The Ultimate Madonna Quiz

I found a bunch of files that I had forgotten about when transferring stuff from old computer to new computer. One of them was *nerd alert* "The Ultimate Madonna Quiz" that I made up myself a few years ago when I had a ton of time on my hands. (Read: I had just moved to Kansas City and didn't have the stunning social life that I now lead.)

I just took it. I got a 45/50 which is a 90%. That must mean it's REALLY hard because I made the damn thing. You'd think I would know all of the answers.

How do you think you'll do? Try it out. Good luck.



1. Which of the following songs does NOT have Spanish lyrics?

A. Who’s that Girl?
B. Be Careful
C. Paradise (Not For Me)
D. Spanish Eyes


2. Which of the following songs does NOT have the word pray or prayer?

A. Who’s That Girl?
B. Cherish
C. Nothing Fails
D. Oh, Father


3. In which movie did Madonna play a character named Nikki?

A. Who’s that Girl?
B. Desperately Seeking Susan
C. Shanghai Surprise
D. Swept Away


4. In song, Madonna asks you to “Put your hands” where?

A. Right there
B. All over my body
C. On my skin
D. B and C


5. Which song does NOT reference a mother?

A. Mer Girl
B. Nothing Really Matters
C. Deeper and Deeper
D. I’d Rather Be Your Lover


6. In which song does Madonna teach us a “different way to kiss”?

A. Where Life Begins
B. Erotica
C. Justify My Love
D. Inside of Me


7. Which of the following songs never appeared on a soundtrack?

A. Die Another Day
B. This Used to be My Playground
C. Crazy for You
D. Beautiful Stranger
E. I’ll Remember


8. Which of the following words do NOT appear in a Madonna song?

A. Lucky Star
B. Little Star
C. Lost Star
D. Lonely Star


9. Which song does NOT make mention of a bird?

A. Frozen
B. Impressive Instant
C. Don’t Tell Me
D. Dear Jessie


10. Which song makes mention of a key?

A. Frozen
B. Open Your Heart
C. Keep it Together
D. All of the Above


11. Which two songs both have the lyrics "Romeo and Juliet”?

A. Cherish and Fever
B. Vogue and Like It or Not
C. Cherish and Vogue
D. Borderline and Swim


12. Which song does NOT have the words “satin sheets”?

A. Dress You Up
B. Express Yourself
C. Crimes of Passion
D. None of the above


13. Which song does NOT have the word “diamonds” in its lyrics?

A. Material Girl
B. Express Yourself
C. More
D. Rainbow High


14. Madonna must have had a mental breakdown and forgotten she had previously recorded a song with this title because on her album, Confessions on a Dance Floor, she used it for a second time.

A. Secret
B. Forbidden Love
C. Push
D. Future Lovers

15. Which song’s first lines are the spoken words “And you can dance”?

A. Into the Groove
B. Dress You Up
C. Express Yourself
D. Causing a Commotion


16. Which song does NOT have the word “fool” in it?

A. Can’t Stop
B. One More Chance
C. Rain
D. None of the above


17. The following lines precede the chorus of which song?
“There’s no reason to feel guilty,
It’s too late, now,
What’s done is done.
If you can keep it a secret, Darlin’,
We can have some fun.”

A. Crimes of Passion
B. Forbidden Love
C. I Want You
D. Nobody’s Perfect


18. Which two songs end with the sound of a rainstorm?

A. Rescue Me and Rain
B. This Used to be My Playground and One More Chance
C. Take a Bow and Secret
D. Rain and Survival


19. Which song has the following lyrics? “No end and no beginning.”

A. Power of Goodbye
B. Ray of Light
C. Like a Prayer
D. Love Won’t Wait


20. What is the title of the duet between Madonna and Mandy Patinkin?

A. White Heat
B. Be Careful
C. What Can You Lose?
D. Love Song


21. Which really lame rhyme is NOT a Madonna lyric?

A. I don’t like cities, but I like New York. Other places make me feel like a dork.
B. My father had to go to work, I used to think he was a jerk.
C. I drive my Mini Cooper and I’m feeling super-dooper. Yo, they tell me I’m a trooper.
D. You said we’d never part. And now you’re breaking my heart.


