Madonna and daughter dine in Ann Arbor restaurant Cafe Felix

Now that Madonna's daughter is a student at the University of Michigan, sightings of the pop icon around Ann Arbor are inevitable.

Sunday, Madonna and her daughter, Lourdes Ciccone Leon, were spotted dining at Café Felix in Ann Arbor.

The seven-time Grammy winner came in shortly before the dinner rush Sunday and stayed for about an hour, according to David Ambrose, the bar manager at the restaurant at 204 S. Main St.

“She was delightful. She was really low key about it,” Ambrose said.

Madonna was joined by her daughter and a couple other guests who sat in a back booth of the restaurant. Ambrose said the staff was aware Madonna was there, but went out of their way to not draw any attention to the table.

'Heartbreak City' & 'Two Steps Behind Me'

Madonna has reportedly laid into Lady Gaga and ex-hubbie Guy Ritchie in songs which could end up on her new album.

Leaked lyrics from the track Heartbreak City allegedly slam Ritchie for:

"Getting what [he] came for, a bit of fame and fortune, and I’m no longer needed."

Though the lyrics have yet to be confirmed, multiple news sources corroborated that the song seemed to call out Ritchie. And, although Ritchie is not named, the lyrics seem very much from the heart.

While Gaga, who has praised Madonna as a major influence on her work, is the apparent target in the song Two Steps Behind Me, in which Madge sings: 

“You’re a copycat, where is my royalty? Did you study me hard enough? You're never gonna be, you're just a wannabe me. Like a sister all messed-up, who's gonna help you out? In your fantasy, you can try it all. But you can't be me.

'You can walk the walk, even talk the talk. But you'll always be two steps behind me.”

The both songs were recorded with Avicii, but that no final tracklist for the album has yet been decided. More than one track on the album is about the ending of their three year relationship which left Madonna more vulnerable than most people might think.

Neither track may actually end up on the new album, but the lyrics show that The Queen of pop, who celebrated her 56th birthday earlier this month, has not lost her touch.

After originally finding fame in the '80s with hits like Papa Don't Preach and True Blue, Madonna has gone on to have hits across four decades, establishing herself as one of the biggest musical icons of all time.

Madonna Revamps Her Website For A New Album?

For the past few months, we’ve been hearing about all of the work that Madonna has been doing in the recording studio with various songwriters and producers. Altho we have yet to hear official confirmation that Madonna is nearing completion of her project, it seems more and more likely that she is getting ready to announce … something. Yesterday, Madonna‘s official website was updated with new images and a new logo that seems to suggest that a new era of music is close at hand.

At this point, the biggest change to Madonna‘s site is this new logo. If I remember correctly, the last time Madonna released a new album, she started making small changes to her official website shortly before the official announcement was made. Now, I could be jumping the gun here but I’ve been hoping that Madonna is planning to drop her new album before the year is over. We shall see. For now, we ponder what that backwards N in her new logo means. HMMM

I'll Remember...1985

MashUp

I'll Remember...1991

I'll Remember...1995

“And lots of available drugs!” Madge throwing shade before shade was a thing.

In honor of tonight’s VMAs, let’s pay tribute to one of the greatest moments in VMA history. Before STUNT QUEEN bitches pulled some stunts that they choreographed and planned with the help of several publicists and producers (see: Miley Cyrus rubbing her cold chicken ass on Robin Thicke’s douche stick at the VMAs and Beyonce letting it be known that she was carrying the chosen one at the VMAs), natural messes naturally and spontaneously pulled stunts for attention. Every time the VMAs rolls around, my mind automatically burps up the beautiful moment between Courtney Love and Madge. It was a beautiful moment, because it obviously wasn’t planned and magic happened when those two wrecks got together.

What do you think?

In 1995, Madge was still kind of fun and she only had a twig up her ass instead of a stick. And in 1995, Courtney Love was a human crack pipe in toddler lingerie and a dishwater, raggedy blonde mop that looked like Benji with mange (and she still is, actually). After Courtney tried to knock Madge out with her compact, Kurt Loder invited her up on the stage and gloriousness happened when Madge dragged and shit on her with just a few words.

I always wonder what happened to that compact. Courtney probably snorted it up later that night. But it should really be in the Smithsonian because it’s a big part of music history!

For the Record...Don't Tell Me

Release Date: 

Hot 100 Chart Peak: 4

More ranch-hand glitch-hop from Music, except this time Madonna’s a lonesome troubadour defending her very being while invoking some tried-and-true country music imagery. The whole whirs and gyrates like a lasso, and it’s an unmistakable radio moment of the early 2000s.  

"Don't Tell Me" was the second single from the "Music" album and was co-written by Madonna's brother-in-law, recording artist Joe Henry. He would later release his own version of the track, re-titled "Stop," on his 2001 album "Scar."  Henry played the demo for his wife and she said, "You know, I can really hear Madonna singing this song. You should send it to her, you know, she's making a record in London right now." However, he claimed, "If I was going to pitch something to her, I could probably dig something up, but it certainly wouldn't be this." 

