Pud Whacker's Madonna Scrapbook: January 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Unbelievable - 30 Years Ago - Stay '81

The other day as I was blogging the Peter Cunningham photographs of Madonna, I put 1982 in the tags. 1982 - as I've done a gazillion times before - ! - But it's 2011! Wow, in one year Madonna has professionally been with music for 30 years! Those pics are older than most of her fans! It's unbelievable. She's unbelievable.

For Madonna, she's been at it since 1980. And this gem was on the demo tape that got her signed to Sire Records in 1982. Its the early version of Stay (the Virgin version produced by Nile Rodgers is a mixture of this and Don't You Know?) and it was recorded in 1981.

It was mentioned in both Rolling Stone (Madonna Goes All the Way - November 1984) and in Michael McKenzie's Lucky Star book.

Ever since I knew there were early versions, I was dying to hear them. I didn't get to hear them until 1996 when Stephen Bray released them, but it was well worth the wait and one of my all-time favorite Madonna recordings.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Why Hasn't Madonna Won the Oscar for Best Original Song?

Why hasn't Madonna won (or even been nominated for) the Oscar for Best Original Song - for one of her songs? I will answer - because the Academy is so jaded. I mean really jaded. She's won awards for Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice but I'm here to say her songs wipe the Academy's stage right clean.

It all should have began here in 1985 - with not only the biggest song of that year - coupled with another huge Madonna song - Crazy For You from Vision Quest - but one of the biggest pop songs of all time - Into the Groove from Desperately Seeking Susan written by Madonna and Stephen Bray. The movie was the sleeper hit of that year. They didn't like her, they thought she was a slut and they were jaded. That's the excuse for 1985. Whatever. Onward!!!

1985 (58th) "Say You, Say Me" — White Nights • Music and lyrics: Lionel Richie

"The Power of Love" — Back to the Future • Music: Chris Hayes and Johnny Colla • Lyrics: Huey Lewis
"Surprise, Surprise" — A Chorus Line • Music: Marvin Hamlisch • Lyrics: Edward Kleban
"Miss Celie's Blues (Sister)" • The Color Purple • Music: Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton • Lyrics: Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie
"Separate Lives" — White Nights • Music and lyrics: Stephen Bishop

Ok, she was new in 1985 and they really didn't want or trust that The Hussy was anything more than that. Bets were elsewhere. But whats their excuse in 1986 with the brilliant and haunting Live To Tell - her 3rd Number One single - written by Madonna and Patrick Leonard - from At Close Range?

1986 (59th) "Take My Breath Away" — Top Gun • Music: Giorgio Moroder • Lyrics: Tom Whitlock

"Somewhere Out There" — An American Tail • Music: James Horner • Lyrics: Cynthia Weil
"Glory of Love" — The Karate Kid, Part II • Music: Peter Cetera and David Foster • Lyrics: Peter Cetera and Diane Nini
"Mean Green Mother from Outer Space" — Little Shop of Horrors • Music: Alan Menken • Lyrics: Howard Ashman
"Life in a Looking Glass" — That's Life! • Music: Henry Mancini • Lyrics: Leslie Bricusse

By 1987, Madonna had proved that she was beyond a force to be reckoned with in music. Who's That Girl was her 6th Number One hit - written by Madonna and Patrick Leonard. One of the biggest songs that year, again snubbed. Causing a Commotion should also have been given a nod. But no. The movie was a bomb but that's never stopped The Academy before.

1987 (60th) "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" — Dirty Dancing • Music: Franke Previte, John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz • Lyrics: Franke Previte

"Shakedown" — Beverly Hills Cop II • Music: Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey • Lyrics: Harold Faltermeyer, Keith Forsey and Bob Seger
"Cry Freedom" — Cry Freedom • Music and lyrics: George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa
"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" — Mannequin • Music and lyrics: Albert Hammond and Diane Warren
"Storybook Love" — The Princess Bride • Music and lyrics: Willy DeVille

In 1992, Madonna starred in another hit film, A League of Their Own. She wrote This Used To Be My Playground with Shep Pettibone. Her 10th Number One single. This song is right up the tight assed Academy's alley. Again, snubbed.

