10. Papa Don't Preach (True Blue, 1986)
Papa, I know you're going to be upset ...
The second single of her third album, Papa Don't Preach bubbled up controversy due to its lyrics and music video, both dealing with teen pregnancy. Opening with epic, classical-styled music, it is one of Madonna's best remembered songs from the 80s, and for a good reason.
09. Music (Music, 2000)
Hey, Mr. DJ, put a record on ...
The lead single from the album of the same title, Music is Madonna's last #1 on the Hot 100. The song continued Ray Of Light's trend of incorporating electronic elements into her songs, though Music was much more of a fun, dance song about Madonna's love for music. Music was very much ahead of its time and was unlike anything in mainstream pop at the time.
08. Beautiful Stranger (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, 1999)
Haven't we met? You're some kind of beautiful stranger ...
Beautiful Stranger was written and recorded for the second Austin Powers movie. The song managed its success due to airplay alone, and was the reason for the soundtrack's strong sales in the USA. The song is inspired by 60s pop and continued Madonna's electronic-pop-song trend.
07. La Isla Bonita (True Blue, 1986)
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro ...
This Spanish influenced song is sometimes disliked by Madonna fans due to the fact that it's one of her most performed songs. The song is part of her top 10 streak and is, in my opinion, Madonna's 2nd best song of the 80s.
06. Bedtime Story (Bedtime Stories, 1994)
Today is the last day that I'm using words ...
Written by Bjork, this is Madonna's most underrated song. The song essentially foreshadowed the direction Madonna would take with her next album (Ray of Light), incorporating elements of electronic and ambient music heavily for the first time. Many critics agree that Bedtime Story deserved to do better, and the song is additionally rarely performed by Madonna.
05. Ray of Light (Ray of Light, 1998)
Zephyr in the sky at night ...
A song that always puts me in a good mood, due to its high energy and overall happy, upbeat feel. The title song to Madonna's masterpiece of an album, the song is about freedom. The music video is considered to be one of her best, winning the VMA for Video of the Year in 1998.
04. Like A Prayer (Like A Prayer, 1989)
Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone ...
The peak of Madonna's music from the 80s, Like A Prayer introduced the world to the religious imagery which she is now well known for. The music video, which features burning crosses among other Catholic symbols, was very controversial and is also considered one of her best music videos. The song itself is inspired by many genres, but largely rock, pop, and gospel music.
03. Hung Up (Confessions On A Dancefloor, 2005)
Time goes by so slowly ...
After her controversial and unsuccessful American Life era, Madonna decided she needed a less serious album that wasn't full of political commentary. Thus, Confessions was made - a high energy, full-on disco dance album, with Hung Up as the lead single. The song gave Madonna a powerful comeback, peaking at #1 in nearly country where it charted. The song was also named the most successful dance single of the 2000s.
02. Frozen (Ray of Light, 1998)
You only see what your eyes want to see ...
Similar to Hung Up's situation, Madonna needed to freshen up her sound. Though Bedtime Stories was a good recovery from Erotica, Madonna decided to go into another direction, possibly inspired by the song Bedtime Story to go into a more experimental/electronic route. The album Ray of Light is very much ahead of its time, and the lead single, an ambient electronic ballad, much more so. Frozen was released as the lead single during a time when teen pop artists such as Britney Spears, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, etc. were dominating the scene, and was still a massive success.
01. Vogue (I'm Breathless, 1990)
Strike a pose.
The best Madonna song doesn't appear on any of her studio albums. The classical disco styled song, inspired by vogue dancers, features many of Madonna's most iconic moments. The song has the memorable spoken section where Madonna namedrops some of Hollywood's greatest classical actors and actresses. The music video, which is considered one of the best music videos of all time, and the choreography, the fashion (the cone bra in particular), the VMA performance where she dressed as Marie Antoinette. The song and music video are also credited for making the dance style mainstream. Vogue is one of Madonna's greatest moments.
And that's a wrap
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Songs that almost made the cut:
Human Nature
Secret
Justify My Love
Celebration
Lucky Star
Material Girl
Express Yourself
Nothing Really Matters
Sorry
