Top 25 Hits by Madonna in Descending Order of Popularity
Madonna's Music Career: A Journey of Controversy and Success
Madonna, born in 1958 in Bay City, Michigan, embarked on a career that would make her one of the most influential figures in music history. Her journey began in New York City at the age of 19, where she pursued a career as a singer and dancer.
Her first significant success came with "Holiday" in 1983, marking her debut on Billboard's Hot 100, peaking at number 16. This was followed by "Borderline" in 1984, which became her second single to break the top ten on U.S. charts. "Like a Virgin" in 1984 was a game-changer, making it to the top of the charts and marking her first number one on Billboard's Hot 100.
Throughout her career, Madonna has been known for pushing boundaries and stirring controversy. One of her most infamous videos is "Like a Prayer" from 1989, which challenged religious and racial taboos at the time of its release. Other videos like "Open Your Heart" (1986) and "What It Feels Like for a Girl" (2001) also drew significant controversy mainly for their sexual and thematic content.
Despite the controversies, Madonna's music continued to dominate the charts. "Don't Tell Me" (2000) made it to number four on U.S. charts, and the video shows Madge hanging out with cowboys and riding a mechanical bull. "Take a Bow" (1994) was a record-breaking song for Madonna, spending seven weeks at number one on U.S. charts, following the release of her controversial book Sex (1992). "Frozen" (1998) was a huge hit for Madonna, reaching number one or two in most major music markets, foretelling the enormous success of Ray of Light, the album on which it was featured.
Madonna's success continued with "Ray of Light" (1998), which broke a record for Madonna, selling 73,000 singles in the first week of its release. The second track from her Grammy Award-winning album of the same name, "Ray of Light" was a massive club hit that received major remix attention from the most in-demand deejays.
In 2000, Madonna released "Music", her twelfth single to top U.S. charts, featuring Madonna (five months pregnant at the time) and comedy star Sacha Baron Cohen in the video. "Hung Up" (2006) included an infectious sample from superstar dance group ABBA, and was the first single off Madonna's album Confessions on a Dance Floor. "Hung Up" topped the charts in an unprecedented 41 countries, but peaked at number seven in the States.
Madonna's impact on music is undeniable. She has sold more than 200 million albums in a career spanning over two decades, and her 2006 Confessions tour was the most successful concert tour by a female artist in history, according to Billboard magazine. Some of her most memorable songs include "Material Girl" (1985), "Crazy for You" (1985), and "Beautiful Stranger" (1999), which was penned by Madonna and William Orbit for the second Austin Powers movie, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, and reached number 19 in the United States -- even though it was never officially released.
Despite the controversies and challenges, Madonna's music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, solidifying her status as a pop icon.
Entertaining music has been a significant aspect of Madonna's career, with her songs frequently topping charts and breaking records. ("Don't Tell Me", "Take a Bow", "Frozen", "Ray of Light", "Music", "Hung Up")
Her influential discography, encompassing various genres such as pop, dance, and R&B, has earned Madonna a place in music history as an entertainer who pushes boundaries and continuously evolves. ("Material Girl", "Crazy for You", "Beautiful Stranger")
