Madonna ~ the best five album "lead off" singles...

Ooo, it sort of feels like Madonna day as the world holds it breath for her new single to "drop" (which it may have done by the time you read this, in which case do you like it?) This got me thinking about previous Madonna singles that launched her albums and which were the best. This is what I came up with - though you are likely to have your own opinions. Do share :) But be nice. I'm not your bitch (don't hang your shit on me, etc)... :D

• 5 ~ American Life (first single from American Life): It's an odd choice for some, but there is something I really love about this song. And that something was the rap/quasi-rap/spoken middle 8 - whatever you want to call it. Even to this day, I can recite it verbatim at the drop of a hat. The rest of the song is a somewhat subdued Madonna, but those glorious opening fuzzy synths & the first verse detailing her career never fail to absolutely hook me in each time.
• 4 ~ Like A Virgin (first single from Like A Virgin): ooo this caused such a stir in Mormon households when it was released. It was on the "frowned upon" music list, which only made it more enticing to me. A glorious celebration of love and sex, yet it all sounded so innocent. 28 years old and still as catchy & playful as ever...
• 3 ~ Hung Up (first single from Confessions...): Sigh. Dreamy retro meets modern disco classic. I don't know whether it was the Abba sample or the comical telephone box commercial ("Biggie! Nooooo!") or the fact that it seemed to me to be the most perfect Madonna single in years. Brilliantly performed, expertly executed - it's one for the ages and definitely in my top 10 Madonna songs ever. 1-888-CONFESS...
• 2 ~ Vogue (first single from I'm Breathless): It was a little at odds with the rest of the album/soundtrack (which I still love. I'm Going Bananas? Genius!) but there was no denying it was a true zeitgeist moment for the Queen of Pop. She took something "underground" and made it truly mainstream. It sounded utterly glorious and her MTV performance of it is still one of my fave Madonna performances ever.
• 1 ~ Like A Prayer (first single from Like A Prayer): Not just my fave "first single from album" song, but my favourite Madonna song ever (my 2nd fave is Take A Bow) & one of my fave pop songs ever. The electric guitar, the choral vocals, pure pop vocal from Madonna, the handclaps, the video, the iconic imagery? What is not to love?! BRILLIANT x a million.