Madonna’s performance at the Grammy Awards certainly raised the bar. Literally, as she soared above the Staples Center floor during "Living For Love."
Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj introduced the icon, calling her a "badass, trouble-making international star," a "powerful woman [who] is always on top."
And, according to Miley in the most complimentary way, "our bitch."
Madonna, who released the music video for the "Living For Love," just days before, channeled her bullfighting, Matador-like persona in her performance.
Wearing a studded black chaquetilla over a skimpy red and black sequin leotard, the 56-year-old icon defied age, as well gravity with her choreography.
No wonder this performance got Taylor Swift dancing …
All these years later, she still can work a crowd.
The bullfighting theme from her latest music video was present throughout, with Madge squatting, parading, singing, and captivating the Staples Center.
The biggest surprise of all came at the end, when a huge, red-robed choir belted out "love’s gonna lift me up," and the icon was lifted very much up.
Even Pink had to be impressed by that effort.
Her high production theatrics and over-the-top performance were almost as eye-opening as the outfit she wore on the red carpet prior to the event …
"Living for Love" is the lead single off of Madonna’s upcoming 13th studio album Rebel Heart, which was leaked early thanks to Internet hackers.
Although the perpetrator, an Israeli man, was arrested, the songstress told Australian Today last month that she was "devastated" by the incident.
"For an artist it’s the ultimate violation to have your work taken from you before you’re finished," she said. "I can’t begin to tell you how betrayed I felt."
Fortunately, she gained some measure of redemption by having all eyes on her – and every attendee talking about her – at the 2015 Grammy Awards.
Check out more performances from Sunday below: