Madonna Week

I'm finishing it a day and two posts late because I'm lazy and the Blogger is bitching on me. Everything I write it swallows and/or sticks up into its ass!

I love Madonna with my guts. She changed my life, made me want to go deeper on everything and accept no mediocrity from anyone, but especially from me. She has expanded my view on art and culture making me see things further in any form of art; that also made me a bit demanding and even though lately I've been mostly [in lack of a better word:] disappointed with her new stuff [from Hey You onwards] I still love her.

That's all.

[Song: Love Profusion - Madonna]

Madonna Week: The Beat Goes On

Madonna Week: Madonna Drunk Homage

So, what do you do in a free cold Monday night? Get drunk!! A sample of the CC last night [Nalim, Marcos, Purki and I] drove the whole town in the search for a place to drink and we did what good Mad-Whores should do whenever they can: strike a pose!

Madonna Week: Top 10 Most Underused Songs [Rectification]

If you check out last post's comments you'll see the ho bitching on me. Now here I am doing what he tells me.

Honorable Mention #2*:

- Skin [from Ray Of Light]

When I became a fan I started reading every trivia about everything Madonna did. When I was studying the Drowned World Tour I found out that many fans got pissed when they learned that "Skin" was substituted for Nobody's Perfect on the final setlist [they'd say "Skin" is way superior]. I LOVE "Skin", but it would not fit on the Geisha Set concept. However I agree that "Skin" deserved and deserves a live performance. This sound and rhythm cornucopia starts as if it's been playing forever; that way you soon find yourself immersed in a hopeless call for the sacred and the profane, in which she desperately claims for physical soothing ["put your hands on my skin"], while her mind tries to remind her she's "not like this all the time". All while you hear a melody that is just as desperate and apparently disconnected from itself and everything else, but is actually the perfect description of such person's state of mind.

For this reason [I mean, this whole abstraction] this song deserved to have a worthy live performance.

*Obviously this song would not be an HM, but I'm way too drunk now to think which position it'd reach on the list.

Madonna Week: Top 10 Most Underused Songs

The ho and I once came to the conclusion that Madonna actually hates us; some of her best songs were never used on tours, and that is always certified whenever a new tour setlist is out and we don't see those favorite of ours. This list will feature the top 10 songs that I still crave for her to include in some tour setlist; some are singles others not.

Honorable Mentions:
- Rain, Dress You Up and Who's That Girl: Despite being featured on the 1993 Girlie Show Tour and the 1985 and 1987 Virgin and Who's That Girl Tour[s], these songs seemed to have been forgotten by the Bitch. "Rain" was beyond beautiful in 1993, but it should've been played more... I imagine her playing it with the acoustic guitar sometimes; "Who's That Girl" is a well known underrated gem by Madge, I myself didn't like it in the beginning, but it's so cool and delicious that it deserves a whole new recap and performance. As for "Dress You Up" the Bitch almost included it on the Re-Invention Tour setlist... if only she had given up the fucking guitar and just shook the booty!!

Note: this is a somewhat bitter post, so I'll be calling her Bitch a lot.