22. Hypothetically, let’s say Madonna took acid and then wrote a song. Which would most likely be the final product of that endeavor?

A. Dear Jessie
B. Dear Jessie
C. Dear Jessie
D. Dear Jessie


23. In the song “Swim”, where is Madonna swimming?

A. Across the Nile
B. In a pool
C. To the ocean floor
D. Near a waterfall

24. In which song does Madonna sing, “Don’t want my dreams addin’ up to nothin’”?

A. Candy Perfume Girl
B. How High
C. Crazy for You
D. I’m So Stupid

25. In which song is Madonna egotistical enough to tell us, “Better the devil that you know, your love for me will grow”?

A. You Must Love Me
B. Like It or Not
C. Love Song
D. Nobody Knows Me


26. In what song did Madonna somehow make “it through the wilderness”?

A. Survival
B. Like a Virgin
C. Borderline
D. Live to Tell


27. Finish these lyrics: “Cupid, please take your aim at me.”

A. You took a poison arrow and you aimed it at my heart.
B. Cherish the thought of always havin’ you, here by my side.
C. And help me change my destiny.
D. I know that you’re afraid that I might come steal your heart away in the night.


28. Happiness lies where?

A. In your heart
B. In memories
C. In your own hand
D. Inside of me


29. Madonna was once quoted as saying, "It’s a message song that everyone is going to take the wrong way," about what song?

A. Papa Don’t Preach
B. Oh, Father
C. Material Girl
D. What It Feels Like for a Girl


30. On her album “Confessions on a Dance Floor”, the track following “Jump” is what?

A. Don’t Tell Me
B. How High
C. Did You Do It?
D. Don’t Stop


31. What “Ain't no big deal” to say?

A. I love you still
B. I can’t get over you
C. You’re the one I’m dreamin’ of
D. I want you


32. Finish the lyric: “Slowly now we begin to move. Every breath…”

A. I fall deeper and deeper
B. I’m deeper into you
C. We’re gettin’ into the groove
D. You’ve got something to prove


33. Finish these lyrics: “I’ve had other lips. I-I-I’ve sailed a thousand ships.”

A. I’ve had other guys. I’ve looked into their eyes.
B. But I’m standing on a cloud every time you’re around.
C. But no matter where they go, you’re the one for me, Baby, this I know.
D. But you don’t even know I’m alive and this pounding in my heart just won’t die.


34. Which song opens, “Today is the last day that I’m using words”?

A. Words
B. Bedtime Story
C. Justify my Love
D. Intervention


35. Finish these lyrics: “I know where beauty lives. I’ve seen it once, I know…”

A. The womb it is
B. The one she is
C. The woman gives
D. The warm she gives


36. “Time goes by so slowly for those who wait.” According to Madonna, what should we do about it?

A. Wait. Patience is a virtue.
B. Go out. Girls just wanna have fun.
C. Stop hesitating. Those who run seem to have all the fun.
D. Remember the past when you had a mother. Then find someone to love you.


37. What are the three emotions Madonna feels for us at the beginning of “Time Stood Still”?

A. Pain, sadness and regret
B. Hope, compassion and pleasure
C. Despair, regret and tenderness
D. Love, devotion and faith


38. Which song asks “How many licks did it take?”

A. Erotica
B. Where Life Begins
C. Secret Garden
D. Thief of Hearts


39. Babyface co-wrote “Take a Bow” with Madonna and performed the backup vocals.

A. True
B. False


40. In which song does Madonna ask you to “Sing la-di-da-di”?

A. Shoo-Bee-Doo
B. Don’t Stop
C. Issac
D. Shanti-Ashtangi


41. Which song does NOT have the word “stranger” in its lyrics?

A. Crazy for You
B. Beautiful Stranger
C. Bad Girl
D. None of the Above


42. Name that tune: “I’m not the same. I have no shame. I’m on fire!”

A. Burning Up
B. Bad Girl
C. White Heat
D. Fever


43. Which person has NEVER been referred to in a Madonna song?

A. Sigmund Freud
B. Marlon Brando
C. Cleopatra
D. Al Capone


44. Name that tune: “You’re wasting time. Make up your mind. And get into the groove.”

A. Into the Groove
B. Causing a Commotion
C. Vogue
D. You Can Dance


45. Name that tune: “Express yourself, don’t repress yourself.”

A. Express Yourself
B. Like a Prayer
C. Human Nature
D. Justify my Love


46. The first line of what song is “What are you lookin’ at?”?

A. Strike a Pose
B. Vogue
C. Candy Perfume Girl
D. Dress You Up


47. “It doesn’t pay to be” one of these:

