Madonna's 15 Most Popular Songs (According To Spotify)

Madonna is an enduring icon in the music industry. One aspect of Madonna's music that resonates with fans is her thought-provoking and quotable lyrics. Her songs often delve into themes of empowerment, love, and self-expression.

Madonna’s $850 million net worth is a reflection of her immense success and business acumen. As the songbird has grown older, she has also become a vocal activist, particularly against ageism and misogyny inside and out of the world of showbiz. This resilience and refusal to conform to society’s expectations have solidified her place in music history. As we delve into the icon’s musical legacy, here are some of Madonna's most popular songs, according to Spotify.

15 "Material Girl"

Released in: January 1985

Material Girl is one of Madonna’s most iconic songs. It was released in 1985, as part of her second studio album, Like a Virgin. This catchy track was written by Peter Brown and Robert Rans, and produced by Nile Rodgers. It became an instant hit, contributing to Madonna’s rise to stardom.

The song’s lyrics talk about a desire for material wealth and the glamorous lifestyle, reflecting the consumerism culture of the 1980s. Material Girl received widespread acclaim and became a cultural touchstone, often associated with Madonna’s persona. It reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remains one of her signature songs.

14 "Hung Up"

Released in: October 2005

Madonna released the electrifying hit Hung Up in 2005, as part of her album Confessions on a Dance Floor. This Madonna song marked a pivotal moment in her career as it showcased her ability to evolve with changing musical trends.

The track prominently samples ABBA’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), and the blend of disco beats and Madonna’s distinctive vocals essentially created a dance floor anthem. Stuart Price produced the song. Hung Up quickly climbed the charts in numerous countries, reaching the top spot in several of them.

13 "La Isla Bonita"

Released in: February 1987

La Isla Bonita is a beloved Madonna song that came out in 1987 as part of her third studio album, True Blue. The song was co-written by Madonna, Patrick Leonard, and Bruce Gaitsch. It marked the singer’s initial foray into Latin-inspired music, featuring a blend of Cuban drums, Spanish guitar arrangements, maracas, and harmonicas in its instrumentation.

The popular Madonna song’s title, which means The Beautiful Island in Spanish, hints at the Latin influences that infuse the track. La Isla Bonita was a strong commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United Kingdom.

12 "Popular" Feat. The Weeknd, Madonna And Playboi Carti

Released in: June 2023

Popular is a collaborative song featuring The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, and Madonna. It was released in 2023, and quickly gained attention due to the blend of these three artists from different generations and music styles.

The song is notable for its mix of contemporary hip-hop and pop elements, with Madonna adding her iconic vocals to the track. The Weeknd, known for his distinctive voice and R&B style, and Playboi Carti, a prominent figure in the hip-hop scene, joined forces with Madonna to create a unique musical fusion.

11 "Like A Prayer"

Released in: March 1989

Madonna’s classic hit Like a Prayer was released in 1989, as the title track of her fourth studio album. The song holds a significant place in Madonna’s career and music history. She co-wrote the song with Patrick Leonard, who also worked alongside her to produce it. Like a Prayer is known for its powerful and gospel-inspired vocals, showcasing Madonna’s versatility as an artist.

The music video for this popular Madonna song was groundbreaking and controversial, featuring themes of religion, racism, and sexuality. It stirred up a considerable amount of controversy, leading to protests and even a boycott of Madonna’s Pepsi endorsement.

10 "4 Minutes" Feat. Justin Timberlake

Released in: March 2008

4 Minutes is a dynamic collaboration between Madonna and Justin Timberlake, from the former’s 11th studio album Hard Candy. The song, released in 2008, is known for its upbeat tempo and catchy melody.

The writing process was the combined effort of the two main stars on the track, as well as Timbaland, and Danja. The latter two also worked on the production side, infusing the song with their signature contemporary sound. 4 Minutes was another good example of Madonna’s ability to stay relevant in the ever-evolving music industry, by collaborating with younger talents like JT.

9 "Like A Virgin"

Released in: October 1984

In 1984, Madonna released a game-changing track that would define her career. Like a Virgin served as the title track for her second studio album and was a significant turning point in her journey to pop stardom. Written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly and produced by Nile Rodgers, this song’s infectious melody and provocative lyrics became synonymous with the era.

Exploring themes of love and passion through metaphors and ambiguous lyrics, the popular Madonna song stirred both intrigue and controversy. Like a Virgin did not just make waves; it made history. It swiftly climbed to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, maintaining its reign for six consecutive weeks.

8 "Vogue"

Released in: March 1990

In the early ‘90s, Madonna delivered another cultural phenomenon with her hit song Vogue. This dance-pop track was part of her compilation album I’m Breathless, and swiftly became a defining piece of her repertoire. The popular Madonna song was written by Madonna and producer Shep Pettibone.

Vogue was inspired by the voguing dance style that originated in the LGBTQ+ ballroom culture of New York City. Madonna’s lyrics celebrated the art of striking poses and self-expression on the dancefloor. The accompanying music video, directed by David Fincher, featured Madonna and a troupe of dancers showcasing the voguing style.

Vogue also dominated the charts, reaching the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100, further solidifying Madonna’s claim to the “Queen of Pop” throne. Its influence extended beyond music, sparking a worldwide fascination with voguing and cementing Madonna’s position as a cultural taste-maker.

7 "Frozen"

Released in: January 1998

Madonna released the hauntingly beautiful song Frozen as part of her album Ray of Light in 1998. This song marked a significant departure from her earlier work, embracing electronic and ethereal elements. Frozen was co-written by Madonna, Patrick Leonard, and William Orbit, with Orbit also producing the track.

The music video was directed by Chris Cunningham and featured mesmerizing visual effects that added to the song’s mystique. It portrayed Madonna as this surreal figure in a barren landscape. Frozen was widely commended, both for its innovative sound and Madonna’s emotive delivery.

6 "Papa Don’t Preach"

Released in: March 1986

In 1986, Madonna released the powerful and controversial song Papa Don’t Preach as part of her album True Blue. This song addressed the sensitive subject matter of teenage pregnancy, with a blend of pop and rock influences. Papa Don’t Preach was written by Brian Elliot and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray. It tells the story of a young woman dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and her determination to make her own choices despite her father’s objections.

Papa Don’t Preach was both a critical and commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries, including the United States. It sparked discussions about women’s autonomy and reproductive rights, as Madonna’s music crossed paths with her activism in this track.