As promised, this is the last of my female pop star chart blogs. What can I have left to say about Madonna? She's been referenced & quoted in MANY of my blogs in the past 3 years. She's amassed 38 #1 singles on the US Dance chart. A record for any artist & the only artist that comes close is Janet Jackson with 18. She has 12 #1 singles on the US chart, 13 in the UK, 11 in Australia & a whopping 20 in Japan. She recently passed Elvis with the most top 10 singles ever by an artist in the US at 38 singles. In the UK that # is actually 61. There is no denying her Icon status. So now it's time to discuss M's chart statistics. So for everyone wanting to read about my life, I promise the next one will be all about me hee hee. Also, in case any of you doubt this feel free to go to Wikipedia.

In 1982, after being in NYC for 5 yrs, Madonna was signed to a singles deal with Sire/Warner Bros. The first single released was Everybody which found major success on the Billboard Dance chart. It barely missed the Hot 100. Follow up double A side single Burning Up/Physical Attraction was a hit as well on the dance chart & as Burning Up was garnering airplay on MTV, Sire ok'd the release of her debut album. On July 27th, 1983 (just a few days before my 5th bday) the debut album was released. The next single released was Holiday in September & as we all know that's the one that started her chart fame. The singles found success on the dance chart, hot 100 & even the R&B chart. The album stayed on Billboard's top 200 for over a year & eventually peaked at #8. To date the album has sold 8 million copies worldwide. In the UK the album was re-released as Madonna the First album in 1985, after the major success of Like A Virgin. Holiday was released there on 3 different occasions & eventually peaked at #2, being held out of the top by Into The Groove. But that's getting a head of myself.

1. Everybody #3 Dance
2. Burning Up/Physical Attraction #3 Dance #13 Australia
3. Holiday #16 US Pop #25 R&B #1 Dance #6 UK(re-release #2 1985, #5 1991) #4 Australia
4. Borderline #10 US Pop #4 Dance #56 UK(re-release #2 1986) #12 Australia
5. Lucky Star #4 US Pop #42 R&B #14 UK #36 Australia

In Nov. 1984 she was full on ready to take over the world. She had debuted the song Like A Virgin at the first ever MTV VMA's to scandalous reviews. This was the era where she was all over the pop charts. Songs from the album, songs from films such as Vision Quest & Desperately Seeking Susan were all over MTV & the radio. She had also made news by some nude photos that were taken way back in her modeling days. Playboy & Penthouse published them & at the LIVE AID she made a statement in her jacket on the hot day by saying, "I ain't taking shit off today!" Originally, people thought she'd be a one hit wonder & the real star would be Cyndi Lauper. Kudos to Cyndi & all but we know how this turned out. The single became her first #1 in December staying put for 6 weeks & the album followed suit in February of 1985. Worldwide it has sold 22 million to date. During this time she also embarked on the Virgin tour.

1. Like A Virgin #1 Pop/Dance/Australia #9 R&B #3 UK
2. Material Girl #2 Pop #1 Dance #49 R&B #3 UK #4 Australia
3. Crazy For You #1 Pop/Australia #80 R&B #2 UK (re-released #2 1991
4. Angel #5 Pop/Adult Contemporary/UK #1 Dance #71 R&B #1 Australia
5. Into The Groove #1 Dance/UK/Australia #19 R&B (in the US it was released as the bside to Angel)
6. Dress You Up #5 Pop/UK/Australia #3 Dance #64 R&B
7. Gambler #4 UK
8. Love Don't Live Here Anymore #2 Japan

Live To Tell was released in March of 1986 & it was in the film At Close Range, starring then husband Sean Penn. They would go onto be in the commercial flop Shanghai Surprise, but let's discuss True Blue. It was released in June of '86 & to date is the album that has sold the most worldwide with 20 million copies. Every single released from it went to #1 in either the US or the UK. A feat that hasn't been done on any other Madonna album.

1. Live To Tell #1 US Pop/Japan #2 US Adult Contemporary/UK #7 Australia
2. Papa Don't Preach #1 US/UK/Australia #4 Dance
3. True Blue #1 UK/Japan #3 US #5 Australia #6 Dance
4. Open Your Heart #1 US Pop/Dance/Japan #4 UK #16 Australia
5. La Isla Bonita #1 UK/US Adult Contemporary #4 US Pop #5 Japan #6 Australia

In the summer of 1987 the soundtrack to Who's That Girl was released & while it didn't sell huge it still managed to go to #7 & sell 5 million copies worldwide. The same can not be said the film. Released to horrible reviews, it was another commercial flop. To this day I actually like the movie & thought it was quite funny. Then again, that's just me. Meanwhile, the singles from the soundtrack were big hits. Then at the end of 1987, the remix album You Can Dance was released & while it only went to #14, it still sold a million copies. It would later start the trend for artist to release remix albums. Such as Milli Vanilli, Jody Watley & Paula Abdul (just to name a few). The album did contain one new song, Spotlight. It was originally supposed to be on the True Blue album but was taken off. While it was releases as a radio airplay single, it wasn't released commercially in the states. But, it was released in Japan where it was a big hit. During 1987 she also embarked on the larger scale Who's That Girl Tour. It grossed 20 million in the few months she was on tour. While playing at MSG, all proceeds of the show went to the American Foundation for AIDS research.

