I Ranked All Of Madonna's 14 Studio Albums And No One Can Change My Mind

    She's known as "The Queen Of Pop" for a reason.

    Dino1
    by Dino1

    Community Contributor

    BuzzFeed Community Team
    Approved and edited by BuzzFeed Community Team

    Since 1983, Madonna has released 14 studio albums and has reinvented herself countless times. She’s made timeless classics...but she’s also had a few missed swings. This is my definitive ranking of the Queen of Pop’s studio albums.

    14. Hard Candy (2008)

    madonna wearing a black unitard and a large gold belt
    Warner Bros.

    With Hard Candy, Madonna brought back the provocative image that made her a trailblazer in the '80s and '90s. The album has good singles but does come off as a bit pretentious and tries just a little too hard.

    13. MDNA (2012)

    madonna in a short-sleeved dress while leaning up against a wall
    Interscope

    Coming right off the heels of Hard Candy, MDNA carries the same feel as its predecessor but with better songs. It has a great assortment of songs, with some heavy-hitting tracks throughout. It also contains some tracks that don’t really take space. It’s a mixed bag album.

    12. Like A Virgin (1984)

    madonna in a corset and tutu
    Sire / Warner Bros.

    While it’s undoubtedly one of Madonna’s most iconic albums and contains some of her biggest hits, the album does feel really empty without the singles. The songs fall prey to the almost annoyingly simplistic style of early '80s dance. Its lyrics become repetitive and the production can be a bit disjointed at times. The hits save it.

    11. Madonna (1983)

    madonna with ear-length hair and she has furrowed brows
    Sire / Warner Bros

    Madge’s first album really sets the stage for most of her '80s music. The album has some very pleasant songs but has the same problem as Like A Virgin in that it’s very simplistic in many tracks.

    10. Music (2000)

    madonna in a cowboy hat and silk shirt
    Maverick / Warner Bros.

    Madonna’s Music album showed that she was still a force entering her third decade in the music business. It’s classic Madonna, and there’s nothing particularly bad about it, but it ranks low to make room for her many incredible albums.

    9. Madame X (2019)

    madonna wears a headwrap
    Interscope

    Madonna's most recent album, Madame X, is a new character she takes on. It's very experimental and the highs are extremely high. The experimental aspect can also be a downer, and that's why this album has a near-middle ranking. It may not be to everyone's taste.

    8. True Blue (1986)

    madonna has ear-length hair and she looks up at the sky with eyes closed
    Sire / Warner Bros.

    Another '80s mega-hit album, True Blue, contains classic Madge songs "Papa Don't Preach" and "La Isla Bonita" in its arsenal. It also contains a few deep cuts that make it a standout of her '80s work.

    7. American Life (2003)

    madonna in a leather jacket and hood
    Maverick / Warner Bros.

    The most socially-charged of The Queen of Pop's albums, American Life is a look at American life through her eyes. It has a very bombastic feel and can be abrasive to some. It may be an acquired taste.

    6. Rebel Heart (2015)

    madonna's face wrapped in cords with the words "rebel heart" written on her neck
    Interscope

    Madonna's most underrated album (in my opinion), Rebel Heart shows Madge owning herself and telling her tale. It gives us a glance into her mind and allows her to show her strength as both an artist and a human.

    5. Erotica (1992)

    close-up of madonna's face, sort of animated
    Maverick / Sire / Warner Bros.

    With this album, Madge pushed boundaries in the early '90s and the effects of that revolution are still seen in the business today. She owns her sexuality, which may not seem as brave today, but for its time it was definitely considered a brazen act.

    4. Bedtime Stories (1994)

    Maverick / Sire / Warner Bros.

    After Erotica, Madonna decided to take a calm but still provocative approach to her next studio album and she did just that with Bedtime Stories. It feels very graceful and thought out. It's often left out of the conversation, but it deserves its top 5 ranking.

    3. Confessions On A Dancefloor (2005)

    madonna wears a jumpsuit and heels and dances
    Warner Bros.

    At this point in the list, it's all about preference, as the top 3 are considered her best by many. This album showed the world that Madonna was still able to create acclaimed albums and incredible music. It's a must-listen.

    2. Ray Of Light (1998)

    madonna wears a silk shirt, hair curled, wind blowing
    Maverick / Warner Bros.

    This album helped in the push that put dance music in the forefront of pop music. Ray Of Light showed Madge evolving with the times, and pushing new sounds. She wasn't just keeping up with new sounds, she was paving the way for new artists. It's an electro-dance masterpiece.

    1. Like A Prayer (1989)

    close-up of madonna's hands on her jeans
    Sire / Warner Bros.

    Like A Prayer is a phenomenon. The final Madonna album of the '80s, it marked a turning point for the queen. It contains the iconic title track and a host of amazing deep cuts. It tells multiple stories and shines exceptionally bright in a discography full of gems!

    What are your top 5 Madonna albums? Let us know in the comments!

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