Has she stood the test of time or not with her huge catalogue? Discuss. Ummmm I will try not to bring Jacksons into it like I tend to along with others

I have almost all of her albums and even the weaker ones have some strong album cuts, but I have finally concluded that her first 3 albums and her last 3 albums are her best work. Everything in between was good for the singles and/or album cuts. Sometimes the videos were boring, or the songs were not as good as when she peaked. Other songs that I thought were classics are not aging well enough for me or just seem annoying. I know I won't like everything cause she's not going to be the same, and I respect her for trying so many different things, toying with different images and visuals and doing things for female empowerment, challenging religion, sex, society etc. as well overall. I didn't always agree with her, but I do respect her a lot for being brave and not giving a shit.

As for her tours, they didn't phase me much after the Girlie show. Her stage set and look was nice for Confessions. Sticky and Sweet is the only tour I have physically attended and though the song choices were nice, I didn't like a lot of the costumes, she didn't look good and the songs were totally tampered with. I prefer her music videos over tours, IMO she was the queen of them for a really long time.

I remember "Everybody" came out and being crazy about it. Now i'm 38 and she's still around big time. That's really impressive.

She never really made a comeback, she was just around all the time.

I hardly bought her albums, was more into a lot of her songs. Still, albums i listened to a lot: Like a prayer, Erotica and I'm breathless.

Listened to like a prayer last week, and it sure stood the test of time. Songs like Papa don't preach, Open your heart and Music will always be classics to me.

much respect!

Yeah I never understood when people said Ray of Light is her comeback, she was always there. I was 3 or something when I first heard of her in 86 and she was just always there.

And I agree those are classics. I never got into the Like A Prayer album as a whole though I agree the singles are big classics and Spanish Eyes and Dear Jessie are good. I do see it being sold all the time though, more than Like a Virgin, which I love start to finish. I think American Life and Confessions are so underrated too, I love them start to finish. Though I love 90's Madonna, it was different despite still being a legend.

I feel like this.

She's never made a bad album.

Call it what you will.

But even her 'flops' commercially (American Life, Hard Candy, Erotica) or creatively (Bedtime Stories, I'm Breathless) all have hit singles, memorable opening songs, closing songs, classic fan favorites.

As far a stage shows, she's never put on a bad one, though S&S and WTG tours are weak in comparison to the others, she has never fucked up as a stage performer (bar Ray of Light from the VMAs!) Her live voice has been sometimes questionable at worst and 'strong' at best, but her dancing and showmanship and knack for entertaining never dies.

I think something happened where she started feeling like more of a nostalgia act, post the 'American Life' fiasco...but that was bound to happen sooner or later, and happened later for her than most...

There is still so much interest and she still fills arenas and stadiums at $350 a pop for christ's sake. Even young pop stars like Katy Perry or losers like Piers Morgan still taking shots at her for press. Gaga is undeniably her next incarnate; Britney can't do anything without being compared to something in M's past. And Whitney, Celine, Mariah and Janet are all either only playing overseas, playing theatres or playing Vegas.

badujunkie said:

I feel like this.

She's never made a bad album.

Call it what you will.

But even her 'flops' commercially (American Life, Hard Candy, Erotica) or creatively (Bedtime Stories, I'm Breathless) all have hit singles, memorable opening songs, closing songs, classic fan favorites.

As far a stage shows, she's never put on a bad one, though S&S and WTG tours are weak in comparison to the others, she has never fucked up as a stage performer (bar Ray of Light from the VMAs!) Her live voice has been sometimes questionable at worst and 'strong' at best, but her dancing and showmanship and knack for entertaining never dies.

I think something happened where she started feeling like more of a nostalgia act, post the 'American Life' fiasco...but that was bound to happen sooner or later, and happened later for her than most...

There is still so much interest and she still fills arenas and stadiums at $350 a pop for christ's sake. Even young pop stars like Katy Perry or losers like Piers Morgan still taking shots at her for press. Gaga is undeniably her next incarnate; Britney can't do anything without being compared to something in M's past. And Whitney, Celine, Mariah and Janet are all either only playing overseas, playing theatres or playing Vegas.

I agree with u about Erotica and Hard Candy. Those albums are really good, to me anyway. I just couldn't get into American Life. I've tried to listen to that one several times over the years, but couldn't get it.

As for Hard Candy, I really think she was about 2 year too late in releasing that album. I think the sound and style she was going for on that album was already gone by the time the album came out. Almost every song on that album had radio potential. "Miles Away" should have been a number one song across the globe.

Yeah I still do buy all her albums cause they are worth it, even if not always start to finish. Some of her unreleased cuts are so underrated. Songs like Where Life Begins, Words, Swim, Candy Perfume Girl were highlights of the 90's for her IMO but then others lacked melodies or hooks like the 80's stuff although it started coming around in the 00's where she pleasantly surprised me, starting with Music. I was upset for the longest time that American Life was blacklisted, cause IMO it was so ahead of it's time. I liked Confessions too start to finish but it took me awhile to really get into it cause it was a sudden change from the last album, and a huge hit here. People love to hate on Hard Candy, but even though I don't like how she looked in this period very much, the music is nice.

daPrettyman said:

badujunkie said:

I feel like this.

She's never made a bad album.

Call it what you will.

But even her 'flops' commercially (American Life, Hard Candy, Erotica) or creatively (Bedtime Stories, I'm Breathless) all have hit singles, memorable opening songs, closing songs, classic fan favorites.

As far a stage shows, she's never put on a bad one, though S&S and WTG tours are weak in comparison to the others, she has never fucked up as a stage performer (bar Ray of Light from the VMAs!) Her live voice has been sometimes questionable at worst and 'strong' at best, but her dancing and showmanship and knack for entertaining never dies.

I think something happened where she started feeling like more of a nostalgia act, post the 'American Life' fiasco...but that was bound to happen sooner or later, and happened later for her than most...

There is still so much interest and she still fills arenas and stadiums at $350 a pop for christ's sake. Even young pop stars like Katy Perry or losers like Piers Morgan still taking shots at her for press. Gaga is undeniably her next incarnate; Britney can't do anything without being compared to something in M's past. And Whitney, Celine, Mariah and Janet are all either only playing overseas, playing theatres or playing Vegas.

I agree with u about Erotica and Hard Candy. Those albums are really good, to me anyway. I just couldn't get into American Life. I've tried to listen to that one several times over the years, but couldn't get it.

As for Hard Candy, I really think she was about 2 year too late in releasing that album. I think the sound and style she was going for on that album was already gone by the time the album came out. Almost every song on that album had radio potential. "Miles Away" should have been a number one song across the globe.

Glad to find another Hard Candy fan! There is no excuse for Beat Goes On not being released! It would have been an instant hit with Kanye there and that classic Madonna beat that reminded me of her early years and why we all started loving her.

alphastreet said:

daPrettyman said:

I agree with u about Erotica and Hard Candy. Those albums are really good, to me anyway. I just couldn't get into American Life. I've tried to listen to that one several times over the years, but couldn't get it.

As for Hard Candy, I really think she was about 2 year too late in releasing that album. I think the sound and style she was going for on that album was already gone by the time the album came out. Almost every song on that album had radio potential. "Miles Away" should have been a number one song across the globe.

Glad to find another Hard Candy fan! There is no excuse for Beat Goes On not being released! It would have been an instant hit with Kanye there and that classic Madonna beat that reminded me of her early years and why we all started loving her.

I agree about "Beat Goes On" also. It's a great song and would have been a club banger. Any song that samples The Whispers "And The Beat Goes On" should be a hit.

even dance 2night was great...it's such a feel good album

is it true her next album is going to be rock? or is it hip hop? I forgot

[Edited 1/21/11 10:33am]

alphastreet said:

even dance 2night was great...it's such a feel good album

is it true her next album is going to be rock? or is it hip hop? I forgot

[Edited 1/21/11 10:33am]

I haven't heard anything about it.

alphastreet said:

even dance 2night was great...it's such a feel good album

is it true her next album is going to be rock? or is it hip hop? I forgot

[Edited 1/21/11 10:33am]

Well I heard she got the Neptunes on board again..hmm.

However Hard Candy is probably my favorite Madonna album

I don't blame you, I have a habit of always calling her latest one my favourite one, until the next one comes out

I do believe her music (especially in the '80s and '90s) have stood the test of time. Like I said, she came at the right time and she's been able to survive real well compared to many of her peers during the same time she emerged.

daPrettyman said:

I agree with u about Erotica and Hard Candy. Those albums are really good, to me anyway. I just couldn't get into American Life. I've tried to listen to that one several times over the years, but couldn't get it.

As for Hard Candy, I really think she was about 2 year too late in releasing that album. I think the sound and style she was going for on that album was already gone by the time the album came out. Almost every song on that album had radio potential. "Miles Away" should have been a number one song across the globe.

That's a great song and the best on "Hard Candy" for me. I don't know if it was released or not, but it should have been a big hit.

30 years too many

[Edited 1/21/11 12:27pm]

Cinnamon234 said:

daPrettyman said:

I agree with u about Erotica and Hard Candy. Those albums are really good, to me anyway. I just couldn't get into American Life. I've tried to listen to that one several times over the years, but couldn't get it.

As for Hard Candy, I really think she was about 2 year too late in releasing that album. I think the sound and style she was going for on that album was already gone by the time the album came out. Almost every song on that album had radio potential. "Miles Away" should have been a number one song across the globe.

That's a great song and the best on "Hard Candy" for me. I don't know if it was released or not, but it should have been a big hit.

It was released as a single. I'm not sure if it was released here in the states, but I have a maxi-single of remixes for this track I ordered online.

Timmy84 said:

I do believe her music (especially in the '80s and '90s) have stood the test of time. Like I said, she came at the right time and she's been able to survive real well compared to many of her peers during the same time she emerged.

Yeah, it's amazing how "Holiday" and "Lucky Star" can start a party.

For someone who is so frequently treated dismissively, her career has been incredible.

where do i begin?

Love Tried To Welcome Me

You'll See

Bad Girl

Take a Bow

Words

Miles Away

Like It Or Not

Oh Father

This Used To Be My Playground

Erotica

Mer Girl

Mother And Father

Nobody Knows Me

What It Feels Like For A Girl (The Above And Beyond Remix....In-Fuckin-Sane)

Justify My Love

Live To Tell

Sooner Or Later

Runaway Lover

[Edited 1/21/11 21:52pm]

I still follow her career but I havent bought anything of hers or dont collect anything of hers post 2002. She hasnt truely impressed me since Die Another Day songwise, or the 2003 VMA's performance wise. I also dont really like her voice anymore either, its lost the passion it had pre Evita and lost the quality singing she gained from the lessons after American Life. There was just a whole shift in her energy in 2003 that I dont really know how to explain. She seems like a different person, just not as intrinsically cool anymore like she was when she was able to pull off anything. I cringe alot at her these days. That said I still follow her through the internet as I will always be interested in her, shes one of my favourite stars. I guess I'm just waiting to be mesmerised again.

[Edited 1/21/11 22:29pm]

Her discography has a huge "hit/miss" disclaimer written all over it BUT this is the one album I could say that it has fully endured time, and will continue to do so.

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tgsUOYURL._SL500_AA300_.jpg[/img:$uid]

I'm ready for a "Legacy" deluxe edition complete with outtakes and demos.

Harlepolis said:

Her discography has a huge "hit/miss" disclaimer written all over it BUT this is the one album I could say that it has fully endured time, and will continue to do so.

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tgsUOYURL._SL500_AA300_.jpg[/img:$uid]

I'm ready for a "Legacy" deluxe edition complete with outtakes and demos.

There are some outtakes/demos/unreleased songs from the album on youtube. My fave song from the album is The Power Of Goodbye.

ratethis99 said:

Harlepolis said:

Her discography has a huge "hit/miss" disclaimer written all over it BUT this is the one album I could say that it has fully endured time, and will continue to do so.

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tgsUOYURL._SL500_AA300_.jpg[/img:$uid]

I'm ready for a "Legacy" deluxe edition complete with outtakes and demos.

There are some outtakes/demos/unreleased songs from the album on youtube. My fave song from the album is The Power Of Goodbye.

Is there a "titled" online compilation that has all of the ROL outtakes?

Harlepolis said:

ratethis99 said:

There are some outtakes/demos/unreleased songs from the album on youtube. My fave song from the album is The Power Of Goodbye.

Is there a "titled" online compilation that has all of the ROL outtakes?

Unfortunately no...I just found them on youtube by accident. There's several. I just typed in Madonna Ray Of Light unreleased or Madonna Ray Of Light outtake.

And of course there is the song Has To Be. It was only released on the Japan edition of the album as a bonus track and as the B-Side of the Ray Of Light single.

[Edited 1/22/11 5:27am]

daPrettyman said:

Timmy84 said:

I do believe her music (especially in the '80s and '90s) have stood the test of time. Like I said, she came at the right time and she's been able to survive real well compared to many of her peers during the same time she emerged.

Yeah, it's amazing how "Holiday" and "Lucky Star" can start a party.

so true, I see that with Holiday a lot, though I don't recall seeing it with Lucky Star, great track though!

alphastreet said:

daPrettyman said:

Yeah, it's amazing how "Holiday" and "Lucky Star" can start a party.

so true, I see that with Holiday a lot, though I don't recall seeing it with Lucky Star, great track though!

I'm not amazed at all ....the sound is the best off US - Soul/RnB - with a pop feel .... MJ was the king at making music like that... hence Thriller!

Madonna has had a great career-love her

alphastreet said:

even dance 2night was great...it's such a feel good album

is it true her next album is going to be rock? or is it hip hop? I forgot

[Edited 1/21/11 10:33am]

*Parttayy! Party over hereeee*

Timmy84 said:

I do believe her music (especially in the '80s and '90s) have stood the test of time. Like I said, she came at the right time and she's been able to survive real well compared to many of her peers during the same time she emerged.

That and she kept the public interested in her during that time. She even said herself that she focused on getting everyone's attention and I think part of that persona adds to her appeal for longetivity.

[Edited 1/22/11 20:33pm]

MyLuv229 said:

Timmy84 said:

I do believe her music (especially in the '80s and '90s) have stood the test of time. Like I said, she came at the right time and she's been able to survive real well compared to many of her peers during the same time she emerged.

That and she kept the public interested in her during that time. She even said herself that she focused on getting everyone's attention and I think part of that persona adds to her appeal for longetivity.

[Edited 1/22/11 20:33pm]

And besides from the Erotica/Sex Book/Body of Evidence era, she didn't overdo getting that attention though I did like the Erotica period and what resulted from it (even if people were once again counting down to the end of her career).