Material Girl

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Lore & Background

The song's meaning was often misunderstood as purely autobiographical, yet Madonna clarified her stance in interviews. In 1986, she told Company magazine that while she did not write the song, the concept applied to her situation: "I'm very career-oriented... You are attracted to men who have material things because that's what pays the rents and buys you furs. That's the security. That lasts longer than emotions." Later, in a 2009 Rolling Stone interview with Austin Scaggs, she described the track as ironic and provocative, admitting, "I am not a materialistic person... how can you be like a virgin?" The lyrics explain that Madonna is a "material girl" who will not accept men unable to provide luxuries. Contemporary critics frequently identified it alongside "Like a Virgin" as the songs establishing her as an icon, though some found the work repetitious or immature by later standards.

In Their Own Story

The song's release was accompanied by a music video directed by Mary Lambert, developed as both an homage and critique of Marilyn Monroe's performance in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Filmed on January 10–11, 1985, at Ren-Mar Studios in Hollywood, the video interspersed mimicked scenes with a storyline where a director tries to win Madonna's heart. Discovering she is unimpressed by money and expensive gifts, he pretends to be penniless and succeeds in taking her out on a date. Much of the jewelry used came from collector Connie Parente. The video showcased Madonna's acting ability and dance routines, with choreography by Kenny Ortega. In a 1987 interview, Madonna explained her admiration for Monroe's vulnerability: "Marilyn was made into something not human in a way... Her sexuality was something everyone was obsessed with." Madonna has performed the song in five world tours, often mimicking the video's scenes.

Reader's Guide

Musically, "Material Girl" is set in common time at 120 beats per minute in the key of C major. It features a basic chord progression of F–G–Em–Am-F-G-C in the chorus, with verses based on the C mixolydian mode to create a hip, swing-like mood. The beat recalls the Jacksons' "Can You Feel It." In terms of chart performance, it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at position 43 on February 9, 1985, climbing to number two and spending two weeks there behind REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling" and Phil Collins' "One More Night." It topped the Hot Dance Club Songs but failed to enter the top 40 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Internationally, it reached the top five in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and the United Kingdom, where it was certified platinum in August 2023 for over 600,000 units.

Did You Know?

• Madonna has often remarked that she regrets recording the song because its title became a nickname for her in the mainstream media.
• The music video was filmed on January 11, 1985, at Ren-Mar Studios in Hollywood, California.
• In 2003, Madonna fans voted "Material Girl" as the 15th best single of all time for a special issue of Q magazine.
• The song features a robotic-sounding male voice, sung by Frank Simms, repeating the hook.
• The video storyline involves a director pretending to be penniless to win Madonna's heart after she rejects his expensive gifts.