TEAM Tracks: Thank You for the Music, Madonna

August 16, 2016

Share this with your TEAM:

It’s Madonna’s birthday tomorrow but it’s business as usual for us. We at TEAM don’t stop celebrating the bitch. Godonna watches over us through events both mundane (traffic transcended thanks to “Like a Virgin”) and ecstatic (every drunken karaoke sing-along to “Crazy For You”). And with her every reincarnation, the Queen of Pop manages to appear on the soundtrack of every stage in our life.

Jigs Mayuga can vouch for the milestones Madge has made better, from breakups to makeups (and every festivity on his makeup chair). Kicking off TEAM’s Madonna birthday week, the makeup artist and proud member of Team Ciccone brushes together a personal playlist worth keeping on loop for a lifetime.

“Jump,” Confessions On A Dance Floor (2005)

It’s played in The Devil Wears Prada, where Andy’s walking fashionably down a New York street, but this track is also memorable to me because it’s a song of hope. I listen to this single whenever I feel like I need to take a huge leap of faith, be it in love or letting myself go on the dance floor.

“Take a Bow,” Bedtime Stories (1994)

This one’s a collab with ‘90s mega-producer Babyface, whose vocals you’ll also hear on the track. It’s about the pain of bidding farewell to a great love, much like the curtain call to signal the end of a spectacular show. Then again, you’d be better off in a relationship where one doesn’t need to perform.

“Beautiful Stranger,” OST of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

There’s the thrill in meeting a complete stranger on the dance floor, which this song perfectly encapsulates. When you’re vibing off of someone else’s body heat and the music’s just right, you can’t help but throw caution to the wind and not just live in the moment but soak it the hell up.

“Cherish,” Like a Prayer (1989)

Legendary photographer Herb Ritts directed the video for this one, filmed entirely in his signature black and white. How can you not roll around on your bed at the sight of Madonna frolicking with a bunch of beefcake mermen? This is one of Madonna’s “lighter” songs. Watching Madge splish and splash in all that saltwater, it’s just hard not to smile and think about how freeing it is to fall in love.

“Rain,” Erotica (1992)

Speaking of water, here’s one that makes getting drenched look absolutely fashionable. Madonna sings about finding love again, comparing it to falling rain that washes away whatever pain and sadness one might have had. Like the song, this one’s still so fresh thanks to the visuals of Grammy Award-winning director Mark Romanek. Also, that sleek bob she wears launches this video into the iconic heavens.

“Sky Fits Heaven,” Ray Of Light (1998)

This is spiritual Madonna at her finest. All that Kabbalah and Hinduism she’s studied influences a song about the journey of life and how each person’s experiences are unique. The theme of this track is refreshingly positive, focusing on following one’s heart and learning to trust in the goodness of people.

“Miles Away,” Hard Candy (2008)

A little drama that led to the divorce sprinkles itself onto this song, where Madonna talks about the difficulties in dealing with long-distance relationships. Intimacy can be tricky when two people reunite after being separated for extended periods of time. Then again, this was way before the ubiquity of Facetime.

“I’ll Remember,” OST to With Honors (1998)

The queen once again sings about letting go and finding happiness, learning from the past, and cherishing the good times. Essentially: don’t forget where you came from, bitches. Also, what’s Moira Kelly doing these days?

Share this with your TEAM: