Monthly Archives: June 2014
Today in Madonna History: June 23, 1990
On June 23 1990, Madonna’s I’m Breathless: Music from and Inspired by the Film Dick Tracy hit #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in the USA.
After the filming of Dick Tracy was complete, Madonna began work on the film’s soundrack, with songwriter Stephen Sondheim, producer Patrick Leonard and engineer Bill Bottrell. She also worked with producer Shep Pettibone on the album’s first single, Vogue. The album was recorded within three weeks in California.
Today in Madonna History: June 22, 2013
On June 22, 2013, Madonna’s The MDNA Tour aired on EPIX.
You can call her the Queen of Pop or you can call her the Material Girl, but there’s no moniker quite so evocative as simply: Madonna. The seven-time Grammy Award winner returns to the stage in an epic world tour billed as “a journey from darkness to light.” And whether you’re in it for Madonna’s trademark blend of controversial themes and killer dance moves, or simply some delicious pop hooks, you won’t be disappointed.
Today in Madonna History: June 21, 1993
On June 21 1993, Madonna’s Rain video premiered on MTV. The video was directed by Mark Romanek, and filmed from May 16 – 19 at an airport hanger in Santa Monica, California. Romanek and Madonna set the video to look like Ryuichi Sakamoto was directing it, giving it a backstage feel. It was entirely shot in black and white and then hand-painted with blue tones.
It’s strange
I feel like I’ve known you before
I want to understand you
More and more
And more
When I’m with you
I feel like a magical child
Everything is strange
Everything is wild
Today in Madonna History: June 20, 1998
On June 20 1998, Madonna’s Ray of Light became the #1 dance single on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The hit single remained #1 for 4 weeks!
Ray of Light was written by Madonna, William Orbit, Clive Muldoon, Dave Curtiss, Christine Leach, and produced by Madonna and Orbit. Ray of Light is based on Curtiss Maldoon’s Sepheryn.
“It took a long time to do the album, months. And it wasn’t like we were slacking. We actually did have to work fast, and there were many times when we had to move on. One of Madonna’s favorite phrases was: ‘Don’t gild the lily.’ In other words, keep it rough, and don’t perfect it too much. It’s a natural urge for computer buffs to perfect everything because they can, and we were very wary of that.”
—William Orbit on working with Madonna; Keyboard magazine