Top 10 Madonna Videos

Listing the top 10 Madonna videos is a guaranteed way to start an argument. As one of pop music's most beloved artists with more than a few iconic videos under her belt, it seems everyone has a different favorite. Of course, no matter if you like early Madonna, or new millenium Madge, there's really no wrong choice. So check out our top 10 Madonna videos and let us know what would make your list below.

10. 'Material Girl'
Maybe the video for 'Material Girl' would be higher on our list if it was an original concept, but her homage to Marilyn Monroe is a classic nonetheless. Inspired by her admiration of Norma Jean, 'Material Girl' is actually Madonna's adaptation of the actress' performance of 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend,' from the movie 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.' It's also one of the earliest examples of Madonna's acting ability, with a storyline that includes actor Keith Carradine as her potential suitor.



9. 'Open Your Heart'
An early example of Madonna's infusion of her Italian-American heritage into her videos, the video for 'Open Your Heart' is also one of her most stylized. Set in a peep show where Madonna is the main attraction, she is seen dancing for men who are circled around her in cubicles. She rebuffs them all for the companionship of a young boy. Eventually we see Madge and the boy stroll off into the sunset in a scene reminscent of Charlie Chaplin's 'The Kid.' Despite this ending, 'Open Your Heart' continues to divide feminist theorists who argue it is both empowering and demeaning to women.



8. 'Take a Bow'
'Take a Bow' was Madonna's longest-running No. 1 single in the US and her last of the 1990s. The accompanying period-piece video won her the Best Female Video honors at the 1995 VMAs. Featuring real-life bullfighter Emilio Munoz, Madonna chose a Spanish theme as part of her campaign to lobby for the role of Eva Peron in the film version of 'Evita.' Using 'Take a Bow' as her audition, Madonna landed the role and the video is now one of her 10 best.



7. 'Vogue'
The spot for 'Vogue' started a modern dance revolution and is widely recognized as one of the best videos of all time. Filmed in black-and-white, this Art Deco-inspired video drew criticism for scenes where Madonna's nipple was visible through her blouse. She refused to take it out, and MTV still aired it. It would later be bestowed with nine VMA nominations -- the most of her career.



6. 'Frozen'
While 'Frozen' was a late hit for Madonna, it showed some of her greatest range, both in songwriting and its accompanying video. Set in the desert, and stylized in a gothic blue tint throughout, this Chris Cunningham-directed clip makes our list of the best Madonna videos because of it's use of special effects. Dressed in black gowns designed by Olivier Theyskens, we see Madonna shape-shifting into different animals, including crows and a dog.



5. 'Human Nature'
No. 5 on our top 10 Madonna videos list, 'Human Nature' was actually written in response to the public reaction (and backlash) to the singer's previous album, 'Erotica,' and her coffee table book, 'Sex.' Ironically, she chose black leather outfits to symbolize the "constrictions of our society," and in the end created an homage to S&M comic artist Eric Stanton. Recognized for its choreography, Madonna's costume from this video is now on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.



4. 'Like a Virgin'
The video for 'Like a Virgin' may seem tame when compared to the topic of this career-launching song. However, this Brooklyn-to-Venice classic is strewn with sexual references amid Madonna's walk through the Italian city, embodying the essence of a virgin while wearing a cross around her neck. Forget what it implies though, it features some of her best choreography -- and a lion. And any video with a lion usually makes our top 10 lists.



3. 'Like a Prayer'
Madonna's most controversial video is also one of her best. 'Like a Prayer' ruffled a lot of feathers for it's questionable use of Catholic iconography. While this was not uncommon for her videos, Madonna took it to new levels with scenes depicting stigmata, cross burning and kissing a Saint resembling a black version of Jesus. Viewed out of context, the negative reaction seems understandable, but when used to illustrate the powerful story behind the video, it's easy to see why 'Like a Prayer' is one of Madonna's best.



2. 'Justify My Love'
'Justify My Love' was banned by MTV and in turn became Madonna's first-ever 'VHS single.' Imagery of sadomasochism, voyeurism and bisexuality led to the pass from the cable station; a banning Madonna called hypocritical, citing her own 'Vogue,' which was permissible despite the aforementioned visible nipple, as evidence. She probably wasn't angry for long though, as the controversy pushed it to two weeks as the No. 1 US single in early 1991.



1. 'Express Yourself'
Many could sit atop the list of Madonna's top 10 videos, but it's hard to think of a more iconic video than her clip for 'Express Yourself.' Directed by David Fincher, this 1989 classic cost over $5M to make and was, at the time, the most expensive music video in history. It still stands as the third most expensive, but it's No. 1 on our list of the best Madonna videos.