Once Upon a Time in the Top Spot: Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor

Nine years ago today, Madonna’s tenth studio release debuted at the top of the UK Albums Chart, making it her ninth chart-topper across the pond and her fifth in a row.

The critical reception to Madonna’s previous studio album, 2003’s American Life, was predominantly less than positive: the majority of critics viewed it as a well-intentioned attempt to expand into new territory that didn’t entirely succeed. This may or may not have had anything to do with the decision to get back to more familiar ground – as we all know, Madonna’s gonna do what Madonna’s gonna do, no matter what anyone else says – but whatever her reasons for delivering a full-fledged dance floor spectacular, the end result was well received by both critics and the record-buying public.

Confessions on a Dance Floor hit #1 in 40 countries, resulting in its inclusion in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records as the album that had topped the charts in the most countries. In addition, the single “Hung Up” became a massive hit, giving her the 36th top-10 single of her career in the US, tying her with Elvis Presley. While later singles “Sorry,” “Get Together,” and “Jump” failed to match their predecessor’s success in America – only “Sorry” found its way into the Billboard Hot 100, and it topped out at #58 – they were all pretty huge overseas, with “Sorry” topping the UK charts and both “Get Together” and “Jump” finding their way into the top 10 (at #7 and #9, respectively).

Not too bad for someone 30+ years into their career, eh?