Top Ten Songs by Madonna

I love Madonna. I love her not for her music, her personality, her celebrity, or anything to do with her at all really. I do love Madonna's urge to always evolve and improve. She is a rare artist that is not willing to rest on her few bigs hits from the 80's. As soon as she got to a point in her career where she was totally in charge, she immediately sought out producers that would allow her to change her style. She even has woked on her high nasal voice to bring it down into a lower, smoother register. She not only changes her look, but she does seem to want to grow as a musician. I can't believe I just wrote that.

I first thought about making this essay about the top ten worst songs by the former Miss Ciccone, but then I said to myself, no, Madonna does deserve some credit for what she does. And for every "Cherish" there is a "Express Yourself", for every "True Blue" there is a "Live to Tell". And then I realized that if I had to pick out Madonna's top ten songs, I would be choosing songs that come off of her last few albums, with the big exception of American Life, of which I cannot find any redeeming value.

So I then thought to myself, well, you have to choose at least on song from early Madonna. So here it is, my pick for the only early Madonna song...wait, I really should pick two, maybe even three early songs.

1. Holiday
This song is old and rather dated, but it is still infectious. I cannot hear this song and not start dancing around, making an ass out of myself. Besides, this is the one song from the early years that Madonna still sings in concert, so I think it's probably her favorite, or at least it must still be as fun to sing this song for her as it is for me.

2. Express Yourself
I am not quite sure why I am choosing this song. Maybe it't the whole feminist anthem thing. I like the message, and it is fun to sing with as well. Not as much fun as "Like a Prayer", but what does that song mean? Someone is like a prayer to Madonna...yeah, I don't get the reference. And even if I do, I am going to pretend I don't. Madonna's preoccupation with Catholicism is a bit much to take, but it's still better than Ester's kaballah phase.