Celebrate!!

Cocaine Princess here.

My loyal and dear readers, you know I am a humongous fan of Madonna. Yes she is my all time favorite entertainer. Today the Material Girl turns 51!!

She has completed 8 world tours and I have been fortunate enough to see her perform at each one of them. My very first time seeing her was on May 11th 1985, Like A Virgin World Tour at the Hollywood Sportatorium in Miami. Her last concert I attended was in the city back in Fall 2008, part of her Sweet and Sticky Tour.

On September 29th 2009 Madonna drops album #21 titled "CELEBRATION." A greatest hits package celebrating her 25 (wow!) years in music. 3 new songs are included on the album including her newest released single, "Celebrate." It's a dance tune with an awesome Euro vibe to it.

CELEBRATE

Haven’t I seen you somewhere before?

You look familiar

You wanna dance?

Yeah

I guess I just don’t recognize you with your clothes on

What are you waiting for??

I’m gonna party

(It’s a celebration)

Cause anybody just won’t do

Let’s get this started

(No more hesitation)

Cause everybody wants to party with you

Out of all her albums "TRUE BLUE" still remains to be my favorite. Who can forget the dedication in her liner notes:



"This is dedicated to my husband (Sean Penn), the coolest guy in the universe."

The reason why I adore this album is because it has my most absolutely favorite Madonna song of all time: "OPEN YOUR HEART"

Have you ever heard a song and it just touches you heart, mind and soul?

Early this morning VH1 aired "All Time Top 10 Videos by Madonna. My best song made the list but it wasn't at #1. One thing I didn't know, the song was originally recorded for Cyndi Lauper but before she had a chance to ever preview it Madonna grabbed it and recorded it for Warner Bros. Records. I remember the controversy surrounding the video and many protested against the video- "the portrayal of a minor entering a strip club" and "the kiss between Madonna and child actor Felix Howard" which was totally taken out of context. It was an oh so innocent and gentle kiss. How could they have not seen the beauty in it?

In the summer of 1987 I saw her in concert for the 2nd time ("Who's That Girl" world tour) where she sang the majority of her songs from True Blue. At the souvenir concession stand they were selling "OPEN YOUR HEART" necklaces and of course I bought one.


It's still in mint condition. I keep it nicely preserved in a glass jewelery box that sits on the nightstand beside my bed.

And because of that video my mom and I began collecting artwork by Tamara de Lempicka. This one titled "The Portrait de Madame P." hangs in our foyer. My sister and I bought it for her a few years ago on Mother's Day.



Getting back to VH1, after each video aired they had a panel of specialists who analyzed each video by breaking down the lyrics. Each had a different interpretation and went on and on and on especially with my favorite. I think Madonna summed it up best in a classic MTV video interview they showed, "it's a simple love song."

Here is the list:

#10

CHERISH
Cherish the thought
Of always having you here by my side
Oh baby I cherish the joy
You keep bringing it into my life

#9VOGUE
When all else fails and you long to be
Something better than you are today
I know a place where you can get away
It's called a dance floor, and here's what it's for, so
Come on, vogue

#8
LUCKY STAR
Come on shine your heavenly body tonight
'Cause I know you're gonna make everything all right
You may be my lucky star
But I'm the luckiest by far

#7

Open Your Heart
I think that you're afraid to look in my eyes
You look a little sad boy, I wonder why
I follow you around but you can't see
You're too wrapped up in yourself to notice
So you choose to look the other way
Well, I've got something to say....

#6
BORDERLINE
Stop playing with my heart
Finish what you start
When you make my love come down
If you want me let me know
Baby let it show
Honey don't you fool around

#5
EXPRESS YOURSELF
Don't go for second best baby
Put your love to the test
You know, you know, you've got to
Make him express how he feels
And maybe then you'll know your love is real

#4

PAPA DON'T PREACH
(A favorite song of the Vatican. Hey, she even dedicated it to Pope John II at her concert in '87)

Papa I know you're going to be upset
'Cause I was always your little girl
But you should know by now
I'm not a baby

#3

MATERIAL GIRL

(The video where she met hubby#1)

They can beg and they can plead

But they can't see the light, that's right

Because the boy with the cold hard cash

Is always Mister Right

#2

LIKE A VIRGIN

You're so fine and you're mine

Make me strong, yeah, you make me bold

Oh, your love thawed out

Yeah, your love thawed out

What was scared and cold

#1

LIKE A PRAYER

When you call my name it's like a little prayer

I'm down on my knees, I want to take you there

In the midnight hour I can feel your power

Just like a prayer, you know I'll take you there

All great videos but in my opinion they left many, many out that definitely should have made the list.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess