Madonna's Top 20 Forgotten Singles

If I mention Madonna’s music to you...what songs do you think of? Like A Virgin? Vogue? Like A Prayer? Borderline? Besides the long list of classic hit songs that Madonna has released, there are many more that were released as singles that didn’t chart very well, or charted decently, but have since been forgotten. It is officially 2022 now, which marks Madonna's 40th year in the music industry. Her first single was released in 1982. To celebrate that monumental achievement, let's take a trip through Madonna's music catalogue and review my picks of her top 20 missed hits/forgotten singles.

20. Turn Up The Radio – This song’s infectious, dancey, feel-good vibe is a mood all in itself. Madonna sings of opening her eyes and leaving the past behind while turning up the radio and escaping into music. Martin Solveig’s signature Euro house/dance-pop sound a la “Hello” is clearly present on this track and makes it hard not to dance while listening to it. Released as the third and final single in the USA from her 2012 album “MDNA,” “Turn Up The Radio” was not given a chance on mainstream radio and didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at all. Had this been released by a younger pop artist, it surely would have been a hit.

19. Rescue Me – After Madonna’s mega hit “Vogue,” her record label felt it was the perfect time to release her first greatest hits album. “The Immaculate Collection” was released in 1990 and featured two new songs, “Justify My Love” and “Rescue Me.” The former, went on to be a #1 hit with its scandalous music video that was too hot for MTV. Her record label had not planned to release “Rescue Me” as a single, but radio stations wanted new Madonna music and started playing the song. In this track, the verse lyrics are spoken in a poetic style. The chorus of the song has Madonna belting out strong vocals. The song peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA, but was completely overshadowed by the controversy that “Justify My Love” and her upcoming documentary “Truth Or Dare” caused. Looking back at this song, it’s hard to believe this could be forgotten.

18. I Rise – Freedom Fighter Madonna shines through on the third single from her 2019 album “Madame X.” The song begins with a clip of Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor, Emma Gonzalez’s, speech pleading for gun control. “Us kids don’t know what we’re talking about...that we’re too young to understand how the government works...we call B.S.!,” she yells. “I Rise” is a mid-tempo pop song featuring beautiful vocals from Madonna singing about the many obstacles she has overcome and risen above throughout her life. The song’s lyrics “I know you see the tragic in it, just hold on to the little bit of magic in it” is what inspired the name of this website. The song reached number 11 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart but failed to chart on the Hot 100 chart at all. Had Taylor Swift released this single, it would have been number 1!

17. Give It 2 Me – This hot, club-banger was written by Madonna and Pharrell, and produced by The Neptunes. The bass is thumping, the percussion banging, and Madonna sings about being unstoppable. “Give me a record...and I’ll break it” “Give it to me...no one’s gonna stop me” are some of the lyrics of the song. This is a song that’s hard not to love. “Give It 2 Me” was the second single from Madonna’s 2008 album “Hard Candy.” The album was originally supposed to be named “Give It To Me,” but Timbaland released a song with the same name and was a producer on Madonna’s album, so they renamed the album to avoid confusion. The single was released after Madonna’s hit single “4 Minutes” with Justin Timberlake and didn’t have near the success. It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at 58 and fell off the charts the next week. You almost have to wonder what would have happened if this single would have been released first!

16. Deeper and Deeper – This song is a disco-house classic! Madonna sings a catchy melody over stomping beats and a funky bass. “I can’t help falling in love, I fall deeper and deeper the further I go,” Madonna sings in the song’s chorus. During the second half of the song, Madonna sings a few lines from her infamous hit “Vogue” (both songs were produced by Shep Pettibone). “Deeper and Deeper” was released as the second single from Madonna’s “Erotica” album. The music from this album was completely overshadowed by the controversy surrounding her book “Sex,” which was released at the same time. “Deeper and Deeper” did reach #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 when it was released in 1992, so was a hit in its day. It seems the general public has forgotten about the song as it didn’t stick as a staple song for her. Had the “Sex” book not overshadowed the Erotica album, this song could have been one of her classics.

