Do You Wanna Madonna?

    I wasn't a big fan of Madonna when she first became popular when I was in grade school. I only got to hear the radio about once a week or so until I was in high school. I didn't get a boom box until Christmas of 88. I got my first CD player as a graduation present in 90. The cable service didn't start including MTV in its main package until I was in college. (All I had was this weird video show on TBS Friday and Saturday nights that wouldn't always show the biggest hits.) When I finally got into her music, I didn't look back. I'm still a fan of sorts to this day. In honor of her newest album coming out this Friday, I am going over my history with her music, starting from the beginning.

    My first cassette single [remember those] of hers was probably "Keep It Together," the last major single from her Like a Prayer album. I probably got it at Walmart. I was getting singles practically every time I went on a shopping trip. Didn't really like it, but was better than "Oh Father," the single that preceded it, which may have been my actual first Madonna single. 

    "Vogue" was the first major song that I got. This was memorable because I got it after a school trip to Morehead State University. Finding out it would have been cheaper if I had gotten it at the Walmart in the same shopping center was slightly disappointing. It was the lead single from what would be my first Madonna album, I'm Breathless: Music from and Inspired by the Film Dick Tracy. I got the cassette instead of the CD. It would have been my second ever disc, but I was put off by the music store, so I chose the easier option. I only went to that store one or two more times. It was hard to get to. (It soon turned into a medical supply store, and I think it is now part of Pikeville Medical Center in some fashion.) My favorite song from the album was not "Vogue," but the ballad "Something to Remember." For some reason, it just hit me based on the feelings I had after graduation. It is actually a very popular opinion, which I'll come back to.

    My actual first Madonna CD would be The Immaculate Collection, her first greatest hits album and her second compilation. (Her first compilation was of her biggest dance hits up to the late 80s. I'll come back to this idea at a later time.) The album would have two new songs, with my favorite being "Rescue Me." 

    After the movie song "This Used to Be My Playground," from A League of Their Own which she had a role in, I got my first actual studio album from her. Erotica. Still feels strange typing that, even though I was twenty by the time it came out. I can't remember if I got the album immediately or if I waited. I seem to recall getting two at the same time, after waiting on another. Anyway, my favorite song from that album is "Deeper and Deeper." It's a hard-hitting dance track with an unusual flamenco bridge in the middle.

    After yet another song from a movie, "I'll Remember," Madonna released Bedtime Stories. I remember the unusual program that she had before releasing the video for the title track on MTV. She actually tried to read a children's book, but kept getting interrupted. While the album features her biggest number one hit, "Take a Bow," I didn't care too much for the songs. Overall, either "Secret Garden" or "Human Nature" would be my favorite. 

    Next came another compilation Something to Remember, this time featuring her biggest ballads and the new song "You'll See," which was the spiritual sequel to "Take a Bow." At least the video was. (Yes, my favorite song from earlier was technically the title track.) The videos were a precursor to her title role in Evita. I did not get the soundtrack album. I am not that big of a musical theatre nerd. I did get the singles "You Must Love Me" and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." I think the second was a CD single with remixes.

    All of this was just the build up to what would be her biggest critical album to date, Ray of Light. For once, I feel that the title track was my favorite, although "Nothing Really Matters" was also pretty good. No number ones, though. That didn't bode well with me. This would be followed up by two more songs from movies, "Beautiful Stranger" and a cover of Don McLean's "American Pie." Neither were released as singles. Wisely for the latter. It was widely panned.

    For some reason, I missed on the information that Music, her album from 200, was coming out. I guess I was busy with opening my store. The album featured a lot of inspiration from country music, especially my favorite track, "Don't Tell Me." I didn't get to play this CD that much, as I was too busy with my new business. I barely even acknowledged her next compilation album GHV2 was coming out. This was her second biggest hits album, but it had no new material. I mostly remember it because of the liner notes were written by Sacha Baron Cohen in his "Ali G" persona. (The cab driver was a part of the video for "Music.")

    That's when the music took a break, but I'll continue this thought next week. See you then.