The Ten Best VMA Performances Of All Time
By Ani Bundel
3. Madonna, “Vogue” (1990)
I don’t even know what to say about this one. It’s my first memory of watching the VMAs, and it was one that made such an impression that going back and seeing it now is almost a disappointment. All the hallmarks of everything that is wrong about the VMAs is here. She’s obviously lipsyncing for one. And it’s not as shocking or titillating as it was back in 1990. But if 1984 was the year that made Madonna, this was the year that shows where it got her.
Everything here is over the top. The costumes. The shoes. (They’re by Fluvog.) The half naked male dancers, the over-clothed women dancers. This performance would later be remembered as a staple of her “Truth of Dare” tour, which she made a documentary about. But it’s a peak she never quite hit again at the VMAs, no matter how many more times she’s been on since.
Next: Beyonce, “Medley