better version of myself)
I owe it all to you (only you and only you and only you)
Every move I make (to see the other point of view)
every step I take (when there's nothing else to do)
eveything I do (I think I know it all)
it's all because you push me (only you and only you and only you)

Every place I live (to go the extra mile)
every mood I'm in (when it's difficult to smile)
everything I do (a better version of myself)
I owe it all to you (only you and only you and only you)
every move I make (to see the other point of view)
every step I take (when there's nothing else to do)
everything I do (I think I know it all)
it's all because you push me

You push me

I have NEVER been much of a Madonna fan. The only Maddie cds that I own are Ray of Light, Music, and now Confessions... At first, I really didn't think that I would like Confessions because frankly I'm not a HUGE fan of that electronica-techno sound. But I must admit that I am FALLING IN LOVE with this cd. In fact, I'm gonna FORCE my husband to listen to it tonight while driving out-of-town for dinner coz I'm curious about his reaction and opinion. He has ALWAYS been a fan of blues and bands more so than pop (a little bit of a music snob), so I'm curious to hear his response to the cd.

With Confessions, I don't think that Maddie is trying to be "deep" as far as lyric content is concerned: I think she is really pushing that techno-sound, not to create something new, but to create something more accessible, for people like me and maybe my husband who really don't "get" that trend, while at the same time remaining true to it. I don'think I've explained that very well. It's like she is expanding what "pop" music is supposed to be about. I probably didn't say that very well either.

I have to admit that I, too, now really believe that Madonna is a musical genuis where as I have ALWAYS maintained before that her TRUE brilliance is marketing and self-promotion. No, Maddie is NOT he best singer, songwriter, musician, dancer, performer(although she is a pretty great performer as far as "theatrical" types of shows), but for sure an amazing innovator. I'm very impressed with Confessions when I really didn't think I would be. If Carrie Underwood does indeed "beat" Madonna on the charts, well as far as I'm concerned, that doesn't say much. Although a very talented young lady, Carrie is "safe," predictable. While at the other end of the spectrum, like her or not, Madonna always seems to be pushing the envelope, daring her listeners to go along for the ride.

P.S. My favorite song on Confessions is "Isaac."
[Edited 11/17/05 5:45am]

it's so much easier these days for me to trash madonna than it is for me to praise her, but i have to admit she got it right with the new album. i'm enjoying it immensely.

did you guys read the Madonna article/interview in Billboard? It's the best article I have seen because it concentrates solely on the NEW ALBUM (no gossip,no Kabbalah talk,etc).Here's a few tidbits...


Billboard: I interviewed Stuart Price during the recent Billboard Dance Music Summit.During our chat,he mentioned that you wanted the new album to start at 120 beats-per-minute and only go up.

Madonna: It's true.I wanted a record with no ballads.I wanted there to be no breaks,with one song segueing into the next--just like in a disco.

Billboard: Was this "Madonna the DJ" at work?

Madonna: It was.But the thing is,whenever I make records,I often like the remixes better than the original versions.So I thought,screw that.I'm going to start from that perspective.I want to hear all these songs in a club.I approached the album from more of a DJ's point of view,but Stuart is a DJ.That really influenced the vibe---the dance aspect--of the record.

Billboard: The album has a definite retro feel.It could've been so easy for someone like you,who came out of the 80s,to simply make an 80s-sounding record--like numerous others have done recently.But you didn't.Instead,you reference the past,but push the sound forward.

Madonna: Our intention was to give a nod and a wink to people like The Bee Gees and Giorgio Moroder.Stuart and I didn't want to re-make the past,but make it into something new.

Billboard: I like how the album follows the musical arc of DJ's nightly set.The album starts off light and happy-go-lucky and becomes more intense as it goes on,becoming more and more personal--confessional,if you will.

Madonna: That's exactly it.I was only hinting early on,but then I tell it like it is.It's like,now that I have your attention,I have a few things to tell you.

Billboard: What's the possibility of a "Confessions" tour---and what would it entail?

Madonna: I'm currently exploring the possibility.If I go on tour,it would be next summer.And it would be all-out disco,with lots of disco balls.I would focus on dance music and the new record.I already did the older stuff on my Re-Invention tour.

Anxiety said:

what are your favorite tracks?

Anxiety said:

wait, did you mean to post this on the bizarro-org thread?

so, I'm not sure of the Madonna-Thread-Norms right now. This may be deserving of a different thread, but I didn't know.

And, after skimming this thread there seems to be a lot of reflection on her past work. So, I present to you Entertainment Weekly's list of the 10 most unjustly ignored Madonna tunes. Discuss

''Think of Me'' (Madonna, 1983)
You probably composed more complicated synth lines on your Casio back in 10th grade, but darned if that monotonous bleep-bleep-bleep doesn't provide a rock-solid foundation for young Miss Ciccone's game warble. The song's message of demanding respect in a relationship is just as simple, and equally timeless. But if there's any doubt about the decade Madonna produced this confection, the righteous sax solo near the end is as effective as carbon dating.