A. A thief of hearts
B. A Christian
C. A runaway lover
D. A star


48. Where did Madonna say she “Lost my reputation, bad and good”?

A. New York
B. London
C. Hollywood
D. Paris


49. Name that tune! “Why do all the things I say, sound like the stupid things I’ve said, before?”

A. I’m so Stupid
B. Skin
C. Human Nature
D. I’d Rather Be Your Lover


50. Which song asks if “you like to boogie-woogie”?

A. Hey Mister DJ
B. Beautiful Stranger
C. Ray of Light
D. Music


I'll put the answers in the reply. I know you're thrilled about this.



End Blog.

Retro Flashback: Thanksgiving 2008

I once said that I was working on getting up some videos of the Economic Stimulus Package Thanksgiving Road Trip Spectacular. Well, truth is, I forgot about it for quite a while until Brenda asked me why they haven't been put up yet. I was planning on putting together all the videos into one like I did with my Texas Road Trip, but it appears that this is not going to happen since I haven't done it yet. So, I've decided on giving you the highlights in chronological order, as uploaded to Blogger. This took forever, the autosave kept failing, and my 'connection to blogger' kept getting 'lost'. So, you better like it for all the frustration it caused. No wonder I hadn't done this before now...

The first thing I learned was that all you have to do is point a camera at Brenda and she will perform like a monkey without any prompting. Here we are stopped at a gas station to fill up and have dinner. It is very cold. Very. Very very. And as you will see, we're not wearing coats because we are geniuses.

I just got back in the car after running Remy around outside so that she would do her thing, which is why I am breathing so heavily, and why I am so cold and glad to be in the car.

We spent the night at a La Quinta in Indianapolis and got on the road again after a few hours of sleep. Brenda drove from Indianapolis until right before the Pennsylvania boarder, where I took over. Right after that happened, there was a wreck on I-70 and we got stuck in traffic... forever. Here I am, thrilled about the situation. As soon as we made it to the next exit, like an hour later, I took it and trusted Garmin to find our way back to civilization. I believe that we detoured through Washington, PA, home of Washington and Jefferson College, which I think we may have drove by. There were very dark and twisty roads. I do not recommend going to this town when it's this icy out.

After the detour, the driver's side windshield washer fluid sprayer froze up and stopped working. Why is it that you can always see better out of the passenger side of the windshield than the driver's side? After a few terrifying minutes of driving while unable to see because there was salt all over my window, I finally found a place to pull over and try to remedy the problem. You'll see here that I do not manage to get the driver's windshield washer fluid sprayer to work, but it started to dry up outside and the window wasn't nearly as bad after that. Although, for a while I did think that I may have to time travel back to high school and spray a Windex bottle out of my window like I used to in the Mustang. (I had one on hand, just in case.) Days later it finally warmed up and I haven't had this problem since.

Also, we've reached Pennsylvania, home of Tasteykakes.

The reason for this trip was ultimately to go to the Madonna concert in Atlantic City. I drove to Atlantic City and saw her limousine on the way there. Here is the video proof.

I like musicals and when the drive was getting long, we usually opted to put something in that we could all sing along to. Wicked was one of my favorites, and a fun song to sing was What is This Feeling? Funny thing, I accidentally replaced Galinda's name with Belinda's name once and thereafter, anytime that song came on, it was about Belinda. This camera angle is from the dash just so you could enjoy the dash dirt and dash dog hair and the Garmin being all awesomely in the way.

I had a really hard time switching my camera between video and pictures. A really hard time. In fact, I have several videos just like this one (or shorter). But you're only getting to see this one. I can hear your "thank yous" already.

