Moral of the story: don't be a little bitch 

(and yes obviously not in the 6:19 album version but trimmed down to a 3:30 single edit - which reminds me, do we have some kind of fan-made radio edit of this? @dubtronic babes? )

Of course Taylor and Gaga got there first and Billboard has already announced changes to the rules so no one can benefit from this model afterwards. 

• Crave
• Crazy
• Come Alive

But the song feels surprisingly easy and pleasant.

A year after its release, Madonna’s Madame X is a return to her being ahead of the curve with a record that now was clearly before it’s time and perfect for the summer of 2020.

A cohesive piece of art that is held together by the notion that the power of music is unifying around the world. It is the language that inspires us all, whether you understand the words or not , the rhythms align with our soul’s vibrations universally.  Often times we find comfort in the tribes of our favorite musical genres, with Madame X Madonna brings those tribes together to help us listen and understand, to shift our perspective and ultimately unify.

The album begins in Medellin, Colombia on a slowly percolating romance with latin music star, Maluma.  On this track, Madonna sings of how travel and exploring the world can help us begin again and refresh our soul, especially when we open ourselves to love and romance.  “ I forgave myself for being me” Madonna reflects on the trip.   With Medillin, Madonna and Maluma let you know that you can travel through the music with them  “ Ven ConMigo, Let’s Take a Trip”  Madonna welcomes us on the journey that is Madame X until the slow burn of the song erupts into a Cha-Cha groove that is undeniable.  

With her live shows and best albums, Madonna creates a cathartic journey from darkness to light.   The darkness begins with “Dark Ballet” a song that clocks in just over 4 minutes but feels epic as it takes us on a musical journey as hip hop beats blend with piano before giving way to Tchaikovsky’ s Nutcracker Suite.   This prescient song hints of what was percolating beneath the surface of our society that has erupted this summer.   The song hints of how we have covered up our rage, our disappointment, our spiritual misalignment under our “Supreme Hoodies”  but that ultimately “ the storm inside is beginning to howl” while  reminding us that despite all of this “it’s a beautiful life”. 

On “God Control”, Madonna continues to explore the simmering rage singing through gritted teeth the song equates loosing our spiritual way because we feel powerless.   “Everybody knows the damn truth, we’ve lost control. I think I understand why they get a gun”.   The song then erupts into a disco jam with Madonna imploring us “We need to wake up!”    With a powerful music video that plays more like a film, Madonna contrasts the joy of a dance floor and coming together with others vs. the harsh reality of violent gun assaults on places intended for happiness such as Pulse Nightclub or a country music concert in Las Vegas.    A call for gun control , Madonna explores the notion that it is the loss of God/Spirituality that is the control we have lost.  

As these seemingly disconnected musical genres begin to merge , the journey continues as Madonna is joined by QUAVO of Migos for the reggae tinged FUTURE.  Rather than dwell on the darkness, the journey to the light begins as Madonna encourages us to “let your light shine” and Quavo tells us to “Sparkle” in his signature Migos ad-lib style.   However, Madonna tells us that not everyone is coming to the future, because they refuse to learn from the past.  As light has been shined on the darkness with the social unrest this summer, it’s clear that the future Madonna was alluding is arriving now.

Before the listener gets complacent that Madonna is falling into a comfort zone of a reggae tinged pop song with a mainstream hip-hop feature a refreshing sonic blast takes us to Cape Verde for a call and response call to action with the style of music called “BATUKA”.    In this song, Madonna agains predicts the Storm Ahead of social unrest and that’s it’s been a long journey to social justice but coming together , joining voices, listening and responding as is the style of Batuka that we can progress our society.  

On “Killers who are Partying”, Madonna explores perhaps what is most missing in leadership, Empathy.   Allowing herself to be equated with those who are oppressed in society, Madonna is showing an empathy but also an understanding of her own privilege.   “ I know what I am and I know what I am not”.  

