"La Isla Bonita" (Spanish for "The Beautiful Island") is a song by American singer Madonna from her third studio album True Blue (1986). Patrick Leonard and Bruce Gaitsch created it as an instrumental demo and offered it to singer Michael Jackson, who turned it down. When Leonard met Madonna to start working on True Blue, he played the demo for her. Madonna came up with the title, wrote the lyrics and produced the song with Leonard. It is her first song with Latin influences. Its instrumentation features flamenco guitar, Latin percussion, maracas, and includes four lines sung in Spanish. The lyrics talk of an island named San Pedro, whose location has been debated. Madonna said the song was her tribute to Latin Americans.
Upon its release as the fifth and final single from True Blue on February 25, 1987, "La Isla Bonita" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its Latin-inspired sound. Retrospective reviewers ranked the song as one of Madonna's best, and it features on her compilation albums The Immaculate Collection (1990) and Celebration (2009). Influence of the song has been noted in the work of contemporary artists. "La Isla Bonita" was commercially successful, becoming her eleventh top-five single on the Billboard Hot 100, and second Adult Contemporary number one. It topped the charts in Canada and several countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, West Germany, and Austria.
In the accompanying music video, directed by Mary Lambert, Madonna portrays two opposite characters: A young Catholic woman and a flamenco dancer. The clip received mixed reviews from authors and contemporary critics; some saw the use of Hispanic imagery as a successful marketing strategy, while others accused the singer of cultural appropriation. Madonna has performed "La Isla Bonita" on eight of her concert tours, the most recent being the Celebration Tour (2023–2024). Additionally, it has been covered by multiple artists, including Ricky Martin, Alizée, and The Bright Light Social Hour.
Background and release
Patrick Leonard (left, pictured in 2018) created the instrumental demo of "La Isla Bonita" and offered it to Michael Jackson (right, pictured in 1988), who turned it down.
In the fall of 1985, Madonna began writing and recording songs for her third studio album, True Blue.[1] For the project, she brought back Stephen Bray―with whom she had worked on her previous album Like a Virgin (1984)―and the Virgin Tour's musical director, producer Patrick Leonard.[1][2][3] Prior to working with Madonna, Leonard had worked on the Jacksons' 1984 Victory Tour.[4][5] After the tour concluded, he kept in touch with Michael Jackson and his manager Quincy Jones, who contacted him and asked him to write "something sort of Sade-like" for Jackson.[6] "La Isla Bonita" was one of the instrumental demos Leonard created for Jackson's approval.[6] According to musician Bruce Gaitsch, who collaborated on the track, it started out as an instrumental without any lyrics or even a title, and it was Leonard's idea to incorporate Latin sounds.[7] When he presented the demo to Jackson and Jones, however, they did not like it and turned it down.[6][8] After meeting with Madonna to start working on True Blue, Leonard presented her the demo and she began working on it.[6]
She came up with the title "La Isla Bonita", which roughly translates to "The Beautiful Island", and wrote the lyrics while in Hong Kong filming Shanghai Surprise (1986).[9][10] Gaitsch was not fond of the title, fearing it to be "uncommercial".[10] Madonna went on to describe the song as a tribute to the "beauty and mystery of Latin American people", further adding: "I'm very influenced by Spanish music. When I lived in New York for so many years I was constantly listening to salsa and merengue. I mean, that stuff was constantly blaring out of everybody's radio on the street".[11][12] She also said: "[Patrick and I] both think that we were Latin in another life[...] [because] Latin rhythms often dominate our uptempo compositions".[11][13] They would go on to work together on other Latin-inspired songs, such as "Who's That Girl"―from the film of the same name―and "Spanish Eyes"―from Like a Prayer (1989).[8] "La Isla Bonita" was released as the fifth and final single from True Blue on February 25, 1987.[14] The sleeve cover of the single shows Madonna wearing a Spanish-styled embroidered bolero jacket.[15] "La Isla Bonita" was also included on the compilation albumsThe Immaculate Collection (1990) and Celebration (2009).[16][17] It was further added as bonus track to the Japanese edition of 1995's Something to Remember.[18]
Composition and lyrics
"La Isla Bonita" was written and produced by Madonna and Leonard, with additional lyrics by Gaitsch.[19] Personnel working on the song included Leonard on keyboard arrangement and programming, Gaitsch on guitars, and Paulinho da Costa as percussionist. Background vocals were performed by Siedah Garrett and Edie Lehmann.[19] The song has been described as a "Latino-popdance ballad", while its sound has been compared to Bossa nova.[20][21] Author Mary Cross pointed out that "La Isla Bonita" marked a departure in Madonna's sound, as it combines flamenco guitar, Latin percussion, electronic sounds, maracas, and includes four lines sung in Spanish.[1][22][13] To get the correct translations, Leonard and Madonna talked over the phone with a Hispanic housekeeper.[23] According to the sheet music published by Alfred Publishing Inc. on Musicnotes.com, "La Isla Bonita" is set in the key of C♯ minor (with the bridge in F♯ minor) and was set in the time signature of common time with a tempo of 100 beats per minute. Madonna's voice spans between G♯3 to C♯5.[24]
Lyrically, "La Isla Bonita" talks about a "humble observer, captured by the rhythm of an imagined island" named San Pedro, with mentions of "tropical breeze" and "nature wild and free".[8][21][25] Madonna is a tourist who "prays that the days would last/they went so fast", while the island's inhabitants are referred to as people with "beautiful faces" and "no cares in this world".[26] The song starts with an introduction performed on bongos, before descending into castanets.[27] Madonna then utters the phrase "¿Cómo puede ser verdad?" ("How can it be true?").[13] In one line, she specifically sings, "Last night, I dreamt of San Pedro/Just like I'd never gone, I knew the song".[21] The geographic location of said place has been debated, with Cuba, Belize, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic being cited as possibilities.[28] Certain authors have speculated that San Pedro Town in Ambergris Caye, Belize, is the actual place mentioned on the song.[25][29][30] On its official website, the island's Victoria House Resort & Spa posted that the town has been nicknamed "La Isla Bonita" because of the song.[28]
During an interview with Rolling Stone, Madonna admitted to not knowing where San Pedro was: "At that point, I wasn't a person who went on holidays to beautiful islands. I may have been on the way to the studio and seen an exit ramp for San Pedro".[31] Authors Eduardo Viñuela, Igor Paskual and Lara González, noted that although the song features characteristic elements of Spanish music, such as flamenco guitar, its lyrics make mention of Brazilian music genre samba. The authors held that this "complicates" the location of the island, thereby making it a fictitious "utopic" place rather than an actual one.[32] Similarly, Daniel Garrán from Spanish radio station Los 40 argued that the lyrics are a "tribute to the Latin community from New York [Madonna] has always been close to", and do not talk about a real place.[30]
In 2014, while working on her thirteenth studio album Rebel Heart (2015) with producer Diplo, Madonna recorded a dubplate of "La Isla Bonita".[33] This version replaces the original's Latin beats with "vaguely dancehall" ones, and includes lyrics such as "Last night, I dreamed of Major Lazer, a sound I never thought I heard before/Sound Boy, your sound is so over, your sound is like yesterday, so far away".[34][35] It premiered in March 2015 on BBC Radio 1Xtra.[35]
Critical reception and recognition
Critical reception towards "La Isla Bonita" has been generally positive. It has often been referred to as one of Madonna's best and most romantic songs.[a]John Leland from Spin deemed it "spunky", while Jan DeKnock from the Chicago Tribune said it was "charming".[41][42] For Creem's Ken Barnes, "['La Isla Bonita'] is no 'Open Your Heart', but its lilting (yet reflective) quality transcends the south-of-the-border cliches".[43]William McKeen, author of Rock and Roll is Here to Stay, deemed the song "tranquil", and compared its lyrical theme of an "imaginary escape from the big city" to that of the Drifters' "Up on the Roof" (1962).[44] Similarly, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, writing for The A.V. Club, applauded its "breezy charm" that "creates a fantasy of an extended tropical vacation".[37] Dawn Keetley in Public Women, Public Words, said it was "smooth [and] transparent", as well as one of Madonna's "most perfect" songs.[45] For Entertainment Weekly's Chuck Arnold, it's "one of the loveliest tunes [Madonna] has ever done".[46]
Daryl Easlea, author of Madonna: Blond Ambition, wrote that "La Isla Bonita" and the other singles are "so strong that they overshadow the reminder of [True Blue]".[47]AllMusic's Stewart Mason named "La Isla Bonita" True Blue's "most prescient" track.[48][22] The song's production and Latin influence were singled out for praise.[b] Of the production, Paul Schrodt from Slant Magazine said it "gave a dynanism to [Madonna's] music that finally perished the thoughts, based on her earliest hits, that she was simply a Danceteria pop tart".[52] By his part, David Browne from Entertainment Weekly added that Leonard and Bray's input turned the song into a "perfectly conceived pop record".[51] Both Stuart Mason and Billboard's Bianca Gracie referred to Madonna's vocals as the best part of the song.[22][36] Author Matthew Rettenmund wrote: "Madonna's voice is always laced with immediacy and unimpeachable emotion. She imbues even her most pedestrian lyrics with a sense of purpose", citing "La Isla Bonita" as an example.[48]