1. Who's That Girl #1 US/UK/Japan #5 Adult Contemporary #44 Dance #7 Australia
2. Causing A Commotion #2 US #1 Dance/Japan #4 UK #7 Australia
3. The Look of Love #9 UK
4. Spotlight #3 Japan #1 Dance (as You Can Dance LP cuts instead of Spotlight)

In 1988, there was no new music released & she pretty much stayed out of the spotlight. She did act on Broadway in the play Speed The Plow. During this time her marriage to Sean Penn had began to crumble. On True Blue she had dedicated the album to him & said he was 'the coolest guy in the universe'. By Like A Prayer, it was obvious that had all headed south. Released in March of 1989 it was critically acclaimed & the scandal of the video caused Pepsi to back out of it's promotions for her. After all was said & done the videos from each single were masterpieces. She performed at the '89 VMA's & won the Viewer's Choice award for Like A Prayer, which in turn was sponsored by Pepsi. Express Yourself also won Video of the year. The album went on to sell 13 million copies worldwide & it was to be her last US #1 album for at least another decade. The album also featured a collaboration with Prince & Randy Jackson playing guitar on the title track.

1. Like A Prayer #1 US/UK/Japan/Australia/Dance #3 Adult Contemporary #20 R&B
2. Express Yourself #2 US/Japan #1 Dance #5 UK/Australia
3. Cherish #2 US #1 Adult Contemporary #3 Japan/UK #4 Australia
4. Oh Father #20 US #16 UK (released in 1996) #59 Australia
5. Dear Jessie #5 UK #41 Australia
6. Keep It Together #8 US #1 Dance #5 Japan #66 R&B

1990 was a big year for the Material Girl. She went on tour with The Blonde Ambition Tour (to this date my absolute favorite) which was also documented for the Truth or Dare. Just ask me or any of my friends & we can still quote lines from it. Ok we still do. This was also the time that she taught the world how to Vogue. It had been an underground dance style in NY for a few years. The 'children' would pose & get in limber moves to Balls all over NY. Meanwhile, I was 11 & played the video over & over & over again just to make sure I had the moves down. I think I have stated that I won my first dance contest while dancing to it. But enough about me lol, back to M. I'm Breathless was released in May to coincide with the film Dick Tracy. The film finally found her playing a character that was more Madonna suited & it was a commercial success. Originally the song Vogue wasn't even supposed to be a hit. It was to be the b-side to Keep It Together, but the record company thought it was too strong of a song so it was tacked onto the album last minute. It went onto be another worldwide #1 single & the album sold 5 million copies worldwide. She performed on the 1990 VMA with the now classic performance. It's no lie..... this is my most favorite song ever by her.

1. Vogue #1 US/UK/Japan/Australia/Dance #16 R&B
2. Hanky Panky #10 US #2 UK #6 Australia #17 Japan

The Immaculate Collection was released in November of 1990 & to date has become one of the best greatest hits album seller's ever. Worldwide it has sold 23 million copies to date. It amassed most of her hits from 1983 to 1990's Vogue. Unfortunately, there were quite a few songs but the tracklist had to include new singles Justify My Love & Rescue Me. Justify My Love was her first video ever banned by MTV for its scandalous scenes & she found a way to profit off of it by releasing it as the first video single. Needless to say she profited highly off of it. I always considered that song to be inferior to Rescue Me but I think the controversy around it helped it. The song was the first #1 single of 1991. The following year she appeared in another hit film A League of Their Own. This film paired her with her soon to be BFF Rosie O' Donnell. She also had another #1 single from the film, which would be her last #1 single for a few years.

1. Justify My Love #1 US/Dance #42 R&B #2 UK #4 Australia
2. Rescue Me #9 US #6 Dance #3 UK #11 Japan #15 Australia
3. This Used To Be My Playground #1 US/Japan #3 UK #4 Adult Contemporary #9 Australia

I was a Freshman in October of 1992, when Erotica was released. This was the time of the Madonna backlash. The Sex book had taken controversy to a whole new level. No other pop star had ever been so in your face with nudity & thoughts of sexual shenanigans. I wasn't old enough to buy the book & my mom was like you will not have such filth in this house. Between the album, the book, & the film Body of Evidence..... Madonna's uhhh body of work was everywhere. The album debuted & peaked at #2 & sold 5 million copies worldwide. Which was her lowest number at that time. The film was an absolute flop & in many ways seemed to be a rip off of Basic Instinct. The book did completely sell out & even today it's hard to get your hands on unless you go to Ebay or Amazon. As for the album, I feel it's highly under-rated & in fact is one of my favorite albums by her. In the end it spawned 6 singles. In 1993, she went on her Girlie Show Tour. Which was to be her last tour for at least 7 years.

1. Erotica #1 Dance #2 Japan #3 US/UK #4 Australia
2. Deeper & Deeper #1 Dance #6 UK #7 US #11 Australia
3. Bad Girl #10 UK #11 Japan #32 Australia #36 US
4. Fever #1 US Dance #6 UK #7 Japan #51 Australia
5. Rain #14 US #7 Adult Contemporary/UK #2 Japan #5 Australia
6. Bye Bye Baby #15 Australia/Japan

1994 found her dealing with the backlash of the Sex scandals but she found a new scandal by her appearance on Letterman saying the word Fuck over & over. Scandals aside, she did a song for the soundtrack to With Honors & it became a big success chart wise. It was held out of the top spot by I Swear by All 4 One but stayed at #2 for 4 weeks. By the end of October, Bedtime Stories was released & peaked at #3. It found her going the more R&B approach & dabbling in a techno sound that she would later touch upon on albums to come. The album sold 7 million copies worldwide & Take A Bow became her longest running #1 single in the US at 7 weeks.

