#27 - Crazy For You

Artist: Madonna

Album: Vision Quest Motion Picture Soundtrack
Video: From YouTube.

OMG Crazy For You!  I love this song!  Very tough to pick a personal favorite from 1985, but along with this song it’s a front runner.  At least it better get serious consideration for favorite song in the reader’s choice poll on this blog, or I just might have to rig the thing.  Not that I would ever do that.  By the way a new poll is up, don’t forget to vote!

Anyway, "Crazy For You".  OMG!  When it was released, Madonna had the #1 album in the U.S. and this song wasn’t even on it.  Her record company didn’t want the single released because she was essentially competing with herself for sales.  Then when "Into The Groove" surfaced just a few months later, that couldn’t be released as a single in the U.S. because nobody could handle all the awesomeness. 

No matter, everyone involved got rich.  Madonna’s first ballad soared to the top of the pops, knocking "We Are The World" out of its 4-week reign at the top spot.  The bigwigs at Warner Brothers didn’t want her singing it at first, they didn’t know if she could handle it since she was being typecast as a dance club singer.  Well, she nailed it.  The song is a naked expression of physical desire, filled with wantonly brazen sexual lyrics.

The song is featured in the 1985 film "Vision Quest", a coming of age wrestling film starring Matthew Modine and Linda Fiorentino.  "Crazy For You" makes two appearances in the film.  The first time is a scene featuring Madonna performing in a nightclub, and the main characters dance together without passion.  However, when the song is reprised later in the film, they get their smooch on during a walk in the woods.

The video features a montage of scenes from the film, chronicling the developing relationship between the main characters.  There is also plenty of Madonna performing in the same nightclub from the movie scene.  The enduring image is her swaying gently on a poorly lit stage highlighted with pink neon accents, crucifix earring prominently jangling.

#54 - Material Girl

Artist: Madonna

Album: Like A Virgin
Video: From YouTube.

“Material Girl”, of course, is a nickname that has stuck with Madonna for decades.  For this reason she has expressed regret over recording the song, but I’m certainly glad she did.  It’s top shelf.

This is the third of four Madonna videos in the 1985 MTV Top 100 countdown.  She also had a fifth smash hit in 1985 that is not included, “Into The Groove”.  That might be my favorite Madonna song of all.

However, she’s not the artist with the most videos in this countdown.  Someone else has five.  Can you guess who it is? 

"Material Girl" peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The song has a lasting legacy, both as a celebration of 80’s excess and an assault on mindless consumerism.  Academic stuffed shirts can continue to debate its meaning.  I just think it’s playful and catchy.  Not to mention the effect that the 1985 Madonna had on a 15-year-old boy.  Yipe!

The video pays homage to Marilyn Monroe's performance of "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend"  in the film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".  Clad in hot pink dress, fancy jewelry and furs, she coyly rebuffs the advances of a legion of tuxedo-clad men who shower her with gifts.  Although the video is basically a remake, Madonna puts her unique stamp on it.

In the end of the video, the twist is revealed.  Madonna is not a material girl after all.  She is won over by Keith Carradine and his simple flowers and pick-up truck.

#84 - Dress You Up

Artist: Madonna

Album: Like A Virgin
Video: Fast forward to about the 1 minute mark, to see where the version from the MTV countdown starts.

With this entry, Madonna becomes the first artist to appear twice in the countdown. She also had the #91 video.

"Dress You Up" was the fourth top 5 single released from the "Like A Virgin" album.  One of her more underrated hits from this time period, it's strong work.  Catchy beat, easy to dance to, Madonna doing what she does.

The video is a live performance from The Virgin Tour. Based on the entrance, it appears this video is also the opening song of this particular concert.  I will also note, Madonna sporting quite the colorful jacket.

Here's some blog trivia: This is the second consecutive video to come from a Michigan native.  Madonna and Stevie Wonder are both from the Wolverine State.

Also, I added a "#1 hit" label.  I thought it would be fun to see which songs made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.  It's interesting that we've had three #1 hits already in this countdown, and we're only at #84.

#91 - Like A Virgin

Artist: Madonna
Album: Like A Virgin
Video: One of the all-time classics.

This song was, um, slightly influential.

Madonna is the top selling female recording artist of all-time. "Like A Virgin" was her first #1 single, and it spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Yet, MTV would like us to believe that in 1985 alone, there were 90 videos better than this one. Okaaaayyyyyyy. I guess they didn't factor in the live performance at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, which is still one of the most famous in MTV history.

In 1985, Madonna was everywhere. She started her first North American concert tour, broke into feature films, and generally acted as the object of young boys' fantasies everywhere. What else can be said about her? It's hard to think of a female entertainer who had a more significant impact on pop culture.

The video is classic. Venice. The gondolas. That LION. The way she gazes into the camera, the way she MOVES. So sensual and seductive.

This was one of the first albums I ever bought, on a cassette tape. I've always been a big fan of female musicians. In 1985? Me likey very much.

Today's Birthday: Martha Quinn is 53 years old today. Now that, my friends, makes me feel very old.