Top 10:
10. Waiting [from Erotica]
When I first downloaded the Erotica album this was the song, aside the singles, that I got majorly addicted to. This Jazzy-rap is somewhat heartbreaking but so cool to sing-along and those first three lines are pure wisdom: "Well I know from experience/That if you have to ask for something more than once or twice/It wasn't yours in the first place". Later I had me wishing that the Girlie Show setlist had it, and found me disappointed when I saw it didn't. Today I know I'll never see it live [she probably doesn't even remember she wrote it], but can't a girl dream? Nobody thought You Thrill Me would ever be used and look what happened last year! *frowns*
09. I'd Rather Be Your Lover [from Bedtime Stories]
Bedtime Stories is an underused/rated album itself. Even if it generated four awesome singles she probably got too bored to do a tour, or maybe she forgot. The beauty about this album is that she did R&B without sounding fake at all; "Lover" is a perfect example of that. With an oppressive bass and delicious guittar hooks she sings cute Pop-like lyrics, in a fine tone that resembles her early career but improved and better. The rap by Me'Shell NdegeOcello feels like a special touch that the song could no live without... and she's also responsible for the bass. And yes, this also goes to the hall of the never-to-be-performed songs.
08. Don't Stop [from Bedtime Stories]
Once again: simple [almost silly] lyrics, cool beats, genius guitar hooks and a chorus that feels more like a demand than a request. "Don't Stop" is one of those songs you never pay much attention to until you find yourself iPod-less walking down the street humming it; minutes later you'll find yourself loving the good feeling it brings you... especially when the synths give you the illusion you're under disco lights. This would be cute live because the whole arena would be singing it together, the lyrics are so easy that you'll get them before you can say "grooving".
07. Angel [from Like A Virgin]
This is the pure 1980's uptempo ballad: from the addictive synths to the campy lyrics. But there's something I must confess before I go further: this song was on the Virgin Tour setlist; however, the reason it's here and not above on the HMs is that they cut it from the official VHS released from the Detroit concert. But that was more than twenty years ago and we still don't have a Virgin Tour DVD, much less this awesome song [that was a single if you don't know] has ever been performed live again.
06. Till Death Do Us Part [from Like A Prayer]
Big time wishful thinking. This is Madonna and Sean Penn's divorce song and considering it's one of the bitterest songs she ever wrote I'm sure she will never ever perform it on a tour. But I do wish to be mistaken someday because this song is marvel; the original version's sonority is a bit old for today's, but it sure would give a good dark Jazz or acoustic version.
05. Amazing [from Music]
Legend tells that she has hard feelings about this song: this and Impressive Instant were the next lined-up to be released as Music's forth and last single; Warner wanted "Amazing" [comercial sound very similar to the smash hit Beautiful Stranger], Madonna wanted "Instant" [experimental and - pardon the lack of lexicon variety, but this one is simply perfect - impressive piece]. In the end she got mega pissed and put off the forth single release [see why we're sure she hates us?], and "Instant" made it to the Drowned World Tour, while poor "Amazing" is a forever renegade.
Most of the other fans [those pieces of Lucas-don't-give-a-shit-about-you] hates "Amazing" because it was taken from an early version of "Stranger"; but it's not the poor song's fault if William Orbit isn't a very creative producer [that's my opinion here okay] and you can't hear the delightful retro feeling that accompanies the lovely lyrics.
04. Bad Girl [from Erotica]
This one, at its time, was performed on the SNL, but this list is about tours. This song was also reharsed for the Re-Invention Tour and dropped for whatever stupid reason. This song has one of the most heartbreaking and beautiful lyrics she ever wrote. This song is loved by mostly every fan and impresses mostly everyone that comes to hear it. This song is one of my favorites ever by her. So why the fuck hasn't it ever featured on a damn tour setlist you Bitch?!
03. Take A Bow [from Bedtime Stories]

"Take A Bow" is Madonna's most sold single in the USA; it also is the song that everyone knows and everyone knows it's hers; and it's also one of the most fucking beautiful songs ever written. She beautifully performed it on some-year's American Music Awards with Babyface himself providing the backup vocals like in the haunting album version, but why the hell this still haven't been on a setlist... who knows. It was also reheased for the RIT - it would be interpolated with Mother And Father - but she chose Intervention instead. From all the songs I listed this is the one I think is more likely to be performed someday, it's a too loved one and the Bitch might do it to make us believe she loves us. And we will.

A trivia about this song that you ho will love and hate: some bossa nova singer called Sitti Navarro covered it. Here's the part you'll hate: yes, I've looked for it and no I've not found it.

02. The Power Of Good-Bye [from Ray Of Light]

Really, this is the main aberration amongst the underused songs by Madonna. Because it's practically overused! Ray Of Light was probably her best promoted album; she did not tour it except appearing on TV shows and performing the current single; it also generated five successful singles, including "The Power" that was performed simply everywhere in the world [including a nealy-naked one in Sweden]. So in the end nobody understood why this was left out of the Drowned World Tour, and worst, why till date it hasn't been on any setlist. Again she reharsed it for the RIT, but rumor has it that in the end she gave up on all the songs about good-byes so anyone would mention that that was her last tour. *rolls eyes*

01. Love Profusion [from American Life]
It's recent, therefore I still have hopes! The thing is it was a great shock for me when I finally saw the RIT's setlist and it wasn't there. What the hell, this song is a perfect composition with one of the most harmonic melodies ever written by her. Everything is beautiful and into place in it and her voice is so full of life that you believe in everything she's saying on the lyrics. And talk about that marvelous guitar that never disappears for a second, even during the synths' highlights. And then there's the video and that cute dress. Bleh, Madonna I hate you hate you hate you for depriving me from ever seeing this live! *takes a barbiturate*

Madonna Week: Top 5 The 2000's Best Moments

When I did the Kylie Minogue Week I had as my main collaborator the ho, who was already featured in this Madonna special; but for the Madge week I invite now a new colaborator: Gabriel, from Admirável Blog Novo. He was featured here before on the second bitchy talk and now he's back. I asked him to pick his 5 favorite moments from Madonna in this current decade so far.

