MADONNA FRIDAY: GAMBLER

The oft forgotten OTHER song from the Vision Quest Soundtrack, Gambler was the second single released from the movie by Madonna, after Crazy for You. The song was never released as a single in the US, but the video was released to MTV to promote the film and Madonna performed it on her Virgin Tour, which is the video I included in this post. The song was written by Madonna herself and produced by John "Jellybean" Benitez, her frequent collaborator and sometimes boyfriend at that time. The song WAS released in other countries and was a top 10 hit in the UK (#4), Australia (#10), Ireland and Italy (#3) and other territories. Why wasn't Gambler released in the US at the height of the Madonna mania you ask? Well, Madonna was under contract with Warner's Sire label and the soundtrack was under Geffen records. While Crazy for You was allowed to be released by Sire, they asked that Gambler be held back in the US so as not to interfere with singles from her then-current Like a Virgin album. And that, my friends, is how the music industry works sometimes. I know I listened to the shiz out of this song on my little cassette player. Anyway, here is a forgotten classic by the one and only Madonna, Gambler. Enjoy your Madonna Friday!

FORGOTTEN CLASSIC: I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU - TAYLOR DAYNE

Taylor Dayne can sing!! That is undeniable. The native New Yorker had a slew of hits in the 80s and early 90s and then..poof..she was gone. Some of her most memorable hits were Tell It To My Heart, Prove Your Love and the #1 song Love Will Lead You Back. One of MY personal faves of Taylor though was the one that most people seem to forget, the #3 hit from 1988, I'll Always Love You. The third single off her debut album, Tell It To My Heart, I'll Always Love You is a quintessential 80s ballad; simple, moving with a great hook. And that VOICE!! I mean, Taylor Dayne had one of the most recognizable, strong voices in pop music. While her pop fame declined, she has consistently charted on the dance charts and kept her career going, even appearing in Aida on Broadway for a time. If you watch for her, you can find Taylor touring every now and again. When you do, you will probably hear this gem coming from her magnificent trap. Here is the oft forgotten classic, I'll Always Love You. Check out that hair!!!

FORGOTTEN CLASSICS: CYNDI LAUPER - BALLAD OF CLEO & JOE

Cyndi Lauper is one of the most underrated artists of all time. After her initial shot to fame with her amazing debut album, 1984's She's So Unusual, Cyndi scored about three for more ten hits and faded away from the pop mainstream. She has continued to consistently put out excellent music throughout her stellar career and this is no exception. From her 1997 album Sisters of Avalon, The Ballad of Cleo and Joe is a foot-stomping, dance club number and an ode to one of Cyndi's biggest supporters: Drag Queens!! The song takes us on the journey of a "working boy" named Joe who transitions at night to a "dancing queen" named Cleo. The song was ahead of its time and pure Cyndi. I adore it. The video, shot only to be shown in clubs, was filmed while Cyndi was about 300 months pregnant, and she uses her belly to great effect. Watch, learn and enjoy the excellent The Ballad of Cleo and Joe. Go, Cyndi!