15. Die Another Day – There are certain milestones that superstars reach like playing the Superbowl Halftime Show, singing the National Anthem, and recording a James Bond Theme Song. In 2002, Madonna was asked to write and sing the theme song to the latest James Bond flick called “Die Another Day.” Madonna said that Bond needed to go techno, so she wrote an electronic, gritty, pulsating song that paired icy strings with heavy beats. Madonna used a vocoder on her voice and sings about delaying her pleasure, breaking the cycle, and not going anywhere! The song made it to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Madonna another Top 10 hit, but it's not a widely remembered song outside of Madonna’s circle of devoted fans.

14. Get Together – This song is very dreamy and easy to get lost in as it starts with smooth and effortless vocals from Madonna fading in and out of the soundscape. If you close your eyes and listen to the song, you can feel yourself drifting off to another world. “It’s all an illusion...” she sings, as she pulls you out of the physical world. “Do you believe that we can change the future...” she sings, slipping in subliminal messages of empowerment. The disco-electro vibe is something that Madonna has perfected, and it is clearly evident here. The production by Stuart Price is genius. Unfortunately, “Get Together” did not even chart on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but reached #1 in Spain and Hungary, #2 in Italy, and was a Top-5 hit in Canada.

13. Hollywood - This song's claim to fame is that it was the song being performed when Britney Spears and Madonna kissed at the MTV Video Music Awards. Other than that, it's not really known by the general public. In 2003, Madonna released her new album at the time, "American Life," with the title track being the album's first single. The music video had a George W. Bush look-a-like, and conveyed a strong message against the war that the president was putting us in. This caused an intense backlash from critics and the general public, calling Madonna unpatriotic and people smashing her CD's. It was then that she was blacklisted from American radio stations. "Hollywood" was the second single from that album, and due to her being blacklisted, it was her first single not to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. It's such a shame that this song wasn't given a chance because it is definitely a hit! The song starts with an acoustic guitar and then the beat kicks in with a bubbly synthesizer sound accompanying it. "Everybody comes to Hollywood, how could it hurt you when it looks so good," are some of the lyrics Madonna sings in the song. I feel that "Hollywood" is a much stronger single choice than "American Life" and I often wonder how the album would have been received if "Hollywood" would have been released as the first single.

12. Celebration - This song is CLASSIC Madonna! Produced by Paul Oakenfold, "Celebration" is made for the clubs. Madonna's vocal placement is perfect on this song, and the synths and drum beat keep this song pumping all through the song. "Celebration" is the title track from Madonna's 2009 greatest hits collection and is perfect for a career-spanning collection. It's got everything Madonna is known for. Amazing dance music, provocative lyrics, and a woman in control! She invites listeners to "come join the party" and in the breakdown, she says in a sexy voice, "Haven't I seen you before? You look familiar..." This song is an undeniable hit, but only reached #71 on the Billboard Hot 100. If this were a single from prior to Madonna being blacklisted, say from her 2000 "Music" album, it surely would have shot straight to number one!

11. Causing A Commotion - Almost a sister to "Into The Groove," "Causing A Commotion" was the second single released from the "Who's That Girl" soundtrack, in which Madonna played the main character. The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987, but has not been released on any of her greatest hits albums. Unless you were a Madonna fan in the 1980's, it's very possible that you haven't heard this song before. The song is an up-tempo pop song similar to "Into The Groove" or "Open Your Heart." "I got the moves baby, you got the motion, if we got together we'd be causing a commotion," Madonna sings an infectious bass line. This one of her 1980's hits that deserved to be included on The Immaculate Collection and Celebration...why it has been omitted, I'm not sure.

10. The Power Of Good-Bye - Fresh off the heels of mega hits "Frozen" and "Ray of Light," Madonna released "The Power of Good-Bye" as the third single from her current album at the time, "Ray Of Light." The song is a beautifully written mid-tempo ballad in which Madonna sings of a romantic relationship, "there's nothing left to lose, there's no more heart to bruise, there's no greater power than the power of good-bye." There's lots of acoustic guitar, ambient electronic sounds, and beautiful vocals from Madonna in this song. Her voice is amazing and the vocal training for Evita is very evident here. Madonna also filmed a stunning music video directed by Matthew Rolston. The song peaked at #11 on the Hot 100, but didn't do as well as the previous singles from this album. This should have been a top 10 single!