1. I'll Remember #1 Japan #2 US #7 UK/Australia
2. Secret #1 Dance #2 Adult Contemporary/Japan #3 US #5 UK/Australia
3. Take A Bow #1 US/Adult Contemporary/Japan #15 Australia #16 UK
4. Bedtime Story #1 Dance #4 UK #5 Australia #42 US
5. Human Nature #2 Dance #8 UK #10 Japan #46 US

Something To Remember was released at the end of 1995 & was more or less a ballads collection. It did feature 3 new songs & a remix of Love Don't Live Here Anymore which had originally been only released in Japan in 1985. I Want You, a cover of the Marvin Gaye classic, was released in video form only. Something that she had not done before. The album debuted & peaked at #6 & worldwide sold 10 million copies. The following year she played the title role in Evita to rave reviews. She won the Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy & the song You Must Love Me won Best Original song at the Oscar's. The soundtrack went to #2 in the US & #1 in the UK & worldwide sold 17 million copies. She also gave birth to her daughter Lourdes in October of 1996. Once again Madonna had reinvented herself from the Material Girl to the Material Mom.

1. You'll See #1 Japan #5 UK #6 US #9 Australia
2. One More Chance #11 UK #35 Australia
3. Love Don't Live Here Anymore #16 Dance #78 US #27 Australia
4. You Must Love Me #10 UK #11 Australia #17 Japan #18 US
5. Don't Cry For Me Argentina #1 Dance/Japan #3 UK #8 US #9 Australia
6. Another Suitcase In Another Hall #7 UK
7. Buenos Aires #3 Dance

In March 1998 Ray of Light was released to the best reviews she had since Like A Prayer. The techno sound had re-emerged & she found massive success commercially again. Lourdes had re-energized her & for a moment she took on a pseudonym of Veronica Electronica. Worldwide, the album sold 18 million copies & was kept out of the #1 spot on the Billboard chart by the soundtrack to Titanic. As we all know Celine's heart went on & on & on. By 1999 the Grammy's showed her love in the form of 3 Grammy's. She also won Video of the year for Ray Of Light at the 1998 VMA's.

1. Frozen #1 Dance/UK/Japan #2 US #5 Australia
2. Ray Of Light #1 Dance #2 UK #5 US #6 Australia
3. Drowned World/Substitute For Love #10 UK/Japan #16 Australia
4. The Power of Goodbye/Little Star(b-side in the UK) #6 UK #11 US #33 Australia
5. Nothing Really Matters #1 Dance #4 Japan #7 UK #15 Australia #93 US

In 1999 she did a single for the soundtrack to the Austin Powers soundtrack & although it wasn't released commercially, it debuted on the hot 100 due to new chart rules of airplay only tracks able to chart. This would pose as the problem for the next single American Pie. A cover for the soundtrack to The Next Best Thing. Which turned out to be another bomb acting wise. Single wise, they were huge around the world & if had been released commercially here would have done much better. American Pie had done so well in fact that in other regions around the world it was tacked on to the album Music which was released in September 2000. Earlier in the year she had filmed the video while pregnant for her second child Rocco with Guy Ritchie. The single was a huge success & was her 12th #1 single in the US. It put her in a tie with Janet Jackson as the only artists to have #1 singles in the 80's, 90's & 2000's. The song was nominated for Record of the Year in the 2001 Grammy's. The album went to #1 & was her first #1 album in the US since Like A Prayer. It sold 13 million copies worldwide & 2 other singles were released as commercial singles. Impressive Instant got a club only release & the song Amazing was originally set to be the last single but was pulled from release. In 2001 Madonna went on tour for the first time in 7 years, the Drowned World Tour. This was my first time ever seeing her perform live & as you can imagine.... I was overwhelmed with happiness.

1. Beautiful Stranger #1 Dance/Japan #2 UK #5 Australia #19 US
2. American Pie #1 Dance/UK/Australia/Japan #29 US
3. Music #1 US/UK/Japan/Australia/Dance
4. Don't Tell Me #1 Dance #4 US/UK #7 Australia
5. What It Feels Like For A Girl #1 Dance #6 Australia #7 UK/Japan #23 US
6. Impressive Instant #1 Dance

GHV2 was released at the end of 2001 & while it contained most of her greatest hits since the Immaculate Collection it had no new singles. Still it went onto sell 7 million copies worldwide. Her next projects went back to acting. Swept Away was released in 2002 & even being a huge Madonna fan, I must say I've seen it once & that was enough for me. It was another commercial flop & critics ravaged her performance. It's in fact the last film that she has done playing a character. Will she come back to acting? It's not like ALL the films have been bad, but I just think it needs to be better roles. Ones more suited for her. She did make a cameo in 2002's Die Another Day playing a fencing instructor. The bigger hit for her was the single released from it. It was the biggest Bond theme song since A View To A Kill. This would in fact be her last top 10 single in the US for years to come because the next album completely bombed. American Life debuted at #1 on the US album chart but fell off very quickly & to date is her lowest selling album here ever. I must say it's my least favorite Madonna single ever. This was also the first time since her career debut that singles released from an album didn't even chart on the hot 100. The album did sell 5 million copies worldwide & the singles did well in the UK. They in fact did very well on the dance chart here. She holds the record for scoring 7 top 10 Dance hits from one album. A record no other artist has. During this time, she performed at the 2003 VMA's with the memorable performance seen round the world for that kiss with Britney. Which lead to the pairing on Britney's single from her In the Zone album. Unfortunately, it didn't blow up in the US but was a hit in clubs & round the world. Remixed & Revisted, an EP of remixed songs from American Life, was released in 2003. Debuting & peaking at #115 in the US it still sold 1 million copies worldwide.