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It’s really complicated to pick 5 Madonna moments from the last decade. Not that I’m uncertain, but because they’re too many. She’s the most multifaceted artist in the world e there’s always something brilliant about each apparition.

5. Live Earth [2007]

One of the coolest things about seeing Madonna is Madonna being seen. When she performs at places where not everyone is a fan, that’s where she proves she’s great. It’s the moment you tell people around “that’s why I love her”. At the Live Earth, in July, that was exactly what happened. Gorgeous in black, Madonna sang the anthem Hey You with a children choir, taking breaths (and tears, why not?) away. The she comes with Ray Of Light and the guitar! She’s no Jimi Hendrix, but for those who didn’t know this gift of hers it was at least surprising to see her rocking with the instrument. Then, with the Gogol Bordello gypsies, she adapts La Isla Bonita with new verses and arrangement, finishing with Hung Up. Unforgettable.

4. Hung Up's Video [2005]

The get over. Madonna never stopped being pop and Confessions On A Dance Floor is the definite 2000’s album with praise. It contains all what the fans have been wishing: great beats, good lyrics and no ballads. The lead song “Hung Up” is the most interesting. With the ABBA sample the song has the catchy quality without being necessarily annoying. Madonna is gorgeous on the video showing the envied hot-body and having the most of fun. Full of characters and dance, the video is a delight. “Hung Up” was the first step towards the best tour of her career, loads of awards, besides being a must on the dancefloors that year.

3. The VMA Kiss [2003]

It was one of the biggest moments from the MTV’s VMAs. To celebrate 20 years of Madonna, the two Pop pupils Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera got up as brides and sang Like A Virgin. Pause: I-know-what’s-gonna-happen moment and then it happens: Madonna comes. She’s the groom, at the top of the wedding cake, singing Hollywood. After dancing with the ladies, time to seal the deal and Madonna kisses them, right there at the stage, at the event’s opening. The end. Every tabloid and magazine cover. Does anyone remember Missy Elliot came right after? Did Beyoncé perform at the 2003’s VMAs? Nah!

2. Yoga In Vogue [2004]

Proportionally, the Confessions Tour was the most grandiose, but this entrance from the Re-Invention Tour was exceptional. Madonna proved in 2004 that she depends only on herself and showed the industry the till-then most profitable tour from history. And that after American Life, a great álbum that didn’t sell much. Who doesn’t shudder with Madonna whispering “strike a pose” doing Yoga? Who wasn’t amazed by that body? Who didn’t want to jump and dance by the live sound of Vogue?

1. The Music Video [2000]

Ray Of Light is one of her most personal and innovative albums, whose lyrics are more beautiful and the videos more emotional. Not that the mystic phase wasn’t so important, but many fans felt relieved when Music’s video was out, with Madonna being Madonna again. It was the transition, from the singular Nothing Really Matters to Beautiful Stranger and American Pie. But to see the singer wearing those rocks at the backseat of a hottie-packed-up golden limo, drinking and doing strip-clubs pit stops is amazing. Was Madonna back to the libertinism? The fun? A rappers mockery? All and nothing at all. [Simply] Music makes the people come together.

Madonna Week: The Kabbalist-Mother-Of-Two

Whenever they ask me which incarnation of Madonna is my favorite I sometimes bring some shock when I say "none". As a die-hard fan I'm supposed to pick a phase in which I like Madonna best; but since I don't give a shit for these kinds of supposed-tos I always answer that because I'm enjoying the current one. When I started my life as a fan I used to visit forums and message-boards and there I learned that many of the Madonna fans do exactly what she avoids in her career: worship the past. Like annoying widows who mourns the image of a long-time-gone husband, they whine over Dita [Erotica era] or Veronica Electronica [Ray Of Light era]. I never felt comfortable about that and done my studies I simply love whatever she's doing now.

But, if one day my life depended on my choosing a Madonna phase, I'd go with the one that woke me up for the existence of such G-d and so many other wonderful things: The Kabbalist-Mother-Of-Two [American Life era]. I already said that it was The Power Of Good-Bye that saved my life, but what woke me up was "American Life", the song filled with self-awareness and critic was taken with cynicism by many, but I felt humbled by that political statement. I was semi-aware of what Madonna had been till then, but didn't matter that much to me.

Seeing now, it is funny how I back then didn't evaluate her through her past, which is an always interesting premise to look on the Madonna phenomenon. Not that the past doesn't matter, but it's not what defines a person.

The American Life era was the one she spoke more cleary about her points of view on life, politics, society etc; she also showed the world how dedicated she was to the Kabbalah and that ended up influencing me somehow. Due to the American Life era I became a person more aware of the things around me and how my actions affect them, and though I'm still quite skeptical about many things, I learned not to surrender to cynicism.

Did I change because Madonna told me to? That's what cynics would say... I'd rather think I got inspired. And that's fine by me.

[Song: I'm So Stupid - Madonna]

Madonna Week: Top 5 Madonna Live Moments

Yes!!! She's 49!! Every time I say that to people they either don't believe it or make wishes to be an almost-50-yr-old as hot as her. I don't need to wish that because I'm already as hot as her. Of course, I'm joking, but the thing is, if weren't for Madonna I wouldn't be this confident in my life. I recently said that The Power Of Good-Bye saved my life, but there are things from her, now that I'm already a die hard fan, that gets the best of me: the tours. Always multimedia concerts where she pushes all the buttons and boundaries of pop concerts. For the first installment of the Madonna Week, the ho and I chose our 5 most memorable moments of Madge on tours.

5. The Geisha Set - Drowned World Tour

Moi: It was the first Madonna live-thing that got me by the back and stunned. The naked upside-down dancers, the giant sleeves on Frozen's dress, the amulet on Nobody's Perfect, the kung fu fighting on Sky Fits Heaven, the beat up geisha on Mer Girl Part II, every little thing has a meaning and it's a marvel to unravel her art.

Ho: A dramatic performance of Frozen which has Madge dressed up as a neo Geisha leads us to one of the most creative set pieces she has ever done. Telling a small story of love, revenge and redemption she flies in the air, kicks everyone and ultimately is bruised and battered but with a smile of satisfaction in her face.

4. Like A Prayer - The Blonde Ambition Tour
Moi: There she is rubbing herself and shocking the puritans with that mock masturbation and suddenly the lights go out ['cept for a spotlight on her] and a voice goes: "G-d?!" That's how her heretic performance of "Like A Prayer" in the controversial BAT starts; to see her bouncing around like a naughty nun is like an adult and somewhat horny version of The Sound Of Music. Like she repeated couple of years later in Deeper And Deeper, "when you know the notes to sing you can sing most anything;" in her case: "you can do most anything".

Ho: In what would be seen by some as full catholicism mockery Madonna delivers the most lively performance of what's arguably her greatest song. Slowly giving path from the sacred to the mundane she does a remix of the song in which she is bold and even with the dated dance moves remains looking and feeling heavenly.

3. Vogue - The Re-Invention Tour

Moi: When it was confirmed at part of the 2004 tour's setlist I confess that I wasn't that familiar of it. Of course I knew it, but I was a newbie and didn't even know how to recite that marvelous rap with such grace. But when that woman on her late forties appeared on the stage with those boots flying on air while her head acted as base, I finally was certain that there was nothing she couldn't do. I now can recite the rap rap as graciously and still doing those Yoga moves.

Ho: Despite the lip synching, the mere sight of Madonna pulling off positions we mortals only would dream of and strutting her stuff in that beautiful corset, this performance injects energy and joy into anyone. Paying homage to her famous VMA performance she rocks the palace while her dancers strike poses and ask us to go along with the flow. To refuse it is out of the question.

2. The Cross [aka Live To Tell] - The Confessions Tour

Moi: Everyone's dang bored to know about all the controversy it dragged, so I'll just be about my feelings when I saw the beauty for the very first time. It was lazy bootleg video, but watchable; I, in contrary of everyone else, had decided not to judge the cross before seeing it. When that beautiful blonde woman appeared crucified my eyes were filled with water and when the final message was said I finally understood what that was all about; and I reverenced the Queen with tears.

Ho: As the distressing confessions from her dancers end, a church organ slowly fills the air and Madonna rises to the stage in a giant mirrored cross to sing one of her most powerful songs. Clad in a simple outfit and wearing a thorn cross she gives "Live To Tell" new life by making it about the apathy most people have and the way we ignore what's going on in the world. Before the performance is over, a giant blast of fire gives us chills and makes us feel for a second that we've descended to hell. For a minute back there, with all the controversy this performance sparked, I thought we were in the early 90s.

1. Erotica/You Thrill Me - The Confessions Tour

Moi: The routine, the sexiness, the marvelous new version the haunting Erotica got... I can't exactly decided what I like the most about this performance. The song made #3 on my last year's list and the choreography is the coolest I've ever imitated on parties [yes, I do such things]. Some might say that other more historic performances were more eligible for number one, but I don't give s hit for History, I just know this is the one that makes me feel like watching it forever.

Ho: For one, she completely reinvents a song which caused controversy when originally released because many people thought it to be too explicit. But with a new disco twist and a funky beat, she turns it into the ultimate love song, where we can't help falling in love with someone despite of their flaws. The routine is sexy as hell and Madge in that leotard puts anyone in a trance.