Over the decades we've seen her go through more reinventions, reincarnations and comebacks than any other Pop Tart in showbusiness. There's too many eras of the Queen of Pop to count but here are 10 of the most memorable, enjoy!
10. The American Activist:
Back in 2003 our Material Girl went all Political Girl on us with the release of her 9th studio album American Life. The record came at the height of President Bush's unpopularity and our girl Madgy made sure he knew she wasn't a fan by having her lead single's video serve as a comment on her views regarding the Iraq war. However, the video was eventually shelved due to fear of a backlash with Madonna releasing a less interesting video of herself in front of a bunch of flags. Madonna babes we love that you tried (and kinda failed), but let's face facts, this military, attempting to rap, black-haired era was a mess and, well kind of a snoozefest.
9. The Musical Theatre Darling:
Who'd have thought that the old girl would get herself a gig in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical eh? Well in 1996 Madge did just that. This reincarnation showed not only Madonna's versitility but that she could also act and sing! Something that her critics had been questioning for years. Evita was a box office smash and resulted in Madonna releasing an album of ballads (Something to Remember). But there was a feeling of the hitmaker simply playing dress up as a musical theatre star, lacking authenticity which results in its being so low down in this countdown.
8. The New Age Princess:
After the birth of her first child, Lourdes, Madonna decided it was time to leave promiscuity and provocativeness at the door (for a little while at least). This move apparently paid off as the William Orbit produced Ray of Light is still one of Madge's most successful albums to date! It wasn't all peace and love though as this happy go lucky era was tinged with moody undertones, such as hits like Frozen. All in all though there was something missing from this era, perhaps it was just hard to accept a more mellow Queen of Pop or maybe it was that this was her first musical outing since parting creative ways with brother Christopher.
7. The Flavourful Fighter
Back in 2008 Madonna collaborated with just about everyone in R'n'B and rap on her Hard Candy album from Justin Timberlake to Kanye to Pharrell. She carried this theme through to her 2012 effort MDNA by featuring collabs from Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Following on from Hard Candy, Madge went on a mammoth tour lasting almost two years and let's not forget her larger than life performance at the 2012 Superbowl! Now those are the actions of someone who is willing to fight their way to relevance... This era had just the right amount of showgirl quality, tough girl attitude and a divorce right in the middle of it to add the drama. But with all the collaborations and need to keep up to date the true essence of Madonna felt lost during this more recent reinvention.
6. The Disco Diva
After the disaster that was American Life (see above for details) Madonna decided to please her fans and just have some fun. She returned to her club roots with 2005's Confessions on a Dancefloor which spawned a much needed hit in the form of Hung Up. This era saw Madonna give back to her fans. She forgot the anger she had exhibited through her music in the few years previous and gave everyone an updated sound with the kitsch look of a hyper-real 70's disco dolly. This era saw Madge camp it up with the costumes and straddle a horse saddle on tour, what's not to love!
5. The Dominatrix
Possibly the raunchiest version of the pop veteran we've seen to date. During this period Madonna decided it was her mission to break down all the barriers and taboos she possibly could. She created her alter-ego of 'Mistress Dita' by cropping her hair, releasing the steamy album Erotica, and publishing a Sex book with pictures of herself and other notable names engaging in an array of explicit tomfoolery. Madge wanted to put her stamp on the nineties with this incarnation, and she did just that.
4. The Cowgirl
Although not always a popular choice this era deserves a 4th place on the countdown due to its pure random fabulousness. Coming hot off the tails of The New Age era, Madonna decided she'd go full Texas-tycoon-housewife-glamour in a fur coat and Stetson. As well as this she made everyone know she was in keeping with the times by having flavour of the month Ali G feature in her video for Music. Around the same time Madge also underwent a personal makeover by marrying director Guy Ritchie and welcoming son Rocco into the world, don't ever tell her to sto-o-op!
3. The Lovefool
Back in 1986 Madonna was in love and wanted everyone to know about it. She'd vamped up her look going for a bleach crop and adding a vintage 50's twist to her wardrobe. Madge had also established herself as a superstar , married Sean Penn and was ready to show she was more than just a pop gimmick with 3rd album True Blue. What makes this era so great is that it was the last time Madonna would be a naive starlet singing happy mainstream pop, after this she decided to shake it up and get a little more serious with her post-divorce Like A Prayer album, and she's never looked back since!
2. The 80's Club Kid
This era was no reinvention, this was the original Madonna that the world first fell in love with when she burst onto the scene in 1983. Bubbling under the surface of the New York club scene she took the world by storm with her part punk, part new-romantic, part city chic look and catchy pop club tunes. Of course we all know that without this era none of the others would have seen the light of day, so let's thank this plucky young thing for being fearless and grabbing everyones attention, after all we owe it all to this Madonna.
1. The Platinum Powerhouse
The most iconic of the Madonna eras and the number 1 spot, it was the early 90's and Madonna was the biggest star in the world. After releasing her deeper sound on Like A Prayer, Madonna took on the world of feminism, telling girls (and guys) alike not to repress themselves, respect themselves and express themselves! She also starred in Dick Tracey and dated its star Warren Beatty. Perhaps the best part of this era was when she embarked on her hugely successful Blonde Ambition World Tour, debuting the now famous conical bra designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. All in all Madge was basically slaying it and every other era before and after has been unable to match the fierceness of The Platinum Powerhouse.
But what's next for the Madgerz? she's hinted at a new release coming in 2015, so only time will tell what era her latest offering will herald...
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