Single Madge,

I have a confession. I have not been listening to a lot of new music lately. Instead of transferring all my Madonna CD’s to my iTunes, I just downloaded her entire collection.
And listened to it.
Say what you will about the woman, but she has a bloody strong catalogue, something I do not think anyone could ever argue.

It actually got me thinking about the songs that ended up being released as singles, and the songs that weren’t. There are seriously so many bloody strong album tracks, that I am sure they would have out performed some of the weaker choices for singles, even the ones released overseas and not in the US.

Let’s take it album by album shall we?

Madonna – Madonna

A tough choice as all the singles (‘Lucky Star’, ‘Borderline’, ‘Burning Up’, ‘Holiday’, and ‘Everybody’) are all classics. However, I have always preferred the smouldering ‘Physical Attraction’ over the bubblegum ‘Lucky Star’, and think it is a song that has aged much better.


Madonna – Like a Virgin

‘Material Girl’, ‘Angel’, ‘Like a Virgin’, ‘Over and Over’, ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’ and ‘Dress You Up’ were all singles (Over and Love were released in Italy and Japan respectively) but one of my personal favourites was always the last track ‘Stay’. Sure it sounds dated, but it always makes me do the two things Madonna has always demanded, dance and sing.


Madonna – True Blue

While I can never argue with the choice to release ‘Papa Don’t Preach’, ‘Live to Tell’, ‘Open Your Heart’ and ‘La Isla Bonita’ as singles, I will always pick ‘White Heat’ over ‘True Blue’ any time, any day (I have to apologise to my boy friend as 'True Blue' is his favourite – Sorry Guapo!).


Madonna – Like a Prayer

Here is where things get so fricking difficult as I LOVE every single song on this album, but if I were held at gun point to make a decision on which of the singles to scrap and which album track to replace it with it would have to be the UK single release ‘Dear Jessie’ (which made number 4!) and add her confessional and stunning ‘Till Death do us Part’. Sure it may be tacky to release something so personal like that as a single, but my God is the song outstanding.


Madonna – Erotica

Not so much a work of singles as it is an album you should listen to from beginning to end. However, out of the six singles released I would have to scrap ‘Fever’ (never really loved it, but did like the video) and release the pulsating, grinding ‘Waiting’ if only to hear what the remixes would have been like and the video.


Madonna – Bedtime Stories

After revisiting the album I was so impressed with what I heard. However I am still of the impression that ‘Secret’ was not a strong single. It preformed well, but there were other songs on the album that really spoke to me personally. I would swap ‘Secret’ for ‘Inside of Me’ which sees Madonna almost as baby doll voiced sex kitten. Is the song about her mother or an old lover though?


Madonna – Ray of Light

As much as I love mostly all of the track son this album, I still think she was a little mad not to release ‘Candy Perfume Girl’ which is one of her most lyrically interesting tracks, and a kick ass song to boot. I would probably swap ‘The Power of Goodbye’ for this gem.


Madonna – Music

Easy peasy for what she should have released, but since all three singles were extremely strong I can’t shut one out. Although Warner pushed for her to release ‘Amazing’ she wanted to release ‘Impressive Instant’ which would have been a wise move, especially for club land. One of her most effective dance songs.


Madonna – American Life

This album would have been a much bigger success has she released ‘Hollywood’ or ‘Nothing Fails’ as the first single to take away the sting of ‘American Life’. ‘Love Profusion’ is a great song, but I would have released the song that whenever I play it, people always ask “Who is this?”. ‘X-Static Process’ would have been a smart release as a way of reminding listeners that Madonna can still make an impact with a ballad


Madonna – Confessions on a Dancefloor

I am not a fan of ‘Jump’. After ‘Hung Up’ and ‘Sorry’ it sounded far too pop. I would have gone instead with the superb stormer ‘Let it Will Be’. Not only is it one of the best from the album, the remixes would have kept the dance floors pounding til the wee hours.


Madonna – Hard Candy

‘Incredible’ over ‘Miles Away’ without a doubt. A much more inventive song that would have been a nice change on the global charts, and would have performed much better.

Madonna - Incredible (Full Song)
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