The Breakthrough of Pop's Queen!
Like A Virgin (1984)
1. "Material Girl"
Madonna starts things off with another classic of hers and gave her the title "Material Girl" and how can you not love the narcissistic, materialism side of Madonna. She makes it's irresistibly fun and that chorus is just down right catchy. Sure, wanting men only for what they buy you is pretty selfish and morally wrong, but Madonna makes it pretty intoxicating, that you can't help but inspire to be wealthy yourself and feel the same. Also, that Marilyn Monroe inspired video was just as classic as the song itself. A perfect start!
(A+)
Madonna starts things off with another classic of hers and gave her the title "Material Girl" and how can you not love the narcissistic, materialism side of Madonna. She makes it's irresistibly fun and that chorus is just down right catchy. Sure, wanting men only for what they buy you is pretty selfish and morally wrong, but Madonna makes it pretty intoxicating, that you can't help but inspire to be wealthy yourself and feel the same. Also, that Marilyn Monroe inspired video was just as classic as the song itself. A perfect start!
(A+)
2. "Angel"
This song shows the often overlooked softer side of Madonna that I appreciate. It's tender, soft mid-tempo track that has an angelic feel (puns everywhere! [blah]) Of course, she is talking about her man, who she declares is an angel in disguise. A song that most can relate to when we realize our significant other means much more to us than we think. Overall, solid!
(B)
This song shows the often overlooked softer side of Madonna that I appreciate. It's tender, soft mid-tempo track that has an angelic feel (puns everywhere! [blah]) Of course, she is talking about her man, who she declares is an angel in disguise. A song that most can relate to when we realize our significant other means much more to us than we think. Overall, solid!
(B)
3. "Like A Virgin"
And here we have one of (if not the most) iconic song of Madonna's career and for good reason! At the time, "Like A Virgin" was controversial as the implications of the lyrics were so racy! Was she really talking about feeling like she lost her virginity again because she just had the best sex of life?? [eek] This was in the mid-80s when conservatives had much more power in the media and were not pleased at all. Despite all that, the song was Madonna's first big hit as it became her first #1 hit and topped the charts for 6 weeks. The video was also iconic with the wedding dress and beautiful shots of Madonna on a boat in Venice. Don't know what else to say. We all know this song, fans and the general public alike. Just great pop music all around.
(A+)
And here we have one of (if not the most) iconic song of Madonna's career and for good reason! At the time, "Like A Virgin" was controversial as the implications of the lyrics were so racy! Was she really talking about feeling like she lost her virginity again because she just had the best sex of life?? [eek] This was in the mid-80s when conservatives had much more power in the media and were not pleased at all. Despite all that, the song was Madonna's first big hit as it became her first #1 hit and topped the charts for 6 weeks. The video was also iconic with the wedding dress and beautiful shots of Madonna on a boat in Venice. Don't know what else to say. We all know this song, fans and the general public alike. Just great pop music all around.
(A+)
4. "Over and Over"
This is a cute pop song with it's fast paced, frantic beat. Hmmmm, it seems to be a song about perseverance as Madonna proudly sings about her getting again, over and over after what she's been though...I don't know. It kinda comes and goes so fast, but it's a cute song like I said. Kind of filler but cute none the less.
(C+)
This is a cute pop song with it's fast paced, frantic beat. Hmmmm, it seems to be a song about perseverance as Madonna proudly sings about her getting again, over and over after what she's been though...I don't know. It kinda comes and goes so fast, but it's a cute song like I said. Kind of filler but cute none the less.
(C+)
5. "Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
So this would technically be Madonna's first ballad, as her album didn't contain any. And for her first time, it's pretty great actually. I like the dramatic violin playing and Madonna's vocals (though often criticized for it's limits) are good. She certainly has enough emotion to evoke the essence of the song as she sings about a lover who abandoned her and her heartbreak over it. It's a solid ballad that could have very well been a single. A shame though.
(B+)
So this would technically be Madonna's first ballad, as her album didn't contain any. And for her first time, it's pretty great actually. I like the dramatic violin playing and Madonna's vocals (though often criticized for it's limits) are good. She certainly has enough emotion to evoke the essence of the song as she sings about a lover who abandoned her and her heartbreak over it. It's a solid ballad that could have very well been a single. A shame though.
(B+)
6. "Dress You Up"
You know what I am really enjoying about this album over her equally charismatic debut??? Songs like "Dress You Up" just have an edgy yet fun personality to them that is a stark contrast from the straight forward yet elegant musical showcase of her first album. One of Madonna's most underrated hits of her dominating presence during the 1980s music scene should not be forgotten as that chorus alone is dream-like in how catchy and irresistibly cute that chorus is! She definitely is really coming into her own as an artist here already and showing sides to her that feel genuine; drawing more curiosity to her by her growing and alarming massive fan base at the time. Songs like this just remind you "Madonnamania" was being compared to the overseas storm that was the Beatles in the 1960s!!! :)
(A+)
7. "Shoo-Bee-Doo"
Hmmmmm, well this is a very cutesy pop tune that seems like Madonna that seems to be singing her heart out to a potential romantic love interest. I like how the song starts at this soft rock ballad before becoming a more lively affair. I have to say, the song can be quite overly sentimental at times, especially when it comes to the tragically sappy chorus. It's a nice sentiment but it just doesn't stick out among the album's best tracks. It actually seems more grown up for Madonna at the time when she was just shy of 26 years old. Maybe if a veteran singer at the time sang it, I'd by it but she seems to be over stepping her musical boundaries with this one. Sorry.