1. GHV2 Megamix #5 Dance
2. Die Another Day #1 Dance #3 UK #5 Australia #8 US
3. American Life #1 Dance/Japan #2 UK #7 Australia #37 US
4. Hollywood #1 Dance #2 UK #16 Australia #103 US (called the Bubbling Under chart)
5. Nobody Knows Me #4 Dance
6. Me Against The Music w/Britney Spears #1 Dance/Australia/Japan #2 UK #35 US
7. Nothing Fails #1 Dance #101 US (Bubbling Under)
8. Love Profusion #1 Dance #11 UK #25 Australia #106 US (Bubbling Under)
9. Mother & Father #9 Dance

After the failure of American Life, Madonna went on tour again & reminded us all why she was still #1. The Re-Invention Tour sold out 55 of it's 56 shows & made $125 million. While doing many songs from the American Life album, she also performed songs that were her greatest hits over the past few decades & for me it was my most favorite tour that I had seen. It was so nice I saw it twice. The following year, 2005, she went back to what I had always loved..... dance music. Confessions On A Dancefloor debuted at #1 in 29 countries, a record for a solo artist. It went on to sell 8 millions copies around the world. The single Hung Up was a monster #1 single everywhere in the world, but here. It was her first top 10 in years but that was solely based on sales. In fact, it was widely reported that she was being banned from the radio stations due to anti-war statements she had made with American Life. While the rest of the singles did well in other countries, they did best here on the dance chart. In 2006, I'm Going To Tell You A Secret film & DVD was released. Another documentary style film but Truth or Dare this definitely wasn't. It showed how she had grown as a person & mother & her love for Kabbalah. It was the first time she had ever released a Live album commercially it debuted at #33 in the US in 2006 & sold 1 million copies worldwide. Also in 2006, she went on her Confessions Tour & it became the biggest selling concert by a female artist ever at $194.8 million. I saw this one as well, but that shouldn't be a surprise. This time, it was shown on NBC & the controversy about her on a cross was all the press seemed to talk about. Once again a Live album & DVD was released & this time it debuted higher at #15 in the US & worldwide sold 1.2 million copies.

1. Hung Up #1 Dance/UK/Australia/Japan #7 US
2. Sorry #1 Dance/UK/Japan #4 Australia #58 US
3. Get Together #1 Dance #7 UK #13 Australia #59 Japan #106 US
4. Jump #1 Dance #9 UK #29 Australia #105 US

Recently, Hard Candy was her 7th #1 album in the US & puts her in 2nd place behind Barbara Streisand as the female with the most #1 albums. It's no lie that I worried this album would suck when I originally heard she was going to work with Timbaland, Justin & Pharrell. The first time I heard the demo's & then the debut single I hated it. But somehow, it grew on me. New single Give It 2 Me is about to make noise on charts all over the world. Other stand out tracks are Miles Away which has already been playing in Japan on a tv show. Candy Shop & The Beat Goes On are also single worthy. 4 Minutes has become her biggest hit here in the US since Music 8 years ago. While staying at #1 on the digital sales chart for 3 weeks it missed out on the #1 hot 100 chart due to the fact it's airplay wasn't enough. Either way it's got her another hit & she is now about to tour again on her Sticky & Sweet tour. A couple months ago she was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

1. 4 Minutes #1 Dance/UK/Australia/Canada #2 Japan #3 US
2. Give It 2 Me #57 US #8 Canada (so far)

For all you other Madonna fans I hope you enjoyed this. It took over a day to fully complete. As promised the next blog will get back to all things NSP. Have a good Memorial Day Weekend & mad love to you all!!!

The Rejuvenation of NSP

Feliz Cinco De Mayo! I'm hitting you up with tons of blogs it seems & I'm sure a few of you will be saying 'Shut the hell up Nick.' To that I say:


I'm like that ooowee
You're fiendin' to blaze up
And taste me
Got flavor like ice cream,
Cause I'm that CHICO you like
And you know you need this man
And you know I got this man
Gonna be your everything
I'm that CHICO you like


Since Mariah has claimed she's that CHICK, I had to remix it for sure. Being that I've been remixing & revisiting tons of things in life these days let me take a moment to dish about my return to Arriba Ariba. It's a Mexican restaurant & it's actually one of my favorite places to go. Not for the food because oddly enough, I'm not a fan of Mexican food. When I go I always order the same thing & then I turn it into the blandest thing ever. Chicken Quesadilla but I make sure they ONLY put in chicken & cheese. Yes, I know...... I am a picky bitch but at least I put it out there right at the beginning. Anyhow, the point is I finally made my return to this place 2 Friday's ago. The reason why I would not go was because I said for months now that my return to drinking would be celebrated with one of their Mama Margarita's. I missed a bday soiree there & PLENTY of other get togethers as well but honestly I was so glad I had the company I had when I made my return. Larry, who hadn't had a drink in 6 months as well, was first on the list. He had decided way back in October that he would stop & not have another until I was A OK. I didn't ask this of him & never in a million years would I ask anyone to do it. But it must be said, it was nice to know that I could count on him when I was the only sober one in the room. Larry is & remains a best friend to the end. Vadim, in the midst of all my drama, changed his life as well. He has embarked on his journey as a Vegan & friend to all elephants & all other animals. He knows that I could never be a Vegan being that I am self described pick pus & if I gave up meat I would starve to death. BUT, I do say kudos to him that he has found a cause. More people should do the same as in finding a cause but, I'll keep my voice off the soap box. Anyhow, I was completely thrilled to have them share my first drink with me & I was just as thrilled to have Scott show up. He was terribly late, but bless his heart..... at least he always trys. He reminds me of my mom in the fact that they're both Libra's & both eternally late. Lastly, my girl Tasia also managed to come to witness my sips of said margarita. So see Taisa, I remembered & here it is in blog form. I LOVE TASIA. This must also be said, the taste of that Margarita was better then I ever remembered it to be. At first my body was like what is this?! What is this odd but somehow familiar feeling. Then it was like slipping into your skinny jeans. Ahhhhh! I also have to say that my tolerance is nowhere near what it was. A few sips & I was already getting giddy. At least from here on out I'll be a cheap drunk. Being that I have decided to try to stick to the plan of drinking rarely, let's hope I remain a cheap drunk. Fun & good times was had by all & I had had just enough to stay giddy & fun but also make sure I was going to remember everything. The next morning though found me with a slight headache & I fully blame the tequila & it also had me saying that I didn't miss that feeling at all. That being said, as I sit here at work I sip on a small cup of Sangria. My work peeps are being festive & now that I can actually join in on their festiveness it's definitely nice.

