Live to Tell

Christine Campbell

Madonna madness is upon us. Her image is everywhere, on billboards, magazines and TV. Her music is being played on the radio, MTV and VH1. Documentaries have been shown, anthologies compiled, discussions had, and debates staged. All in the name of Madonna. Her tour ends here in London, to a sold out crowd at Earl’n s Court, and the newspapers have been full of reviews, opinions and pictures of her performance. Not one pun has gone unused, not one person left unquoted. She seems to be more popular than Jesus Christ.

Madonna has certainly been most things to most people, sparking debates about feminism and fascism, trying her hand at all sorts of things, usually with a writer, photographer and filmmaker along with her for the ride. She has an uncanny recognition of what sells and is not afraid to exploit it. Whether people agree with this business acumen or not — they always have an opinion. Whether she was the Material Girl, Angry Lapsed Catholic, wife, mother, whore or like a virgin, she has been in the world’n s consciousness for over 15 years. Her iconic status was cemented in 1985 with her breakthrough Like a Virgin album, where she, like Clark Gable before her, caused the sales of underwear to skyrocket. Since then, fashion and every other form of entertainment (including matrimony) have been influenced by “Her Madgesty” — to quote The Sun. Even this reputable newspaper has recognised the impact of Madonna on the modern age.

I haven’n t even arrived at her music. She is one of the few artists today who writes and produces her own songs. Chronicling the excitement of new fame, through relationships, birth and religion, to maturity, yoga and a toy boy. At 42 she is challenging this carbon-copied pop music world to be original, exciting and to aspire to greatness. Who cares about her forays into movies and musical, motherhood and materialism, she is still making better music than most Britneys out there — forging musical partnerships, and if the rumoured prices of some of the black market tickets to her concerts are right, being one of the best performers on the live stage. I for one hope it continues as I do what was suggested — put my underwear on the outside of my clothes, make my house lights flicker, grab my bottle of water, turn up the stereo with my favourite Madonna CD blasting the house down, and dance till dawn.

boontoe

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