Madonna celebrates her birthday today, and later on I’ll post the newest Madonna Timeline (another entry from her ‘Madame X’ album). This post is all about looking back for a bit, as some birthdays tend to be. I’m hard-pressed to think of someone who’s been such a consistent source of inspiration over the years as Madonna has been to me. It’s difficult to equate her, and those fans of her who have stuck by for over three decades, with any other artist or experience. It’s a singular thing because performers like Madonna are a dying breed – quite literally. There’s also no one else who has maintained such a lofty place in pop culture for such an extended period of time, and while she may not have all the tweens dressing up like her anymore, most modern-day pop stars admittedly owe their paths and ambitions to the trail she blazed.
The lady requires no further justification for my love, so on her birthday I’m simply going to let a few random Madonna Timeline entries speak for the celebratory joy she has always brought to my life.
Let’s begin with, well, a Celebration.
A moment of tarnished innocence through which we might Live to Tell.
This clarion call to Express Yourself.
For whenever the world wants to Wash All Over Me.
After three decades it’s still about Survival.
Unlocking The Power of Goodbye.
I’m Addicted to her inspiration.
After all this, she still manages to make me feel Like A Virgin.
And then she’ll make a wish Like A Prayer.
And flit away like a Ray of Light.
Even in a Drowned World: Substitute for Love she reveals herself Inside Out.
“Open Your Heart,” she pleaded, unashamed to say that she was ‘Crazy For You‘ all the while knowing full well that you’re Frozen when your heart’s not open.
Happy Birthday, M.
(I always knew you would last.)
PS – You’ve got to just… Vogue.