Later, his wife sent Madonna a copy of the demo, but it was so musically different from the record she was making that she didn't know how she could make any use out of it. After some time, he was talking to Madonna on the phone and she asked to rearrange the track to fit in better with the album, recording the song months later. Henry claimed in an interview that he was surprised that, lyrically, it remained completely intact.

Diplo on New Madonna Album

Diplo is one of the most in-demand producers on the planet. Who else but the 35-year-old DJ could knock out "four or five" songs for Usher's next album in a week's time, work on new tunes with both Ty Dolla Sign and Lorde and gather 30 new tracks for Major Lazer's upcoming release without breaking a sweat? In his new Billboard cover story (out Aug. 22), the star DJ sheds some light on much-anticipated music he's working on as well as collaborating with Her Madgesty herself. Here are five details we learned about Diplo's high-power collaboration with Madonna on her follow-up to 2012's MDNA:


1. Diplo has joined Madonna for three studio sessions so far, and the alcohol was flowing on one night: They connected in New York and he's clearly excited about how the recording went. "One [song] is super weird," Diplo says. "Late one night in the studio we got a little bit drunk and she improvised a little hook and we made a song out of it. I think it’s going to be a breakthrough if she can manage to get everything together and get it out properly."

2. What does Madonna drink when she gets drunk in the studio? Rosé. "It was nice," says Diplo. "I don't think she really drinks, either.

3. Ariel Rechtshaid and MNEK are also involved. Rechtshaid, who has collaborated with Vampire Weekend and Sky Ferreira, and MNEK, the London songwriter who worked on Disclosure's album, have gone into the studio to work out the verses of a song that Madonna has taken a shine to. Rechtshaid has joined Diplo and Madonna for their studio sessions.

4. Madonna invited Diplo to her Oscar party… but he couldn't make it. Still, the pair began texting, and Diplo sent Madonna over some music. Madge took the production more seriously than Diplo could have imagined. "She wrote me back like a 20-page text, notes about all these songs," he says -- and a collaboration was underway.

5. One of the in-the-works Madonna tracks has unwittingly evolved into a big pop record. "That song is on like version 20," Diplo says of the as-yet-untitled track. "It went from a piano ballad to a 'Turn Down for What'-style song, which I didn’t like. Now it’s somewhere in the middle."

For a larger peak inside the wild world of Diplo -- from the dollar-sign details of his empire to his Katy Perry connection -- read Billboard's full cover story out Friday, Aug. 22.

Source

Strike a Pose...2012

Eve – The Beat Is So Crazy Ft. Madonna & Pharrell

Eve fans have something to celebrate today, unheard music from the Philly native. E-V-E has been pretty quiet musically so it’s nice to hear her on wax again even if the song is from 2007. “The Beat Is So Crazy,” was originally a Madonna track that the singer recorded and then sold to Eve. Pharrell is also featuring on the track. Listen below.

Share this:

Happy 56th Birthday Madonna!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADONNA!

All 16 of the Icons Name-Dropped in Madonna’s “Vogue” Are Now Gone

An odd bit of trivia about the passing of Lauren Bacall on Tuesday: As Marci Robin pointed out on Twitter, all 16 of the 20^th-century stars immortalized in Madonna's “Vogue” are now dead. The famous black-and-white music video, directed by David Fincher, is an homage to the golden age of Hollywood.

The song came out in March of 1990; Greta Garbo died just a month later. (James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and others had already gone, of course.) Bacall, 24 years on, was the final one.  The song was a tribute, of course, to a certain kind of old-fashioned glamour. With Bacall gone, that flame has just about burned out. 

Greta Garbo (April 15, 1990)

Marilyn Monroe (Aug. 5, 1962)

Marlene Dietrich (May 6, 1992)

Joe DiMaggio (March 8, 1999)

Marlon Brando (July 1, 2004)

James Dean (Sept. 30, 1955)

Grace Kelly (Sept. 14, 1982)

Jean Harlow (June 7, 1937)

Gene Kelly (Feb. 2, 1996)

Fred Astaire (June 2, 1987)

Ginger Rogers (April 25, 1995)

Rita Hayworth (May 14, 1987)

Lauren Bacall (Aug. 12, 2014)

Katharine Hepburn (June 29, 2003)

Lana Turner (June 29, 1995)

Bette Davis (Oct. 6, 1989)​

Strike a Pose...1995

Strike a Pose...1991

Strike a Pose...1991

For the Record...Keep It Together

Released as the sixth and final single from the 'Like a Prayer' album on January 30, 1990; "Keep It Together" was initially planned to carry with it a previously unreleased b-side. The b-side in question? "Vogue." Luckily, that anthem would go on to have its own single release. Instead, "Keep It Together" set sail on its own -- without a sexy b-side to spice up sales. In the United States, "Keep It Together" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 56, on the issue dated February 3, 1990. The next week, "Keep It Together" jumped to number 41, becoming one of the greatest gaining songs. It eventually peaked at number eight on the Hot 100, on the issue dated March 31, 1990.  Its redux was reminiscent of the then-popular track "Back to Life" by Soul II Soul.  In Australia, it was released as the B-side of "Vogue", while it was not released in the United Kingdom at all, where "Dear Jessie" served as the album's final single.

Strike a pose...1995

Demo - Ariosa

Recorded by Madonna with William Orbit, this is the song from where 'Wonderland' comes. Wonderland, a 47 second song used for a short lived TV series from 1999. Orbit later posted a longer 59 second version on his website which credits Rupert Everett as a co-vocalist. Madonna is heard humming throughout the clip. The humming was later used on the Music album track, “Amazing.” The humming can be heard more prominently in the demo instrumentals. This short clip of 'Wonderland' actually comes from an unreleased song titled 'Ariosa'. Recorded during 1999 in the 'Music' Sessions.

"Everyone’s a know-it-all / But will they be there / To catch me when I fall?"
"Everyone’s a specialist
On where I’ve been
Or who I’ve kissed
Choices I should make
The lovers I should take…”

I'll Remember...1990

I'll Remember...2012

I'll Remember...2000

Lets Hope Not!

Madonna Teases Miley Cyrus Collaboration?
In the latest teaser for the project, Madge posted some lyrics on Tuesday for a song that might be titled Rebel Heart and in the post she tagged both Mi-Cy and another rumoured collaborator, Cyrus-affilated songwriter MoZella. That’s a pretty strong hint that they’re working together but the twerkin’ 21-year-old basically confirmed it by replying to the post with a cheeky selfie.

Brace yourself for another intergenerational duet on Madonna‘s new album. 

The unlikely duo joined forces for Miley’s MTV Unplugged special earlier this year, so it’s not that surprising that they would work together again. Particularly given Madonna’s penchant for collaborating with much younger artists to remain relevant. (In her defense, everyone in the game is much younger at this stage). See the Queen of pop’s lyrics and her potential duet partner’s reply after the jump.

Smart or desperate? You be the judge in the comments below.

The Rain Tapes

Strike a Pose...1989

Madonna's new album: What we know so far

It's been two years since Madonna's chart-topping 12th studio album MDNA, but if you've been following the Queen of Pop on Instagram, you will be more than aware that she is currently working on the follow-up.

There's always been an air rife with anticipation when it comes to a new Madonna album. During her 31-year career she has kept her multi-generational fanbase second guessing what she's going to do next.

Let's take a look at some of the hints we have so far for album number 13, which include biblical references, numerous super producers and the prospect of some truly pop-tastic collaborations.

What's it going to sound like?
Since Madonna discovered Instagram, we've been teased with a multitude of 15-second clips from the studio. We know that she has recorded with a full orchestra, as well as the London Community Gospel Choir. Madonna has always put the orchestral side of pop to good use (see 'Like A Prayer' and the intro to 'Sorry'), so we could be in for some more rolling-around-in-a-church moments on the next record.

Test your knowledge of Madonna’s music with our ‘Guess which lyric comes next’ quiz

Madonna. Icon. Superstar. Material Girl.

She has worked with some of the biggest names in pop, and has 12 studio albums to her name.

Sure, most people can sing along to Like A Prayer if it came on the radio, but be honest, not many people know the lyrics further than the first chorus. Go on, try and sing the first verse now (in your head obviously – don’t embarrass yourself). Hard to recall the words, right?

If you managed to get the lyrics word-for-word then well done you, but what about some of Madge’s later tracks? Hung Up? Turn Up The Radio? Give It To Me?

Reckon you know them all? Then this quiz is for you.

The rules are simple: guess which lyric comes next. Good luck!

Take the Quiz!

Madonna Re-Records An '80s Classic for Diplo

 

In news that's sure to make all of Madonna's past producers jealous, Diplo just revealed he got Madonna to re-record the vocals to one of her '80s classics in the midst of working on her upcoming album. Even cooler? She changed the lyrics to sing about him. Yes, Diplo is one of the luckiest people on the planet.

Madge sang new vocals for the "True Blue" single "La Isla Bonita," changing the lyrics to, "Last night I dreamt of Major Lazer" (which is one of Diplo's side projects). Diplo showed off the recording on an episode of the British series "Superstar DJs," which premieres tomorrow on BBC's Channel 4.

When he plays the track for host Annie Mac, she understandably loses it. Apparently being a "slave driver" while working on her new album is the best way to win her respect. 

Diplo isn't the only one manning the boards on Madge's latest. She also hit the studio with Avicii back in March, which means her brand of dance-pop might be taking an EDM turn on her upcoming record.