It was always fun to piss off Garmin or sit idly by as he went completely insane. This joy may only be appreciated by those in the car with him for four days... recalculating!

Brenda apparently loves Diet Coke. I don't even know why she was doing this. There was no reason. This is Brenda. If you have ever wondered exactly what her personality is, or what she is thinking, or how she behaves... This is the epitome of Brenda. Now you understand why we are such good friends.

This is also very Brenda-esque. Do not judge her. Spice up your life.

I was pretty excited about the time changes. Phones are super smart. Do not judge me.

I talked repeatedly about doing a Chinese Fire Drill (I know, but there is no politically correct term for this, and if the Chinese are going to get mad at me, they already did for my Summer Olympics blogs) the entire time we were on the trip. So, when we were nearly home, we decided that we better do it or be forever regretful. I thought it best to have the jumpy video of me running around the car instead of a stationary camera on the interior. Just so you know, the reason I am screaming as soon as I get out of the car and the reason I cannot stop laughing is because when I got out, I jumped in a giant puddle that made water cover my entire shoe. And it was very cold.

Surprise, it snowed again... and though I didn't have problems with my windshield washer fluid sprayer this time, my driver's side windshield wiper just about fell off my car. Man, those things are awfully tricky to get back on. Okay, they're impossible. The only reason I have a windshield wiper on my car is because Brenda played the hero.

So, those were the main highlights of the trip. I hope you can see why I agreed to drive instead of fly for this. It was really a pretty fun vacation all around. I thank my traveling companions for so much fun.


End Blog.

Atlantic City Doesn't Deserve Madonna

In fact, I think she should change her tour next year and come to Kansas City instead. That town would be too polite to ever SIT DOWN during a Madonna concert.

I'll start off by saying that this was my favorite Madonna concert, having seen the Drowned World Tour and the Re-Invention Tour previously. I'm not sure if I liked this one better because it was better, because let's face it, she's 50 and dancing less than she used to, so you'd think that would be upsetting, or if it's because I actually had people shell out the money and attend the concert with me. I think it's likely the latter. And I'm sure I wouldn't have seen her this year if I didn't have friends to go with.

That being said, the people in Atlantic City ruined this concert for me. Madonna was brilliant. Amazing. But, c'mon people... what is your major malfunction? If you wanted to see a concert, you should be happy to be there. You should not spend $150 on a ticket and then expect to sit in your seat.

While we were sitting waiting for the concert to start, a DJ came out to basically 'open' for Madonna. I thought that was kinda weird because no one has ever opened for her before, but since I knew that she'd make us wait, I was happy to have something to entertain me. Meanwhile, the people behind us started talking about how they were happy they got the seats that they did rather than the ones on the floor (could these people afford floor seats!?) because they we're going to have to stand the whole concert. At this, I laughed. Sure they were. Everyone would be standing the entire concert. Haven't they ever seen Madonna? I certainly knew better. They would be disappointed; they were sitting behind me.

At 8:55 (for an 8:00 concert) she finally started. People stood up and cheered and then everyone in my section (214) SAT DOWN. I looked at Brenda and was flabbergasted. "People are sitting!? I'm not sitting!" And we didn't. Carolyn did, however. She said she felt too guilty standing because there was a young kid behind her. (Side note: who brings a kid to a Madonna concert? Don't they realize that she'll likely do something... inappropriate?)

She opened with Candy Shop which actually has the words "get up out of your seat" in it. In the second song, The Beat Goes On, she sang, "Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat." I was standing this whole time even though no one around me was besides Brenda. I kinda felt guilty about it especially since Brenda leaned over and said, "They want us to sit down." Apparently someone behind her had asked. I refused. Yes, I defy you crazy people behind me, sitting at a Madonna concert. I defy you!

Human Nature began and I sang really loudly, "And I'm not sorry!" Okay, maybe I'm an asshole, but the whole thing blew my mind. Who were these people? Besides, had they been sitting in any other section, they would be standing. People to the left and right of us were still standing. If everyone stood up, we'd all be able to see! (Don't worry, no one could hear me singing that I wasn't sorry. The concert was very loud. I couldn't even hear me, which is why it was okay to sing the whole time.)