''Over and Over'' (Like a Virgin, 1984)
Admittedly, there are as many clichés as there are beats per minute on this unrepentantly sunny number. But, singing with an enthusiasm that borders on scary, Madonna sells the message — ''I get up again, over and over'' — completely. Spin it liberally...for inspiration.

''More'' (I'm Breathless: Songs From and Inspired by the Film Dick Tracy, 1990)
''Nothing's better than more,'' Madonna sings, channeling her Breathless Mahoney character from Dick Tracy. And indeed, when it comes to the movie's soundtrack, nothing really is better than ''More.'' Just when you think Stephen Sondheim's rapid-fire wordplay is about to get away from her, Madonna pushes through, proving she's got a stronger instrument than a lot of critics would like to admit.

''Waiting'' (Erotica, 1992)
Who knew Hip-Hop Madonna was such a complicated gal? Sing-speaking over a spare beat, jingly piano, and sinister bass line, Madonna at first conveys a desperate, aching longing for her no-good lover, but gradually shifts to a mood of icy disdain, culminating in a scathing closing line that's not fit for print on a family website. Wicked, and wickedly good.

''Bedtime Story'' (Bedtime Stories, 1995)
It may be one of Madonna's few singles from the '90s that didn't crack the Top 40 (it peaked at No. 42 on the Billboard charts), but you've got to admire her for foisting a zesty, Björk-penned electronica track onto the airwaves. Coupled with an eye-popping video that had Madge free-falling through the galaxy and popping doves out of her stomach, ''Bedtime Story'' will always be a smash hit, at least in the minds of her loyal fans.

''Buenos Aires'' (Evita, 1996)
Ambitious girl arrives in the big city with even bigger dreams. It's a story Madonna knows all too well, and, not surprisingly, she infuses Andrew Lloyd Webber's frantic show-stopper with a palpable hunger. ''Give me credit, I'll find ways of paying,'' Madonna demands. Far be it from us to make the lady ask twice.

''Drowned World/Substitute for Love'' (Ray of Light, 1998)
Listening to superstars ruminate on the trappings of fame and fortune is usually a pretty tedious exercise, but here, Madonna breathes new life into the idea that ''some things cannot be bought'' by giving one of the most nuanced vocal performances of her career. The submerged soundscape gives the impression she's singing from the bottom of the ocean, but as she crescendos to the climactic mmm-mmm, it's clear Madonna's also singing from the bottom of her heart. ''Drowned World'' may not have been released as a single in the States, but the fact that Madonna chose it as the name of her 2001 tour tells you it's one of her favorites too.

''Shanti/Ashtangi'' (Ray of Light, 1998)
What is Madonna singing about on this hypnotizing little ditty? Beats the heck out of me, but the whirling percussion, layered vocals, and flourishes of flute take me somewhere distant and sublime — the Ajanta Caves, perhaps, or maybe the Kabbalah Centre?

''I Deserve It'' (Music, 2000)
Forget about co-producer Mirwais' whirs and whistles: At its heart, ''I Deserve It'' is a soulful acoustic track that, lyrically and melodically, ranks as one of Madonna's loveliest compositions.

''Nobody Knows Me'' (American Life, 2003)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, American Life was too preachy for its own good, and this song was among the primary offenders. (Sample lyric: ''I don't watch TV. I don't waste my time, reading magazines.'' Gah!) Still, if you treat Madgebot's vocoder-enhanced instrument as just another space-age effect, the message dissipates into the larger surround-sound spectacle, and you're left with a track that'll give you a workout on the dance floor or the treadmill.

ps to Sassy, they LOVE "I Deserve It"

The Decemeber 1 issue of Rolling Stone magazine has already been spotted on the newstands in some of the major cities

they airbrushed her face so much, all of her features are gone.

SassyBritches said:

is she wearing a michael myers mask?!?

DavidEye said:

i've been so obsessed with kate bush's "aerial" that i haven't really put names to songs yet w/ madonna's album, so bear with me...

my absolute favorite is the one that sounds like 'i feel love'...is that 'get together'? that song is kick-ass. of course, anything that tries to sound like moroder's best work is gonna be killer if done right, which is the case here. 'isaac' is growing on me. i like 'hung up', too - moreso than i thought i would upon initial listens. other than what i'm about to list, there's something about every song i like. even the two songs i DON'T like have some kind of redeeming feature lurking around in the background.

my dislikes: "i love new york" - i guess that's a popular anti-favorite. it's not just because she says "dork". i'm not thrilled with the use of the "i wanna be your dog" riff in the song. i'm always annoyed when madge tries to throw in some punk rock, because she's SO not. iggy pop opening for her show? okay, mommy's a bad-ass, that's cool. trying to cop a stooges riff? give it up, honey. not working. i don't like the song later on in the album where she's phrasing like beyonce and dredging up flourishes from her old songs (intentionally or not) - way too contrived. sounds like another damn gap ad.

overall, i love the energy and i love the seguing from song to song. the whole thing just MOVES in a way that's really appealing to me, and it's nice to hear ol' madge having some fun and being playful again. i'm into it.

endorphin74 said:

hush, you!