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Oh my goodness! What can I say about Madonna? It's hard to believe that she's going to be 50 years old this coming August 16. We should all look as fit and be as flexible when we get to her age. It's hard to believe that I was about eight years old when I first saw the music video for "Borderline." Yet, somehow she has managed to remain current, even as the industry continues to change. Critics didn't think she would be anything by a fad, a passing fancy. She has been a chameleon of the music industry. She has basically done what she said she'd do on her first appearance on American Bandstand, "rule the world."

When she started her career, she was a little chunky and was the nightmare of many of my friends' parents because of her provocative moves and wearing crucifixes on her clothes. She wanted to stir controversy right out of the gate and she accomplished that goal. Although I wasn't Catholic, I grew up in a small town in which the majority of the people were Catholic. Many of the people I grew up with were banned by their parents from listening to her music. My parents thought her music was too sexually charged for a preteen to listen to.

She didn't stop being controversial as she moved forward in her career. In 1989, she released the song "Like a Prayer." The video for the song was sharply criticized by the Catholic Church. It features her singing in front of burning crosses, the stigmata, and a statue of a black Jesus that comes to life and she has a love scene with. The video also have an assault scene in which the white assailant leaves the woman. A black man (the same man as the black Jesus) wants to help her; the police arrest him. So, in addition to criticizing the Church, the video was about racial inequality. No matter how you feel about the video though, the song was, in my opinion, one of the best songs she ever made.

The early 90s could only be described as the sex years. Every song, every video, everything centered on sex. She even released a sex book. The book even pictured popular supermodels in some of the spreads. In the midst of this time period, she managed to release some pretty good songs like "Rain." The 90s was also a time when Madonna managed to make a few decent movies. She was a cast member of the hit "A League of Their Own" and the critically-acclaimed musical "Evita." Madonna won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Eva Peron.

Motherhood again changed her focus. Ever since she's had her two children, she has produced music with undertones of spirituality at the same time as pretty poppy songs. Yet, every now and then, the old Madonna resurfaces, like the Britney Spears lip lock in 2003. Her current song with Justin Timberlake again proves that she can change with the times.

At a time when many people, including celebrities, are slowing down and thinking about retirement, Madonna is still going and making hits. Many musicians look dated amid the young performers, but somehow, she manages to stay current while remaining true to herself.

Learn more about this author, Cicely Richard.
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