Fourth song: Vogue. Let your body groove to the music, people. The video screens were pretty during this, there were eyes with cool makeup and lace and niftiness. I started to forget about the people behind me and enjoy the show.

Then she sang Die Another Day. Okay, that's a lie, she didn't sing it, there was a video thing and the music and she was off changing a costume or something. Brenda loves this song. I know because every single time it came on in the car during the trip, she stopped whatever she was doing and said, "I love this song!" So, we were just a bit sad that she wasn't actually singing it... but then, this dude behind me got our attention and asked us to sit down. Carolyn expected a throwdown. She pretended she didn't know us.

"Can you sit down? We can't see."
"Stand up! It's a concert!"
"I'm 6'4", if I stand up, no one behind me will be able to see."
"That's not my problem."

Yes, that actually happened. No, I didn't sit down. Yes, I am a big fat jerk. No, I do not care if I ruined the concert for them because the feeling is pretty much mutual. Madonna does not want you to sit at her concerts. I know. Trust me. You cannot persuade me to sit down with your faulty tall man logic.

The next song was Get Into the Groove. Madonna sings, "Get up on your feet, let's dance to the beat," and I screamed along with her, adding in my own, "Yeah people! Get up!" along with it. Have they never heard her music? Have they never been to her concerts?

The next song was Heartbeat, from her new album. I think this songs is really beautiful, but it's slower and my standing comrades in the sections adjacent to mine started sitting. I was loosing people. The video screens, which could move by the way, were showing graphics I really enjoyed. It would be a cool tattoo design, if I ever thought that I wanted a tattoo.

Then she brought out her black guitar, the one that made me love the song Candy Perfume Girl (Before the Drowned World Tour and seeing her perform that song live, I absolutely hated that song. It was the guitar that made it awesome.) So, she's there with my guitar, and she starts singing a rock version of Borderline. Her vocals were lower, thankfully, and it was a really awesome version of this song.

The next song, She's Not Me, was my favorite part of the concert. On the video screens there were old 'versions' of Madonna, and then her dancers came up from under the stage dressed as her during different periods: Like a Virgin, Blonde Ambition, Material Girl, and Open Your Heart. She ran around and took off a piece of their clothing, a shoe, a veil, etc, and threw them. She kissed the Like a Virgin bride a la Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and it was super fabulous. I loved this so much, especially knowing that her divorce was finalized the day before. I heard it took eight minutes. I was hoping it would only take four.

The next song was Music,and I mostly thought about how different this crowd was than when I saw her perform it in Washington, DC. She closed the show with it for the Re-Invention Tour and it was so great to have the crowd on their feet and singing along together. Music didn't bring the people together Saturday night. Atlantic City sucks. The bourgeois behind me would not join the rebels (me and Brenda). I mean, people were happy for the song and screamed and stuff, but some were still seated - namely those in my section. I kept thinking, "Get up, people. Madonna is 50 and sweating her ass off, the least you could do is stand up."

The next bit was a costume change, the music was a mix of the Eurythmics, Here Comes the Rain Again and Madonna's Rain. Madonna was no longer on stage and Carolyn somehow convinced me to sit down. So Brenda sat when I sat. I wasn't really happy about it, but figured I'd just stand back up when she came back out. Madonna emerged from under the stage on top of a piano. She sang one of my favorite songs from the new album, The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You. It was slow and pretty and not really energizing enough for me to legitimately stand up again. I had made a grave error. I was sitting. How was I going to justify getting back up now?

Rain and water flowed down all the video screens. I was really happy that I didn't have to pee. Then she sang Spanish Lesson. It was an upbeat song and I thought about getting up, but didn't. It wasn't quite exciting enough to stand. And then, it was like Madonna could hear my inner thoughts and she did the most amazing thing.

"This is not a sitting concert! Get up out of your seats!"

So, I did. And I screamed a whole lot. "Thank you, Madonna! I didn't think it was a sitting concert, either!" Brenda and I were the only people in our section that got up. Surprise.

