But, then, came something that proved that neither I, nor anyone else, should count Madonna out. That masterpiece of an album (with a couple of crap-tracks thrown in for egotistical purposes), Ray of Light, debuted in March of 1998 and Madonna became a musical force to be reckoned with again. Madonna, who had been labeled "over" in 1993, was relevant once more.
This time around though, the impact she left on pop culture had far more to do with her music, and soul, then it had to do with the rebel/sex goddess image the public once associated with her. They were calling her "the spiritual girl" now instead of "the material girl". The press was clamoring to know everything about what it was like for Madonna to be a mother, instead of what it was like for her to be our patron saint of "freedom of expression". Her fans were watching videos which had her barely showing any skin, and instead, were trying to present challenging, colorful, odd visuals ("Nothing Really Matters" anyone?) to represent her music. So, was this new version of Madonna genuine, or was it just an image makeover to make her album more accessible to the masses?


As it turned out, Madonna was far more genuine then she had ever been before in this newfound persona. While we'd once doubted her image changes (they did seem to conveniently change from one album to another didn't they?), this one seemed to be far more grounded and authentic. Her spiritual awakening which began its roots in 1996, finds itself just as pertinent in Madonna's life over ten years later. Here we are, in 2007, and Madonna is still a devoted student of the Kabbalah. The spiritual themes and messages in her Ray of Light album continued to be explored not only on future albums (take songs like "Paradise/Not For Me", "Intervention", and "Isaac" which respectively come from Music, American Life, and Confessions on a Dance Floor), but in her own personal actions (her fund-raising efforts for Spirituality For Kids and Raising Malawi).


For a person the public and fans once thought of as being perfectly happy not having the responsibility of children, and seeming relatively fine with being single---Madonna's commitment to being a good mother surprised many. Madonna even embraced marriage again, and went on to have two more children (one being infamously adopted from the nation of Malawi). Where did that girl go who once wrapped her almost-naked body with the American flag and had two flamboyant, homosexual dancers at her side in Daisy Duke shorts go to? Surely this same woman who is now married, a committed wife, and devoted mother couldn't be the same person right? Surely she was no longer any fun. Surely she was no longer rebellious and brave. Surely she was now simply boring, and all together just too odd/Euro/and spiritual for us to relate to.


But, you see, this is where Madonna proved me wrong. Didn't I get it? Madonna "had to change", she couldn't stay all her life "down at heel". She couldn't forever remain the East Village urchin who set out to conquer the world... no fears, no reservations... the ultimate warrior if you will. She couldn't forever remain the Virgin/pseudo-whore we all loved to be shocked by. She couldn't forever remain the True Blue gal that rocked stadiums across the world in 1987 we all flocked to see. She couldn't forever remain the Blond Ambition robo-goddess whose throned we all kneeled down to. She couldn't forever remain unstoppable. For the public, media, and some of her fans, Madonna had to be knocked down to the ground and reminded that she was just some trashy, no-talented girl from Detroit. Then, we could all rejoice and say, "See, we knew you couldn't rise from the ashes Madonna... you just simply aren't good enough for it. You've overstayed your welcome, and now, it's time for you to become a mess like all our other icons and die a tragic death." In other words, fuck you Madonna. Even though you became all of our fantasies in some shape or form, you're simply too damn good. And now, you're going to be punished for it.


But, Madonna did rise from the ashes... but it was different this time. She saw that fame, fortune, media attention, the world praising your every move... that all of that could change at any minute. And, in fact, that those things don't truly bring you happiness in the end. In fact, if you base your happiness on those things, you'd be surprised how miserable you become when they are all taken away from you.


A stable, committed, loving relationship where you and your partner care, respect, and nurture one another brings you happiness. A family can potentially bring you happiness. And, of course, a relationship with a higher power (God, Buddha, Shiva, whomever, or whatever, you wish to call your higher power) can bring you happiness. She found out that those parts of your soul that want to give love, and receive love... and the different shapes and forms which that can manifest itself into (e.g. family, children, a relationship, God, charity work, trying to speak truthfully, being considerate of the feelings of those around you, etc.)---that those are the things that truly make you happy in the end. If Madonna's fame, money, notoriety, success, accomplishments, etc. were to all of a sudden be taken away---and it was just Madonna solo, on her own, I don't think Madonna would feel like she had much. But, instead, Madonna now has a healed relationship with her father, a family, a sense of responsibility to do good in this world, and God. So, take away Madonna's superficial pop culture world, and Madonna still has something that gives her life meaning, direction, and happiness.

So you see, in the end, I think that's why I've remained a fan. As I've grown up my priorities have changed.