Like It Or Not...

Aside from putting out a box set with every single release, a Madonna hits compilation will never completely satisfy the legions of fans.

Here is the official tracklisting of the two disc set:

DISC ONE
1. "Hung Up"
2. "Music"
3. "Vogue"
4. "4 Minutes"
5. "Holiday"
6. "Like a Virgin"
7. "Into the Groove"
8. "Everybody"
9. "Like a Prayer"
10. "Ray of Light"
11. "Sorry"
12. "Express Yourself"
13. "Open Your Heart"
14. "Borderline"
15. "Secret"
16. "Erotica"
17. "Justify My Love"
18. "Celebration"

DISC TWO
1. "Dress You Up"
2. "Material Girl"
3. "La Isla Bonita"
4. "Papa Don't Preach"
5. "Lucky Star"
6. "Burning Up"
7. "Crazy For You"
8. "Who's That Girl"
9. "Frozen"
10. "Miles Away"
11. "Take a Bow"
12. "Beautiful Stranger"
13. "Hollywood"
14. "Die Another Day"
15. "Don't Tell Me"
16. "Live to Tell"
17. "Cherish"

18. "Revolver"

34 hits and 2 new tracks ("Celebration" and "Revolver"). As far as this tracklisting goes, I think it's pretty spot on, but I, like everyone else, think there are some glaring omissions from her earlier days.

"Angel" - If five(!) tracks from "MADONNA-The First Album" are here, then surely all four from "LIKE A VIRIGIN" should be here as well. Having said that, with both "Crazy For You" and "Into The Groove" on here (which many casual fans throw and categorize into this era) I can see why one of the "LAV" singles was omitted. Personally, I always preferred "Angel" to "Dress You Up", but having no proper video is a detriment to "Angel". ("DYU", at least, had the "Virgin Tour" performance video.)

"True Blue" - Yes the least memorable song from "TRUE BLUE", but still a Top 3 hit. Perhaps, memories of Sean Penn hit her harder then we realize, thus this song being punished, yet again. Plus there is always that nagging issue of which video to use on the DVD, the sweet and inspired fan made MTV contest winner that does not actually feature M? Or the cheesy 50s inspired video featuring a guest appearance by Debi Mazar?

"Causing A Commotion" - Debatedly the more likable of the "WHO"S THAT GIRL" singles, "Causing a Commotion" is, perhaps, Madge's most dated sounded single. Still anything left off of "THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION" deserves to be spotlighted elsewhere.

"Keep It Together" After "Oh Father" failed to crack the Top 5 (thus breaking her record setting 16 consecutive Top 5 hits), Madonna and Warner wisely remixed "Keep It Together" to sound like "It-Group" Soul lI Soul's hits "Keep On Movin'" and "Back To Life". Madonna's ode to family landed her back in the Top 10 after the disappointing performance of "Oh Father" (#20 Peak).

"This Used To Be My Playground" - A #1 hit in the summer of 1992, though largely overlooked for her other soundtrack ballad, 1994's "I'll Remember" (also missing from this hits set), "TUTBMP" is probably considered too languid for a Hits Collection titled "CELEBRATION".

"Deeper And Deeper" Considered a fan favorite, "Deeper And Deeper", almost made many forget about the SEX drenched "EROTICA" and brought Madonna back home to the dancefloor where she belonged. However, the damage was done, and with the "SEX" book, and the "Body Of Evidence" movie looming overhead, any subsequent singles from "Erotica" were doomed from the get go. Which brings us to...

"Rain" - Why this sonic masterpiece is not included is baffling. This is Madonna at her exquisite best. The song is lush, radiant, and gorgeous. After "Bad Girl" received a chilly response at radio, "Rain" the song, and accompanying, stunning video reversed her misfortunes and almost single handedly erased all the bad press of the "EROTICA" era. Almost. The track performed better than "Bad Girl" but still missed the Top 10, landing at #14.

So with these 6 tracks left off, not to mention there's nothing representing her "EVITA" period ("You Must Love Me" and "Don't Cry For Me Argentina"), what would I cut to put them in?

"Everybody" - Yes it was her first single, but only the die hards know that. "Holiday" was her first proper hit.

"Sorry" - Sorry, but even though "CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR" is one of her best albums, two tracks is one too many. "Hung Up" is the only song people know from that album. As much as I love "Sorry" (favorite track on the album), it doesn't deserve a spot on here.

"Dress You Up" - I'd swap this for "Angel" any day.

"Hollywood" - Probably her worst choice of single, ever. Nothing from "AMERICAN LIFE" should be represented on here. It would be like Mariah Carey putting her "GLITTER" era stuff on her hits set. Let's call a bomb a bomb and leave it at that. (Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of the "AMERICAN LIFE" stuff, but commercially it failed).

"Die Another Day" - With the far superior "Beautiful Stranger" included on here, why include a second theme song to a British super spy's movie? The frollicking free spirited "BS" is easier on the ears, than this staccata laced epilepsy causing seizure machine.

"Miles Away" - Why is this even here? The song is literally miles away from being considered a hit. The one "HARD CANDY" track, "4 Minutes" is enough.

It's Time To Celebrate!

A “Celebration” Of Madonna Music - The Definitive Greatest Hits Collection September 28/29 Release




Madonna, who has racked up a record 37 top 10 hits as well as seven No. 1 albums (including her last four) on the Billboard Pop Charts, has given her fans yet another opportunity to “celebrate” her musical achievements. Today, Warner Bros. Records officially confirmed the September 29th release in the U.S. (September 28 outside U.S.) of “CELEBRATION” – the ultimate compilation of Madonna songs. The songs on “Celebration” have all been remastered and selected by Madonna and her fans. They cover the expanse of the Material Girl’s extraordinary career of hits including “Everybody,” “Express Yourself,” “Vogue” and “4 Minutes.” “Celebration” will be available in a two-CD set as well as a single CD. There will also be a “Celebration” DVD released simultaneously which includes the video visionary’s best videos including several that have never before been available on DVD.

“Celebration,” the CD will also include two new songs that were recently recorded in New York City. The first single, also titled, “Celebration,” co-produced by Madonna and Paul Oakenfold, will be released August 3rd. A video for the single, which will be included on the “Celebration” DVD was just filmed in Milan, Italy and was directed by long time Madonna collaborator Jonas (“Ray of Light”) Akerlund. Several dance club remixes of “Celebration” are already headed to the clubs. The song will also be available on CD and vinyl maxi. Radio will receive the “Celebration” single on August 3rd.

The cover for “Celebration” was created by street pop artist “Mr. Brainwash” who is best known for “throwing modern cultural icons into a blender and turning it up to eleven.” (A copy of the cover image of the “Celebration” CDs and DVDs is attached)

Madonna, a multi Grammy award winning singer, writer and producer has had over 12 No. 1 singles and has a record-smashing 39 No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs Chart – by far the most of any artist in the over 30 year history of the list.