The next song was Miles Away, followed by La Isla Bonita. I was sure that Carolyn would get up for La Isla Bonita, but she didn't. It's one of her favorite Madonna songs, but if she was happy in her seat, that was okay. I certainly wasn't happy sitting. During this song they weaved in something else Spanish or Greek or something. I'm a cultural moron, so I don't know for sure, but then they took a shot of something alcohol-like on stage and it was pretty sweet.

The next song was You Must Love Me. It was her and this mariachi type band on stage, with some other stringed instruments and whatnot. They showed video from Evita on the screens and it was really beautiful. The best part is that she missed her intro and said, "This is where I'm supposed to start." Then she went on to say, "It's kinda smokey in here. Are you going to continue smoking your cigarettes? That's really annoying." Seriously, Madonna should never go back to Atlantic City. Ever.

Then she sang 4 Minutes (to Save the World). The biggest hit from her most recent album... and you guessed it, people were sitting. During it, they had movable video screens on the floor and had sort of life sized Justin Timberlakes singing with her, which I thought was kinda neat. It was like he was performing with her.

This was followed by Like a Prayer, my second favorite part of the concert (and favorite Madonna song). This was really beautiful, as the screens had different sayings about religions and spirituality, and treating your neighbor as you wish to be treated. It made me happy to be part of the human race, regardless of the fact that the people sitting in front of me were obviously robots. (WALL-E has more heart than they do.)

Then she played the opening bars to Ray of Light and Carolyn screamed, "I didn't know she was singing this!" and she stood up. (I think she was happy to sing that it felt like home, being back in NJ and all... even though Atlantic City obviously sucks.) When she did, the woman next to her stood as well, saying, "None of my friends are dancing, so I'm going to dance with you!" Obviously too many people succumbed to the guilt of standing in front of those sitting behind them. I wonder what that says about me... (I am selfish.) Meanwhile, there were really weird motorcycle helmet wearing dancers on stage with her.

At the end of the song, a single spotlight was on her alone on stage, and she made shadow puppets on the wall who fought each other. I laughed a ton. It was probably my favorite moment, it all its hilariousness and made Madonna more human that the super popstar that imagine her as.

She then talked to the audience again and said she would take a request. She asked a man his name and he screamed, "Everybody!"
"That's an unusual name."
"Amir."
"Pierre?"
"Amir!"
"Amir? Where are you from?"
"New York."
"Really? What do you want to hear?"
"Everybody!"
"I don't remember all the words to that."

So, she sang one line and had us sing the next, although no one, including me, knew all the words to that song. She wrapped it up by saying, "You sucked, I sucked, we both sucked." I love her. She made us clap forever and kept yelling, "Keep time, people!" The worst part about this was the song that Amir picked. I mean, really? Everybody? Why not pick something better like Don't Tell Me or Cherish or Holiday (which would have been great since she's claimed she'll never sing that song live again) or a ton of other songs that people would have actually been able to since along to? Dumb Amir. Why can't I afford seats in the second row?

She continued to have a conversation with a different man in the audience, asking if she was keeping him awake, if it was past his bedtime, if she was boring him. Which I thought was kinda funny. You could tell she was totally annoyed with people, as I was.

Then she sang Hung Up. There was a chess game in the background. I wished I knew how to play chess. She said something about the Queen, and I think we cheered for the queen, and then she won. I was happy she was singing my ring tone. The next song was the last - Give It 2 Me. It was the big party ending, although there was no confetti like the other concerts. It wasn't quite as exciting as the ending of the other two concerts I've been to, but it was more fun than previously. People were finally standing. It was finally a party, now that it was ending.

All in all, I had a good time. I got over the fact that people weren't standing after awhile and realized that I had the best view I've ever, or will ever, have at a concert because everyone in front of me was sitting down.

So, thanks, Atlantic City, but on the same token, screw you.


End Blog.

(ETA: Check out Brenda's blog about this event. It actually talks about the concert, her thoughts, and things other than people sitting, unlike mine.)

