Since the 1980s, I've always been on Team Cyndi, and it bugged me that Madonna's star seemed to shine so much brighter. But now I see that Cyndi was playing an entirely different game.
I love both. However I’ve seen Cyndi several times. Pre pandemic she was touring with Rod Stewart What a show! Twice. I saw Madonna once about twenty years ago with 3 daughters. She was an hour late for her own show. Came on stage and never apologized. I still love both but would never see Madonna again…cause she is rude😂
I’ve always been a girl that wants to have fun instead of a material girl (even if I still like to Vogue at times) But with a five octive range, Cyndi just has talent oozing out of her pores. Thanks for the insight into my life in the 80’s.
As a non-creative, I loved reading your perspective on this and as a child of the 80’s I’m here for the “ cynical, bitter take on American culture” all.day.long. Your newsletters make my day! Always a great read.
OMG you read my mind. I always thought maybe I don't have a rich enough life because I too actually think about those two and remember their 80's kind of rivalry and evaluate where their careers are now. I was team Cyndi and you have spot on nailed it. I always thought that Cyndi hooking up with that wrestler Lou Albino tanked her career, and reading her book gave insight into her bad career moves. Now when I see Cindy on those psoriasis commercials they play all the time in the US I think she defines aging gracefully and with Madonna, she has just aged. And the Cyndi blues CD and dance CDs are great!!!
May 9, 2023Liked by Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen
As a kid in the 80s, I liked both but would've picked Madonna in a heartbeat if forced to choose. I didn't keep up w/ Cyndi. But Madonna's stuff...the most recent album I listen to is Immaculate Collection, which I guess means I retired her in the mid 90s.
Thank you for this article, well said. Even looking at Madonna vs Cyndi just from visual perspective. You can see and feel who is the real artist expressing their inner "child", playfulness and happiness. I would always go with the "uncool, weird" and artistic people over a luxury branded diva. It just feels different and makes you want to have fun. But I have a different respect for Madonna as well - more in the brand & business field. Just lack the feeling of joy in most of her music and therefore there will be always Cyndi on my playlist and rarely Madonna.
I loved Madonna as a brand. The message I got from her Erotica and Bedtime Stories eras specifically, was that misogyny was a means to control behavior and a projection of insecurity. She said, “I’ll be the slut you already think I am.” It was difficult (and still is) to have a pop persona then explore mature issues. She did that and went far beyond. I also loved how she reinvented herself, her sound, her look, for each album. Her versatility was unmatched.
I didn’t follow Cyndi’s career and only learned much later what contributions she’s made the whole time. Cyndi was just a different type of artist to me. Madonna made more impact.
I really thought after Madonna's 1998 release, "Ray of Light," that she had turned the curve... that she was growing with me. This was short lived though. I still admire both Madonna and Cyndi... just in different ways.
There was never a Madonna vs Cyndi face-off or anything of the kind .. not by MTV or the record companies or the artists themselves. They have both contributed enormously artistically and as well as to the LGBTQ community and other social causes. Nothing and no one is served by pitting them against each other in this fashion.
I have always been Cindi all the way. She is a variety of talent and always shines. A true work of art…
I love both. However I’ve seen Cyndi several times. Pre pandemic she was touring with Rod Stewart What a show! Twice. I saw Madonna once about twenty years ago with 3 daughters. She was an hour late for her own show. Came on stage and never apologized. I still love both but would never see Madonna again…cause she is rude😂
I’ve always been a girl that wants to have fun instead of a material girl (even if I still like to Vogue at times) But with a five octive range, Cyndi just has talent oozing out of her pores. Thanks for the insight into my life in the 80’s.
Great fun to read this and such a great insight into creativity, thank you! x
Well said! Traveling as you do, to me seems to be artistic too. In the creative way you write and incorporate photography.
As a non-creative, I loved reading your perspective on this and as a child of the 80’s I’m here for the “ cynical, bitter take on American culture” all.day.long. Your newsletters make my day! Always a great read.
This was not only a great read, but an interesting analogy to any creative person’s own path!
OMG you read my mind. I always thought maybe I don't have a rich enough life because I too actually think about those two and remember their 80's kind of rivalry and evaluate where their careers are now. I was team Cyndi and you have spot on nailed it. I always thought that Cyndi hooking up with that wrestler Lou Albino tanked her career, and reading her book gave insight into her bad career moves. Now when I see Cindy on those psoriasis commercials they play all the time in the US I think she defines aging gracefully and with Madonna, she has just aged. And the Cyndi blues CD and dance CDs are great!!!
As a kid in the 80s, I liked both but would've picked Madonna in a heartbeat if forced to choose. I didn't keep up w/ Cyndi. But Madonna's stuff...the most recent album I listen to is Immaculate Collection, which I guess means I retired her in the mid 90s.
Thank you for this article, well said. Even looking at Madonna vs Cyndi just from visual perspective. You can see and feel who is the real artist expressing their inner "child", playfulness and happiness. I would always go with the "uncool, weird" and artistic people over a luxury branded diva. It just feels different and makes you want to have fun. But I have a different respect for Madonna as well - more in the brand & business field. Just lack the feeling of joy in most of her music and therefore there will be always Cyndi on my playlist and rarely Madonna.
I loved Madonna as a brand. The message I got from her Erotica and Bedtime Stories eras specifically, was that misogyny was a means to control behavior and a projection of insecurity. She said, “I’ll be the slut you already think I am.” It was difficult (and still is) to have a pop persona then explore mature issues. She did that and went far beyond. I also loved how she reinvented herself, her sound, her look, for each album. Her versatility was unmatched.
I didn’t follow Cyndi’s career and only learned much later what contributions she’s made the whole time. Cyndi was just a different type of artist to me. Madonna made more impact.
Love this article thank you
Team cyndi Forever Great artist ilove cyndi from italy♥️♥️
I really thought after Madonna's 1998 release, "Ray of Light," that she had turned the curve... that she was growing with me. This was short lived though. I still admire both Madonna and Cyndi... just in different ways.
There was never a Madonna vs Cyndi face-off or anything of the kind .. not by MTV or the record companies or the artists themselves. They have both contributed enormously artistically and as well as to the LGBTQ community and other social causes. Nothing and no one is served by pitting them against each other in this fashion.