Without blinders on and a sense of empathy and purpose, Madame X continues to span musical genres on some lighter themed songs.   One of the few Madonna singles to get airplay in the last decade,  “Crave” features guest vocals from Swae Lee on one of her most accessible pop songs in years that is perfect for any summertime playlist.  Although not included on the album,  the remix of this song by Tracey Young, broke a glass ceiling as Young became the first woman to ever win a grammy for remix production at this year’s ceremony.    Madonna continues to explore relationships with the bilingual “Crazy” that blends English and Portuguese in what should have been a featured single.     The joy of music from around the world continues with “Come Alive” a song calling for peace which features Moroccan rhythms as Madonna encourage us all to be authentic and express ourselves.  To truly “Come Alive” she sings she/we must “ Stand Out, No I don’t want to blend in- Why Would you want me to?” 

A year after its release the second most streamed track from Madame X, received very little promotion but was clearly discovered by listeners with over 30 million streams on Spotify alone.   Madonna did not perform it on the Madame X tour nor did she release a video but listeners found “Faz Gostoso”.     Not totally inexplicable as the original version of this song by Blaya was a monster hit in Portugal, where Madonna lives and recorded most of Madame X.    For this version, Madonna is joined by Anitta on another bilingual floor filler, that should satisfy long time fans who love when Madonna leads them to the dance floor. 

There is one last blast of sassy Madonna fun, as Maluma returns for “Bitch, I’m Loca” a bi-lingual back and forth that highlights the undeniable chemistry between the two.   Madonna returned the favor of  vocals on Maluma’s album with another track “Soltera” making him one of the artists Madonna has collaborated the most with over the years.  

Now that we have taken the journey around the world , through musical genres and languages ,Madame X begins to bring the journey to a cohesive finish for the final three tracks of the deluxe edition.    With “ I don’t search, I find” , Madonna merges the comfort of a track sonically reminiscent of the iconic “Vogue”, this time Madonna lets us know that “ there is finally enough love”  because she has stopped searching elsewhere and found it within.   “I found peace, I found love, I found a new view.”  This song earned Madonna her 50th #1 Dance Song, making her the artist with the most top songs on any individual chart by any artist in musical history.  

The album ends with a song about the power of protest.  An anthem ahead of its time and perfect for the summer of 2020.   “I Rise” ends the album with hope that we can rise above any challenges we face personally or as a society , that with challenges there is opportunity and ultimately belief that together we can and will rise above our differences and “get it together” 

Nearly four decades into her career, last summer Madonna was way ahead of the curve, aware of simmering tensions , the power of music and vibration to unite us through common experiences and being open to listening to one another.  A year early Madonna created the perfect album for the summer of 2020.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=2541213 

Source.

Think that passionately about Rebel Heart the album.  I know some might not love it as much as other albums but the quality of so many of the songs on it is wonderful.  Also, something for different tastes as well.  I also know that some thought it was too long and not cohesive (  something that never bothers me but hey , we are all different )  but the songs themselves are classic, melodic incredible "pop songs"   that I think will easily stand the test of time.  Also other songs that did not reach me on the album, are massive fan favourites so has a great cross section of songs.  This album contains some brilliant songs and something for so many people. 

Here are some songs that I think music fans will acclaim well into the future when looking back at Madonna's work and this album especially. 

Ghosttown - the ballad that should have smashed and is better than 99 % of all ballads released over the past 10 years 

Devil Pray - incredible song that is also the ultimate anti-addiction song - done in such a clever way with lyrics that shine. 

Joan of Arc - beautiful song about the vulnerability of fame 

Body Shop - one of the cleverest songs about sex that is not smutty but instead fun.  Also contains a melody and bridge to die for. 

Inside out - Such a unique song - like a space age love song - again with a perfect bridge 

Borrowed Time - the ultimate message song about acceptance and living life without hatred and bigotry.  Also such a great melody 

Iconic - different and great song.  My only complaint is wish the rap was done by Nas as find Chance the Rapper uninspiring while NAS is brilliant and powerful as shown in Veni Vedi Vici 

Beautiful Scars - great lyrics, great melody and great bridge. 

Messiah - underrated ballad beautifully performed 

Best Night - Seductive song done so well 

Heartbreak City - another great ballad 

Hold Tight - song with different views by Madonna fans but I love it 

Rebel Heart - one of the best choruses she has written and fantastic lyrics 

The list goes on !  Something for everyone and love that we all have different favourites. 