Entertainment

A few years ago I was pretty broke and never really went out much because doing so cost a lot of money. While it still does cost money, I have a bit more of it to go around these days and I've found myself spending it on concerts and games and stuff that I've always wanted to do, but never really have. I went to several shows at the music hall this past year. (Mamma Mia, Rent, The Wedding Singer, 12 Angry Men, Avenue Q, and Wicked)

Here are tickets I currently have:




Tomorrow night, Starlight Theater, Kathy Griffin. So excited! Man, I hope she gets nominated for a Grammy next year. I bet she'll be hilarious at the awards ceremony. I don't even care if she doesn't win!

















September 14th, home opener for the Kansas City Chiefs. They're playing the Raiders. I'm so happy football season is back! Rumor has it American Idol David Cook and his brother are singing the National Anthem at this game.



















On November 15th I have tickets for a KU football game. They're playing Texas. Should be way fun, especially considering that the people I'm going with are insane fans. That always makes things better.

















And then, to end the year, I have Madonna concert tickets in Atlantic City on November 22nd. Three of us from Missouri are going and have decided to take off work and take a grand road trip half way across the country. We are planning on making videos in the car. Remy will be coming along.






And, the best news of all - I paid off my credit card this week, so it's not like these events are bringing me down. I still don't have a fence for my back yard, and I'm pilfering parts from my spare toilet, but I think my priorities are pretty spot-on. The next few months are going to be really fun.


End Blog.

New Madonna Album: Hard Candy

Yay! I downloaded it this morning and listened to it at work while I was in the lab today.

It wasn't what I expected. Hearing 4 Minutes gave me the impression it would be more urban/hip-hop than her other albums. It's not. It's got a little more bass than her other music, but overall it basically feels like a cross between Ray of Light and Confessions on a Dance Floor.

I didn't immediately take to any of the songs because I liked 4 Minutes so much; after the first listen it was still my favorite. But this album is a grower. The more you listen to it, the more you like it. And every time I listen, a different song becomes my favorite.

They're all good. Except for one part in Give It 2 Me - the first time I heard it, I actually burst out laughing, thinking, "Why in the world did she put this in here!?", but then I listened to it again, and was still funny, and weird, but I actually really liked it because it's in stereo and things switch back and forth between my ears when I wear my headphones... though, if you don't listen to it in stereo, it's totally annoying.. but only for 30 seconds.

That aside, it's no I Love New York. I hate that song. I hate that it even exists. So, that's a bonus. Nothing like that on this album.

Hard Candy is very Madonna.

Quick rundown:

Candy Shop - Totally made me wonder what Turkish Delight was (so I looked it up - it seemed dirtier when I didn't know)... and the line that repeats "My sugar is raw, sticky and sweet" seriously sounds dirty the way she sings it. So, again, totally Madonna, and I love her for it. "I'll be your one stop Candy Shop." I imagine this single will be released to the radio.

4 Minutes (To Save the World) - You've probably already heard it. I like it. It's the most hip-hoppy the album gets. If you wanna call it that. PS, have you seen this video? It's way cool. You can see inside things...



Give It 2 Me - Again, weird part in the middle where she sings "get stupid" repeatedly (or if those aren't the words, that's what it sounds like). Otherwise, the song's really cool. It has the lines "Got no boundaries and no limits, if there's excitement, put me in it. If it's against the law, arrest me. If you can handle it, undress me." It's got a good beat. Very catchy. Worth a download if you can handle the stuff in the middle.

Heartbeat - Starts out with the sound of a beating heart! She does sound effects like that a lot, so it makes me happy. This kinda has more of a hip-hop feel because of the lyrics and the dude in the background making sighing sounds. It's about dancing (surprise). I flip back and forth between wondering if she's too old for the lyrics, and thinking she's timeless and can do anything. "See my booty get down" is not something I thought I'd hear her say, but she still has a great body, so who am I to judge? Besides, I really dig the chorus and the line "It makes me feel it in my heartbeat", which is just cool imagery to me.

Miles Away - Is totally sad. It's about how her lover seems to love her more when they're miles away. "I guess we're at our best when we're miles away." "You always have the biggest heart when we're 6000 miles apart." It's still got a nice beat to it, but still, sad... I'm not sure how she does it. I like this one. (I could probably say that after all of them though...)

