Best Madonna #2 Single

"express yourself"

I think CCR had five #2s and no #1s. Has anyone beat that?

Anyway, of these ... Express Yourself or Frozen, but probably the former. What kept Express Yourself from no. 1?

Cherish
I'll Remember
Frozen

any of these

"cherish" is a perfect fake scritti song

I clicked the thread knowing "I'll Remember" only got to #2, and knowing I would vote for it, but not realizing it would be in a field without a single weak link.

But, really, "I'll Remember" is a ballad for the ages.

and often forgotten when thinking about her best songs

'Cherish' with zero hesitation.

5/6 of these are great, but if I had to rank them:

1. Cherish
2. Express Yourself
3. I'll Remember
4. Material Girl
5. Frozen

As Eric knows from Facebook arguments, "Causing a Commotion" has its loud partisans.

It is great! Was stunned that people took issue with it being the Night of 1,000 Madonnas song for the RPDR S8 lip sync. Much preferable to the S9 selection: "Music."

I'll Remember
Express Yourself
Cherish
Causing a Commotion
Frozen
Material Girl

"Cherish" sucks so, so, so much.

This is "Frozen" vs "Express Yourself" for me.

"Cherish" is an instant anti-depressant.

It's a cloying, saccharine mess.

the "Domino Dancing" of her career?

The only "Madonna does throwback pop in an aggressively chirpy voice" song I can stand is "True Blue"; all the others can die in a fire.

lol

'Cherish' is one of her best ever songs.

it's the one we used to remind Dan ooffffff

it wouldn't be a madonna thread on ilx if dan didn't express his hatred of "cherish"

It's a shame "Deeper and Deeper" didn't hit #2.

voted frozen

Cherish. the Herb Ritts (RIP) video is a masterpiece.

Express Yourself. Might be my favourite single of Madge's, although it could have been edited a little tighter.

"Cherish" is one of my favorite songs ever. Also "underestimate" = best use of a five-syllable word in a pop song (tied with "conditionally" in "Flesh Without Blood").

I love "Express Yourself" as long as its the album version. If The Immaculate Collection has any flaw, it is the inclusion of the crappy single/remix versions of it and "Like a Prayer."

That's funny. I was about to say the single mix of Express Yourself is probably the only Madonna/Shep concoction thing I will hard stan for over its associated LP version.

yeah those Immaculate Collection versions.. man what a mess.

The Immaculate Collection version of 'Like a Prayer' sucks - that song was made for having a huge production.

Where was I reading recently about the making of the "Like a Prayer" album? It's basically the (or a) last gasp of the big budget total session pro band, with a lot of the songs cut live (that is, all the musicians together) in a room, including Madonna's vocals. I was really impressed, and came away with a new respect for Madonna, whose genius I think gets unfairly discredited a lot by the many shortcut imitators that followed in her wake.

I'm trying a) figure out instances where Madonna during her cultural apex was being discredited and b) which imitators you're talking about that I don't still listen to on a regular basis.

(If you want to drag her for "Bitch, I'm Madonna" be my guest. That shit stinks.)

...most #2's...

...I cannot resolve the appropriate fecal reference...

...Look What I Did! - Madonna's half-dozen brownie masta-mix (w/ corn)

On the recording of LAP:

Pratt recalled that after the middle chorus was recorded, she notified the musicians of some changes in the production. "Jonathan, do less of the high-hat in the middle eight, and more of a fill towards the end. Guy, I want duck eggs [semibreves] on the end, and Chester, bring in your guitar on the second verse," she instructed.

Material Girl didn't hit #1??????? easy choice for me

It's kind of ridiculous that "Material Girl" and "Express Yourself" didn't hit #1 considering how huge they were. But this was pre-Soundscan and it was pretty much Billboard's decision what made it to the top.

Express Yourself

UK version of this poll would be:

Crazy For You (twice!)
Holiday
Borderline
Live To Tell
Hanky Panky
Justify My Love
Ray Of Light
Beautiful Stranger
American Life
Hollywood
Me Against The Music

oh man

on a UK version of this poll I'd probably have to go "Live To Tell" but damn there are some good songs on here

Ugh live to tell is the worst

OK now this thread is just getting crazy...

I hate pretty much all slow Madonna songs. GTFO of here with This Used to be my Playground/Rain etc.

>:(

But I also hate La Isla Bonita so idk. Probably don't listen to me.

My UK version choice with be Borderline which I love more than I can say.

Seriously, downtempo Madonna can be the best thing ever. "Live to Tell," "Take a Bow," "Inside of Me," "Rain." All fantastic.

I remember how split people were over Oh Father in the big Madonna poll, but it will eternally be one of my favorites.

No. Horrible. All of those.

If you don't feel "Inside of Me" GTFO

Remind me not to buy you the Something to Remember cd for xmas. It's ALL BALLADS. xp

I thought about the British hits, but the concision of this list impressed me.

'Justify My Love' would be my pick from the UK #2's...

I generally like Madonna's slowies... love 'Live to Tell', 'Take a Bow' and particularly 'Oh Father' ...

Live To Tell
Justify My Love
Borderline
Hanky Panky
Holiday
Ray Of Light
Me Against The Music
Beautiful Stranger
Hollywood
American Life
Crazy For You

I think I like "Cherish" more than probably anybody on ILX simply cos it was a refreshing song to me in 3rd grade and I still like to spin it to remember that warmth.

I'll Remember can get fucked w/ a bubonic plague encrusted chainsaw tho

Thank you, Charles "Butt" Stanton.

that's my name don't were it out

omg I'll Remember

NOPE

I totally don't remember "Causing a Commotion" but I really like it! It's not really instant ear-worm but that synth bass rules.

I will stan for "Live to Tell" though its chorus is muuuuch stronger than its verse.

"Live To Tell" is all about that bridge

Causing a Commotion is great. :)

xpost ahh yes the bridge is great too. it's only the verse I'm somewhat 'meh' about, but once the chorus kicks in it kinda feels connected so I don't care.

I'm surprised "Causing a Commotion" got as high as #2. I remember it being kind of a blip at the time (ditto "Who's That Girl"). Proof that Madonna could do no wrong at that time, I guess.

Cherish and I'll Remember are two of my top 3 Madonna songs

FYI I am voting for every option in this poll.

I think that the Express Yourself video...changed my life

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

YES! \o/

lol @ CAC's points

LOL at "Material Girl" getting points

Many of those LAV tracks get their propulsion from the Chic production and playing; it's not even in a top fifteen of her best, but "Material Girl" sounds great.

and I'll re-mem-beerrrrrrr

Her best ballad. No further questions.

The most CVS of ballads.