Bigger impact? Like A Virgin vs Like A Prayer vs Vogue

[leoapp]

So, Take A Bow is Madonna's Hot 100 hit with the most weeks at No. 1.

But i think these 3 Hot 100 No.1s: Like A Virgin, Like A Prayer and Vogue are probably bigger than Take A Bow in term of impact?

*Like A Virgin was her first Hot 100 no. 1, taken from her 2nd studio album, with very memorable MTV VMA performance.
*Like A Prayer was another No. 1 with a controversial music video. Even forcing Pepsi to cancel their sponsorship contract with her.
*Vogue was one of her biggest worlwide hits, with its infamous choreography, as well another memorable MTV VMA performance

Which one has more impact today???

[HolidayGuy]

Oh, of course. TAB was No. 4 on Billboard's Biggest Madonna Hits list, based on performance. It doesn't have the impact and iconography that these three songs have.

I would go with "Like a Prayer." Though the other two certainly also have had a large and lasting impact.

[Au$tin]

Like a Prayer is basically the playbook now for pushing boundaries and social norms.

Like a Virgin is an essential in any 80s pop playlist.

Vogue... spawns a few 80s jokes every now and then?

So, yeah, LAP and it's not even close.

[degen]

“Like A Prayer” is the best package and Madonna at her finest hour if you ask me. A brilliant and unconventional pop song with meaning. The video for it broke boundaries as well. I honestly can’t believe she didn’t get Grammys for it.

But with that being said I do feel like “Vogue” is more remembered, or maybe that’s just in the gay scene. But that does feel like it’s more of her signature and just easier to associate her with. I think it’s what the public thinks of Madonna in prime form.

Like a Virgin is iconic along with its imagery and VMA performance, but the song sounds dated and would only be played on 80s throwback playlists now.

So I voted for Vogue even though I prefer LAP.

[back2blk]

Well, if Vogue is going to make any type of impact, I hope it's attention and recognition for the queer people of color who she failed to uplift, and rather erased, when she brought that song and video to the mainstream.

I would say Like A Prayer wins this poll, to me. I respect any imagery that dismantles the stronghold of the church on our cultural norms.

[Ling-Ling]

Oct 11, 2021 9:58:23 GMT -5 back2blk said:

Well, if Vogue is going to make any type of impact, I hope it's attention and recognition for the queer people of color who she failed to uplift, and rather erased, when she brought that song and video to the mainstream.

I would say Like A Prayer wins this poll, to me. I respect any imagery that dismantles the stronghold of the church on our cultural norms.

She acknowledged where it came from, helped bring underground queer culture to the mainstream. And almost every dancer in the video and in her mainstream performances was a queer person of color (two of them being her choreographers, straight out of the ball scene). 30 years ago, that was a huge deal.

I think there's definitely an argument to be had about whether the song did the movement good or bad, was appreciation or appropriation, etc. Hindsight is always 20/20. But looking at the context of 1990, what exactly did you want Madonna to do?

[back2blk]

Oct 11, 2021 11:44:27 GMT -5 Ling-Ling said:

Oct 11, 2021 9:58:23 GMT -5 back2blk said:

Well, if Vogue is going to make any type of impact, I hope it's attention and recognition for the queer people of color who she failed to uplift, and rather erased, when she brought that song and video to the mainstream.

I would say Like A Prayer wins this poll, to me. I respect any imagery that dismantles the stronghold of the church on our cultural norms.

She acknowledged where it came from, helped bring underground queer culture to the mainstream. And almost every dancer in the video and in her mainstream performances was a queer person of color (two of them being her choreographers, straight out of the ball scene). 30 years ago, that was a huge deal.

I think there's definitely an argument to be had about whether the song did the movement good or bad, was appreciation or appropriation, etc. Hindsight is always 20/20. But looking at the context of 1990, what exactly did you want Madonna to do?

She could have name dropped some of the stars of the ballroom scene, for one.  Instead of name dropping all those white faces in the song's lyrics that did nothing for the sub-culture.   She wasn't exactly helping.  She just saw it as something she could market and be part of her image.  

She did employ ballroom dancers for the choreography, and the ballroom dance instructor scene benefitted in a rise from work, which then fleeted as soon as Madonna was done reaping her benefits. 

[surfy]

probably Vogue, it's one of her most recognizable songs to this day. the video is simple and effective and it pushed a whole subculture into the mainstream (for better or worse)

[Dreams]

What was "Like A Virgin"'s impact?

[Choco]

Oct 13, 2021 19:03:48 GMT -5 Dreams said:

What was "Like A Virgin"'s impact?

You don't get the other two without LAV's huge success taking Madge to the next level. And the MTV performance is well remembered. And it's been used everywhere from Grey's Anatomy to Bridget Jones...

LAP wins tho.

[jenglisbe]

I think "Like A Virgin" (and "Material Girl") continues to define her in terms of pop culture, so I went with that one.