(C-)
8. "Pretender"
Now THIS song feels more of Madonna's style of music. There's a mystic to it and delightful suspicion as she sings of a man who seems to be exactly what she thinks he's NOT!!! It's a pretty fun track that has some fun, light-hearted lyrics and the production is actually pretty smooth with a synth incorporation that really makes the song during Madonna's "You lie, you lie!" chant toward the end of the song. It's just catchy enough to keep you entertained and easy going enough to just relax to while sipping a nice drink at the club. Not bad! :)
(B-)
9. "Stay"
Ending off this legendary album is this sweet and sunny pop tune that has Madonna wanting her man to desperately to stay as she sings with a melodic hope in her heart that he will not leave her side. It's a nice way to close out an album that has been mostly strong, even timeless at times thanks to rare charismatic sass and endearing wit that oozes from the music that truly propelled Madonna into the stratosphere of pop infamy!!! :)
(B+)
While I would LOVE to review more tracks from the other versions of this classic 80s release like the re-issue that included the timelessly catchy and infectious "Into The Groove" in 1985 or the 2001 remastered version with the extended dance mixes of "Like A Virgin" and "Material Girl". It's funny after her very promising debut, Madonna seemed to not be truly satisfied with her career so far and really want to make more of an iconic statement with her sophomore effort than a musical one like her first album. Recordings for "Like A Virgin" apparently happened at a very quick and brisk pace during the summer of 1984 before being officially released at the beginning of November 1984. Madonna, once again, eager to prove a point with her music and especially visuals as an artist, wanted more artistic freedom with her second album and choose leading record producer at the time, Nile Rodgers as two began their collaboration that led to Madonna actually writing 6 of the songs on the album. With the help of writer Steve Bray, 5 of the songs were credited by both and the album was beginning to craft it's own sound. While not a complete departure from her very whimsical freshman release, "Like A Virgin" certainly was a success in its first of earth shattering imagery as Madonna was adamant about making both the album title and cover make people truly talk and think about the soon to be revolutionary pop artist. It certainly more than worked out for her as the album was massive worldwide success; not only going to number #1 in the states but multiple countries!!! Hit singles such as the title track reached #1 in the US and "Into The Groove" in the UK, becoming her first of many #1 hits overseas. The album went on to become one of the highest selling albums of all time; shipping 10 million in the US and selling over 21 million copies worldwide. And it seems the younger generation couldn't get enough of her at the time, as I said, "Madonnamania" was in full swing and being compared to the British import sensation of the Beatles in the 1960s. Seems every girl want to be a "Material Girl" and boys couldn't help imagine being with the immensely provocative star. And who can blame them, after her jaw dropping 1984 MTV VMA performance as she comes out of the top of a wedding cake and proceeded to hump the stage like she was having the best sex of her life. Yes, this is where the controversial Queen of Pop began her reign with aggressively astonishing that STILL hasn't topped over 30 years later unsurprisingly. But let's get to the album itself, which like her first, is a great, even superb album that has really stood the test of time. More legendary hits like the title track and "Dress You Up" truly bring that all encompassing nostalgic feeling that nearly brings a tear to your with their joyous melodies despite the former very sexually suggestive lyrics at the time. While the album is famous more for its decade defining hits and outlandish boundary pushing theme, the rest of it ain't have bad at all!!! "Angel" and to a greater extent "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" capture a soft maturity in Madonna that seems way more authentic than say..."Shoo-Bee-Doo".....one of the album's weaker installments. "Pretender" is a productive club rider and "Stay" is a sweet sentiment to leave the album on. Not much of musical progression when compared to her first album but enough of a personality to it to distinguish itself from the former. :)
"After her 1983 entry into the pop music pantheon, Madonna returned for a much talked about second album, "Like A Virgin". An album known for its more erotic lyricism, sensually religious cover and thought provoking theatrics than the actual music itself. Outside of some of her greatest hits is an album just as certain of its confident charm and dazzling delivery as her first album; but for those looking for something edgier and pretty salaciously inventive, look no further than her 80s breakthrough that catapulted her to international sensationalism." :)
(A-)
You know what I am really enjoying about this album over her equally charismatic debut??? Songs like "Dress You Up" just have an edgy yet fun personality to them that is a stark contrast from the straight forward yet elegant musical showcase of her first album. One of Madonna's most underrated hits of her dominating presence during the 1980s music scene should not be forgotten as that chorus alone is dream-like in how catchy and irresistibly cute that chorus is! She definitely is really coming into her own as an artist here already and showing sides to her that feel genuine; drawing more curiosity to her by her growing and alarming massive fan base at the time. Songs like this just remind you "Madonnamania" was being compared to the overseas storm that was the Beatles in the 1960s!!! :)
(A+)
7. "Shoo-Bee-Doo"
Hmmmmm, well this is a very cutesy pop tune that seems like Madonna that seems to be singing her heart out to a potential romantic love interest. I like how the song starts at this soft rock ballad before becoming a more lively affair. I have to say, the song can be quite overly sentimental at times, especially when it comes to the tragically sappy chorus. It's a nice sentiment but it just doesn't stick out among the album's best tracks. It actually seems more grown up for Madonna at the time when she was just shy of 26 years old. Maybe if a veteran singer at the time sang it, I'd by it but she seems to be over stepping her musical boundaries with this one. Sorry.
