Madonna has finally released her 13th studio album Rebel Heart this week. It's been met with a highly favourable critical response and with most Madonna album releases , there always a sense of looking back on her majestic discography.
Not content with producing arguably some of the greatest pop songs of all time , Madonna has always had a knack for a beautifully crafted ballad.
Look at 1995's classic compilation Something To Remember which collected some of her most well known ballads all on one album.
So here I rank , with a lot of deliberation , Madonna's 10 ultimate ballads.
10. Rain (1993 )
Alongside its accompanying video , Rain was a stunning addition to her canon of ballads when it appeared on Erotica. The glorious final crescendo as Madonan sings about "your love coing down like rain " , is still as powerful 22 years later
9. This Used To Be My Playground ( 1992 )
Taken from one of Madonna's more likeable movies A League Of Their Own , this underrated gem has still to be performed by the woman herself. Madonna's vulnerable vocals and the lush orchestration make this a truly affecting ballad.
8. You'll See ( 1995 )
The lead single from the ballad compilation Something To Remember was one of Madonna's finest vocal deliveries of the 90's and set her in good stead for Evita a year later. "All by myself , I don't need anyone this time ". Like most of her ballads , Madonna sings of defiance and independence.
7. Drowned World ( Substitute For Love ) (1998)
The opening track to the seminal Ray Of Light saw Madonna reflect on fame and fortune amidst a gorgeous lilting guitar. One of her most emotive and confessional moments " I traded fame for love , without a second thought , it all became a silly game , some things cannot be bought "
An astounding opener to an astounding album
6. The Power Of Goodbye ( 1998 )
Another stunning moment from Ray Of Light. William Orbit's electronic ballad oozes elegance and that sweeping orchestral climax is a aural revelation,
5. Frozen (1998 )
Which brings us nicely to that stunning lead single from Ray Of Light , which crowned a remarkable creative and commercial renaissance for the Queen of Pop.
Dark , melancholic , cinematic and ultimately divine , it remains one of pop's most stunning comeback tracks
4. Oh Father (1989 )
One of Madonna's finest moments accompanied by one of her most striking videos. A song and visual that packed a weighty emotional punch that still floors you almost 25 years later. Madonna's open letter to her father is rife with brooding emotion. Its David Fincher directed video showing Madonna 's mother laid to rest with her lips sewn shut remains on eof the most striking images in her groundbreaking videography
One of the highlights of her underrated Bedtime Stories album , this gorgeous ballad hogged the top spot in the USA for seven weeks.
" I've alwsys been in love with you , I guess y0u've always known its true " , sings Madonna , adied by R&B legend Babyface on this soulful , beautiful track. A classic.
2. Crazy For You ( 1985 )
One of the quintessential Madonna ballads , Crazy Fro You was originally written for the long forgotten movie Vision Quest. It was the first time Madonna had proved she could do romance and a gorgeous vocal.
Swaying room as the music starts
Strangers making the most of the dark
Two by two their bodies become one
One of the most memorable Madonna lyrics , its old fashioned romance was simple but brilliant
1. Live To Tell (1985 )
And so , Madonna's ultimate ballad. It could only be Live To Tell. Madonna traded the bangles and lace gloves for bleached blonde hair and a soaring ballad that showcased her immense versatility. Moody yet fragile , almost 30 years on Live To Tell remains Madonna's signature ballad
'Will it grow cold? The secret that I hide, Will I grow old?"[
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