What are you lookin' at?

...YOU, Madonna! We're looking at you. Madonna has always been one of my favorite artists, and this infectious track was a great way to kick-start her 90s career, and finish her 80s career. In the 1980s, Madonna had conquered the world, something she set out to do with the first record. After her immensely successful records including Madonna, Like a Virgin, True Blue, and Like a Prayer, three million-dollar grossing tours, and a string of movies, the world was ready and anxiously waiting what the newest form or Madonna would be. However, before the world experienced the over-sexed version of Madonna, she had to finish what she started.

She did so with 1990's Vogue.

Paying tribute to film and dance stars of the 1940s and 50s, Madonna changed the face of her career forever. She has done this a couple of times. There are those special handful of Madonna tracks that everyone knows. Holiday, Material Girl, and Like a Virgin come to mind. This was another one that everyone will remember-- the one that brought voguing to the mainstream.

The production is very dated, honestly. I mean...it was the early 1990s. Nothing was established yet, but Madonna was still making records, turning out hit after hit. This song more of less defined pop music in the early nineties. Her voice is very mediocre on it, and the beats sound hollow. Nevertheless, it's hard not to tap your foot, dance, and sing all with such an upbeat song about being as amazing as you think you are.

Voguing is a dance style involving exaggerated modelesque posing, extreme arm movements, and speed. Invented in the 1980s in gay discotheques, Madonna capitalized on this dance craze in her 1990 video for the track, as well as on her Blond Ambition Tour, Girlie Show, and Re-invention Tour.

This single has four tracks, all of which are remixes of the title song. We have:

The 12" Version
This version of the song is just an extended version, as are most 12" Versions. While the track is much longer than the original, no remixing has been done to the track. It's essentially just for clubs and parties.

A+ 100%

The Bette Davis Dub
Now, first off, a dub is a reworking/retooling of a song to include more instrumentals than verses/choruses. This dub sounds exactly like the original, keeping the opening of the album version in tact. This dub contains sparse choruses and the famous bridge were Madonna lists her favorite film stars-- the ones who originally vogued.

A 94%

The Single Version
This version of Vogue is just a radio edit. It removes the slow paced opening involving snaps and drum machines. Instead, you start out with the main music and Madonna speaking those famous words, "What are you lookin' at? Vogue!" It clocks in at around 4:24, a big cut from the album version. Honestly, without that long introduction, some of the atmosphere is lost.

A- 90%

The Strike-A-Pose Dub
This is one true remix on the single. While it sounds overly dated, it's still worth a good thing. The lyrics are cut-and-pasted phrases of Madonna saying things like "Vogue," "Attitude," "Beauty's where you find it." It's actually a little funny to listen. It's difficult to take it seriously.

B+ 88%

Overall: A- 93%

Well worth the money!