Also, re the "demo talk"  that will always follow this album - in the future, the demos will be listened too as part of the album and will probably still provide debate amongst Madonna fans.  We can either choose to listen to them or not but I think a lot will be loved alongside the final versions.  I know that Tragic Girl and Never let you go are also two unreleased demos that I will always love. 

Trump said he didn't like the way Madonna chews gum and insulted an Olympic figure skater's calves after they refused to date him, according to Mary Trump's new book

Eliza Relman

9 hours ago

President Donald Trump's niece Mary Trump wrote in her forthcoming tell-all book that her uncle insulted women, including Madonna and an Olympic figure skater, after they refused to date him.

While Mary Trump attempted to write "The Art of the Comeback," Donald gave her a transcript of a recording that she said was "an aggrieved compendium of women he had expected to date but who, having refused him, were suddenly the worst, ugliest, and fattest slobs he'd ever met."

"The biggest takeaways were that Madonna chewed gum in a way Donald found unattractive and that Katarina Witt, a German Olympic figure skater ... had big calves," Mary Trump wrote. 

President Donald Trump's niece Mary Trump wrote in her forthcoming tell-all book that her uncle insulted women, including Madonna and Olympic figure skater Katarina Witt, after they refused to date him.

According to Mary, when she agreed to ghost write Donald Trump's third book, the working title of which was "The Art of the Comeback," the real-estate mogul refused to participate in interviews with her.

But one day Donald Trump gave his niece a transcript of a recording in which he insults a series of women who refused to date him, she wrote. He told her it would be good material for the book. 

Mary Trump wrote that the recording was "an aggrieved compendium of women he had expected to date but who, having refused him, were suddenly the worst, ugliest, and fattest slobs he'd ever met."

She added, "The biggest takeaways were that Madonna chewed gum in a way Donald found unattractive and that Katarina Witt, a German Olympic figure skater who had won two gold medals and four world championships, had big calves."

The White House responded to the book by saying that Mary Trump wrote it to make a profit, rather than for the public interest, and denied her claims that the president's father, Fred Trump, was emotionally abusive. 

"President Trump has been in office for over three years working on behalf of the American people — why speak out now?" White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews told Business Insider in an email.

In her tell-all book, "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man," a copy of which was obtained by Business Insider, Mary Trump says that her uncle bullies and cheats "as a way of life."

"Donald, following the lead of my grandfather and with the complicity, silence and inaction of his siblings, destroyed my father. I can't let him destroy my country," Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist, wrote.

The book, published by Simon & Schuster, is set to be released on July 14, two weeks earlier than originally scheduled. 

The president's younger brother Robert Trump has sued to block the release of the book, citing a nondisclosure agreement Mary Trump signed in 2001 as the family determined Fred Trump's estate. But a federal appeals court ruled that Simon & Schuster is not bound by that agreement and allowed to book to move forward for release. 

Let's have a brief tie breaker round to declare a winner - good luck to both of you!!

Voting open through the end of the day!

Which photo should win?

1.

Flip The Switch

15.

Sky Fits Heaven

She always knew. 

Below several lists of artworks:

1. Paintings and Drawings

2. Photography

3. Miscellaneous (to be added)

I will try to update these lists as and when new artworks have been identified.

SALVADOR DALI

Le Coeur Voilé (1932)

FERNAND LÉGER

Les Deux Bicyclettes (1944) First major work bought in 1987.

TAMARA DE LEMPICKA

Andromeda (1929)

Nana de Herrera (1929)

FRIDA KAHLO

My birth (1932)

Self portrait with Monkey (1940)

CHARLES MOENCH

A reporter for The Face magazine mentioned that M had a work by Moench in her former Miami home. Which one?

PABLO PICASSO

Buste de femme (Dora Maar) 4 (1938).

Quite a few pieces of her art collection have been captured through the years as part of photoshoots for interior design magazines. Most of the pictures can be seen on Christopher Ciccone’s website. But lacking the text of the articles that those pics accompanied, makes it a bit more of a challenge to identify them.

Share what you know about Madonna’s art collection!

From their August 2020 issue. The TASTE with Over and Over,  Til Death Do Us Part,  I Want You, and Skin! A good top ten on the whole though.  I'd have put Sky Fits Heaven in there too.

