Madonna isn’t called the Queen of Pop for no reason: she has been THE entertainer since the 80s.

We scoured through footage from her live performances over the last 40 years and compiled the best ones (in no particular order) in celebration of her birthday today (August 16).

Take a look below:

• Like A Prayer

  Ask me about Madonna’s 8-minute “Like a Prayer” from the Blonde Ambition tour https://t.co/eNS1vOov95 pic.twitter.com/NWH4LnswGa

  — Tyler Ruggeri (@t_ruggeri) June 29, 2023

  Complete with crosses and nuns, this high-energy performance took place during her Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990.

• Vogue

  Madonna went full-on Marie Antoinette at the 1990 MTV VMA’s. We love the theatrics with the fans.

• Sooner Or Later

  .Madonna performs Best Original Song Winner "Sooner Or Later", Oscars 1991. pic.twitter.com/0EFRwnLbor

  — ★ (@eroticonna) August 15, 2022

  During the 1991 Oscars, the song won the award for Best Original Song. Madonna attended the ceremony with Michael Jackson as her date and performed “Sooner or Later” in a look inspired by Marilyn Monroe.

• Music

  Madonna was joined by The Tonight Show‘s Jimmy Fallon and The Roots in 2022 to play “Music” using classroom instruments.

• Ghosttown

  No thoughts just Madonna and Taylor Swift performing Ghosttown pic.twitter.com/uU86Ngra3o

  — taylor swift videos (@taylorclipes) August 8, 2022

  In a televised performance of “Ghosttown” in 2015, Madonna was supported by Taylor Swift on guitar.

• Into The Groove

  This classic performance from Madonna took place during her 1990 The Blond Ambition World Tour, her third concert featuring her fourth studio album Like a Prayer.

• La Isla Bonita

  Madonna showed off her savvy footwork and put on her dancing shows for this performance during her 2006 during The Confessions Tour.

• Express Yourself / Deeper and Deeper

  Joined by two other women with big hair, Madonna got “into the groove” during her 1993 The Girlie Show.

• Crazy For You

  At 27 years old, Madonna performed “Crazy For You” during her debut concert, The Virgin Tour.

• The Power Of Good-Bye

  We absolutely love gothic Madonna, performing on France’s TF1 in 1998.

• Live To Tell

  Madonna brought the drama from the 80s in 1987 during The Who’s That Girl World Tour.

• Frozen

  Combining inspiration from Japan’s culture, she performed “Frozen” during 2001’s Drowned World Tour.

• Dress You Up

  The energy and costumes for Madonna’s debut tour are unmatched. This is from 1985’s The Virgin Tour.

• Sorry

  During the 2006 Confessions Tour, Madonna had a cage-like structure that her dancers climbed upon.

• Hung Up

  In 2006, Madonna performed the dance hit “Hung Up” with a little help from Gorillaz during the Grammys.

• Holiday

  Madonna performed this classic on 1980’s variety show Solid Gold.

• Ray Of Light

  Name a more 2000’s performance than this, we dare you. Performed in Michigan during her 2001 Drowned World Tour.

• Billie Jean/Like A Virgin

  The Queen of Pop took the King of Pop’s “Billie Jean” and mashed it up with “Like A Virgin” in 1985 during The Virgin Tour.

• Candy Shop

  5 years after 50 Cent released “Candy Shop,” Madonna released her own version and her sugar is raw. Performed during her 2008-2009 Sticky & Sweet Tour.

• Celebration / Give It 2 Me

  During her 2012 MDNA tour, Madonna proved she’s still a powerhouse entertainer while performing her hit, “Celebration” in Miami.

• Paradise (Not For Me)

  In a moving acoustic set accompanied by her friend Isaac, Madonna’s voice sends chills down our spine. From her 2006 Confessions Tour.

• Gambler

  In another great live performance from her 1985 The Virgin Tour in Detroit, Madonna incorporates a big fan to show she’s a superstar.

• Give It 2 Me

  During her 2008-2009 Sticky & Sweet Tour, Madonna keeps the dance hits going strong in this electrifying dance mix version of the song.

• Papa Don't Preach

  While “robbing” one of her dancers knocked out cold in a bit during her 2012 MDNA tour, Madonna drops their chain into her cleavage and stuffs dollar bills in their mouth.

• True Blue

  In 2015, during her Rebel Heart Tour, Madonna whipped out the ukulele for a rare performance of “True Blue.”

Sign me up for the 105.7 WROR email newsletter!

Make sure you're in the know on the latest music and entertainment news, plus exclusive prizes, trips, and more!

First Name *

Last Name

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.