IslandBreeze Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 CJC’s thread about how complete the eras were inspired me to delineate how (in my opinion) M’s previous eras lasted. Primarily, I think the eras were not dictated solely by the music/videos but by an overall direction in her career. This is how I delineate and describe her eras (or should we call 'evolutions'): THE STREET MADONNA - The Boy-Toy/Virgin Era - Post-disco grooves with 70's producers, sex-kitten with high pitched voice, tons of jewelry, lace, crosses, sunglasses, wild hair, girlie curves, the belly button... Started: October 1982 - Everybody single is released Ended: December 1985 - Begins to shoot Shanghai Surprise with golden blonde 1930s style hair Duration: 3 years and 2 months Albums: two studio albums Singles: 10 (US), 12 (UK), 2 singles/airplay hits in other countries (Over and Over, Love Don't Live Here Anymore) Most Iconic Looks: Lucky Star video, Wedding Dress, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes pink dress, DSS jacket + sunglasses, Most Iconic Songs: Holiday, Borderline, Like a Virgin, Material Girl, Crazy for You, Into The Groove Iconic Moments: VMA '84, Desperately Seeking Susan becomes a hit, Virgin Tour, Time Magazine cover, Playboy/Penthouse photos, Live Aid '85, Sean Penn Wedding THE HOLLYWOOD MADONNA - The Bushy Platinum Blonde/Actress Wannabe/Mrs. Penn Era - The sound is more Motown and Latin inspired pop than post-disco, songs start to deal with weightier subjects, the body becomes leaner and more toned, the look is more innocent and feminine, style is very retro channeling Hollywood blondes from Grace Kelly (Shanghai Surprise) to Marilyn (Who's That Girl), marries a movie star and tries (and fails) to start an acting career with two back to back box-office bombs. Started: March 1986 - Live to Tell is release and a video with her new look follows soon afterwards. Ended: April 1988 - Speed the Plow has its first preview on Broadway with Madonna sporting a brunette look. Duration: 2 years and 1 month Albums: one studio album, one partial soundtrack and one remixes compilation. Singles: 7 (US), 8* (UK), two radio hits (Where's The Party & Spotlight) *I did not count re-releases Most Iconic Looks: Live To Tell/Shanghai Surprise 1930s golden blond locks, bushy platinum blond cover of True Blue album, short crop and "Italian Do It Better" t-shirt, black corset and nipple tassels in OYH, white Marilyn-style dress (WTG and American Music Awards) Most Iconic Songs: Live To Tell, PDP, TB, OYH, LIB Iconic Moments: LTT new look, PDP controversy, Shanghai Surprise bombs in Aug. '86, MTV Lifetime Achievement Video Vanguard Award in Sept. '86, WTG Tour '87, WTG bombs in Aug. '87 THE ARTISTE MADONNA - The Italian Hippie/Rebel Catholic/Divorcee/Artiste (ARTPOP...heheh) Era - "As close as pop music comes to art" sound, starts the era as a Broadway actress with brown hair and ends with a Louise Brooks inspired bob, separates from Sean Penn and ultimately divorces him, the style is starker and more dramatic, starts wearing all black more often, the look is more natural and less glamorous than previously, while previously controversy seemed to follow her, now she seems to purposely look for it. Begins: May 1988 - Speed the Plow premieres on Broadway and soon after Madonna appears with Sandra Bernhard on Letterman (and insinuates being bisexual). Ends: January 1990 – Keep It Together is released as the last single from LAP without Vogue, its intended B-Side track. Duration: 1 year and 8 months Albums: one studio album Singles: 5 (US), 5 (UK), one airplay hit in other countries (Spanish Eyes) Most Iconic Looks: brunette with burning crosses, EY video, Cherish video, Louise Brooks inspired Herb Ritts photo shoot Iconic Moments: Letterman with SB, divorces Sean Penn on Jan. ’89, Pepsi commercial, LAP premiere, Vogue Magazine cover, EY at the VMAs THE SUPERSTAR MADONNA – The Ambitious/Controversial/Biggest Star In The World Era – Blonde and in charge, the style is more androgynous with suits and pants but glamorous (very Marlene Dietrich and Garbo-esque), then there’s pointy bras and corsets, the hair is golden blonde and permed, body is muscular, she seems to always wear fishnets. Begins: March 1990 – Vogue and its video premiere Ends: June 1991 – In an interview for Rolling Stones, Madonna introduces the nickname “Dita” and a photo-shoot with Steve Meisel that evokes the later released SEX book. Later that summer she started to shoot A League of their Own. Duration: 1 year and 3 months Albums: one studio album/inspired by the movie and one greatest hits compilation Singles: 4 (US), 4 (UK) Most Iconic Looks: LAV BA performance, EY corset, Holiday polka dots, KIT Clockwork Orange