9. Bad Girl - I would say this is one of Madonna's most beautiful songs, but I could say that about so many of them. "Bad Girl" was the third single from her super-scandalous album "Erotica." Madonna shot a hauntingly beautiful music video for this song directed by David Fincher, featuring Christopher Walken. The song only reached #36 on the Hot 100, her lowest charting single in a decade. Among all of the sexual promiscuity featured on the "Erotica" album, in "Bad Girl," Madonna sings of being tired of it all. "Bad girl, drunk by six, kissing someone else's lips, smoked too many cigarettes today, I'm not happy when I act this way," she sings. Her voice is strong, and the accompanying piano, bass, and percussion form magic in this song. The only time "Bad Girl" has been performed live is one time, on SNL in 1993, and the song has not been included in any greatest hits compilation. #JusticeForBadGirl

8. Girl Gone Wild - The second single from Madonna's album "MDNA," "Girl Gone Wild" is a bonafide hit song. The problem? Madonna released it. At this time (2012), Madonna was 53 years old and considered too old to be relevant on mainstream radio. The single was released two months after her Super Bowl Half Time Show, (which was the most watched TV event in history as more people tuned in to watch her half time show than they did to watch the game), but even with that publicity the song failed to chart on the Hot 100. If Dua Lipa had released the song, it would have been a huge hit. The song was produced by Benny Benassi and is a euro-house electropop party track. "I got that burning hot desire...no one can put out my fire..." she sings along with a thumping beat. Madonna filmed a stylish, sexy, music video for this song directed by Mert & Marcus. This is one of those songs that when you hear it, you just can't believe it wasn't a hit!

7. Rain - Another beautiful track from the "Erotica" album, "Rain" was completely overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the album and "Sex" book release. "Rain" is a pop love song with a new-age feel, in which Madonna sings of waiting for the return of her lover. It's a gorgeous ballad that was included on her greatest ballads collection, "Something To Remember." "You're love's coming down like rain, wash away my sorrow, take away my pain," she sings. The accompanying music video was a one of a kind video directed by Mark Romanek. It was shot in black and white and then hand painted with blue tones. The song reached #14 on the Hot 100 charts and its only greatest hits feature was on the ballads collection "Something To Remember."

6. Oh Father - A pop-ballad masterpiece, "Oh Father" was the fourth single from Madonna's opus album "Like A Prayer." It peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, which was her first song not to be a top ten hit since 1984. "Oh Father" ended her streak of 16 consecutive top five singles and 17 consecutive top ten singles. When I think back to why this song wasn't a hit for Madonna, I think of the lyrical content. The song is sad, and very personal to her life. "It's funny the way, you can get used to the tears and the pain," the song starts off. "You can't hurt me now, I got away from you," she sings. After Madonna's mother died from cancer when Madonna was five, she had a very strained relationship with her father. Her father married their housekeeper and moved on without talking about her mother anymore. As an adult, she learned that it was because he was heartbroken, but as a child she felt that her family was supposed to just forget about her mother. The music video to this song is even more sad. In the black and white film, a young girl portrays Madonna as a child and details her life around the time that her mother died. She sees her Mom in her casket and dances in the snow on her mother's grave stone while dealing with an angry father. This is intercut with scenes of Madonna herself singing in the snow. It's hard to see such painful images and hear such heartbreaking lyrics, and Madonna conveys the emotion perfectly. I think this is the reason that this song wasn't a big hit. It is beautiful though, and deserves a second chance.

5. Sorry - "I don't wanna hear...I don't wanna know...please don't you're sorry," Madonna sings as she opens the song. The bubbling bass has started, the thumping beat has kicked in, and you're off on a ride! "Sorry" has one of the strongest electro-pop/euro-disco beats that I have ever heard, and it's simply pop perfection! It was released as the second single from Madonna's #1 album "Confessions On A Dance Floor." The music video for the song is a continuation from the music video for the previous single, "Hung Up," and features really fun disco roller skating. Why it was not played all the time and only peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 is beyond me. The song went to #1 in Greece, Hungary, Spain, the U.K., Romania, Scotland, and Italy. It also charted very highly in many other countries. I don't know what we were doing in 2006, but the U.S.A. needed to get it together when it came to music!

