Personally I’d have to stick the debut and Like a Virgin in the top five but Ray of Light would unquestioningly be my number one. It felt audacious and exciting at the time and it was on heavy rotation for much of 1998. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve listened to it and I’m already queuing it up for a long train ride I’ll be on tomorrow.
It was a coin flip while writing honestly, but Confessions doesn't have a "Like a Prayer" moment for me. That's what put it over the top. Thanks for reading!
I'd have to give Like a Prayer my number one vote. There's a lot of diverse songs on the album, including some of my Madonna all-time favorites. I'd put Ray of Light, Madonna, Like a Virgin, and Confessions on a Dancefloor right behind it.
I wouldn’t call myself a Madonna fan and don’t in fact own any of her albums. That said, my ex owns Ray of Light and I think it’s a hell of an album. I was secretly rooting for it to be #1.
Good choices. I think that sometimes albums are around at a certain time of life, so skew your view (OK, my view). True Blue is the number one album for me on the list as I attach so many ace memories to it. Such a wonderful write-up.
Everybody Come on and Dance and Sing produced by Mark Kamins her first hit and really first song. She was an East Village icon, and I was in publicity at Island Records where A&R head Mark pulled me aside and told me, "Get the points, now we can be friends." Read the full story in my stack "My Year at Island Records 83" if you want to know the inside dope on Madonna, U2 et al. Hint: She made good on his discovering and producing her fist hit but what actually happened?
Respect those choices too. Ranking these was a far more challenging exercise than I expected. It’s hard not to fall into the trap of calling everything “good” or “great” and leaving it there.
Personally I’d have to stick the debut and Like a Virgin in the top five but Ray of Light would unquestioningly be my number one. It felt audacious and exciting at the time and it was on heavy rotation for much of 1998. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve listened to it and I’m already queuing it up for a long train ride I’ll be on tomorrow.
Like the other records in that Top 5, it has aged like fine wine. Another underrated quality in her music IMO. Thanks Mark!
Swap 2 and 3 and you have my top 5
It was a coin flip while writing honestly, but Confessions doesn't have a "Like a Prayer" moment for me. That's what put it over the top. Thanks for reading!
I'd have to give Like a Prayer my number one vote. There's a lot of diverse songs on the album, including some of my Madonna all-time favorites. I'd put Ray of Light, Madonna, Like a Virgin, and Confessions on a Dancefloor right behind it.
Respect those rankings, Dan. I know I'm in the minority when it comes to Like a Virgin, but otherwise it's a close ranking near the top. :)
Ray Of Light is the correct answer.
[Bows respectfully]
I wouldn’t call myself a Madonna fan and don’t in fact own any of her albums. That said, my ex owns Ray of Light and I think it’s a hell of an album. I was secretly rooting for it to be #1.
(Secretly) ask and you shall receive ;)
Good choices. I think that sometimes albums are around at a certain time of life, so skew your view (OK, my view). True Blue is the number one album for me on the list as I attach so many ace memories to it. Such a wonderful write-up.
Thanks Jon! True Blue very nearly went to No. 1 ... the first draft had it there, anyway.
Everybody Come on and Dance and Sing produced by Mark Kamins her first hit and really first song. She was an East Village icon, and I was in publicity at Island Records where A&R head Mark pulled me aside and told me, "Get the points, now we can be friends." Read the full story in my stack "My Year at Island Records 83" if you want to know the inside dope on Madonna, U2 et al. Hint: She made good on his discovering and producing her fist hit but what actually happened?
Defs adding it to my reading queue this week—thanks Steve :)
My favorite is still Like a Virgin, with her S/T debut not too far behind, and Erotica rounding out the top 3.
Respect those choices too. Ranking these was a far more challenging exercise than I expected. It’s hard not to fall into the trap of calling everything “good” or “great” and leaving it there.
They're all tied for worst. Or best. Depending on your perspective.
Regarding her later work Ray of light and Confessions on a Dance Floor are mwah! chef’s kiss!