As I’ve said before, Madonna did not write her biggest hits. Others did.
So if you were hoping to hear “Like a Virgin,” “Material World,” “Borderline,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” and so on, the Celebration tour is not the place for you.
Tonight at London’s O2 Arena Madonna debuted her set list and guess what’s missing? All of those songs.
That’s because she would have had to pay license fees to perform them. Believe me, the songwriters could have been thrilled. But the budget — and maybe ego — doesn’t allow it.
She does sing Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” Why, for god’s sake? She must have gotten a good deal on it.
But “Express Yourself”? “Cherish?” “Frozen”? “Who’s That Girl?” “Beautiful Stranger”? Play ’em at home!