1992 (65th) "A Whole New World" — Aladdin • Music: Alan Menken • Lyrics: Tim Rice

"Friend Like Me" — Aladdin • Music: Alan Menken • Lyrics: Howard Ashman (posthumous nomination)
"I Have Nothing" — The Bodyguard • Music: David Foster • Lyrics: Linda Thompson
"Run to You" — The Bodyguard • Music: Jud Friedman • Lyrics: Allan Rich
"Beautiful Maria of My Soul" — The Mambo Kings • Music: Robert Kraft • Lyrics: Arne Glimcher

In 1994, Madonna penned a song with Patrick Leonard and Richard Page for Alek Keshisian's With Honors. I'll Remember went to number 2 on the Billboard singles charts. A fantastic song that was so played out on the radio and another song that the Academy turned their back on.

1994 (67th) "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" — The Lion King • Music: Elton John • Lyrics: Tim Rice

"Look What Love Has Done" — Junior • Music and lyrics: Carole Bayer Sager, James Newton Howard, James Ingram and Patty Smyth
"Circle of Life" — The Lion King • Music: Elton John • Lyrics: Tim Rice
"Hakuna Matata" — The Lion King • Music: Elton John • Lyrics: Tim Rice
"Make Up Your Mind"— The Paper • Music and lyrics: Randy Newman

In 1999, Madonna wrote and recorded Beautiful Stranger with William Orbit for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. Sexy, fun and the summer song of 1999! Although winning a grammy for Best Song written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media in 2000, The Academy once again snubbed our girl.

1999 (72nd) "You'll Be in My Heart" — Tarzan • Music and lyrics: Phil Collins

"Save Me" — Magnolia • Music and lyrics: Aimee Mann
"Music of My Heart" — Music of the Heart • Music and lyrics: Diane Warren
"Blame Canada" — South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut • Music and lyrics: Trey Parker and Marc Shaiman
"When She Loved Me" — Toy Story 2 • Music and lyrics: Randy Newman

In 2000, Madonna starred in John Schlesinger's The Next Best Thing with Rupert Everett. While she covered Don Mclean's American Pie, she also wrote Time Stood Still with William Orbit. Not released as a single in the US, it doesn't matter. That has never been a prerequisite of a nominated song. Again, another great song that was ignored.

2000 (73rd) "Things Have Changed" — Wonder Boys • Music and lyrics: Bob Dylan

"I've Seen It All" — Dancer in the Dark • Music: Björk • Lyrics: Lars von Trier and Sjón
"My Funny Friend and Me" — The Emperor's New Groove • Music: Sting and David Hartley • Lyrics: Sting
"A Fool in Love" — Meet the Parents • Music and lyrics: Randy Newman
"A Love Before Time" — Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon • Music: Jorge Calandrelli and Tan Dun • Lyrics: James Schamus

In 2002, Madonna and Mirwais wrote and produced Die Another Day for the Bond film of the same name. Although it won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, the dear Academy once again fucked Madonna over. A progressive and brilliant song that was a huge hit all over world, Die Another Day is the last Madonna soundtrack song we have.

2002 (75th) "Lose Yourself" — 8 Mile • Music: Eminem, Jeff Bass and Luis Resto • Lyrics: Eminem

"I Move On" — Chicago • Music: John Kander • Lyrics: Fred Ebb
"Burn It Blue" — Frida • Music: Elliot Goldenthal • Lyrics: Julie Taymor
"The Hands That Built America" — Gangs of New York • Music and Lyrics: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. (U2)
"Father and Daughter" — The Wild Thornberrys Movie • Music and Lyrics: Paul Simon

Did I miss any? Who cares? So did they - since 1985. The Academy has always been jaded of Madonna's true star quality. Her ability to sustain immense popularity and remain at the forefront of popular culture. When the Grammys finally acknowledged her properly with 1998's Ray of Light, I always wanted her to pull a Brando and tell them to fuck off. She didn't. However, when the Academy comes around (and they will) I hope Madonna gives them the finger right in their ugly face.