Forever In “Vogue”: 16 Celebrities Immortalized By Madonna (And Others)

When Lauren Bacall died on Tuesday, August 12, it was the end of an era: we now live in a world where none of the 16 celebrities cited within the lyrics of Madonna’s “Vogue” still walk among us. To memorialize this sad occasion, let us take a stroll back in time and run through this roll call of famous names once more, but this time let's also remember several other songs that these folks have popped up in the lyrics of as well.

1. Greta Garbo (September 18, 1905 – April 15, 1990)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: Van Morrison’s “Just Like Greta,” Manfred Mann’s “My Name is Jack,” and Steve Nicks' "Greta."

2. Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: Elton John's original version of "Candle in the Wind," Robyn Hitchcock's "Uncorrected Personality Traits," and Thomas Dolby's "May the Cube Be With You."

3. Marlene Dietrich (December 27, 1901 – May 6, 1992)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: Peter Murphy's "Marlene Dietrich's Favorite Poem," Tom Cochrane's "Heartbreak Girl," and Bobby Short's "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World."

4. Joe DiMaggio (November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999)

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You may also remember him from such songs as: Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," John Fogerty's "Centerfield," and Billy Bragg and Wilco's "Joe DiMaggio Done It Again."

5. Marlon Brando (April 3, 1924 – July 1, 2004)

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You may also remember him from such songs as: Neil Young and Crazy Horse's "Pocahontas," Kirsty MacColl's "Terry," and R.E.M.'s "Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando, and I."

6. James Dean (February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955)

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You may also remember him from such songs as: the Goo Goo Dolls' "James Dean," David Essex's "Rock On," and the Eagles' "James Dean."

7. Grace Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: The Chameleons UK's "As High As You Can Go," Paul Gilbert's "Six Million People," and Mika's "Grace Kelly."

8. Jean Harlow (March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: Rick Springfield's "Jessica," Emerson Drive's "Hollywood Kiss," and Ringo Starr's "Oo-Wee."

9. Gene Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996)

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You may also remember him from such songs as: XTC's "The Rhythm," Seals & Crofts' "John Wayne," and Dream Theater's "Take Away My Pain."

10. Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987)

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You may also remember him from such songs as: James' "Just Like Fred Astaire," Extreme's "Decadence Dance," and the Manhattan Transfer's "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square."

11. Ginger Rogers (July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: Ambrosia's "Nice, Nice, Very Nice," Randy Crawford's "Last Night at Danceland," and Jobriath's "Movie Queen."

12. Rita Hayworth (October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: The Kinks' "Oklahoma U.S.A.," The White Stripes' "Take, Take, Take," and Tom Waits' "Invitation to the Blues."

13. Lauren Bacall (September 16, 1924 – August 12, 2014)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: Bertie Higgins' "Key Largo," Kitchens of Distinction's "When in Heaven," and Jude's "Battered Broken."

14. Katharine Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: Big Daddy Kane's "Death Sentence," Doug Stone's "Too Busy Being in Love," and Alice Cooper's "Adaptable (Anything for You)."

15. Lana Turner (February 8, 1921 – June 29, 1995)

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You may also remember her from such songs as: Terell Stafford's "Lana Turner," Steve Hackett's "Little America" and Renee Olstead's "My Baby Just Cares for Me."

16. Bette Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989)

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You may also know her from such songs as: Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes," Al Stewart's "Next Time," and Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row."

And to bring it home, here's the only song that actually includes all of the above names in its lyrics...and may they rest in peace, the whole beautiful bunch of them.