Madonna

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Lore & Background

In 1979, Madonna was the drummer for Breakfast Club until a dispute led her to leave. She recruited Stephen Bray from Michigan, forming a band originally called 'Emmy' or 'Emmy and the Emmys' (a different project, 'The Millionaires', came later). By 1982, living in an unused rehearsal studio with Dan Gilroy, they realized "funky dance records were in style" and created a demo including "Everybody" and "Ain't No Big Deal." After Gotham Records rejected her due to creative differences over rock versus disco, she pitched the tape herself. Mark Kamins secured a meeting for her with Seymour Stein at Lenox Hill Hospital while he recovered from heart surgery. Impressed by the hook and voice, Stein signed her to a deal for three twelve-inch singles. Recording began in late 1982 at Bob Blank's Blank Tape Studios. Producer Reggie Lucas was brought in to add an R&B feel but clashed with Madonna over the "boho-punk style" and production direction, feeling she lacked studio experience while she felt he moved songs away from their sparse demo origins. Lucas left due to creative differences after producing most of the album, prompting Madonna to bring in John "Jellybean" Benitez, who remixed three songs, adding synthesized disco beats and New Wave elements.

In Their Own Story

The creation of the album was a rollercoaster of personnel changes and technical experimentation. After Barry Eastmond argued with Madonna over his "too slick" arrangements, Arthur Baker brought in Fred Zarr to redo all keyboards. The remaining tracks were recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, where Madonna wrote "Lucky Star" on a yellow legal notepad using a Casiotone keyboard as a thank you to Kamins. Lucas contributed two compositions specifically for her: "Physical Attraction" and "Borderline," the latter featuring his first use of a drum machine instead of a live drummer; they worked on it at artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's apartment. Complications arose when Stephen Bray sold "Ain't No Big Deal" to Barracuda, removing it from the album. Benitez then sourced "Holiday" from Curtis Hudson and Lisa Stevens-Crowder after their label Prism Records declined to record it for Pure Energy. During the session, Benitez assembled musicians by humming the music, while Madonna played cowbell and provided soulful vocals. Just before completion, Benitez and Madonna took the tape to finalize the project, ensuring the final product captured the energy that had originally drawn crowds at Danceteria.

Reader's Guide

To understand this era, focus on the transition from demo tapes to a five-single album release. The album features specific technologies like the LinnDrum drum machine, Moog bass, and Oberheim OB-X synthesizer, creating a distinct dance-pop sound that addressed love and partying. Five singles were released: "Everybody" and "Burning Up" debuted months before completion but made little chart impact; "Holiday" became her big breakout single, followed by "Lucky Star" and "Borderline." Promotion between 1983 and 1984 involved live appearances in nightclubs and television programs across the US and Europe. These performances later carried over to the Virgin Tour of 1985, her first concert tour. Critics praised its dance-oriented nature upon release. Commercially, it peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200, reaching top ten charts in Australia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the UK. Certified five-times platinum by the RIAA, it has sold an estimated 10 million copies worldwide. Retrospectively, it is hailed as one of the greatest debut albums and a standard-setter for dance-pop, influencing artists like Janet Jackson, Debbie Gibson, Kylie Minogue, and Lady Gaga.

Did You Know?

• Seymour Stein signed Madonna to a deal for three twelve-inch singles while recovering from heart surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, listening to her demo tape sent by his secretary.
• The claim that Madonna wrote 'Lucky Star' on a Casiotone keyboard given by Mark Kamins is unverified and not part of established canon.
• Producer Reggie Lucas wrote "Borderline" for Madonna, while "Physical Attraction" was co-written by Reggie Lucas and Madonna.
• The song "Holiday" was originally written for the group Pure Energy but declined by their label; contrary to some claims, there is no reliable evidence it was offered to Mary Wilson or Phyllis Hyman before Madonna record
• Madonna herself played the cowbell heard near the beginning of "Holiday," while background vocals were provided by Norma Jean Wright and Tina Baker.