The next topic of hand is my beloved Mariah. I said that she would be one of my next diva's & as any one who knows me KNOWS I love me some her. The morning of my first drink was spent at Good Morning America to see her perform. The lambs were out in full force. In case you don't know that's what she calls her fans. There were Ghetto Lambs, Gay Lambs, Girly Girl Lambs & even some Granny Lambs. Getting them all together was a lil nuts. Especially when I was trying to see past Granny Lambs sign saying that they were there from so & so Baptist Church in Texas. Before I knew it a girl named Starkeisha standing next to me goes, "Oooo If they don't put those signs the fuck down Ima hunt them down." All technical difficulties aside, Mariah was on fire & I live for her telling her back up singer to stop singing her part. Same thing happened on Idol during Bye Bye. I was yelling at the tv screen for that bitch to shut up my damn self. But, that's just how my love for Mimi runs. I have been there for it all. A fan from the beginning. My younger sister's Anna's middle name is Mariah. My mom said that it was a family name but I also KNOW I helped put that name in her head. My sister was born in Feb 93 & I was playing the hell out of some Make It Happen & all the other jams from that time.

'Vision of Love' came out in the summer of 90 & I was about to turn 12 & waiting for 7th grade. I distinctly remember reading about how she was of mixed race & that really hitting me at my core. People kept being like is she white or is she black & I couldn't help but relate. My dad was Mexican & my mom is Irish but that fact never occurred to me that it should be a big deal. It wasn't until I heard other kids in school say things & off the cuff remarks. It was only then that I realized with some people it was a big ordeal. A friend of mine was half black & half white & kids would taunt her all the time. I remember her saying, "Why does no one do this to you? You're mixed too." Apparently it was because I looked like any other regular white kid. Also, I didn't grow up with my dad's family & I only knew my mom's side. My mom had taught me spanish & I was apparently bilingual until I came home from school one day at the age of 5. She went to talk to me in spanish & I said that I only wanted to speak english since that's what my friends talked. I don't remember this & even now my Spanish is VERY limited. But don't worry, it's on that big to do list I have created for myself in 08. To make a long story short, I remember thinking that if Mariah could go & do something major in life then that was a true inspiration to all the other mixed kids like myself.


The debut album came out in 1990 & blew everyone away. I can still listen to every track because they are seriously that good. It had something for everyone. I would hear it on all stations & it also has the only song where you'll hear her doing a lil rapping. A very small hint of the real kind of music that she truthfully was down with. It sold 9 million in the states & each single went to #1. A feat that hasn't been matched by any debut artist since. Christina came close & so did Fergie but so far can't no one do it like MC.

1. Vision of Love #1 Pop/R&B #9 UK
2. Love Takes Time #1 Pop/ R&B #37 UK
3. Someday #1 US #3 Pop R&B #38 UK
4. I Don't Wanna Cry #1 Pop #2 R&B
5. There's Got To Be A Way #54 UK

In the fall of '91, Emotions popped out rather quickly. The album wasn't as huge as the debut but still sold 4 million. A number that doesn't even happen these days & if it does it's rare. The debut single went to #1 as well & further solidified her status in the record books as a debut artist with the most #1 singles in a row.

1. Emotions #1 Pop & R&B #17 UK
2. Can't Let Go #2 Pop & R&B #20 UK
3. Make It Happen #5 Pop #7 R&B #17 UK

MTV Unplugged was a hot commodity in the 90's & showed musicians at their best. Sony released this live album at the beginning of the summer in '92 & her cover of I'll Be There was huge! Originally, it wasn't going to be performed but a day or so before was done & before you know it another #1 was on her belt. The album sold 3 million & after the success 'If It's Over' was a planned single release outside of the states but it ended up not charting.

1. I'll Be There #1 Pop #11 R&B #2 UK

Music Box was released in the fall of '93 & became a monster hit. She was at #1 with Dreamlover for 8 weeks & the video showed her in pig tails & flannel. Apparently Granny Lambs love this Mariah. Ballads galore & the success of Hero & Without You were huge. The later became her first #1 in the UK. I have many a memory of walking into Wal-Mart & that song being played on major rotation. To this day we hear TONS of renditions on American Idol & even overseas there was some bitch who couldn't pronounce it properly & called it Ken Lee. Ok watch it peeps, just for the laugh. This album was the first to go Diamond by selling 10 million. After all the singles were released she did a cover with Luther Vandross that was a huge success as well. It was on his Duets album.