She's Not Me - The beginning of this song reminds me of something from the 80s, but it changes pretty quick. It's about some girl stealing her man by basically becoming her. I think. The lyrics are... interesting. I can't really sit still while I listen to it, and like halfway through the song it completely changes into something else, and it's still really good. Then it changes back and there's a whistle! And then there's a line where she says something about someone "pimping your style" and I realized that the 50 year old Madonna is way more hip than I am because I don't know what she's talking about. And then some dude sings... and he's not really that good. And he sings too high... So, this is not my favorite song on the album, but I really dig how it changes in the middle. It's also the second longest song on the album, so I think that some of it could have been cut and it would have been an awesome song.

Incredible - This song is so happy and optimistic! This is the longest song on the album. "Just one of those things when everything goes incredible and all is beautiful... And all those things that used to get you down have no effect at all, 'cause life is beautiful." It's cool... and again, in the middle of the song, it kinda changes, then changes back, then changes again. I don't know why, but that really impresses me. This is totally Ray of Light meets Dance Floor all meshed into one song. To me, this is the most "Madonna" a song could get. Many things about it remind me of other Madonna songs, but not enough to actually let me name which ones. It's incredible. (As her lyrics state.)

Beat Goes On - I actually heard an early rough cut of this song, and I think I might have actually liked the rough cut slightly more. But, this song is still waaaaay good. It's got a great beat and actually has better lyrics than the first version. Kanye West raps on this song, and the only thing that bothers me is when he says he's like a vampire during a full moon... (did he mean werewolf?) but whatever... I really like the "'Cause I know exactly where to get that. Did you get that?" part. Also, they sing "Get down, beep beep, gotta get up offa your seat," a lot... and I have this sneaking suspicion that it's from some disco song from the 70s, but I don't know which one It's kind of driving me crazy. So, if you know, tell me.

Dance 2night - This is the other Justin Timberlake song, and he keeps it manly with no falsetto, so it's got the Nikki stamp of approval. Actually, this song has a lot of early 80s Madonna in it, except lower, since she doesn't sing that high anymore. But it still has a 2000s Madonna message. "You just have to give more, more, more than you ever have before." Totally has a retro Madonna feel though, even with Justin singing with her.

Spanish Lesson - Starts with a guitar! And I think that learning Spanish from Madonna is probably not a good idea. While she is "translating" things for you, I don't think they are exactly right... per se... But it's a neat little song. It has that fun sort of Latin/mariachi kinda of thing going on. It's cute, and fun, and pretty interesting. Sample lyrics: "Entiendo means I get it. Siempre means that I won’t forget it." (Entiendo literally means "I understand" and siempre means "always".) But the song is catchy! =)

Devil Wouldn't Recognize You - I could almost imagine this song on the Music album, if it were done with a guitar instead. It has the sound of a rainstorm in the middle of it, making this at least the 4th song of hers with a rainstorm in it... Maybe it would almost fit on Bedtime Stories... This song has the most words, and probably the most soul. I don't know how to describe it. It's very good. "Now I'm sober, No more intoxicating my mind." Two thumbs up. I like it so much it will NEVER see radio air time. Especially at a little over 5 minutes.

Voices - Also has Justin Timberlake in it for like, a line. This is very cool conceptually and worked for me when finalized. "Who is the master and who is the slave?" is the basic question in this song. "Are you walking the dog? ... Is that dog walking you?" I like it. It's kinda darker in feel, has a bunch of stringed instruments in it... moody. Neat all around. On a given day, this would be my favorite song on the album. There's a lot of different sounds to it, you can tell there's an orchestra there. Very cool.

Ring My Bell (Bonus Track) - Interesting, kinda catchy, kinda annoying... not much to this song. It's good, but didn't do a lot for me. They say "ring my bell" a whole lot. Like, every other line. Maybe if that meant more to me, I'd like the song more.


Yay! Probably more than you bargained for... but, those are my thoughts on the new album.

Overall, two thumbs up. The following tracks are definitely worth it:
4 Minutes
Incredible
Beat Goes On
Dance 2night
Devil Wouldn't Recognize You
Voices

Oh, also, it really annoys me that they're titled Give It 2 Me and Dance 2night. Just thought I'd throw that out there...


End Blog.