Tick Tick Tock, it's a Quarter Past Seven

[dotinthesky]

I saw Madonna's video for "Hung Up" today for the first time. My first thoughts were:

a) she looks like a transvestite.
b) she's had C.G.I. or scalpel-based work done on her face.

If any other artist had released that song, we might have caught it by accident as we walked by Topshop and thought to ourselves "ah, there's another cheesy offering from Italy." But because it's Madonna, who is probably a David Icke reptile by now, it rushes straight to number one (at least in Britain) and has a video (and MTV performance) with enough content to generate a few lazy newspaper columns.

Thing is... I don't mind at all this state of affairs in the world of music. I've had the impression for many years now that people see music in the western world progressing, moving chronologically, from era to era, and it pisses them off when an artist releases something that is not "new". It's almost a crime. But if you start to treat Madonna as someone who isn't an "artist", and whose music is just there to make gay men dance a little harder on the podium, then everything turns out to be ok.

I had a professor in University who, despite being Jewish, thought it was great that the Catholic church was still around, that there was something comforting about an institution that endures, that fights against the tides of change. Was he being sarcastic when he said that to our class? I don't know, but I am starting to think that Madonna is the same as the Catholic church. Despite her marketing department wanting us to believe she's a chameleon, she's remained the same type of singer all these decades. So when a new Madonna album comes out, you make a check of it on your calendar, you situate yourself, you have a word or two to say about her singles, then you go on with your life (but secretly satisfied that the world, your world, is still the same.)

The way she flexes her butt in that video... it's almost like she's daring us to spot the cellulite.

Comments

[izzybees]

She's only a chameleon in the sense that she knows what trends to follow in order to sell records, and I think she would admit that herself. Ray of Light was a classic example - at the height of the Buddhism craze in the west she comes out with a bunch of chanting Shanti songs.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Lol. I'd forgotten about those! I think she had a few recent misfires, with that movie Swept Away, and that song with Britney, but you are right in saying that she's usually on top of whatever the cultural industry will try to sell us next.

[stickyblueart.livejournal.com]

I must admit, though I agree that she generally seems changeless, I've never been fond of her. Yes, her singles are poppy. Yes, her taste is good. I know the words to every song she's released on the radio. I think she's a decent enough actress (barring The Next Best Thing). I just can't quiet wrap my head round why she's The Madonna.

Except for Ray Of Light which, while others thought it was a trend-humping piece of plastic, I thought was spot-on. Especially if it hadn't been released by Madonna.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I'll always have a soft spot for her because of my childhood in Brasil, where she ruled like a complete queen. Boys and Girls loved her equally, used her songs in parties, during the Summer, for everything, so it's not something I can walk away too easily.

And Ray of Light came out when I did a backpack trip through Europe, thus me saying that everything she releases tends to set itself in my calendar.

[popsock.livejournal.com]

Madge was heard to comment on Dutch TV (I think) that she based her look in the video on Agnetha from Abba. :-)

Incidentally, I notice Madonna's gap between the teeth has returned. What next, the beauty spot?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I sure wouldn't mind her face returning to its normal shape! ;-)

[canudiglett]

Red and pink together? What was she thinking of?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

She wasn't thinking; some designer must have thought up that outfit for her.

[vilhem.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, you can be almost as cruel as brilliant!
She is a diva, the fact that she still finds the inspiration to carry on and keep herself that fit amazes me, she really can dance but I abhor her music, as most pop. When I am feeling terribly gay I will dance to Shakira or Spin Doctors.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

It's my Scorpio Ascendant... sometimes I can't hold back my sting. ;-P

You dance to Spin Doctors?!?! LOL I can imagine you dancing to Shakira though. ;-)

[greenteablack.livejournal.com]

She looks horrible lately and in that video she does look like a transvestite, or at least one of those 80's cougars who want to be in Flashdance. It's not flattering at all.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

She's showing off but the viewer is thinking "uh?"

[greenteablack.livejournal.com]

Well she keeps thinking she's "reinventing" herself but frankly, she looked better in the 80's than she does now in her fake 80's.