When I say Madonna, what do you see? Is it the current “Madonna arms” Madonna? Is it 1990s Madonna wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra? Or perhaps “Like a Virgin”-era Madonna, with rosary and white lace gloves? Mole, or no mole? Maybe the Virgin Mary comes to mind, who knows.
For some reason I always think of Madonna, the pop star, in black and white. It could be because of the iconic self-titled album, but when I really think about it, the image can be attributed to her music videos. Approximately 15 per cent of Madonna’s videos have been monochromatic, with most of those songs being chart toppers. Perhaps other kids of the music video generation see her that way as well. Or maybe it’s because the Truth or Dare documentary was, for the most part, in black and white.
As a testament, here is a collection of monochromatic Madonna videos throughout the years.
Song: “Cherish”
Director: Herb Ritts
Year: 1989
Colours: Black and white
Song: “Oh Father”
Year: 1989
Director: David Fincher
Colours: Black and white
Song: “Vogue”
Director: David Fincher
Year: 1990
Colours: Black and white
Song: “Justify My Love”
Director: Jean-Baptiste Mondino
Year: 1990
Colours: Black and white
Song: “Secret”
Director: Melodie McDaniel
Year: 1994
Colours: Black and white
Song: “Erotica”
Director: Fabien Baron
Year: 1992
Colours: Black and white, sepia
Song: “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”
Director: Jean-Baptiste Mondino
Year: 1996
Colour: Sepia
Song: “Frozen”
Director: Chris Cunningham
Year: 1998
Colour: Blue
Song: “The Power of Goodbye”
Director: Matthew Rolston
Year: 1998
Colour: Blue
Song: “Girl Gone Wild”
Directors: Mert and Marcus
Year: 2012
Colours: Black and white
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