1. Dreamlover #1 Pop #2 R&B #9 UK
2. Hero #1 Pop #5 R&B #7 UK
3. Without You #3 Pop #1 UK
4. Never Forget You #7 R&B (b-side to Without You on the pop chart but as the a-side on R&B)
5. Anytime You Need A Friend #12 Pop #22 R&B #8 UK
6. Endless Love #2 Pop #7 R&B #3 UK

Christmas '94 brought the STILL huge seller Merry Christmas. Even now & at the most random times a dj will throw on the massive single & the crowd will go ape shit. I'm talking even in like July. Each year it's released in the UK & each yr it does major business. The single didn't get a proper commercial release so it was in-eligible to chart until years later. The album has sold 5 million copies so far & each year stays a consistent seller. All I Want... has a total of 3 videos for it but my fav has to be the 60's era version. Joy to The World was even remixed for clubs & charted at #17.

1. All I Want For Christmas Is You #2 UK/Australia/Japan #12 US Pop Airplay
finally charted in 2000 in the US at #83, re-released in the UK last Christmas & went to #4

Next came probably my most favorite album by her ever. It was a perfect mixture of everything. Pop, hints of where she was going & classic ballads. Daydream was released while I was in the hospital after having appendicitis. I was in some pain but turning on the tv to see her video for Fantasy completely made my day. In the US they only released 3 singles but each was huge! Fantasy was at #1 for 8 weeks & One Sweet Day holds the record for longest #1 single ever with 16 weeks. At my graduation, Wendy Harding & I sang this for our commencement ceremony. Looking back on this I wonder why, since no one had died. But, everyone in school knew we could sing so why not? Precious right? Meanwhile the other tracks were hits outside of the US & they got released & one of my favorite songs by her ever was released to the R&B stations complete with a remix. Still hot & I still love it. It sold 10 million copies as well.

1. Fantasy #1 Pop/R&B #4 UK
2. One Sweet Day #1 Pop #2 R&B #6 UK
3. Open Arms #4 UK
4. Always Be My Baby #1 Pop/R&B #3 UK
5. Underneath The Stars #69 R&B Airplay
6. Forever #9 US Pop Airplay

Around my 19th bday in 1997 the video for Honey dropped & to this day it's one of my favorite by her. This album Butterfly celebrated the new Mariah. The one who was all sexy & liberated. It had TONS of good singles & unfortunately Sony only released 2 of them commercially here in the states. I blame that on Tommy & his crazy anger. Either way the album still debuted at #1 & went on to sell 5 million copies.

1. Honey #1 Pop #2 R&B #3 UK
2. Butterfly #16 Pop Airplay #12 R&B Airplay #22 UK
3. The Roof released outside of the US but the video was aired on BET/MTV/VH1
4. Breakdown #52 Pop Airplay #13 R&B Airplay #38 Australia later released as the b-side to My All
5. My All #1 Pop #4 R&B/UK
6. Whenever You Call Live video released & airs on VH1

#1's was released in Nov '98 & celebrated the fact that she had achieved 13 #1's at the time. More then Madonna, Whitney or any other female singer. At the time I was working at a music store & we had a stand up of her which I ended up taking & kept it in my room. I seem to remember Shuley being afraid of it when the lights were out. She would think that it was a real person. Oh scaring Shuley is always fun & good times. There were new songs on it as well & technically 3 of them were released as singles. I must have been one of the FEW people to buy the single for Sweetheart because after a day of it's released Sony pulled it. Damn that Mottola! Anyhow, the album went onto sell 5 million copies.

1. Sweetheart w/Jermaine Dupri #53 R&B Airplay #15 Germany
2. When You Believe w/Whitney Houston #15 Pop #33 R&B #4 UK
3. I Still Believe #4 Pop #3 R&B #16 UK

Rainbow came out towards the end of '99 & was also a big seller. It had plenty of songs that were personal & showed major growth. It was kept out of the top spot despite having her best first week sales ever. Faith Hill was huge with Breathe & Rage Against the Machine were, well.... raging at the time. Not my cup of tea so I'm not familiar. The album sold 3 million & this was to be her last for Sony, since she felt she wasn't getting the kind of promotion she had before. In the UK, Against All Odds was released with Westlife (who are in fact HUGE over there). It became her second #1 single there & to date is the last time she's had a #1 single there.

1. Heartbreaker w/Jay-Z #1 Pop/R&B #5 UK
2. Thank God I Found You w/Joe & 98 Degrees #1 Pop/R&B #10 UK
3. Crybaby w/Snoop Dogg/Can't Take That Away #23 R&B/#28 Pop
4. Against All Odds w/Westlife #1 UK

Now we're up to Glitter. Hmmmm, what else can be said about Glitter w/o running it into the ground? Here's some info you may not know. I was in Glitter! They filmed a dance scene at Limelight here in NYC in the summer of 2000. This was my first time seeing her up close & I of course was nervous & shy. At the time, I had no idea it would turn into the bomb that it later became. If you click on the right spot on your dvd you can see a very young me with natural hair color in the middle of the dancefloor doing a handclap. That's right bitches, I got moves you ain't ever seen. I actually liked a lot of the songs on Glitter but I think some of it had too much rap on it. The song Don't Stop is blazing when she sings but, when Mystikal raps I want to rip off my ears. The album sold poorly but still managed to get a million. It was her one album with Virgin & during this time it was highly documented about her crazy antics. It was like everyone had it out for her & was ready to write her off. I saw her outside of the TRL studio's & still have those pics. I still think she just needed some sleep.

1. Loverboy #2 Pop #1 R&B #12 UK
2. Don't Stop w/Mystikal #42 R&B #32 UK
3. Never Too Far/Hero Medley #81 Pop
4. Reflections (Care Enough) released only in Japan through Sony
5. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life w/Busta Rhymes promo video & single in Spain

After all the drama with Virgin & the Glitter debacle, MC went to Island Def/Jam. She also appeared on Busta Rhymes big single I Know What You Want. Charmbracelet was released in 2003 & found Mariah going for more hip hop & gospel songs. Through The Rain is probably one of least favorite MC singles ever & apparently everyone else agreed because it was not a hit. The album sold a little more then Glitter & did manage to reach a peak position of #3.

1. Through The Rain #81 Pop #69 R&B #8 UK
2. Boy (I Need You) w/Cam'ron #68 R&B #17 UK
3. I Know What You Want w/Busta Rhymes #2 R&B #3 Pop/UK
4. Bringin' On The Heartbreak #5 Dance

After this, MC took one of the longest breaks she had ever taken. During the 90's, she either popped out singles or album every single year. So when 'The Return of the Voice' promo's came out me & all the other lambs felt like something major was in store. Boy, were we right. The Emancipation of Mimi came out in April '05 & went onto be the biggest seller of the year. We Belong Together became her first #1 single since '01 & it stayed there for 14 weeks. It was her first album back at the #1 spot since Butterfly & sold 6 million. Single after single was released to all different kinds of markets. It was so big they re-released it with video's & new tracks. The return of the voice was the return to form. Back at #1. I later saw her on tour, a bday gift from Jordan. She did all the hits I loved & then some.

1. It's Like That #16 Pop #17 R&B #4 UK
2. We Belong Together #1 Pop/R&B #2 UK
3. Shake It Off #2 Pop/R&B
4. Get Your Number #9 UK
5. Don't Forget About Us #1 Pop/R&B #11 UK
6. Say Somethin' w/Snoop Dogg #79 Pop #27 UK
7. Fly Like A Bird #19 R&B
8. Mine Again #71 R&B not officially released as a single but charted on its own

Last month E=MC 2 was released & solidified another #1 album, single & she had the best first week sales of her career. For me, this album has all the upbeat songs that were not on the last one. So for me, both albums are like perfect book ends. There's the ballads that are lovely but for me it's all about MC having a little more fun. Which is where I'm at in my life after all the drama & health scares. It's definitely time to get OOC & once again I'm that Chico you like!

1. Touch My Body #1 Pop #2 R&B #5 UK
2. Bye Bye #23 Pop #71 R&B as of now.......but expect that to go up, up & up!
and I've heard the next single will be Love Story. In a perfect world I'm That Chick & I'll Be Loving You Long Time will see commercial releases as well.

My Sugar is Raw

Ok readers.....I wasn't going to mention this until a few blogs later. But, I couldn't resist. Last night, I had the once in a lifetime chance to see my favorite performer all up close & personal. So I have now found myself bursting with excitement ready to discuss it. Look at this as a little taste of a blog to come. Remember, my candy store has galore so this will get you ready for what's in store.

For days & days now those of us in what we call our Madonna Prayer Group have discussed the important matter at hand. How are we going to get our hands on the coveted tickets to see our lady full of grace at Roseland Ballroom. She hadn't been there since the promo tour for Music back in 2000. At that time I'd only been here a few months & had no idea how to get in. I remember walking by & trying to hear from outside. I couldn't help but think 'this time HAS to be different.' But, I found myself in a jam. People were lining up as of Monday. Each of us had done our best to score tickets. Entering contests, going to bars that were offering tickets etc. They all failed. My friend David won tickets through Verizon. Actually his boyfriend had so now someone I KNEW was going. Which, made it all more important for me to go. I just couldn't be left out so it came down to going outside & waiting in line. After work on Tuesday I met up with Vadim, John & Scott to get in line with some other people who already were in line. This was probably around 100 people or so. Mind you, she wasn't performing until Wednesday night so this was to be my first camp out EVER. I wasn't physically prepared so after securing my place in line I went home to change into layers of clothes & such. Once back, I started to prepare myself for the 13 hr wait that I was going to go through in order to get that coveted wrist band that was to be given out to 750 some people in line.

We made friends with people next to us. This kid behind us, Mickey, was incredibly overzealous for all things Madonna & brought tons of things that we started posted on our barricade. We later were known as that group with all the M posters as tourists kept walking by asking us what it was for. After hours & hours I dubbed us & everyone else 'The Gay Homeless'. At times we would go in between the avenues to try to hear M rehearsing. Later, Scott & Mickey & others ran back when a passerby said she was leaving. Imagine our surprise when she drove by everyone in line slowly & made her presence known. People that had been laying down were up & screaming. At one point she literally stopped right in front of John & I & we found ourselves just yelling & screaming in awe. Amidst the roar, I SWEAR I could hear her say 'I'll see you tomorrow night!' This may be just me & my imagination but in my head she definitely said it. Everyone in line was amped up after that & we continued playing Hard Candy & other jams on Mickey's ipod. We then prepared for the rest of the night & the realization that we still had HOURS to go before they handed out the wrist bands.

