THE ALBUM

The Immaculate Collection is Madonna’s first, and so far only, Greatest Hits Collection. It was released in 1990 and was not a complete singles discography, but contained 15 of her greatest hits since her career began in 1983, plus two new songs.

The songs are arranged on the album in chronological order, so listening to the album takes you on a trip through Madonna’s 80s career, bringing back many memories as it

THE MEMORIES

Before I go any further with this opinion I ought to explain the title! It relates to my three main memories of this album as a whole, as opposed to the individual tracks on it – those memories would be too numerous to relate here!

Firstly, the first time I ever heard this album was on the minibus on the way to a school trip, when someone passed the cassette to the driver so we could listen and all sing along. Unfortunately for me, and for the title of this opinion, the trip happened to be to the local sewage works (very educational, but also very smelly). Nonetheless, I enjoyed the album so much that I put it on my Christmas list that year! I spent several years listening to the album very frequently, but it eventually got moved to the back of my collection and didn’t get played much for a few years!

The second memory comes some ten years later and relates to the first series of Big Brother! In the final week, the last three contestants were allowed to have a party, and Anna (the lesbian ex-nun in question!) was allowed to choose the music. Being a huge Madonna fan she chose Madonna’s Immaculate Collection – and it’s easy to see why. It is great music for a party as just about everyone knows the songs and, like on the minibus, they are great to sing along with. In fact, this would probably go down as one of my favourite ‘feel good’ albums ever. From that moment, I dusted off my CD and have played it a lot since then – which brings me on to my final memory.

This CD was one of a few I took on holiday with me to Spain this year, and it ended up being practically the only one I listened to all week! It brought back so many happy childhood memories, not only from the times the individual songs were released, but also from the time the album itself came out, that it seemed an ideal soundtrack for the escapism of a relaxing holiday! Now when I listen to the album it reminds me of a lovely holiday!

THE TRACKS

(Note - I am assuming most people will be familiar with at least some of the tracks on this album, so what follows is broadly my thoughts on them, rather than a description of each song!)

1. HOLIDAY

Madonna’s first major commercial success. It is, in many ways, a very basic early 80s disco track, clearly released to compete with the likes of Cyndi Lauper, who was popular at the time. The song is by no means a musical classic, but who can forget Madonna cavorting around on Top of the Pops, like nothing we had ever seen before, singing this song?! It was the unfortunate subject of a dire “rap” effort by Dutch duo MC Miker G and DJ Sven (“We’re going to ring-a-dang-a-dong for a hol-ee-day!”) Anyone remember them?! Thought not!

2. LUCKY STAR

Another very early track, and listening to this song now it is very obvious how much Madonna’s voice has developed since then, as she squeaks her way through this one! Not a favourite.

3. BORDERLINE

Very catchy, and the first song on the album that I actually like in its own right, although listening to it now it makes it clear just how much Madonna has evolved as a vocalist.

4. LIKE A VIRGIN

Well, what can I say about this one? Immortalised at karaoke events the world over, not least by Dorian in Birds of a Feather, this was Madonna’s first real attempt at controversy. It seems very tame now, but at the time, the word “virgin” in a song title was considered pretty risque, and the video was a little shocking as well! I actually really like this song, not least because of the lyrics, which are actually quite sweet if you listen to them carefully.

5. MATERIAL GIRL

This could have been a social comment on the decadent, money grabbing 80s, or perhaps it was just a good idea for a pop song! Whatever, it is a great song!

6. CRAZY FOR YOU

Madonna’s first real ballad – going back to the memories a bit here, as this was a staple of school discos throughout most of my teenage years, and I should think that very few people reading this aged between 20 and 30 would be able to say they hadn’t snogged someone, or at the very least slow-danced, to this song!

7. INTO THE GROOVE

Another very 80s dance track, again Madonna seems to be singing too high during the verses and her voice can become irritating if you listen to it too closely, but the song as a whole is not bad and the chorus is simple but effective.

8. LIVE TO TELL

One of my favourite Madonna songs. It is a haunting ballad and features Madonna singing in a much lower voice, which I think makes her sound much better. It is also instrumentally excellent with quite a ‘big’ atmospheric sound.

9. PAPA DON’T PREACH

This is the song which begins the four tracks covering my favourite Madonna era, and the era which, for me, she will always be best remembered. I am not sure if the violin part at the beginning of the song is part of a classical piece, as it was used relatively recently in an advert for Vauxhall cars – up until then I thought it was just from the Madonna song!

10. OPEN YOUR HEART

Another one from my favourite era. Madonna’s voice had developed by now and she was producing consistently excellent pop songs.

11. LA ISLA BONITA

Another favourite. The “Summer Song” has recently become a popular trend, but Madonna was ahead of the game once again with this one. Not only is it associated with the summer because it was released in the summer, but the lyrics and the music just make you feel as though you are lying on a beach in Spain without a care in the world!

12. LIKE A PRAYER

My absolute favourite Madonna song, and one of my favourites of all time. A masterpiece. Most famous for its controversial video in which a scantily clad Madonna danced in front of a crucifix and cavorted with a black Jesus, the song raised many eyebrows at the time it was released, which is almost a shame because it could well have been dismissed as hype or shock tactics, when it is really a fantastic song in its own right. Gospel choirs sing in the background as Madonna’s voice soars through the chorus. An uplifting song.

13. EXPRESS YOURSELF

Not a favourite of mine I am afraid. Once again a typical dance track of the era (1989) but nothing special at all, despite being a bit of a girlie party song. (“Come on girls, do you believe in love? Well I’ve got something to say about it and it goes a little something like this!”)

14. CHERISH

Probably my least favourite song on the album. Sugary sweet and second only to the mercifully not included “Dear Jessie” in the nauseating stakes!

15. VOGUE

A complete change of direction for Madonna, and one of the most groundbreaking songs she has ever made. A dance classic, which epitomises the early 90s for me.

16. JUSTIFY MY LOVE

A new track at the time, which was only available on this compilation. Written by singer Lenny Kravitz, it was again very controversial, not only due to its shocking video, but also the heavy breathing, moaning and suggestive lyrics! It marked the start of Madonna’s sex obsessed period during the early 90s and is in no way a classic – in fact it sounds very dated now.

17. RESCUE ME

This was another new track and again included breathy spoken vocals. It is a reasonable song, but again sounds dated and is definitely not one of Madonna’s best. Lyrics for this track and the previous one are included in the sleeve notes.

THE VERDICT

Despite my indifference or downright dislike to many of the tracks on this album, it remains one of my favourites. It catalogues Madonna’s early career almost perfectly, and most of the songs have particular memories for me, and I am sure for many other people who grew up around the same time as me. The majority of the songs are well-known and catchy, and no music enthusiasts collection would be complete without this collection from the Queen of Pop! I would challenge anyone to listen to this CD without finding themselves humming along to at least one or two of the tracks!

My only real disappointment in this album is the fact that two great songs from around the time of my favourite Madonna period were not included: “True Blue” and “Who’s That Girl?” These would have been vastly preferable to weaker tracks such as “Express Yourself” and “Cherish” or could even have been included in preference to the two new tracks at the end.

It is interesting to note that although this album, even at the time, covered a formidable career in terms of the pop industry (8 years no less), it is considerably longer than that since it was released, and Madonna has been producing consistently successful singles since then. Perhaps it is about time she released another Greatest Hits album, or perhaps even a definitive collection. I would certainly buy a copy!