(C-)
8. "Pretender"
Now THIS song feels more of Madonna's style of music. There's a mystic to it and delightful suspicion as she sings of a man who seems to be exactly what she thinks he's NOT!!! It's a pretty fun track that has some fun, light-hearted lyrics and the production is actually pretty smooth with a synth incorporation that really makes the song during Madonna's "You lie, you lie!" chant toward the end of the song. It's just catchy enough to keep you entertained and easy going enough to just relax to while sipping a nice drink at the club. Not bad! :)
(B-)
9. "Stay"
Ending off this legendary album is this sweet and sunny pop tune that has Madonna wanting her man to desperately to stay as she sings with a melodic hope in her heart that he will not leave her side. It's a nice way to close out an album that has been mostly strong, even timeless at times thanks to rare charismatic sass and endearing wit that oozes from the music that truly propelled Madonna into the stratosphere of pop infamy!!! :)
(B+)
While I would LOVE to review more tracks from the other versions of this classic 80s release like the re-issue that included the timelessly catchy and infectious "Into The Groove" in 1985 or the 2001 remastered version with the extended dance mixes of "Like A Virgin" and "Material Girl". It's funny after her very promising debut, Madonna seemed to not be truly satisfied with her career so far and really want to make more of an iconic statement with her sophomore effort than a musical one like her first album. Recordings for "Like A Virgin" apparently happened at a very quick and brisk pace during the summer of 1984 before being officially released at the beginning of November 1984. Madonna, once again, eager to prove a point with her music and especially visuals as an artist, wanted more artistic freedom with her second album and choose leading record producer at the time, Nile Rodgers as two began their collaboration that led to Madonna actually writing 6 of the songs on the album. With the help of writer Steve Bray, 5 of the songs were credited by both and the album was beginning to craft it's own sound. While not a complete departure from her very whimsical freshman release, "Like A Virgin" certainly was a success in its first of earth shattering imagery as Madonna was adamant about making both the album title and cover make people truly talk and think about the soon to be revolutionary pop artist. It certainly more than worked out for her as the album was massive worldwide success; not only going to number #1 in the states but multiple countries!!! Hit singles such as the title track reached #1 in the US and "Into The Groove" in the UK, becoming her first of many #1 hits overseas. The album went on to become one of the highest selling albums of all time; shipping 10 million in the US and selling over 21 million copies worldwide. And it seems the younger generation couldn't get enough of her at the time, as I said, "Madonnamania" was in full swing and being compared to the British import sensation of the Beatles in the 1960s. Seems every girl want to be a "Material Girl" and boys couldn't help imagine being with the immensely provocative star. And who can blame them, after her jaw dropping 1984 MTV VMA performance as she comes out of the top of a wedding cake and proceeded to hump the stage like she was having the best sex of her life. Yes, this is where the controversial Queen of Pop began her reign with aggressively astonishing that STILL hasn't topped over 30 years later unsurprisingly. But let's get to the album itself, which like her first, is a great, even superb album that has really stood the test of time. More legendary hits like the title track and "Dress You Up" truly bring that all encompassing nostalgic feeling that nearly brings a tear to your with their joyous melodies despite the former very sexually suggestive lyrics at the time. While the album is famous more for its decade defining hits and outlandish boundary pushing theme, the rest of it ain't have bad at all!!! "Angel" and to a greater extent "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" capture a soft maturity in Madonna that seems way more authentic than say..."Shoo-Bee-Doo".....one of the album's weaker installments. "Pretender" is a productive club rider and "Stay" is a sweet sentiment to leave the album on. Not much of musical progression when compared to her first album but enough of a personality to it to distinguish itself from the former. :)
"After her 1983 entry into the pop music pantheon, Madonna returned for a much talked about second album, "Like A Virgin". An album known for its more erotic lyricism, sensually religious cover and thought provoking theatrics than the actual music itself. Outside of some of her greatest hits is an album just as certain of its confident charm and dazzling delivery as her first album; but for those looking for something edgier and pretty salaciously inventive, look no further than her 80s breakthrough that catapulted her to international sensationalism." :)
(A-)
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