At around 3/4 in the morning I began to hate everyone. Mickey's enthusiasm had highly found it's way to my evilness & Scott's drunkenness had my salt level to a fever pitch. I had managed to squeeze out about 2 hours of sleep there in my huge ass coat on a 30 something degree night. Just the week before I was rocking some shorts in 70 degree weather. This didn't help my saltiness. Finally, the time came & the guards came over to give everyone a bracelet. They told us we could either stay in line or leave & come back later. Scott, John & Billy somehow found it in them to go to work for the day. I chose to go home. (Thank you to all my work peeps for helping a brother out. As always I love you Tasia & I LIVE for you Jackie.) Being that Vadim barely works anyway, he did the same. I scored about 4 hrs of sleep & then met up with Vadim to go get back in line. Being that this was a general admission thing you had to be as close to the front as possible if you wanted to get closer to the stage. This time, we definitely were. For the next few hours, it was festive as we waited for them to start letting people in. Vadim, John, Scott, Billy, Silas & I found ourselves getting interviewed by MTV Europe, some random man from Brazil, & some lady form Spain. We were International Fan Superstars as they asked about all things M. We saw tons of shenanigans as well. This Tranny with some CRAZY blonde hair & black roots, smudged red lipstick that was more on her teeth &painted on black eyebrows had us all in stitches. She was going for the bad Girl look but was more Courtney Love after MTV VMA throw down. When she wasn't able to get tickets I just knew she'd start throwing a heel or a compact at someone! W-KTU was driving around the block every 2 minutes & throwing out hard candy at everyone. The girls driving decided to take pics of us when I decided to start letting my booty get low. Then they sped away cutting off all the drivers in their way. Then, we didn't see C-Lo or the KTU girls for a while & I was just sure I'd hear Sade Baderwinwa say this headline 'Transexual ran over by KTU drivers in a drunken rage at a Madonna concert.... news at 11.'

Finally, we were about to be in. I told everyone since I was in front that there was no turing around. I was on a mission. Get as close to the stage as possible & just make sure you keep up. I found myself behind some BIG lesbian who was about to eat us all with her anger & before you knew it we were all packed in like sardines. This was a little after 8pm & we still had 2 hrs to go! For the celeb sightings I have to quote Vadim because honestly he said it best:

Oh my, all the celebs we saw:

Spotted: Fran Drescher wearing her American Life beret -- who started furiously texting her friend about how upset she was when all the attention to her evaporated when Rosie O'Donnell took her seat.
Then there was Richie RIch and Trevor Rains, one half of which looked cute, while the other looked kind of busted. I'll let you figure out which half was which. NICK'S Response: RR

Then there was Zac Posen near Fran. It certainly didn't take him long to let his drunkenness come through. Of course, all is forgiven since he is cute. NICK's Response: Scott has found his life partner so we need to set this up asapenis.

Then there was the design team from Proenza Schouler (whom you guys may now know), but they are the two cutest designers in all of the fashion industry. Just as cute in person as in photos.

Let's not forget Liz Rosenberg walking around in her very special loopy headgear. I have nothing more to say about her antennas!

Then there was "Lourdes" who was wearing way more makeup than usual and dancing up a storm. (And did anyone notice how the females in "Music" looked like were mini-Lourdeses?

Of course, we cannot forget "Courtney Love!" From the moment we saw her, we knew she was up to something. And she sure was! The taxi, the paps, the police. You KNOW the drunk-driving KTU girls totally ran C-Love over!

Now to be biggest celeb of all. Right after 10, the dj finally stopped his mixing of songs that would last 2 minutes then run into another. Where he was standing started to turn around & we saw M sitting in a Queen like pose on a chair fit for a King! The beginning of Candy Shop blared. All the fans cheering overwhelmed the music almost. I could see nothing but hands & camera's in the air. She began to dance & I couldn't take my eyes off her. Next was another track from the new album 'Miles Away'. During this she took a guitar & sat on a chair & strummed away. I think this is one of the best tracks on the album & I hope it's a single. Next, we got served some special ferociousness in the form of 4 minutes, complete with Justin Timberlake popping out. Damn is he handsome. Mind you, I've thought this anyway but after seeing him in the flesh it's even more juicy. I managed to squeeze in a few pics on my phone & unfortunately I can not figure out how to email these to myself so I just have them on my phone. Once this was over, M talked to us all & even showed some love to all of us that waited for hours & hours & said the next song was dedicated to us because she hates....to wait. Rocking out with a new rock version of Hung Up, M showed why she was inducted into the Hall of Hame. The woman is a bona-fide performer & all out star. Her dancing during Give It 2 Me(the next single) had me mesmerized because all I kept thinking was 'This woman is 20 yrs older then me & you would NEVER know it by looking at her.' I was originally close to the stage to begin with but when she had come closer to the front I felt myself being pushed so close that by the time she did 'Music', the show's closer, I was about 10 feet away. Everyone was so close to each other I had sweat on me from about 10 different people. Everyone wanting what we had all waiting in line for. A piece of Madonna.

Even as I watch the show from MSN I get giddy again. I may have gotten a cold from all of this but for once in my life I can absolutely say it was worth it. I will most definitely be getting tickets for when she tours later this year. The only thing is......now that I've gotten so close to her I feel it would be a tragedy to not be as close in the future. Whatever M's Candy Store plans on selling you can guarantee the Madonna Prayer Group & I will try to be first in line. Ok, maybe not with the homeless lesbians who sat there for days but we definitely won't be far behind..... considering my slinky ways to get through the crowd. I just have one of my teachers to thank for that, Madonna.

Here's the link to the actual show on MSN. Watching it I managed to see Scott & I. After more views, I'm sure I'll see more.

http://music.msn.com/madonna?GT1=28000&silentchk=1&

Here's another link on a blog that has Scott, Mickey & a few other people we came to know while being in line. Scott is the one with the drink in hand. Once again, Zac Posen..... this is your Future Lover.

http://madonnadownload.com/new_news_043008_1.html