In more mixed reviews, Stereogum's Tom Breihan deemed the single "pure risible kitsch [...] [a] clumsy fetishization of [an] exoticized culture", but nonetheless felt it was "one of the swooniest jams in a career full of swoony jams".[53] From the Observer–Reporter, John Quayle felt the song was more suited for Sade rather than Madonna.[54] In his book The Complete Guide to the Music of Madonna, Rikky Rooksby wrote: "This is one of those songs where you just know the [music] video is going to be marginally more interesting".[27] The HuffPost's Matthew Jacobs opined that, "you have to be in the right mood for ['La Isla Bonita'] – its middling tempo can feel like a slog".[55] Wendy Tuohy from Australian newspaper The Age referred to "La Isla Bonita" as a "commercial sleeping pill [rather] than a 'Spanish lullaby'".[56] More negative was the staff of the Kentucky New Era, who deemed the song forgettable and criticized its inclusion on The Immaculate Collection.[57]
"La Isla Bonita" was noted by Chuck Arnold a song that explored Latin pop "long before it became trendy".[46] Influence has been perceived in later Latin-tinged songs, such as "Viva Forever" (1998) by Spice Girls, Geri Halliwell's "Mi Chico Latino" (1999), Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" (2010), and "Despacito" (2016) by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.[c] According to Natalie Nichols from the Los Angeles Times, "echoes [of 'La Isla Bonita'] pop up more than once" on J.Lo (2001), the second studio album by American singer Jennifer Lopez.[61] Judy Cantor-Navas, writing for Billboard, said that "La Isla Bonita" was a precursor to the "Ricky Martin-led 'Latin Pop Explosion'" of the late 1990s.[60] "La Isla Bonita" was included on Bruce Pollock's Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock & Roll Era (2005).[62]
Commercial performance
On March 21, 1987, "La Isla Bonita" debuted at number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Madonna's eleventh consecutive single to be named the week's top new entry –a streak that began with "Lucky Star" in 1984.[63][64] By April 25, "La Isla Bonita" became Madonna's twelfth consecutive top-ten single, a record shared with Michael Jackson.[65] "La Isla Bonita" was the fifth top-ten single from True Blue, making it the second album by a female artist to score five top-tens, the other being Janet Jackson's Control (1986).[65] On May 2, the song reached its peak at number 4, becoming Madonna's eleventh single to reach the chart's first five spots, a feat surpassed at the time only by the Beatles and Elvis Presley.[66][67]
On the Adult Contemporary chart, the single debuted at number 31 on the week of April 4, peaking at number one more than a month later.[68][69] It was Madonna's second Adult Contemporary chart-topper after "Live to Tell" (1986).[69] "La Isla Bonita" also reached number one on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.[70]Billboard reported that 75,000copies of the 12-inch single had been sold by July 1987.[71] "La Isla Bonita" came in at number 58 on Billboard's Hot 100 year-end chart for 1987, and at 34 of the Adult Contemporary year-end chart.[72][73] As of October 2024, it is Madonna's 23rd most successful song on the Hot 100.[74] In Canada, the single debuted in the 58th position of RPM's Top Singles chart on the week of April 4.[75] After ten weeks on the chart, it reached the top position on June 6, 1987.[76] "La Isla Bonita" placed at number 22 on the RPM Year-end chart for 1987.[77] The song reached the fourth spot in Panama, and the first spot in Chile.[78][79]
In the United Kingdom, "La Isla Bonita" debuted at the fifth position of the singles chart on April 4; it reached the first position three weeks later on April 25, spending two weeks at number one and eleven on the chart overall.[80] It was Madonna's fourth number one in the country.[81] The single was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipment of 400,000copies.[82] According to Music Week magazine, 421,760copies had been sold in the United Kingdom as of 2008.[83] "La Isla Bonita" was Madonna's first number one song in France, where it spent three weeks at the top spot in July 1987, and was certified gold by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for shipment of 500,000copies.[84][85] It remains one of Madonna's highest-selling singles in the country, with reported sales exceeding 620,000units.[86] The song was successful across Europe as well, topping the charts in Switzerland, West Germany, and Austria.[87][88][89] "La Isla Bonita" also topped the European Hot 100 Singles chart the week of June 20, 1987.[90] It reached the top-eight in Spain,[91] and the top-five in Ireland,[92] Norway,[93] the Netherlands,[94][95] and Sweden.[96]
Music video
Background and synopsis
One of the two characters Madonna plays in the music video is that of a "flamboyant" flamenco dancer, as noted by author Mark Bego.
The music video for "La Isla Bonita" was directed by Mary Lambert, who had previously worked with Madonna in the videos for "Borderline" and "Like a Virgin" (1984).[98] Filming took place in Los Angeles and lasted over three days.[9][99] According to Sharon Oreck, in her book Video Slut (2010), it was a very "simple" shooting.[99] Over 500 extras of Hispanic descent participated in the visual. One of them was a then-unknown Benicio del Toro, who portrayed a teenager sitting on a car hood, and received a payment of $150.[9][99][100] Percussionist Paulinho da Costa appears in the video's opening sequence playing bongo drums.[101]
The clip shows Madonna in two different sequences, playing different characters: A short-haired Catholic woman and a "flamboyant" flamenco dancer.[9] In one scene, she is in a New York City apartment dressed in white, lighting candles at a living room altar, reminiscing about the song's titular island.[97][102] She cries as she watches a group of latinos dance in the street, and reluctantly ignores the invitation to join them.[26] In the memory sequence, she is seen in an apartment filled with lit candles, donning the flamenco dress.[97] Still in the dress, she dances, writhes on the floor, and leaves the place to join the dancers.[26]
"La Isla Bonita" had its world premiere on MTV on March 6, 1987, and became the most requested video in the channel's history for a record-breaking 20 consecutive weeks.[103] In Europe, it was the year's most heavily rotated video on television.[104] It can be found on Madonna's video compilations The Immaculate Collection (1990) and Celebration: The Video Collection (2009).[105][17]
Analysis and reception
Both author Victoria Chow and Juan Sanguino, from the Spanish edition of Vanity Fair, pointed out that the video for "La Isla Bonita" marked the moment Madonna began borrowing elements from other cultures, but the latter also accused her of cultural appropriation: "[She] looks more like a drunken tart at the Feria de Abril than a [flamenco] dancer [...] but at least she had the decency to grow her eyebrows", Sanguino wrote.[106][107] In his book Media Culture: Cultural Studies, Identity, and Politics Between the Modern and the Postmodern, Douglas Kellner noted that Madonna's use of "fantasy images of Hispanic fashion as an icon of beauty and romanticism", helped her successfully appeal to a larger, more varied audience.[108] Lucy O'Brien concluded that the image of Madonna in the red flamenco dress is, "as iconic as the boy toy or the black corseted siren".[109] This opinion was shared by People's Cara Lynn Shultz and Aaron Parsley, who named the flamenco look one of the singer's "most unforgettable".[110] Santiago Fouz-Hernández and Freya Jarman-Ivens, authors of Madonna's Drowned Worlds, noted a contrast between the singer's characters: The "austerity and the passivity" of the Catholic character, and the "passion and activity" of the flamenco dancer.[26]
The staff of Rolling Stone described it as one of the singer's most "theatrical" clips.[31] By contrast Ryan Murphy, writing for The Spokesman-Review, panned it for being "lame, overdone, [and] almost absurd". He went on to compare it negatively to the previous True Blue videos, further noticing a "pervading sense of humor [that is] not supposed to be there", specifically in the scene when Madonna dances out in the street.[111] On his review of The Immaculate Collection video compilation, Colin Jacobson from website DVD Movie Guide also reacted negatively towards "La Isla Bonita", referring to it as a "bland and uninteresting video, especially compared with the gems that preceded and followed it".[105] "La Isla Bonita" was named Madonna's 34th and 20th best music video by Louis Virtel from TheBacklot, and Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine, respectively.[112][113] As of 2018, it is one of her most viewed music videos on YouTube.[114]
On the Girlie Show, Madonna performed the song decked in horizontal stripes and a bandana, while the dancers were dressed as sailors.[120][121] The number also included a bit where the singer pretended to fall and had to be dragged from the stage.[120]The Baltimore Sun's J. D. Considine praised Madonna's "musical chemistry" with "her first-rate backing band" during the song.[122] The performance from one of the Sydney concerts was recorded and included on The Girlie Show: Live Down Underhome video release (1994).[123][124]
"La Isla Bonita" was one of only two of Madonna's 1980s singles performed on the Drowned World Tour.[125] Decked out in black slacks and backless dress, and surrounded by a "gaggle of percussionists and dancers", she played acoustic guitar in an "unplugged flamenco" version of the song.[126] Reviewing one of the London concerts, NME's Alex Needham pointed out that, "by the time 'La Isla Bonita' rolls around, the relief in the audience is palpable and Madonna also finally seems relaxed".[127] The performance on August 26, 2001, at Detroit's Palace of Auburn Hills, was recorded and released on the live video album Drowned World Tour 2001.[128]
Madonna sang a "disco-enhanced" version of "La Isla Bonita" on her Confessions Tour.[129] She wore a white leotard while the backdrop screen showed colored images of a tropical island that mirrored the "voluptuousness of [her] dancing", according to Slant Magazine's Ed Gonzalez.[130][131][132] The performance from the August 15–16 London concerts was included on the singer's second live album, The Confessions Tour (2007).[133]
On July 7, 2007, Madonna and gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello performed a "crazed hoedown" version of "La Isla Bonita" at the London Live Earth concert.[134] For the Sticky & Sweet Tour, it was given a gypsy theme and mashed up with Gogol Bordello's "Lela Pala Tute".[135][136] It featured instrumentation from fiddles and accordions.[137] In the number, Madonna gripped a rose in her teeth and was joined by Romani musicians and dancers, including the Ukrainian group Kolpakov Trio.[138][135]The Denver Post's Ricardo Baca considered the performance, "the show's brightest, boldest, most daring moment — a triumph of reinvention, like Madonna herself".[139] The performance was included on the Sticky & Sweet Tour live album release (2010), recorded in Buenos Aires.[140]
On the Rebel Heart Tour, Madonna did a flamenco rendition of the song complete with "stomps, claps and shouts".[141] She wore matador-inspired pants made from black tulle, with transparent beaded side paneling, and a black and fuchsia jacket covered in Swarovski crystals, adorned with the letter M.[142]Pitchfork's T. Cole Rachel noted that "La Isla Bonita" was one of the tour's numbers that, "resulted in nearly deafening arena-sized sing-alongs".[143] The song's performance at the March 19–20, 2016 shows in Sydney's Allphones Arena was recorded and released on Madonna's fifth live album, Rebel Heart Tour (2017).[144][145] On July 27, 2017, Madonna sang "La Isla Bonita" at Leonardo DiCaprio's annual fundraising gala in Saint-Tropez, France.[146]
A guitar cha-cha-chá mashup of "La Isla Bonita" and a song titled "Welcome to My Fado Club" was performed on the singer's Madame X Tour.[147][148] The stage was set up as a Lisbon nightclub, and Madonna —who portrayed a "beguiling hostess"— changed the lyrics to "my Portuguese lullaby".[148][149][150] At one point, she took off one of her gloves and said, "this is as X-rated as it's gonna get tonight".[147] For the Los Angeles Daily News, Kelli Skye Fadroski opined that Madonna "soared" through the number.[151] The performance was included on the film that chronicled the tour, Madame X (2021).[152]
On October 9, 2021, Madonna gave an "intimate performance" in the basement of Marcus Samuelsson's Harlem restaurant Red Rooster, and sang lounge renditions of "La Isla Bonita", Madame X album tracks "Dark Ballet" and "Crazy" (2019), and Cape Verdeancoladeira song "Sodade".[153] She was dressed in a black cocktail dress with a "dramatic leg slit", lace gloves, and a long blonde wig.[153][154] "La Isla Bonita" was then included on Madonna's Celebration Tour, where it was mashed up with "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" (1996).[155] Her son David Banda played guitar as she sang.[156] Reviewing the opening night at London, Variety's Mark Sutherland highlighted the number's "sheer, irresistible pizazz".[157]
Ricky Martin (left, pictured in 2014) and Alizée (right, pictured in 2007) are among the artists who have covered "La Isla Bonita".
Between 1986 and 1987, Madonna signed a $3-million deal with Mitsubishi Motors. As part of this deal, she made a TV commercial dancing to "La Isla Bonita".[158] In December 1986, before the song was officially released as a single, Italian singer Micaela released a cover, which peaked at number 25 in the Netherlands.[159][160]Music & Media magazine gave a positive review of the rendition: "Although the vocals are sometimes too hasty and the sophistication that Madonna puts into this stack is lost, the track is so commercial, one can hardly spoil it".[159] In July 1987, a cover by Mexican singer Byanka reached number 45 on the BillboardHot Latin Songs chart.[161] In 1989, when she was just 13 years old, Colombian singer Shakira appeared on Colombian television show De los Sueños... Hasta Hoy and sang the song.[162] Ten years later, "La Isla Bonita" was sampled by Chilean singer Deetah on "El Paraiso Rico", a track from her album Deadly Cha Cha.[163] Also in 1999, salsa singer Corrine covered "La Isla Bonita" in both English and Spanish for her second studio album Un Poco Más. This cover was produced by Wyclef Jean.[164]
American rapper Black Rob's song "Spanish Fly", included on his album Life Story (2000), features Jennifer Lopez singing a chorus based on "La Isla Bonita".[165] In 2004, American actor David Hasselhoff included a rendition of "La Isla Bonita" on his album Sings America, which was criticized for being "decidedly karaoke" by the BBC's Jake Jakeman.[166][167] That same year, American rapper Mase sampled the song's hook for his own "My Harlem Lullaby", found on the album Welcome Back.[168] In early June 2008, French singer Alizée posted a cover of the song on her official MySpace page.[169] The cover was then included on the Mexican Tour Edition of her third studio album, Psychédélices, and reached the first ten spots of the charts in Mexico.[170][171] On his review of a concert Alizée offered in Mexico City, Arturo Cruz Bárcenas from La Jornada was not impressed with the cover: "[She] dreams of being like Madonna [...] but [her rendition of 'La Isla Bonita'] only shows how far she is from that goal".[172]
In May 2010, American bloggerPerez Hilton released "Gagalupe", a parody of "La Isla Bonita" with lyrics that mock Madonna's "New Age beliefs".[173] The next year, "Love 2 Love U", an unreleased song by American singer Britney Spears that heavily sampled "La Isla Bonita", leaked online. It was described as having a "Jamaican-dance rhythm" by the staff of Los 40, who also noted that the melody and structure is the same as "La Isla Bonita".[174] Aired on February 7, 2012, the twelfth episode of the third season of American television series Glee, "The Spanish Teacher", had guest star Ricky Martin singing the song with actress Naya Rivera, who played the character Santana Lopez.[175][176] From Digital Spy, Catriona Wightman highlighted the "stonking" performance.[176] This cover peaked at number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 93 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart.[177][178] American band Deerhoof named their twelfth studio album (2014) after the song. Band member Greg Saunier explained the album was a homage to Madonna and Janet Jackson, describing it as the band's "rawest, punkiest" work since their 1997 debut.[179] "Mamacita", a 2020 song by American group Black Eyed Peas and Puerto Rican singer Ozuna, samples "La Isla Bonita".[180] According to producer Johnny Goldstein, it was will.i.am's idea to sample the song.[181] In 2022, American psychedelic rock band The Bright Light Social Hour released a cover of the song, featuring backing vocals from American singer Israel Nash, and "searing slide guitar, reggaeton percussion and pulsating synth bass", as noted by the staff of OrcaSound.[182]
Madonna Louise Ciccone is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Regarded as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting and visual presentation. Madonna's works, which incorporate social, political, sexual, and religious themes, have generated both controversy and critical acclaim. A cultural icon spanning both the 20th and 21st centuries, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame called her one of the most "well-documented figures of the modern age" in 2008. Various scholarly reviews, literature, and art works have been created about her along with an academic mini subdiscipline devoted to her called Madonna studies.
Who's That Girl is the first soundtrack album by American singer and songwriter Madonna. It was released on July 21, 1987, by Sire Records to promote the film of the same name. It also contains songs by her label mates Scritti Politti, Duncan Faure, Club Nouveau, Coati Mundi and Michael Davidson. The soundtrack is credited as a Madonna album, despite her only performing four of the nine tracks on the album. After the commercial success of the film Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), in which she co-starred, Madonna wanted to act in another comedy film titled Slammer, about a woman named Nikki Finn who was falsely accused of homicide. However, due to the critical and commercial failure of her adventure film Shanghai Surprise (1986), Warner Bros. was initially reluctant to greenlight the project but later agreed.
"Who's That Girl" is a song by American singer Madonna from the soundtrack of the 1987 film of the same name. Written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, it was released in Europe as the soundtrack's lead single on June 29, 1987 and in the United States on 30 June 1987. An uptempo pop song, "Who's That Girl" continued the singer's fascination with Latin pop, a genre she had previously explored on her single "La Isla Bonita". It features instrumentation from drums, bass, and trumpets, and has lyrics sung both in English and Spanish. While shooting for the film, then called Slammer, Madonna had requested Leonard to develop a song that captured the nature of her character; the producer worked on a demo and, afterwards, Madonna added the lyrics and decided to rename the song, as well as the film, to "Who's That Girl".
"Papa Don't Preach" is a song by American singer Madonna from her third studio album, True Blue (1986). Written by Brian Elliot, it was produced by the singer and her collaborator Stephen Bray. In the United States, the song was released as the album's second single on June 11, 1986, whereas in most European countries, the release was five days later. A dance-pop track with that mixes elements of baroque, post-disco and classical music, its lyrics deal with teenage pregnancy. Elliot wrote it inspired by teen gossip he'd hear outside his recording studio. Originally intended for a singer named Christina Dent, Warner Bros. Records A&R executive Michael Ostin convinced Elliot he let Madonna record it instead. The singer then added and altered a few of the lyrics, and got a songwriting credit.
"Material Girl" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna for her second studio album, Like a Virgin (1984). It was released on January 23, 1985, by the Sire label as the second single from Like a Virgin. It also appears slightly remixed on the 1990 greatest hits compilation, The Immaculate Collection, in its original form on the 2009 greatest hits compilation, Celebration and Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones (2022). The song was written by Peter Brown and Robert Rans, and produced by Nile Rodgers. Madonna said the concept of the song was indicative of her life at that time, and she liked it because she felt it was provocative.
True Blue is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on June 30, 1986, by Sire Records. In early 1985, Madonna became romantically involved with actor Sean Penn, and married him six months later on her 27th birthday. Additionally, she met producer Patrick Leonard while on the Virgin Tour, and formed a professional relationship with him. The first songs they created together were "Love Makes the World Go Round", and the ballad "Live to Tell", which was featured on At Close Range, a film in which Penn starred. In late 1985, Madonna and Leonard began working on her third studio album; she also enlisted the help of former boyfriend Stephen Bray, with whom she had worked on her previous record Like a Virgin (1984). Titled True Blue, the record saw Madonna co-writing and co-producing for the first time in her career. Inspired by Madonna's love for Penn, to whom she dedicated it, True Blue is a dance-pop album that features influences of Motown sound, girl groups, and Latin pop.
"Causing a Commotion" is a song by American singer Madonna from the soundtrack album to the 1987 film Who's That Girl. It was released as the album's second single on August 25, 1987, by Sire Records. Its Silver Screen Single Mix later appeared on the EP The Holiday Collection (1991). Written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray, the song was inspired by her relationship with then-husband Sean Penn, and his abusive and violent nature. Containing a dance-oriented, up-tempo groove, the song begins with the chorus and is accompanied by a four-note descending bassline and staccato chords in the verses.
"Lucky Star" is a song by American singer Madonna from her self-titled debut studio album (1983). Produced by Reggie Lucas, it was written by Madonna with the intention that her friend Mark Kamins would play it in his sets at Danceteria, where he was the resident DJ. In 1982, Madonna was signed on by Sire Records for the release of two 12" singles; after the success of first single "Everybody", the label approved the recording of an album, and the singer decided to work with Lucas. However, problems between Madonna and the producer arose and he ended up leaving the project; she then called John "Jellybean" Benitez, her boyfriend at the time, to work on the remaining songs.
"Into the Groove" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna, and featured on the 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan. Written and produced by both Madonna and Stephen Bray, the main inspiration behind the song was the dance floor; the singer wrote it while watching a Latin American man to whom she was attracted. Its instrumentation features synthesizers and drum machines, with Madonna's voice being double tracked on the chorus. Sexual innuendos and undertones are present throughout the lyrics, which are written as an invitation to dance with the singer. Originally written for her friend Mark Kamins, Madonna later decided to use it on the film, as one of the scenes needed a dance song. It was later added to the 1985 international re-issue of her second studio album, Like a Virgin (1984), and in her compilations You Can Dance (1987), The Immaculate Collection (1990), Celebration (2009), and Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones (2022).
"Hung Up" is a song by American singer Madonna from her tenth studio album Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). Initially used in a number of television advertisements and serials, the song was released as the album's lead single on October 17, 2005. Written and produced by Madonna in collaboration with Stuart Price, "Hung Up" prominently features a sample from the instrumental introduction to ABBA's single "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ", for which Madonna personally sought permission from its songwriters, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. This is one of the few times Andersson and Ulvaeus have given permission to sample one of their songs, following "Rumble in the Jungle" by the Fugees and "Fly With Me" by 98 Degrees.
"Open Your Heart" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna from her third studio album True Blue (1986). Written by Gardner Cole and Peter Rafelson, it was conceived as a rock and roll song titled "Follow Your Heart" for singer Cyndi Lauper, although it was never played for her. At the time, Cole's management was working with Madonna's, who were looking for material for True Blue. "Follow Your Heart" was among the songs offered to the singer. She liked it and, alongside producer Patrick Leonard, turned it into a dance song, changed its title and re-wrote some of the lyrics, thus receiving a songwriting credit.
"Like a Prayer" is a song by American singer Madonna from her 1989 fourth studio album of the same name. It was released as the album's lead single on March 3, 1989, by Sire Records. Written and produced by both Madonna and Patrick Leonard, the song heralded an artistic and personal approach to songwriting for Madonna, who believed that she needed to cater more to her adult audience.
"Vogue" is a song by American singer Madonna from her soundtrack album I'm Breathless (1990). Written and produced by herself and Shep Pettibone, it was inspired by voguing, a dance which was part of the underground gay scene in New York City. The song was released as the lead single from the album on March 20, 1990, by Sire Records and Warner Bros. Records. "Vogue" is a house song with influences of disco, which contains escapist lyrics describing the dance floor as "a place where no boundaries exist". Its middle eight features Madonna name-dropping several actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood. "Vogue" was later included on three of Madonna's compilation albums: The Immaculate Collection (1990), Celebration (2009), and Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones (2022).
"Take a Bow" is a song by American singer Madonna from her sixth studio album, Bedtime Stories (1994). It was released as the album's second single on December 6, 1994, by Maverick Records. It is a midtempo pop ballad written and produced by Madonna and Babyface. Following the sexually explicit persona portrayed by Madonna on her previous album, Erotica, she wanted to tone down her image for Bedtime Stories. Experimenting with a new musical direction and a more radio-friendly sound, Madonna decided to collaborate with Babyface, whose work with other musicians had impressed her. "Take a Bow" was developed after she listened to the basic beat and chords of a piece of music composed by him.
American singer Madonna has released 80 music videos, eleven concert tour videos, two documentary videos, four music video compilations, two music video box sets, four promotional videos, and four video singles. Nicknamed as the "Queen of Videos" or "Queen of MTV", her music videos were often considered by critics as works of art, depicting various social issues. Her early videos also received a significant academic attention. Madonna has won 20 MTV Video Music Awards, including the 1986 Video Vanguard Award for which she became the first female honoree. In 2003, MTV named her "The Greatest Music Video Star Ever", saying "Madonna's innovation, creativity and contribution to the music video art form" is what puts her at the top of the list. In 2020, Billboard ranked her at the top of their list "100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time".
American singer Madonna has released 94 singles and 23 promotional singles and charted with 23 other songs. Among those releases, a total of 44 singles have topped the official chart in at least one of the world's top 10 music markets, from "Like a Virgin" (1984) to "Give Me All Your Luvin'" (2012). She has sold more than 100 million singles, predominantly in physical formats, with single certifications spanning 40 years from "Holiday" (1983) to "Popular" (2023). According to Billboard, Madonna is the most successful solo artist in the United States singles chart history, second overall behind the Beatles. In the United Kingdom, Madonna is the most successful female artist, with a total of 64 top-ten songs and 13 chart-toppers. At the 40th anniversary of the GfK Media Control Charts, Madonna was ranked as the most successful singles artist in German chart history. Editors of The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004) wrote that Madonna is a "deserving candidate for the title of greatest singles artist since the 1960s heyday of the single"; the staff of Slant stated in 2020 that "by every objective measure, she's the most successful singles artist of all time".
The Who's That Girl World Tour was the second concert tour by American singer and songwriter Madonna. The tour supported her 1986 third studio album True Blue, as well as the 1987 soundtrack Who's That Girl. It started on June 14, 1987, at the Osaka Stadium in Osaka, Japan, and ended on September 6 of the same year at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, Italy. It was Madonna's first world tour and marked her first visits to Japan and Europe. Musically and technically superior to her previous Virgin Tour, Who's That Girl incorporated multimedia components to make the show more appealing.
"Medellín" is a song by American singer Madonna and Colombian singer Maluma released as the lead single from Madonna's fourteenth studio album Madame X (2019). The song was produced by Madonna, Mirwais, who wrote it alongside Maluma and Edgar Barrera. It was released as the lead single from the album on April 17, 2019, by Interscope Records. The song is named after the city in Colombia, in which Maluma was born, and is a Latin pop track with elements of reggaeton and dance-pop. Lyrically, it finds Madonna and Maluma reflecting on past struggles while dreaming about a trip to Medellín.
"Mamacita" is a song recorded by American group Black Eyed Peas and Puerto Rican singer Ozuna from the group's eighth studio album Translation. Filipina-American singer J. Rey Soul, who joined the group in 2018, is also credited as a lead artist. It was released as a single on April 10, 2020.
↑ "Reviews: Singles – Pop"(PDF). Billboard. Vol.99, no.13. March 28, 1987. p.73. ISSN0006-2510. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023– via World Radio History.
↑ "Discos más populares de América Latina"[Latin America's most popular records]. La Opinión (in Spanish). United Press International. July 7, 1987. p.6. Retrieved December 2, 2024– via Google Books.
↑ Cinquemani, Sal (August 14, 2004). "Review: Mase, Welcome Back". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
1 2 La Isla Bonita (US 7-inch Single liner notes). Madonna. Sire Records. 1987. 9 28378-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
1 2 La Isla Bonita (US 12-inch Maxi Single liner notes). Madonna. Sire Records. 1987. 0-20633.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ La Isla Bonita (Australian CD Single liner notes). Madonna. Sire Records. 1987. 7599-25451-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ La Isla Bonita (Japanese CD Single liner notes). Madonna. Sire Records. 1987. WPCP-3440.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
1 2 "Top 3 in Europe"(PDF). Music & Media. 4 (22): 12. June 6, 1987. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2022– via World Radio History.
↑ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Madonna"
↑ "Top Sellers 1987"(PDF). Music & Media. 5 (2): 25. March 12, 1988. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022– via World Radio History.
↑ "Top Hot Crossover Singles"(PDF). Billboard. Vol.99, no.52. December 26, 1987. p.Y-27. ISSN0006-2510. Archived(PDF) from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2022– via World Radio History.
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