look, lace blouse without a bra in Vogue video, Marilyn for Oscars with MJ Iconic Moments: EVERYTHING. Vogue video, BAT and the Pope, JML video and controversy, TOD documentary, TOD premieres in Cannes, SOL performance at the Oscars, M and MJ. … Okay, this took more time to write then I imagined so I will finish it later. Discuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agclef Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Holy smokes, why would anyone tortue themselves, this is quite the task. I have lived through them all so far, looking back, all the way back to '82, it's SOME LONG HISTORY and CAREER so far... Good-luck with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Nina would be soooooooo proud of you!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 DEMONNA (1982 - PRESENT) Don't fuck with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 More more more more!!! I'm interested to see where you end the Dita era and when the career smoothing-sperm searching era begins.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 DEMONNA (1982 - PRESENT) Don't fuck with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micco Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 CJC’s thread about how complete the eras were inspired me to delineate how (in my opinion) M’s previous eras lasted. Primarily, I think the eras were not dictated solely by the music/videos but by an overall direction in her career. This is how I delineate and describe her eras (or should we call 'evolutions'): THE STREET MADONNA - The Boy-Toy/Virgin Era - Post-disco grooves with 70's producers, sex-kitten with high pitched voice, tons of jewelry, lace, crosses, sunglasses, wild hair, girlie curves, the belly button... Started: October 1982 - Everybody single is released Ended: December 1985 - Begins to shoot Shanghai Surprise with golden blonde 1930s style hair Duration: 3 years and 2 months Albums: two studio albums Singles: 10 (US), 12 (UK), 2 singles/airplay hits in other countries (Over and Over, Love Don't Live Here Anymore) Most Iconic Looks: Lucky Star video, Wedding Dress, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes pink dress, DSS jacket + sunglasses, Most Iconic Songs: Holiday, Borderline, Like a Virgin, Material Girl, Crazy for You, Into The Groove Iconic Moments: VMA '84, Desperately Seeking Susan becomes a hit, Virgin Tour, Time Magazine cover, Playboy/Penthouse photos, Live Aid '85, Sean Penn Wedding THE HOLLYWOOD MADONNA - The Bushy Platinum Blonde/Actress Wannabe/Mrs. Penn Era - The sound is more Motown and Latin inspired pop than post-disco, songs start to deal with weightier subjects, the body becomes leaner and more toned, the look is more innocent and feminine, style is very retro channeling Hollywood blondes from Grace Kelly (Shanghai Surprise) to Marilyn (Who's That Girl), marries a movie star and tries (and fails) to start an acting career with two back to back box-office bombs. Started: March 1986 - Live to Tell is release and a video with her new look follows soon afterwards. Ended: April 1988 - Speed the Plow has its first preview on Broadway with Madonna sporting a brunette look. Duration: 2 years and 1 month Albums: one studio album, one partial soundtrack and one remixes compilation. Singles: 7 (US), 8* (UK), two radio hits (Where's The Party & Spotlight) *I did not count re-releases Most Iconic Looks: Live To Tell/Shanghai Surprise 1930s golden blond locks, bushy platinum blond cover of True Blue album, short crop and "Italian Do It Better" t-shirt, black corset and nipple tassels in OYH, white Marilyn-style dress (WTG and American Music Awards) Most Iconic Songs: Live To Tell, PDP, TB, OYH, LIB Iconic Moments: LTT new look, PDP controversy, Shanghai Surprise bombs in Aug. '86, MTV Lifetime Achievement Video Vanguard Award in Sept. '86, WTG Tour '87, WTG bombs in Aug. '87 THE ARTISTE MADONNA - The Italian Hippie/Rebel Catholic/Divorcee/Artiste (ARTPOP...heheh) Era - "As close as pop music comes to art" sound, starts the era as a Broadway actress with brown hair and ends with a Louise Brooks inspired bob, separates from Sean Penn and ultimately divorces him, the style is starker and more dramatic, starts wearing all black more often, the look is more natural and less glamorous than previously, while previously controversy seemed to follow her, now she seems to purposely look for it. Begins: May 1988 - Speed the Plow premieres on Broadway and soon after Madonna appears with Sandra Bernhard on Letterman (and insinuates being bisexual). Ends: January 1990 – Keep It Together is released as the last single from LAP without Vogue, its intended B-Side track. Duration: 1 year and 8 months Albums: one studio album Singles: 5 (US), 5 (UK), one airplay hit in other countries (Spanish Eyes) Most Iconic Looks: brunette with burning crosses, EY video, Cherish video, Louise Brooks inspired Herb Ritts photo shoot Iconic Moments: Letterman with SB, divorces Sean Penn on Jan. ’89, Pepsi commercial, LAP premiere, Vogue Magazine cover, EY at the VMAs THE SUPERSTAR MADONNA – The Ambitious/Controversial/Biggest Star In The World Era – Blonde and in charge, the style is more androgynous with suits and pants but glamorous (very Marlene Dietrich and Garbo-esque), then there’s pointy bras and corsets, the hair is golden blonde and permed, body is muscular, she seems to always wear fishnets. Begins: March 1990 – Vogue and its video premiere Ends: June 1991 – In an interview for Rolling Stones, Madonna introduces the nickname “Dita” and a photo-shoot with Steve Meisel that evokes the later released SEX book. Later that summer she started to shoot A League of their Own. Duration: 1 year and 3 months Albums: one studio album/inspired by the movie and one greatest hits compilation Singles: 4 (US), 4 (UK) Most Iconic Looks: LAV BA performance, EY corset, Holiday polka dots, KIT Clockwork Orange look, lace blouse without a bra in Vogue video, Marilyn for Oscars with MJ Iconic Moments: EVERYTHING. Vogue video, BAT and the Pope, JML video and controversy, TOD documentary, TOD premieres in Cannes, SOL performance at the Oscars, M and MJ. … Okay, this took more time to write then I imagined so I will finish it later. Discuss. Wonderful, looking forward to the rest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Awesome work IB! And your photo selection: impeccable! Can't wait for the rest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HaveASit Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 No other female pop artist will EVER have a look as iconic as this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADUSTIO Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icykiller Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Wow! Great job I like how you split up LAP and Vogue/JML into two. I'd definitely would consider those two as separate "eras" too, since the latter pretty much works as a sort of transition era... And in-between of her controversial LAP persona and her even more controversial Dita character from Erotica/SEX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabl0114 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 More!!! I love reading things like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5iVe Elements Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Great write-up. Those photos are very iconic too. Can't wait to read the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy Ride Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 GREAT thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madonnasuperfan01 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 AMAZING job!! Can't wait to read the rest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Jan Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Island Breeze, Great thread and very interesting reading your interpretation of Madonna's career eras. You deserve a round of applause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaything Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Excited to see you will wrap up the messy American Life era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horn Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 "I'm Breathless" has been left out once again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runaway Lover Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Wonderful reading! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonoka Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 This pic shows how dull and inexpressive the MDNA look was in comparison to her others throughout the career (despite it being beautiful!). There doesn't seem to be any theme to it whatsoever, even the Hard Candy look fares much better next to the MDNA one. But still, great montage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter9 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 This is great . Don't forget the British housewife /English Rose Madoona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattress Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 THE ARTISTE MADONNA - The Italian Hippie/Rebel Catholic/Divorcee/Artiste (ARTPOP...heheh) Era - "As close as pop music comes to art" sound, starts the era as a Broadway actress with brown hair and ends with a Louise Brooks inspired bob, separates from Sean Penn and ultimately divorces him, the style is starker and more dramatic, starts wearing all black more often, the look is more natural and less glamorous than