WARRIOR

Warrior is a noun that refers to a soldier or someone who is involved in a fight. ... Today, the word warrior is frequently used to describe a person who is very strong and doesn't give up easily, a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness

OK time to vote for the best photo for the warrior theme.   We had 15 fantastic submissions this round and many different interpretations which are all amazing so it will be hard to choose!  Remember that you are voting not for your favorite photo necessarily but which photo captures the theme the best in your eyes.  Anyone can vote regardless if you submitted a photo or not and I encourage all to do so please!  The only thing I ask is to not vote for your own submission

And  The Nominees are:

*(Submitter's names are underneath photos)*

1.

Flip The Switch

2.

Karma

3.

Beautiful Killer

4.

Animal Instinct

5.

Cyber-Raga

6.

MCHL

7.

Rock

8.

peter

9.

Beautiful Bicycle

10.

ThomasW

11.

Mooncrown11

12.

Isaac

13.

Kurt420

14.

Skadi

15.

Sky Fits Heaven

1. Madonna: Lucky Star 

2. Like A Virgin: Material Girl

3. True Blue: Live To Tell 

4. Like A Prayer: ?

5. I'm Breathless: ?

6. The Immaculate Collection: ?

7. Erotica: Girlie Show 

8. Bedtime Stories: ?

9. Ray Of Light: Mantra, Drowned World

10. Music: ?

11. GHV2: Hit Lady, Second Coming

12. American Life: Ein Sof, Hollywood

13. Confessions On A Dance Floor: ? 

14. Hard Candy: Give It 2 Me

15. Celebration: ?

16. MDNA: ?

17. Rebel Heart: ?

18. Madame X: Magic

WARRIOR

Warrior is a noun that refers to a soldier or someone who is involved in a fight. ... Today, the word warrior is frequently used to describe a person who is very strong and doesn't give up easily, a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness

Warrior is a word we have often heard in relation to Madonna and I think the modern definition fits her perfectly.  

What image of Madonna best represents this theme for you?

The Rules

Find an  image of Madonna you think best embodies the theme of warrior (candid, selfie, professional, video cap, etc) and post it in this thread by July 3rd.  It will be first come, first serve if 2 members choose the same photo so you have to act fast to get your fave photo in! Only 1 photo submission per member per round will be allowed. Once the submission period is over, I will create a poll with the names of those who submitted a photo and then everyone can vote on which photo they think should win for that round.  You don't have to submit a photo to vote and if you do, I would ask that you not vote for your own to be fair  

OK let's see those images!!  Thank you!!

Erotica - 4,441,826
Fever - 2,382,193
Bye Bye Baby - 1,352,565
Deeper and Deeper - 4,472,870
Where Life Begins - 1,120,980
Bad Girl - 2,292,478
Waiting - 1,104,750
Thief of Hearts - 1,119,541
Words - 822,220
Rain - 8,464,840
Why's It So Hard - 858,297
In This Life - 656,851
Did You Do It? - 370,198
Secret Garden - 767,365
TOTAL = 30,226,974

It's a shame Erotica album have the smallest numbers from all her discography on her Spotify. I think we need another # on twitter, just like happened for Bedtime Stories ( #StreamErotica and #JusticeforErotica for example )

I haven't seen this since it was first broadcast. I was so happy she was on even though it wasn't complimentary! This came after she had eight top five hits in the UK in 85.  



For those who don't know what a megarate is: every participants has to rate each songs from Madonna's Madame X from 1 to 10 (rules are detailed below). With every score, average scores for each songs will be calculated and we'll have a definitive ranking of all of the songs from Madame X! The bonus tracks will be part of the competition as well. I feel like one week is enough for people to vote, but if you disagree on that let me know!

Rules:

Make sure to know each song included in the competition.

Rate each song from 1 to 10. You are allowed to give the same rate to multiple songs.

Decimals are allowed only up to the hundredth (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WHEN YOU CAN IN ORDER TO AVOID TIES).

You are allowed to give one 0 and one 11 (OPTIONAL).

Send your rates to me by personal messenger, NOT in the thread, before June 21.

This should be interesting! Hope a lot of you will join!

  

PM Friendly Tracklist: