#860 Madonna makes me smile like a Lucky Star

Everyone who knows me knows I like all types of music. Well, almost all types. I am not a big fan of ranchera. You know, that genre of the traditional music of Mexico originally sung by only one performer with a guitar. It always seems like it is about love, patriotism or nature or at least the best as I can translate the lyrics which is cool but the music is just not my thing. I do like music ranging from thrash metal to country to reggae. And if it is 80s and 90s rock or what is called ‘New Wave’, I am all about it. But I do have a guilty pleasure – Madonna. I especially like the early works by Madonna.

We have Madonna which was her debut studio album released on July 27, 1983 by Sire Records. Five singles were released from the album, with “Holiday” becoming her first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Lucky Star”, her first top-five hit. According to Allmusic, the album is mostly influenced by dance-pop, post-disco and pop rock music. Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that with the album, Madonna began her career as a disco diva, in an era that did not have any such divas to speak of. The album made Madonna a household name, and was instrumental in introducing her star power. My favorite tracks- “Lucky Star”, “Borderline” and “Burning Up”.

Like a Virgin is the second studio album by Madonna, released on November 12, 1984 also by Sire Records. Like a Virgin is not that much of a musical departure from her first album, but Madonna felt that the material was stronger. Five singles were released from the album, with “Like a Virgin”, “Material Girl” and “Into the Groove” becoming worldwide hits. Like a Virgin was recorded and finished by September 1984, but the release of the album was held up, much to Madonna’s frustration, by the continuing sales of her debut album, which was approaching two million sales in United States. Sounds like a good problem to have actually. And who can forget when Madonna debuted “Like a Virgin” at the first ever MTV Video Music Awards on September 14, 1984? She appeared on stage atop a giant wedding cake and was dressed in a wedding dress and veil. The climax of her risqué performance found her humping and rolling around on the stage and is noted as one of the iconic performance in MTV’s history. Stephen Holden from The New York Times said “Teen-agers were lining up in stores to purchase Like A Virgin the way their parents had lined up to buy The Beatles records in the late 60’s.” I was one of them.

And finally lets touch on True Blue the third studio album by Madonna, released on June 30, 1986, by Sire Records. Deemed as Madonna’s most girlish album, True Blue deals with her visions of love, work, dreams as well as disappointments. True Blue remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. All five singles released from the album reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Live to Tell”, “Papa Don’t Preach”, and “Open Your Heart” peaking at number one. Musically True Blue was a different direction for Madonna. Her previous efforts had her singing in a high pitched voice. With this album, Madonna toned it down for a more bubblegum-pop voice. Sounds good to me.

Yep, those where the day. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I like the new stuff by Madonna as well. It is just something about those early albums that always make me smile.

Do you like Madonna? Why or why not? If so what is your favorite track? Click here to leave a comment and share your opinion and experience. Would love to hear from you.

Visit Madonna’s Amazon Store to download her music or to get the CD if you are old school like me.