I’ll say this much for Logo: In the fledgling cable network’s ongoing quest to snatch the title of Big Gay on Campus from HGTV and Bravo, its enlistment of megahag Madonna (pictured) is a pretty savvy move. I mean, what better way to stop viewers from flipping to Divine Design with Candice Olson than by interspersing 30 of Madge’s videos amid its regularly scheduled programs from now till June 24, right?
On closer inspection, though, there’s a snag in Logo’s carefully woven strategic tapestry: Its online poll to determine the Ultimate Madonna Video somehow omits the new H&M spokesmodel‘s crowning clip, ”Bad Girl,’‘ a vastly underappreciated single off the 1992 Erotica album. The video casts Madge as Louise Oriole, a troubled executive whose lust for booze and men leads her straight into the path of a serial strangler, and Christopher Walken as the guardian angel who desperately tries to rescue her. That’s my pick, anyhow, but feel free to tell me if my taste is jank (not that you need any encouragement).
So let’s hear it: what’s your favorite Madonna video? And don’t take the easy road, folks — limit yourself to just one.
OH MY GOD! Michael, this is probably the best topice EVER!
I would have to SCREAM Deeper and Deeper (Erotica). Madge captures the very essence of what it’s like for a gay man to enter into a club. Especially since she chose a 20′s inspired flapper image along with a pink feathery boa around her neck. She truely is – a gay man trapped in a womans body.
Only one? Then I won’t pick Express Yourself or Vogue.
Only One has to be Material Girl. Madonna’s poking fun at her own image while giving a huge nod to Marilyn Monroe.
I vote for ‘Express Yourself’ – it had that hold Ayn Randesque quality to it, that incredible green dress, and Madonna crawling along the floor like a cat. Saucer of milk, me-OW! I really think that scene and the crotch-grabbing scene marked my sexual awakening. Should I be embarrassed by that?
My favorite Madonna video ever is also one of my favorite three videos ever: “Bedtime Story”. The incredible imagery, matched with a track co-written by none other than Bjork, give the viewer a visual and aural trip that I, for one, can’t (and don’t want to) forget.
My favourite Madonna video changes all the time, but at the moment it’s definetly “Open your Heart”. i watched it the other day and it’s awesome. Madonna as a high-class stripper? it’s just to appropriate to stand. the choreography was great, and i love the song too.
“Like A Prayer” hands down. Nothing in Madonna’s vast and brilliant video vault will ever touch on the sheer genius and provacative themes in that video. The song is rock, pop, gospel, and dance all in one five minute song.
Oh yeah…Like a Prayer. Awesome song, controversial video. Fantastic.
“Bedtime Story,” hands down. No other video of hers matches the visual inventiveness of that one, and the song is fantastic, in spite of it inexplicably being her first single ever not to crack the top 40.
Don´t forget Human Nature. That video rocks!
Please don’t beat me down but I loved the vid for “Don’t Tell Me.” I thought it was simple, evocative and some of the best Madge choreography ever and ages before the “Brokeback” cowboy love…
I agree, Bad Girl has got to be my favourite. I always found it mesmerizing.
I thought I was the only one on the planet that had a special place in their hearts for Bad Girl. It was at the height of video story telling with bands like Guns and Roses and Pearl Jam. I love it!! I also love Lucky Star because I was about six and synthesizer and cheesy dancing were the ultimate in coolness. My sister and I choregraphed our own version of the dance. Madge rules!!
Just choosing one from so many brilliant clips is very difficult, but I guess I would go with “Frozen” for its beauty, its effects, its stark approach and its timing in my life. “Secret” and “Ray Of Light” would be very close second and third.
Damn you Michael!! How on earth are we supposed to only pick one??? As if it’s even possible. I guess “Vogue” and “Express Yourself” are the easy choices, and I do love her more artistic videos like “Bedtime Story” and “Frozen”. Then there are her statement videos like “Human Nature”, “Papa Don’t Preach” and “Like a Prayer”. Some are just plain fun like “Don’t Tell Me”, “Music”, “Fever”, “Material Girl” and “Cherish”. And we can’t forget the slower tempo gems like “Rain” or “Take a Bow”.
Hmmm, I think I will pick “Boderline” because that is the first Madonna video I ever saw and I fell in love with her instantly.
Gee, this is a toughie! The two obvious choices aside- Bad Girl and Bedtime Stories- i have to include Erotica, Frozen, Papa Don’t Preach, Cherish and a sentimental favorite La Isla Bonita. If i’m forced to pick one i will go with PAPA DON’T PREACH. That’s the one that i remember shot by shot after all these years.
It’s sad, it’s romantic and it was nostalgic even at the time it came out. Watching it now the nostalgia of it seems almost unbearably heartbreaking.