4. You’ll See - This will come as a surprise, but "You'll See" is my favorite Madonna song because I connect with the lyrics so much. When you've been the brunt of the joke to everyone, and told that you're not good enough, this song is a big "fuck you" to all your critics and the people who have wronged you. The song is an acoustic demo with Latin elements. The music is great and Madonna's vocals are beautiful! "You think that I can't live, without your love...you'll see," she sings as the song opens. "You'll see...somehow, some day...all by myself, I don't need anyone at all," she sings in the chorus. These are some of the strongest lyrics she has ever written, in my opinion. "You'll See" was released as the first single from her greatest ballads compilation "Something To Remember," and was one of three new songs from the album. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, just shy of becoming a Top 5 single. Although the song did well, it's not a classic, and many casual music listeners don't remember it. It's too powerful for me to forget!

3. Miles Away - As soon as I heard "Miles Away," I knew it was a hit! It's one of those songs where you think to yourself, "they HAVE to release this song, it will show them a new side of [insert artist name here] and it will be a big hit!" That is how I felt when I first heard this song. "Miles Away" was the third single released from Madonna's 2008 album "Hard Candy." With acoustic guitars and a hand-clap beat, Madonna sings "if you could see me the way you see yourself, I can't pretend to be someone else." Justin Timberlake is on background vocals and Timbaland is on production, as Madonna sings "You'll always love me more...miles away...I hear it in your voice...we're miles away....so far away...so far away." It's an amazing song, and I really thought it might get Madonna back on the charts in the U.S., but the song failed to even enter the Hot 100 chart. If this song had been released by Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, or any of the pop acts at this time, it would have been a big hit.

2. Ghosttown - Just like, "Miles Away," I heard this song and thought it would be a big hit and possibly bring Madonna back to the charts. Madonna even performed it WITH Taylor Swift at an awards show. It did not chart on the Hot 100 at all. "Ghosttown" was the second single from Madonna's "Rebel Heart" album, in which a hacker stole tons of her music from the upcoming album and leaked it onto the internet months before the album was to be released. Some say that's why the songs from this album didn't do so well, but I think it is the fact that Madonna is no longer considered relevant. She isn't given a chance with the younger audience. There was no streaming back when she began her music career 40 years ago. She had to work hard pushing her music, and the #1's came from huge album and single sales combined with radio airplay. Today, it's all about streaming. Many Madonna fans buy the physical copies of her music and play that over and over, so she isn't getting a stream count from that. "Ghosttown" is definitely a hit song that just didn't get its chance.

1. Nothing Fails - And here we have it, Madonna's #1 forgotten single that should have been a big hit but wasn't. "Nothing Fails" was the third single released from Madonna's 2003 album "American Life." This was the album that got her blacklisted from U.S. radio. Her record label rushed the second single, "Hollywood" (see #13 on this list) to help listeners "forget" the first single "American Life" that was causing all the backlash. That didn't work. It was still uncertain at that time if another single could be well received. If any song could do it, "Nothing Fails" could. It was released and ignored. The song did not even enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Nothing Fails" is a beautiful love song featuring Madonna singing with a full choir on the choruses. To me, it's an instant classic; kind of like a more mature "Like A Prayer." Madonna sings to the love of her life in the song, saying she could lose it all and be fine because she has their love. "Nothing fails, no more fears, nothing fails, you washed away my tears," she sings in the chorus. "I'm not religious, but I feel so moved, makes me wanna pray, pray you'll always be here," she sings. Imagine that for a second...being willing to do anything and everything, just to make sure that you never lose someone. This song is a Madonna classic to me, but so many people never got the chance to hear it.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. It has been such a pleasure to go through songs and tell their stories. Envisioning others discovering these songs for the first time, or remembering them from so long ago, gives me so much excitement. Helping others discover amazing music is my passion! Madonna is my favorite artist and the artist I am most knowledgeable about, so I will have more Top 20's coming from her music catalogue along with articles about other artists. Here's to some great new music in 2022! Cheers!