So Madonna’s new single, “Celebration,” has hit the murky depths of the Interweb in advance of its official release. [Update: Late in the day, “Celebration” appeared on iTunes, Amazon MP3.] Having heard the track in full, I have to say it’s been years since she sounded so free and loose on record, returning to her club roots. Since her upcoming hits collection of the same name represents the end of her Warner Bros. contract, I can’t help but wonder if she’s willfully ignoring what their A&R guys might think. If that’s the case, I completely applaud her hands-in-the-air victory march to the dance floor.

Earlier in the week though, tongues were wagging about Madge’s worked-out arms, saying the soon-to-be-51 star had gone way too far. I’ve got to admit, in this pic they do indeed look pretty gnarly (using the original, not slang, definition of the word). However, her rep claims it’s the photo, not the singer, that’s been put through the wringer.

Ten years ago, I found myself transfixed on those same upper limbs, noting how toned they were as Madonna danced her way through the video for “Beautiful Stranger,” from the soundtrack to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. And last year, I mentioned as much, making this week’s Friday Flashback somewhat of a repeat performance.

Released in the pre-digital days, “Beautiful Stranger” wasn’t released as a CD single. Still, the William Orbit-produced track reached #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 on airplay alone. Clubs embraced the track, which spent two weeks atop the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. That summer, the spiralific, candy-colored video (directed by Brett Ratner) played everywhere, and while Madonna was looking damn fine, the inclusion of Mike Meyers’ character in the clip made it doubly worth the watch:

Madonna and Orbit took home a Grammy Award in 2000 for “Beautiful Stranger,” while the pair also garnered a Moonman at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Purchase Madonna – “Beautiful Stranger” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.