previously, while previously controversy seemed to follow her, now she seems to purposely look for it. Begins: May 1988 - Speed the Plow premieres on Broadway and soon after Madonna appears with Sandra Bernhard on Letterman (and insinuates being bisexual). Ends: January 1990 – Keep It Together is released as the last single from LAP without Vogue, its intended B-Side track. Duration: 1 year and 8 months Albums: one studio album Singles: 5 (US), 5 (UK), one airplay hit in other countries (Spanish Eyes) Most Iconic Looks: brunette with burning crosses, EY video, Cherish video, Louise Brooks inspired Herb Ritts photo shoot Iconic Moments: Letterman with SB, divorces Sean Penn on Jan. ’89, Pepsi commercial, LAP premiere, Vogue Magazine cover, EY at the VMAs THE SUPERSTAR MADONNA – The Ambitious/Controversial/Biggest Star In The World Era – Blonde and in charge, the style is more androgynous with suits and pants but glamorous (very Marlene Dietrich and Garbo-esque), then there’s pointy bras and corsets, the hair is golden blonde and permed, body is muscular, she seems to always wear fishnets. Begins: March 1990 – Vogue and its video premiere Ends: June 1991 – In an interview for Rolling Stones, Madonna introduces the nickname “Dita” and a photo-shoot with Steve Meisel that evokes the later released SEX book. Later that summer she started to shoot A League of their Own. Duration: 1 year and 3 months Albums: one studio album/inspired by the movie and one greatest hits compilation Singles: 4 (US), 4 (UK) Most Iconic Looks: LAV BA performance, EY corset, Holiday polka dots, KIT Clockwork Orange look, lace blouse without a bra in Vogue video, Marilyn for Oscars with MJ Iconic Moments: EVERYTHING. Vogue video, BAT and the Pope, JML video and controversy, TOD documentary, TOD premieres in Cannes, SOL performance at the Oscars, M and MJ. … Okay, this took more time to write then I imagined so I will finish it later. Discuss. Great thread though you've kind of glossed over "Express Yourself" and its importance in her evolution. It symbolizes the precise moment that Madonna transitioned from pop royalty to icon. Everything described from March 1990-on was actually borne out of that video nearly a year earlier (while filming Dick Tracy) and the VMA performance in September 1989 was the prototype for Blond Ambition. Even though it breaks up an album project, I've always considered "Like A Prayer" as the end her 1988 sabbatical and of "Express Yourself" as kicking off the next phase which ran through to the release of Truth Or Dare two years later. Photos from the Like A Prayer album launch party in March 1989: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter9 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Great thread though you've kind of glossed over "Express Yourself" and its importance in her evolution. It symbolizes the precise moment that Madonna transitioned from pop royalty to icon. Everything described from March 1990-on was actually borne out of that video nearly a year earlier (while filming Dick Tracy) and the VMA performance in September 1989 was the prototype for Blond Ambition. Even though it breaks up an album project, I've always considered "Like A Prayer" as the end her 1988 sabbatical and of "Express Yourself" as kicking off the next phase which ran through to the release of Truth Or Dare two years later. Photos from the Like A Prayer album launch party in March 1989: Wowwwwww I have never seen these before ! Thanks for posting ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter9 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Great thread though you've kind of glossed over "Express Yourself" and its importance in her evolution. It symbolizes the precise moment that Madonna transitioned from pop royalty to icon. Everything described from March 1990-on was actually borne out of that video nearly a year earlier (while filming Dick Tracy) and the VMA performance in September 1989 was the prototype for Blond Ambition. Even though it breaks up an album project, I've always considered "Like A Prayer" as the end her 1988 sabbatical and of "Express Yourself" as kicking off the next phase which ran through to the release of Truth Or Dare two years later. Photos from the Like A Prayer album launch party in March 1989: Wowwwwww I have never seen these before ! Thanks for posting ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattress Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 ^ My pleasure! She was (and remains) so gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mensch Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 More! Love this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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